The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume], January 04, 1874, Morning, Page 4, Image 4

About The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881

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Mornlng Star and Catholic' Messenger.
PnLISUBD EUVEY SUBDAT MOBNING.
REV. A. J. RYAN,
nDLTOR-IZ-CIrF.
gEw OBLSA. SUNpDAY. JAIUAIT 4. 1574.
OUR CIUBa5 A
sOs APrpas aSmTr r y mr. TO On ADDIsUs
One (n o one 7wr)..............=1. 2 00
S Ool0 ' .................. 1 50
Twenty Copies " ................. 40 00
e orders will receive attention unless .o
smpamled by thesash.
Age ts r the Star.
LousntA.
l. IaNAux, Franklio.
Tar. DuooGa, Baton Rouge.
Maas.
J.E. QALz.rauzz. 232 Poetoffice t., Galveston.
J. Z. LAErDECRER, Laredo.
C. C. Bzvues, Houston.
3. J. O'CoNNxu , Savannah.
OfoDoB NE.SoN, Macon, Ga.
eusiaurri.
MARTnt Busnx, Natcbes.
E. F. Owans, Vicksburg.
CAIMUDA* OW TEN WEEK.
. ......Jan. 4-OetavO of Soly .nnocete.
saya.....Ja. 5-Vil of the epiphasy.
lisr s...,as. --Of the Octave.
Msm'br .. ,,.-i--ofOcao
To avoid unnecessary delay, all letters,
eommanioations and post-offoe orders
aheuld be addressed "dttor Monlrg Star."
Our esteemed friend, Mr. C. Cummings, will
attend to collection. for the STAR in Jackson,
Yiss.
OUR IEW TERMS.
Let it be distinctly understood that our
change of terms, which goes into effect to-day
is for the purpose of reducing and does reduce
the cost of this paper from $4 00 to $2 60 a
year in the city. There are some of our read
ers who do not appear to understand this and
think that nothing will be gained, while the
itoublq of getting the paper will be increased.
Ths is a mistake. By making an arrangement
with their carrier they can get the paper just
ea conveniently as in the past, and a great
deal more cheaply.
Members of the Hibernian and Catholic
Total Abstinence Associations, are referred to
aur special notice column on page 5 for notiees
of importance to them.
We are pleagpd to announce that Mr. John
Conroy, well known throughout the Third
District as the efficient sexton of St. Petor's
church, will, with the assistance of his son
attend to the distribution of the STAr in that
neighborhood. Well wishers of the STAn are
requested to give him their orders.
LaCTURea a FATHER GIESEN, C. 88. R.-A
eard elsewhere announces that this distin
guished clergyman will lecture on Monday
evening, January 26th, in St. Alphoneus Hall,
in aid of the charities under the care of the
i8sters of Mercy. The fame of the Rev. lec
turer no less than the great worthiness of the
object for which it is to be delivered, will, we
are sure, ensure a crowded hail.
EwrrsaTauIxMcNT rT mu Ensr CLun.
This (Sunday) evening at 7i o'clock, this ex
eellent club will give an entertainment at St.
Joseph's Hall, Common street, for the benefit
of the new church. Tickets 50 cents. The
programme selected is one promising much
amusement, the leading pisees being "Hit
[im, He Has No Friends,"" DJye Know Me
Now " and " Look Before You Leap."
We are pleased to meet Mr. A. L. Arundell
who, after an extensive trip through Texas, in
the interests of the popular frm of Messrs. 8.
Hlernsheim & Bro., has returned home to spend
the bohadys among his friends, looking as
youuo-saedsome and happy as ever.
ST. VINcErT's FAuR.-Our readers will re
member that next Saturday evening, 10th
inst., this fair will open in Grunewald Hall,
opposite the Jesuit's Church, Baronue street.
There are few institutions in this city more
deserving of assistance than St. Vincent's
Home, whore one hundred poor boys are pro
tected from the evils which surround youths
of their age and condition in large cities, and
we feel assured that every charitable person
will make it a point to visit the Hall on at
least one evening. As the President of the
Rome says, " In saving the boy you save the
man."
