The Washington herald., 1909-04-26
HEARERIN DEPICTED
IN SONG And STORY
Irish Men and Women Attend
Benefit for Asylum.
WILLIAM E CURTIS TALKS
Lectures on PrOgresEIveness OF the
Emerald Isle and DweIIs Upon It's
Beauties-Ezeellent Musical Pro-
Eramme Given, and Old Folk
Songs Strike Popular Chord.

Irish men and women gathered to hear
the story OF their emerald isle last even
ing as told BY William E. Curtis, the
journalist. who Is eminenuy fitted for
the task. The lecture was given in the
New National Thester for the benefit OF
ST. AIMS Infant Asylum
The address on ireland" was the main
feature OF a programme which comprised
some excellent musical numbers. The
Harp that once Thro' Tara's Halls, ="
Killarney" and irish folk songs struck
at once the note Of racial pride and re-
ceived the most enthusiastic greeting.
7 bring TO you a message from the old
sod. said Mr.. Curtis in opening his ad-
dress. Ireland to-day IS prosperous. It
is the most fourishing section OF the
British empire All traces Of the old
poverty and inertia have vanished. and
We find instead activity and hope I'd a
high faith in the future. Great progress
viii be seen in the next few years.
New Era for Tenantry.
with the breaking up Of the old landed
estates q new era has Sc; IN for the ten
antry. We find everywhere small farms,
with energetic. vigorous farmers who own
them There IS no trace OF that benumb-
ing poverty which was formerly univer-
sal IN the land The country bristles with
agricultural activity and the towns with
manufactures
Ir. Curtis described the architectural
features Of Dublin. the capital, with en-
phasis upon the public buildings. Dublin
vas not commonly regarded as a beauti-
ful city, he said. yet Il contains a system
of parks ranking with the best IN the
world. and has many quaint and interest
ing features. The library OF Trinity Col
1eEe is 4. perfect specimen Of architecture
according TO Ruskin. and the lecturer
threw upon the screen pictures OF the
custom-house. the city hall, the national
museum. and other places OF interest
Cork was described as one OF the bust
ling cities Of Ireland. with less poverty
and more ambition on the part Of the
poorer classes than IS found in any other
city. The laboring people express their
hopeful outlook by dressing well. BY de-
manding many OF the luxuries which are
beyond reach elsewhere, and by enter
tanning high ambitions for their children.
Poetry OF Killarney.
While the grandest scenery in the
world Is not 20 be found at Killarney"
said the lecturer, certainly the lakes
rank with the most beautiful The poetry
OF Killarney is fascinating to every one.
The romantic and picturesque nature Of
the country has produced similar strain
OF poetry in the inhabitants. and the re-
suit g charming
When Mr.. Curtis closed with his .rib-
ute TO Killarney, a quartet sang the song
which is dedicated 10 the famous county
The programme was opened with a barry
tone solo by Don s. Edmons. followed
by two charming soprano selections BIZ
Miss Edna James Sheehy. William
de Luca. Of the United States Marine
Band, was heard in a picturesque flute
solo. and Lucius F Randolph. jr.. was
heard in e tenor selection. Miss Marga-
ret EichorE won an encore with her con-
tralto solo and Mr.. de Luca showed
versatility by playing brilliantly on the
piccolo. The musical programme closed
with two bass solos by Ambrose A. Dur
kin.
The event was in charge Of a committee
composed Of Mrs. Anne Cunningham.
Miss Mary Helen Mccarthy, and P J.
Keleher.