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Show FATHER MAL0NE WRITES OF DUBLIN AND BELFAST. - (Editorial Correspondence ) Dublin, Aug. 5, lSOO.-Notwithstand-ing the exaggerated claims advanced m behalf of Belfast. Dublin is not only the chief city of Leinster. but it is the metropolis of all Ireland. And this too. in spite of the fact that the northern north-ern city i the recipient of many advantages ad-vantages which are denied the city or the Liffey. Whenever opportunity affords the British government seems quite willing will-ing to aid the capital of Ulster, while on the contrary, parliamentary legislation legis-lation seldom or never takes an advantageous advan-tageous form for Dublin. The census never gives an adequate Kea of the importance of this city Jithmines. which is as much a part" M the city of Dbia a- Jlvlem la of New York, does not figure in the census. cen-sus. A parliamentary committee which closed its sittings the other day, denied the petition of the Dublin corporation for the annexation of Rathmines, thus making a concession to a few wealthy people in the township, and disregarding disregard-ing those of the citizens of Dublin, whose property is chiefly instrumental in giving value to that situated in Rathmines. It is worthy of note thai on this committee, composed of an equal number of the members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, there was not a single Irish member. There is no doubt that in a matter affecting .the city of Belfast, Irish Unionist members would be consulted. But notwithstanding this manifest prejudice on the part of the govern- I ment toward the Catholic city of Dub- Iin, it is the first city of Ireland, and j its size, commerce, beauty of situation, i elegant streets, public buildings, not merely entitle it to this position, but place it in the front rank of Europe's' most important and beautiful towns. Of the part that Dublin has played in its country's history I need not speak here. Suffice it to say it has always taken a prominent part. Of the foundation of Dublin, it is said that no man can speak with certainty, but it is certain there was a settlement settle-ment on the spot during the first days of the Christian Era. It will be recalled re-called as early as the second century Plotemy refers to Dublin as a grand 1 city. Later on, of course, St. Patrick visited the city and established relig ious institutions. Its history from that day to the present time is too well known to be recounted here. It is encugh to say that for centuries Dublin Dub-lin has been the center of authority and seat of power for the whole country. Considering Dublin from whatever point of view- we may, it compares favorably fa-vorably with any European city. It is famous as a state of learning today, a6 Ireland was centuries ago. It possesses pos-sesses institutions of every character for the benefits of its inhabitants, which place upon it indelibly the stamp j of moral, intellectual and spiritual progress. In passing, I may remark that Dublin Dub-lin is the one city of Europe that possesses pos-sesses a thoroughly first-class, up-to-date electric tramway system. It is not too much to say that in this respect re-spect no American city is superior to the Irish capital. The electric system of tramways extends to all parts of the city and suburbs. The enterprise has proved highly successful and the service is excellent. Of the people of Dublin, I must say that I found them considerate, courteous courte-ous and kind. There is a noticeable absence here of that awful inebriety which seems to be the distinguishing mark of Glasgow. The visitor to Ireland will find a marked difference in the treatment he receives at the hands of shop keepers and hotel managers from that to which he is accustomed in France, for instance, in-stance, or among the keen Scotch. In Ireland, there is a fixed price, the same lor the visitor as for the native, and from this there is no deviation. Illustrative Illus-trative of this point the Dail Mail published pub-lished an interesting account of a "disagreement" "dis-agreement" which occurred recently at F.allymacnois. When the "disagreement," so-called, had reached its most interesting phase two members of the Royal Irish constabulary con-stabulary showed themselves from behind be-hind the turf stack, at the opposite side of the street, and with them the Parish Priest. "What's this at all at all?" his reverence rev-erence cried, looking around with wide eyes and riursed-out lips, as if he had never seen a fight in all his life. "Is it you, Tim Finnigan, that has been liftin' your hand against a fellow cray-ture? cray-ture? Oh, Timothy, it's ashamed of you, I am; and the gentleman a stranger, too." "Maybe it was myself that was a bit hasty your reverence," interposed Timmy's late opponent, perceiving per-ceiving that a more serious issue than he had looked for was imminent. "Maybe "May-be Mister Finnican isn't so much to blame." "Sir," said the priest, "you're a a magnanimous opponent, whatever your name may be." "My name's O'Dwyer, and it's from the County Roscommon that I come, sir, and I do a bit in the pig jobbing," said the man. "It's an honorable business, Mr. O'Dwyer," said his reverence. "And what was your difference with Timmy, sir?" "Faith, and it was no more than a difference of a sixpence all told, Father Conn," said Mr. Finnigan. "You must know, your reverence, that when I said one and sixpence for O'Dwyer's tea last ni&ht, and his bed, and a bite of breakfast this morning " "Holy fly a bite he says a bite, and it was four eggs that I had for my tea and six for my breakfast, with a couple of pounds of ham, and he said eighteen-penc eighteen-penc efor'that!" ' "And plenty, too, ' said Timmy, stoutly. " 'But.' says he, 'two shillings is the least that I'll pay you,' says he; 'and that won"t more nor pay for the bacon and eggs,' says he. 'One and six is my charge,' says I. 'it's Insult- ing of me y'are,' says he.' 'It's well able I am to pay you the two shillings,' says he. And so one word led to another an-other till he goes and calls me a robber rob-ber for charging too little robbing of herself and children, he calls it, with a bowld face. Sure that was more'n flesh and blood could stand, Father Conn." A murmur of sympathy and acquiescence acquies-cence went around the circle, but his revernce checked !t. "Whist, ye rapscallions!" he said, and they were whist. Then turning to the inn-keeper, he shook his head with an affectation of sadness that o.. artistic. "How durst you preshume to dictate to the gentleman what he should pay, Timothy Finnigan?" he required. re-quired. "It's a good mind I have this day to make ye take half a crown from him for your imnidence," "Ah, your reverence wouldn't be thatf hard on a boy," protected Mr. Finnigan. Finni-gan. And then Mr. O'Dwyer, with increased in-creased magnanimity, tried to exolain that his vindictiveness did not run to half a crown. He would be quite satisfied sat-isfied if his reverence could induce Mr Finnigan to take the two shillings instead in-stead of the eighteenpence that he wished to charge. After some delicate negotiations on this basis, the -ood priest scored a diplomatic triumph, and the status quo ante helium was resumed. re-sumed. I need not observe that fights for similar reasons do not occu? in other parts of Europe. - AUojgernystay in ' Irelandjia been exceptionally pleasant. Yesterday I spent among the Wicklow hills, than which there is no more delightful spot on earth. ' ''... Tomorrow I shall go down to Kilcon-nell Kilcon-nell and spend the day with Father Callanan's mother. The dear good woman wo-man will be overjoyed 'to hear news directly from hef son, whom she has not se-en for ten years. THOMAS H. MALONE. |