4We invite attention to the letter from the
Nun of Kenmare, announcing the poetpone
enent of her lottery, and are requested by her
to ask that those who are selling her tickets
will not relax their efforts to dispose of the
same. Sistor Mary Francis Clare is yet in ex
tremely delicate health, and her illnese is in
reased by the destitution existing among her
poor, so much so that she sagys, "It breaks
my heart to see the poverty here and not to be
able to help ILt"
GooD Nxws.-Mr. P. F. Gogarty, 151 Camp
street, at the opening of the new year gives
as information which all Catholics should hail
with delight. In fututre he will give to his
subeescribers that meat excellent Catholio mag
aine, the Caetoic Woirld, for $4 25 a year. It is
unneoesmary for us to say aught in commenda
tion of this magersine-it has long ago sacred
lIted itself to the Catholics of the English
reding world uas one of the best if not the very
best of monthly msgsaines. No Catholic fam.
ily s0ald be without it, and we advise all our
readers who are not yet subpcrlbers, to call on
or address Mr. Gogarty at once.
The V1rginlus.
Governments, like individuals, cannot
prosper permanently by evil courses. If
they could t world would triumph over
God, -so far as the tribunal of this life's
expsrielee is concerued. To be sure, the
eye ofaith can look forward even to the
future life and witness the triumphs of
eternity, but God generally vindicates his
authority even to the eye of reason. This
is, indeed, almost necessary, as human de
pravlty,.utterly careless of a future world,
would grow ungovernable in its insolence,
were it not for the sense of that temporal
retribution which all men fear at the
hands of God.
The administration at Washington ap
pears to enjoy anpxemption from this gene
ral apprehension. It goes forward to the ac
complishbments of its ends without the
least squeamishness as to the means used
and without, apparently, the slightest
forecast of impending chastisement. The
Durell usurpation was a notable instance of
this in its time, and the Virgininus affair is
a much later one.
Mr. Attorney General Williams for rea
sons precisely similar, probably, to those
which influenced his Louisiana policy, de
termined that there should be no war with
Spain. Mr. Williams and all his elass of
politioians can see no higher a policy than
that of proscription towarda the Soath.
This is the grand key to all their states
manship. . Their party is for them the
country, and to maintain their party in
power it is necessary to keep the South in
a state of ruinous subjection to negro rule.
Hence Durell is instructed to establishby
fraud a negro government which will be
sustained by force, and hence, too, an atro
clons wrong, by which American blood was
sh6d in torrents must be glossed over
and pettifogged away.
It was evident to the sharpened instincts
of these human jackals that a war of any
magnitude would break the shacklesof the
South, that their victim would escape from
their toils, and that their only opportunity
of control and notoriety would be gone for
ever. They are a kind of dirty seam that
rise to the surface of a cauldron kept boil
ing by the insane ares of sectional hatred,
and are sure to settle at the bottom when
normal conditions are reet6red.
So the Administration had no hesitation
in playing attorney for the Spanish Gov
ernment. Mr. Williams made out a brief
for that side of the case and called it an
opinion. But granting that according to
his view the Virginius was not entitled to
American papers; she had them, and it was
not for seamen shipping on board of her to
enter upon an enquiry into matters which
might puzzle abler lawyers than Mr. Wil
liams has the reputation, at his own home,
of being. So far as the crew of that vessel
was concerned, she was an American ship
to all intents and purposes.
But going farther and admitting, what is
clearly impossible, that they all knew her
papers to be fraudulent, they were still
American citisens, though on board a for
eign craft, and entitled to American pro
tection. It is folly to say that Spain had
pronounced their action to be piracy. Spain
has no right to call American citisons pi
rates when they are not, and still less right
to punish them as such. Such a law is
brutal, and its mere enactment ought to be
a cases bell without waiting for Its practi
cal application to some unhappy victims.
The erew of the Virginis were not pirates
in fact no law could make them so, and
their execution as such was a murder
which ought to be avenged by their gov
ernment.
The blood of those murdered men has
called in vain upon their country for ven
geance. It did not suit the electioneering
views of political hacks to give them jns.
tice, and justice was refused. But blood
is a very stubborn fact. Like Banquo's
ghost, it will not always "down " at the
bidding. The Virginias went down be
neath discreet waters; suspicions people
whisper that it was a very convenient
accident; but the ghost of the Virginins
will not sleep tranquilly under those wa
ters.
If the Administration has done wrong,
retribution will come. Justice never
sleeps, and it cannot be cheated. Sohemes
may be well laid, subterfuges may be
very plausible and expedient quites ilnge
nious; bat Eternal Justice will not be over
reached. If the Virglinius has been foully
dealt with, she will rie in judgment
against all this cunning, and if her crew
have been mardered, the roiceless pleading
of their blood will not be silenced by the
crack of the party whip.
