New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-19

with discordant and quarrelsome groin
of patriots about him, was impossible
His SIX years leadership was a six years
martyrdom. But he bore il with p ma
tience which wins sympathy II not adj
mration.
lie mad to bear also with a degree OF
unpc- ularity among .. Irish National
lists IN Ireland and especially among the
extremists. The Irish mob does not
draw delicate distinctions. II has but
one motto: When you see a head, hit
it Rebel Cork rebelled against its own
son-he was born in Cork-apparently
because he was not rebel enough to suit
the taste Of that town. There being no
landlord ready to hand. the Cork mob
seemed disposed to think their leader"
might be offered up as a vicarious sac
rificc on the altar Of Irish patriotism
1t was, at any rate. on the testimony of
the Nationalist themselves, Il murder
Gus mob. Yet if anything could soothe
those angry passions ii might have been
the sight Of that mild, gray haired, gold
specialized old man who surely never had
a hard thought about anybody in all his
life. He loved Ireland, or one Ireland.
Perhaps he even loved Ulster which is
an ireland apart. He certainly did not
hate it, or even hate England. as Par
nell did OF hatred he was incapable.
But in the general conduct and method
CO Irish affairs, his moral completely was
complete. He was one OF the friends
and admirers who presented Mr.. Pat
rick Egan with n testimonial when thet
eminent treasurer of the Land League
found it convenient to leave Ireland.
He was in full political communion with
Mr.. Patrick Ford. He did not disdain
II accept contributions to the Irish Ma
tionalist fund from dynamiters and adj
vocates of assassination as a means of
political propaganda. | am sure he hated
them all, but his was never a nature 10
reject that what his associates pressed
upon him.
1t is more agreeable 70 remember him
as something else than "A politician. He
was a journalist and a good one within
his own limits. He was a good leader
writer on The Daily News" under
Frank Hill. He was not a good editor
and it is doubtful whether any goodness
Of editorship could have made THE
Morning Star profitable paper. Even
Mr.. John Morley could not keep it alive.
Mccarthy began as reporter in the
Press Gallery Of the House Of Com
mons. then he became leader writer,
then editor. l remember the paper, and,
dirlv. the writing in H. Mccarthy was
fluent, plausible persuasive, but had not
the force which a militant journal need
ed When he took to literature. prop
erly so-called, he seemed more at home.
He had scholarship and a natural bent
toward exercises of the mind. He wrote
novels which were not unreadable. He
wrote a History of Our own Times
which filled vacant place: no history
being so difficult TO find authorities for
as the history of recent years. This
book is not. perhaps. an authority. bur
supplies a convenient summary OF events I
from 1887 TO 1880. and. with its contin-
uation. to the death Of King Edward In
1910. Only last year appeared h's
Irish Recollections." book likely to be
read as long as any Of his earlier works.
The History of the Four Georges" the |
Reign Of Queen Anne" and the Life ,
Of Sir Robert Peel" are all rather popu- |
lar in their treatment OF great events
and great mon. His output was i'm |
mense like his industry. but am afraid
il would he rash 10 say Of him that he
ever gave TO the world anything which
the world would not Willingly let die.
II is pleasanter still to remember the
pleasant personality which was his. He
was often TO be met though perhaps
his view Of social relations was little
cynical. He said to me one evening at
Mr. w. f. Forsters:
1T is something to be asked here 10
dine once a year at the fag-end Of the
season. IL is a recognition
II there was a touch Of bitterness In
that. il was the only one ! ever heard
from him. He had no real bitterness in
him. He faced great difficulties with
TRANQUIL courage and untiring industry
He could talk we'll when he chose, but
did not care TO shine; still less to COM
pete for a place in a crowded CONVEX
sation. He was often at Lady Jeune's, !
whose invitation was a compliment to
him. as his presence was a tribute to her. |
He was one of the late Mr. Alexander
Macmillan's guests at the Friday even
ing Tobacco Parliaments held for years
in the old publishing house in Bedford
Street Wherever he was, he brought
with him d spirit OF peace, fine human
svmpathy, much knowledge of books, !
not much Of men, but an influence which
made wholly for good will among men.
O.. w. $.