The Irish standard., 1903-04-04

lectures and a most successful mission.
So large were the congregations, that
he had to address them in the open air
from the steps of the cathedral. Every
where he was received with enthus-
iasm. The people of the New World
appreciated him to the full, and he
himself said he could never speak else
| where as in America. "In Columbia
am free man and will speak my
soul"
But his greatest achievement was vet
to come. Mr.. Froude had arrived in
America to give the lectures embod-
led in his work: 'The English in Ire
land" He had come, as he said, to
appeal to an American jury for ver-
dict in justification of England's oc-
cupation of Ireland and of her admin
istration of the affairs of the country
Had he been successful or unopposed,
the result would have been to SOW dis
sension between Anglo and Irish Amer
leans. Yet to refute him was no easy
task, and there was nobody in the
country equal to it. Mr.. Froude had
a brilliant reputation: he was bold,
plausible, and concummate master of
English style. Moreover he came with
his lectures already composed, having
had both leisure and resources for
their preparation. Father Burke, who
was asked to undertake the reply, had
little time for preparation and only
such books as were lent him, and
was, moreover, sadly, cut of health.
81 have TO books here" he said, "and
no time to get up the subject" A
friend gave him the run of a we'll
stocked library, and for some days
Father Burke devoted himself to this
unexpected task, and then felt ready
for the fray. .... ..
This issue must be briefly told. Pub
lie opinion was excited, and the result
of the controversy watched with inter-
est by all. In five lectures Father
Burke ably and courteously refuted
Mr.. Froude and vindicated Ireland
claim to the sympathy of ali lovers of
freedom The lectures were delivered
in the Academy of Music, New York,
in the month of September, 1872, to
audiences of five thousand people. And
now the ovations with which Father
Burke was everywhere received reach
ed the ears of the Vicar-General of the
Dominicans, Father Sanvito, and he,
fearing for the humility of this sub
ject, bade him return to Ireland. Dur
ing his stay of eighteen months in
America, besides performing his duty
as "visitor," Father Burke had given
four hundred lectures, exclusive of SER
mons, the proceeds of which amounted
to nearly 100000, and were devoted to
relieve churches and converts from
debt, and endow charities and hospi-
tails. He loved America and felt at
home with his people. IF ever
voice." he said, "shall tell me to return
to your midst, it will fail most well
come upon my ears. recognize the
greatness of a priests mission in this
land-to work with such people as sur
round me here. How joyfully would 1
lend myself and my labors to the
building up in this land of a glorious
future for Catholic Irishmen'
On the 7th of March, 1873, he reach
ed Ireland, and was received with en-
thusiasm. The people knew and val
ued his work on their behalf in Amer
lea, and hailed him with gratitude.
The town officials, the clergy, and chief
inhabitants of Queenstown went to re-
ceive him, and as he stepped ashore
tremendous cheer arose. which was
followed by an address. Faher Burke
was quite overcome. and, having knelt
to receive the blessing Of DIR. Russell,
o. p. rose to reply: 81 suppose" he
said, II am expected to say some
thing" Here his voice faltered and
tears rolled uown his cheeks. After
few moments of silence he resumed:
Il can't say anything. Don't ask me-
for Gods sake, don't ask me! am in