A grand vocal and Instrumental concert will
bshortly be given for the benefit of the widow
and blind daughter of the late Theodore Von
Is llache, one of the most accomplished musi
clans our city has ever known. While living,
Mr. La Hache wee ever ready to devote hisl
time and talents to objects of charity, and we
hope that this appeal in behalf of his widow
and daughter will be generously responded to.
The entertainment will be given by some of
the leading artiste and amateurs of our city,
who will make it well worthy the patronage
of the lovers of good music.
Nnw Booxs.-We have received from Mr. J.
A. Gresham, 90 Camp street, "Study of Soci.
ology," by Herbert 8peneer, and " Pot to the
Test," by Chamberlin.
The Two Legislatures.
Ont SBtte is in such a condition of affu
ence that it can afford to ran two legisla
tures at this time. One of them is said to
have been elected by the people, the other
by the soldiers. The soldiers always have
the best of it when they take a hand in an
election. The question arises, what is the
use of going through the ceremony of vo
ting if the General Government can inter
fere and decide the election. The more
honest way would be simply to give dir
ectly to the President of the United States
the right of appointing all State offieers.
It appears, however, that the people of
this country, in a large number of States,
have not yet made up their mind to accept
such a doctrine. Therefore it is advisable
to keep up appearances for a while longer.
There must be the form of an election and
a show of legal proceedings in reversing
its verdict. Even this is not found to be
quite enough to overcome Northern dis
satisfaction and a compromise is desirable
in the Louisiana case. That is, the Ad
ministration is afraid of meeting the
plain issue just yet.
It Is proposed that the protest filed by
the people of Louisiana shall be withdrawn
and the contest termidated by seating a
certain number of their legislators in the
negro legislature. The issue would thus
be postpened for a while.
The question then is whether the peo
ple's government ought to make this con
cession. It would be very agreeable to our
enemies for it would relieve them of a very
uncomfortable job. It might stop the
current of popular displeasure now setting
so strong against the despotism which rales
at Washington. But would it be right in
the people of Louisiana to compromise their
rights in the very heat of a contest when
the sympathies of freemen everywhere are
rallying to their assistance ?
It is said by many that it would be well
to compromise and save something rather
than lose all. This would be true enough
if that alternative were assuredly presented.
If it be quite sure that we must lose in an
appeal to the people of the country, a com
promise weould be in order. Bat while
there is good ground for hope, it would be
an unworthy and pusillanimous wBakness
to yield. Then again, a compromise would
be childish unless the benefit to accrue
from it were certain. An idle hope that
something good may come of it is not
a good consideration for the abandonment
of honest rights. The mere pocketing of
their pay by members will not be object
enough to justify such a humiliating pro
ceeding.
Let us hope that those who have been
chosen to represent the people will keep
that end solely ih view and not use their
trust as an instrument for private
profit. No prosperity can attend repre-.
sentative government unless honest men be
selected to office, who will actually repre
sent the people and not some individual
Interest.
The Dominican Mission at St. Michasl's Church.
Last Sunday the Rev. Fathers Rooney and
Turner, Dominioans, commenced a mission at
St. Michael's church, Rev. Thomas Heslin,
pastor. The attendance so far has been re
markably good, and the attention and avidity
with which the congregation have listened to
the truths of the Gospel as expounded by the
Rev. Fathers, show that St. Michael's people
are far from being indifferent to the welfare of
their souls. To their credit be it said, on New
Year's eve and New Year's day, when people are
generally disposed to indulge in a joyfulness
which is not ovsr conducive to their spiritual
good, the people of St. Michael's flocked to the
church, to thank God for the blessings of the
outgoing year and to seoere His favors for the
one that was beginning. The fleeting shadows
of profane enjoyment they despised for the
substantial benefits of Providence. And there
fore it is to be hoped that the mission will be
in every sense of the word a success-an occa
sion for the sinner to be converted, for the
lukewarm to become fervent, for the ordinarily
good to advance with renewed courage on the
road of virtue-for all to preserve or to recover
the friendship of God which if they possess
they need fear nothing.
The mission will close at 7 .o'clock this Sun
day evening with the Papal Benediction, to
which, our readers should remember, there is
plenary indulgence attached. This, we under
stand, will be the last mission by these Fathers
for some time, as their oonstant labors for the
past four months render repose absolutely
necessary. They will therefore retire to their
convent in Lonuirville, immediately after this
mission.
DIocus or RIcamoNaD.-Last week Mr. Ben
jamin Keiley, the younger brother of Mayor A.
M. Keiley, of Richmood, President of the Irish
Catholic Benevolent Union of America, was
raised to the Holy Order of Priesthood by
Bishop Becker, of Wilmington, Delaware.
Though ordained in Richmond, his field of
labor will be in the diocese of Wilmington.
Mr. Keiley is a native of Petersburg, where his
family was well known for its great hospitality
to Louisiana soldiers during the war. He is a
young man of rare talent and energy, and
during the past four years has studied at the
American College in Rome with great suocess.
Last Sunday the Diocese of Richmond was
dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by
Bishop Gihbons, who said Pontiical High ]ess.
The sermon wa preached by Bishop Gross of
Savannah.
The public printing now costs the United
States$2,000,000 annually. Before the war it
footed up only $150,000.
The Canal.
The Windom Committee has finished its
investigation and departed for Wabshlg
ton. Rumors prevail that its coudlusoen
are favorable tq:;he prqjected canal at
Fort St. Philip, and that ceusequenty the
prospects of that enterprise are favoerable.
General Beauregard testified that cheap
ness of transportation was in favor of large
ships and that several very conelderable
advantages would result from the work as
a means of coast defence.
We think that the greatly increased sine
of the ships which would visit our port
would not by any means be the only cause
of cheap transportation as resulting from the
canal. Even if the canal should afford but
seventeen feet of water or, say, one foot
less that is frequently found on the bar, it
would greatly reduce the rate of tonnage
from this port. The great cause of high
prices is the uncertaint1 of getting over the
bar at all. A ship drawing only as much
water as another which has just crossed
is not at all sure of having the same luck.
She may strike on a new mud lump, or
get a little out of the channel or be inten
tionally grounded for the purpose of giv
nlog some tug boat a good job. After losing
a months' time and spending a couple of
thousand dollars extra, she gets off with the
captain in a bad humor, and carrying away
a very poor reputation for the port. This
element of uncertainty makes shbipping un
willing to come here and adds a heavy per
centage to the rates that would ptherwise
be considered ample.
Bat a canal with a fixed and unchang
able depth of water would remove the
whole element of uncertainty, and prevent
the charges that are made on account of
it. Besides that, towage charges would be
reduced about half or probably more.
Thus freights to and from this port would
be greatly diminished by such a canal
even though affording somewhat less water
than is occasionally found on the bar.
When to this we add the consideration that
ships drawing twenty four or five feet
could be employed in our commerce, it is
evident that rates would be materially
lessened.
This would be of great advantage to our
port and would therefore raise a violent
opposition to the seheme on the part of
rival ports, but it would alse be of great
benefit to the whole Mississippi valley and
can therefore count on active support
from the Western States. When we tee
the project endorsed by Congress and the
bill actually signed by General Grant we
shall begin to think the war at an end.
Blessing of an Engine in Algiers.
New Year's day was celebrated in Algiers
with unusual pomp. A most interesting cere
mony enliven ed its peaceful streets and every
where smiling faces gave testimony of the
interest the people took in the event. The
occasion of all this jubilation was the blessing
of a new engine and a splendid horse, both
belonging to Brooklyn Fire Company No. 2.
A large procession consisting of the members
of the four Algerine fire companies, headed by
a brass band, marched to the residence of the
Marist Fathers and invited them to perform
the ceremony. The Very Rev. Father Bellan
ger kindly accepting the invitation, all at once
repaired to the engine house where, in a few
eloquent words, Mr. J. Riley presented the
hore and edgine to the Rev. Father through
his ministry to receive the blessing of God.
lbefore prodeeding with the blessing Father
Bellanger addressed the members of th asso
elation, thanking them for the honor shown
him and commending them for their wisdom
in asking the blestsings of Almighty Gbd in
their noble, self.acrifloing efforts. Bia ad
dress was received with enthuslasm,and im
mediately on its conolusion he proceeded with
the ceremonies usual on sunoch occasions. The
epgine received the name "Odilie Brodtmann,"
its sponsors being our popular and respected
citizen, Mr. Pojel and his spouse. The horse
was named " Willie B," and had for its spon
sors the two beautiful children of Mr. W.
Brodtmann after whom the horse was named.
The festivities of the day were closed with a
splendid dinner for the excellence of which the
Committee is entitled to great credit.
In Chicago there are about 100,000 Germans
not including 8oandinavians and Hollanders.
To provide for the spiritual wants of these
Germans the Protestants have thirty ministers
and thirty-one ehurches, with a total member
ship of 7,400. The Roman Catholics have
thirty-aix priests, eight German Catholie
churches, and ten thousand church members
The attendance on Protestant services is about
fourteen thousand and on the Catholio ffteen
thousaund.-CMiogo lbsme.
IPPsa Crrr R&nxuow.-The committees of
this company and the City Conncil met on
Wednesday last and proceeded to survey the
proposed route. Some animportant hobanges
were suggested, and it is probable that at an
early the right of way will be granted. This
will be good news to ouafriends In the Fourth
District who are anxious that theroad shall be
built as soon as possible.
6000 SAIrLa COPIES FREE.-A one cent
postal card, inscribed with your name and ad
dress, and directed to " Rev. William Byrne,
BoYston, Mass.," will bring you a sample copy
of the Catholic young folk's monthly, entitled
h7e Yeung Crusader.
Mgr. Persico, late Bishop of Savannah, has
accepted the Pastoral charge of the Church of
St. Colomban, Sillery, Diocese of Quebec, made a
vacsoant by the death of Rev. P. H. Harkin,
Monuseignenr will be ass ted by Rev. M. Gan
thier, as his Vicar.
Literary andDramatie antertainamet at . Peter
sad Paul obehel, Third Districe
It is a real pleasure, though a scarce one
now4a-l's, to attend a school exhibition at
which there are not some of those "old-but
good" reeitations, or essays whose subject.
matter has been pilfered from histodries and
biographies. We always feel grateful to thse
who, disregarding the stereotyped pinees, give
us something new, instruootive and, at the
same time, praiseworthy. We have so often
met " Horatios at the Bridge," we are deter
mined the next time we find him there, to
swamp him. We have seen "Brutes and
Csssius" quarrel until we have wished they
would come to the fate of the two Kilkenny
Cats! Then blame us not, if we have got
heartily tired of it. And wonder not either,
that, when we come across a meritorious ex
eeption, we favorably notice it.
The entertainment at St. Peter's School,
which took place on the 20th and 27th nit.,
was all we could ask for,-short, amusing and
novel. In the first place, there was a splendid
overture by the "Hibernia Cornet Band,"
which played a Potpourri commendable for the
sweetness of its selections. Then came a
sensible " Opening Address" by Master John
Fannin, followed by a recitation, "The World
is what we make it," delivered with grace and
ease by Master Jno. Fitzpatrick. After
whieh "The Standard of Taste," an essay of
the elegant style, was read by its author,
Master Martin Hoey dhan whom but few boys
of his age have a more distinct articulation.
In order, were "A Little Piece," spoken by a
very small child, Dennis Fitegerald, and an
elaborate essay on "Oratory " oomposed and
read by Master Dan'1 O'Connell, who, the
teaohers say, possesses unusual talents.
Master Wm. Bell was so happy in his deliv
ery of a beautiful recitation, that the audience
testified their approval with floral gifts. This
boy is a relative of Miss O'Brien, the talented
and accomplished first assistant of the school.
A most laughable dialogue was gone through
by Masters Duggan and Harris, who kept up
a continual roar among the people. But for
grace of gesture, sweetness of expression and
general excellence of delivery, commend to us
a little fellow named Johnnie Sedgwick who
spoke a piece entitled "To-Morrow." He hbay
ing finished, a capital burlesque of a school
was put on, in which Masters Hoey, O'Connell,.
Garry and Sedgwiek, with a number of others,
acquitted themselves creditably. After several
marches, well played by the band, a farce,
"The Wandering Minstrel," was interpreted
with an adherence to detail, position and stage
business, that would have pat to shame many
older amateurs. The acting of Master Edward
I Donnelly, who was oast for the role, was so
true in its manner and humorous in its ns
turalness, that he can be justly proud of it.
That rather diMonlt character-an coeentrie
old man-requires great skill and certain
mimic power to invest it with interest. But
Master Gee. Lewis proved himself equal to it.
Master James Nolan delighted all with his
representation of a negro -ooachmai. Master
Feeny, who has a sweet-voice, sang two beau
tiful melodies. In " Hard Case," a dialogue,
Master Joe. Comford gave evidence of excel
lent mimicry. From occasional looks at the
audience, we saw they were highiy interested
and correspondingly amused. That was the
best criterion. The Third District is happy in
'he possession of snch a school; and its people
should stop at nothing in assisting it to so
complish its mission than which there is none
holier,-the education of Catholic youth.
Nuw CADrxasrA.-Telegrams State-and we
have received no contradietion of the state
ment, says the London 2hblet-that on the
2hnd a Consistory will be held, at which
several Cardinals are to be created. There is
some discrepaney between the lists of names,
but all acooants agree that Mar. Chidi-who
is to remain at Parl sq Pro-1(analo, for a
dasrdinal oannot be a Nunoio-Mgr. Faloinelli,
Nunnio at Vienna; Mgr. Oreglia di Santo
Stefano, uanelo at Lisbon; Mgr. Franchi,
formerly Nuneio at Madrid; pad the Arch
bishop of Paris, are to receive hate. Some
aocounts add the Archbishop of Cambrai-a
very probable appointment-and the Bishop of
Yalencia in Spain, and the other names men
tioned are Mgrs. Gianelll, Pacca, and Marti
nelli, the Archbishop of Salzbnrg, the Primate
of Hungary, the Patriarch of Lisbon, and F.
Tarquini, 8. J. Further consistency is given
to the report by the announcement that a Ball
bas been published abrogating the ordinary
ceremonial in use at the creation of Cardinals.
It is further stated that the foreign Cardinals
now to be created are selected directly by the
Holy See, and not on the recommendation of
their respective Governments.
The Albany Reflector says :
Rev James Lynhob of this city, is now in
Mobile, Ala., where he intends to remain dur
Ing the winter. Writing home to his friends
he says that the weather south is very fine,
being75 degrees in the shade. The oramge
trees are In fall bloeom, and the strawberries
are luosios. The many friends of this werthy
andhighly respted young Prlest will be
gratied to hear of him improved health.
A discussion in the National Convention of
Friends, the other day, would seem toindicate
that even the Quakers are beginning to yield
to the "spirit of the age. One speaker ad
vised that "the question of dress should be
one simply of utility and convenience; and I
said, moreover, that "' the practice of weariong
the hat in meeting, which so long prevailed r
was remarkable ebieflv for being a stupid vio
lation of sanitary law "
It is stated that the word panic arose odof
the battle of Marathon. In that lmmattal
fight a mere bandful of Greeks encountered
an infinite host of Persians and put them to
utter rent. How did they do it? The Per- d
slas were asmnitten by the god Pan with a sad- e
den causeless and extreme fright. They lost ti
their wits; and that state of things took its
name from the god who produced it. e
The Daiy~ ews tells of a man who "attempt
ed to commit suicide, and died from his self
inflicted injuries a feo hours afterwards." If d
suchnb wss the melancholy result of a mere at. ti
tempt, we are curious to know what extraor
dinary ill could have befallea him had his
effortbeen crowned with complete success.- ni
-lqcro. m
it LUT n IfOEMAVuLDIG, MIs.
., Dec. 27th.
a To tde Zaiter ortl 4I l ar
it Christinas was eldbrated withduesolemnity
t- In dhr afty,;thnn Id the seal of Father Vile.
I. At asddiith we' had ia d High Mass fol
d lowed imabdlately by a low Mass o thane
eI giving, aidat 9) . a. aether'ligh Ma1 On
'e Friday we iba' at St. Joseph's Chapd, a
e "CIhristmas Tree-" for the amusement of the
n children, the money collected being intended
r- for the orphaln. In the decoration of the
0 church ather Vigule was assisted by the
A young ladies and gentlemen of the congrega.
7 tion, and we must say they displayed excellent
y taste in their labors for St. Michael's was n-.
ýt surpassingly beautiful. At the midnight Maes,
r, as also at that of 93, a large congregation was
- in attendance. The musio was beautiful,
being rendered by a first class choir of ama
I, tears. Father Vigiale preahobed an eloquent
sermon suitable to the ocoasion, and in chaste
d and elegant language brought vividly to view
d those scenes of 1873 years ago, incomprehensi
" ble to human reason but plain to the eyes of
e faith, deftly drawing therefrom the duties
a whiqh devolve upon us at Christmas. There
n were also, I am happily to state, a large num
a ber of communicants at the Masses.
d The exhibition of the " Y-mas Tree" netted
r $10, quite a handsome anm considering the
,f comparatively small number of Catholics in
our town. A CATmozi.
LisbW' yROM RONOV.
a Hovus, L.., December 19, 1873.
a Uie Merat Lag Star:
d The midnight mass was this year eelebrted
e with unusual solemnity. The weather being
delightful, although a little cold. faillitated
, the attendance of many who would otherwise
have been unable to attend. The members of
is the "Houma Philharmonic Association" lent
a their aid-both at the midnight and other
. Christmas masses. The young gentlemen de
h serve, indeed, the praises of our community
p for their successful efforts in organizing a
ir musical association, which, we have no doubt,
d will ore long vie with those of our sister towns
o The sugar made this year in our parish, falls
o to about one-third of what experienced plan
r. ters anticipated. The canes planted this year,
I for the year coming, are in an encouraging
1, condition. Respectfully, c. a.
M We are, as a people, slowly learning
some important truths. The one thing we
, now most need tolearn, and fully realize,
d is that we are living at too extravagant a
e rate. In the last decade we we have spent
treasures of money for naught. Our out
lays bave been simply enormous, where
they shbold have been little or nothing.
With money at easy command, it has been
I- frittered away reeklessly. Now that the
t. muchb desired article is soarce, it is well to
io stop and consider.
n The standard of public taste, in relation
to those things which are brought and
made neo of, is too high. In all our large
t cities this is plainly apparent. The cost of
is living is beyond all proportion to the
or wherewithal enjoyed. There are compara
a. tively few incomes which can for any length
of time stand such a tar. There is really not
so much wonder that men fail in business,
as that very many do not. Fashionable
ie families drain even substantial firms of a
id great share of their profits, year by year.
ie Popular extravagance is not confined to
in family expenditure, alarming as it is there,
and direful as is its results. The business
man himself lives on a place too high; he
° conducts his business on the high-pressure
ie principle too mach. Yachts and fast horses
are his personal follies, villas at Newport,
and suites of rooms at Saratoga. He pays
re two or three per cent a month for capital.
. By-and-bye there's a crash. Yachts and
villas are sold; and high-pressure princi
e ple has proven a false one.
Enormous rates of -interest are nothing
is but extravagance. Legitimate business
s, will not warrant them. They breed fail
o res. The makinP of railroads where
railroads Atre not needed is only extrava
gsnoe of speeulation. Indeed, one eah
searcely name the many extravagances we
; indulge in here in America, so numerous
i, are they, and so diversified in character.
i. Every sort of ambiion, we manifest is
e manifested extravagantly.
Thede mitSt be a change. People most
come down to plainer living. They must
'f do business on a surer basis. Financial
1- panics are the logical result of our present
I- social and business modes. They will
e come oftener in the future, unless a change
be brought about. Taxes are burdensome,
and must be met. Bonds are heavy, and
must be paid. Individuals may suspend,
I1 or repudiate, but the-nation can do neither.
y The people make up the nation. They
,. must preserve the nation's honor. To do
s this they must retrench, and come down
to more sensible ways. Fashion must not
hold absolute sway. Mere idle tastes
must not be pampered and fed. From
being radically foolish in many respects,
we must become conservatively wise. A
revolation in popular sentiment may not
be wrought at once, bu t is sure to follow
Sthe present condition of society, else there
is no logie, and common sense has died out
atterly.-B-ostoa O(vltietor.
"Archbishop Whately," saysthe Slbter
r rday Bevie "used to hold that there was
one bcharacteristio destinetion between men
and women. When men, he said, were
I spoken of dlsparaginrsgl as a whole, thy
were apt to eoinei de; bet, when any pa -rt
onlar man was attacked, they usually
stood up for him, and did their best to
show that he was not such a bad sort of
fellow, after all. On the other hand-this
was Whately's theory, and we accept no
responsibility for it-women were extreme
ly sensitive as to the general character of
their sex, while quite ready to join in cut
ting up the sisterhood in detail."
A poetical writer has said that some men
move through life as a band of musico moves
down the street-flinging out pleasure on
every side through the air, to every one,
that can listen. Some men fill the sir with
their strength and sweetness, as the
orchards in October days All the air with
the ripe fruit. Some women cling to their
houses like the honey-suckle over the
door; yet, like it, fill all the region with
the subtle fragrnce of their goodness.
" What Is .our ne little irl' '"n
aie." "Minnie what c " ini
mamma calls me."