Notes on Current Topics.
Enlargement of Boston College. The increase in the number of students has been so great during the past year that the president, Rev. E. V. Boursaud, S. J., has concluded to add a new wing to the main building of the college, as there are not a sufficient number of class rooms to accommodate all. The foundation will be laid in the spring, and the wing which is to extend into what now comprises the college garden, will when completed contain a new chemical laboratory; accommodations for the English department, which will be conducted as usual under Professor Harkins, and an extension of Boston College hall.
Reconsecration of Altar Stones.—The Irish Ecclesiastical Record states that an indult has been granted by Leo XIII. to the Most Rev. Dr. McCormack, Bishop of Achonry, allowing him to consecrate at his convenience the altars of his diocese which may need reconsecration, and to use for this purpose the short form prescribed for the Bishop of St. Paul's, Minnesota, U. S. America. He is also privileged to delegate a priest to perform this ceremony.
Mr. Parnell said in the House of Commons that he had always believed that if the principle were admitted that Ireland was entitled to some form of self-government the settlement of details would not be found a formidable task, and that there would be no great difficulty in securing the empire against separation. He himself, although a Protestant, feared no danger to the minority in Ireland from the Catholics. The whole question was one of reasonable or exorbitant rents. He denied that the National League encouraged boycotting. The Nationalists members, he said, on seeing the manifest desire of England to weigh the Irish question calmly, had resolved that no extravagance of word or action on their part should mar the first fair chance Ireland ever had.
Neither Liberals nor Parnellites appearing to be inclined to challenge the government, Lord Randolph Churchill, secretary of state for India, wished the House to clearly understand, that it would be impossible for the present government ever to sanction an Irish Parliament. He added that the government would be prepared, when the proper time arrived, with a scheme to improve local government in Ireland.
Up to the present time the Canadian Militia Department has authorized the payment of a fraction over $4,000,000 on the expenses of the Northwest rebellion.
From the ancient Diocese of Clogher (Monaghan), established by St. Patrick, two patriot priests have come to America to solicit aid in building the Cathedral of Clogher. They are the Rev. Eugene McKenna, of Enniskillen, and the Rev. Eugene McMahon, of Carrickmacross. It is a notable fact that both are Presidents of the National League in their parishes. The Bishop of Clogher, Dr. Donnelly, has always been a patriot, and we trust that his missioners will receive a generous welcome here, especially from the people of Monaghan, Fermanagh, Louth, Tyrone and Donegal. Fathers McKenna and McMahon have received permission from Archbishop Williams to solicit subscriptions in the Archdiocese of Boston.
Boston Herald.—Mr. Gargan quoted for the benefit of England, in his speech at Halifax, the French saying, that "You can do almost anything with a bayonet except sit on it." The Republican administrations found the bayonet prop under the carpet bag governments impossible to maintain, and England cannot forever keep Ireland sitting on it.
The Charity Ball.—The coming Charity Ball will be given on March 8, the Monday evening before Ash Wednesday. The success of the ball is dependent upon the noble exertions of friends. The large number of destitute children cared for by the Home has necessarily increased the expenses, and therefore the directors are anxious that the ball will be financially successful. It must be gratifying to know that the Home has been able to receive and care for over four hundred destitute children during the past year, and provided good homes for three hundred and ninety. All these children would have been compelled to seek refuge in the city or State pauper establishments and lost to the Church, were not the Home open to shelter and provide for them.
The Franciscans.—During its existence of six centuries, the Franciscan Order has given to the church 247 saints and beati, 1,500 martyrs (2,500 are found in the Menologia Franciscano), 13 Popes, 60 cardinals, 4,000 archbishops and bishops, 6,000 authors. At present 2,500 Franciscans are engaged in missionary work, and another thousand Capuchin Fathers may be added to the number, in all, 3,500.
Little Sisters of the Poor.—The venerable founder of the Order of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the Rev. Auguste Le Poilleur, of the diocese of Rennes, France, has just celebrated the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. The order was founded by him at St. Servan in 1840; and to-day it possesses two hundred and ten houses in all parts of the world, with about 3,400 sisters, who devote themselves to the caring, feeding, and clothing of upwards of twenty-three thousand poor and helpless fellow-creatures. His Holiness the Pope has written a letter of congratulation to the pious founder. There are two foundations of the Little Sisters in Boston, one on Bunker Hill, the other, Boston Highlands.
John Savage.—Our old and venerated friend, John Savage, we regret to see, is dying, out in Paris, far away from the land he loved so well, and also from the home of his choice, the United States. The following letter (written by John P. Leonard, to the Dublin Nation of December 26th), shows that his visit to Paris has not been as successful as his many friends and admirers would wish:—
To the Editor of the Nation: "Sir,—Mr. John Savage, our patriotic countryman, who came to the Continent for his health, was seized on Monday last with a paralytic stroke, and has his right arm paralyzed. Mrs. Savage has been untiring in her care of the patriot, who is attended daily by the eminent physician, Dr. Ball, Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, Paris, and also by his friend, the present writer. Hopes are entertained of his recovery, and great regret is expressed by all who know him here."
J. P. L.
Mr. Philip A. Nolan, General Secretary of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America, writes: "Within a month we may expect the promulgation of the Decrees of the Baltimore Council, when it is the purpose of the Executive Council to inaugurate such a crusade in America that before long will sweep like the mighty armies of old across the entire continent and be felt in the remotest parishes." Mr. Nolan is an enthusiast in the cause of cold water, says The Catholic Columbian.
A Touching Custom prevails in many of the parishes of Normandy, where the adult male population are for the most part engaged in the vocation of fishing. When, as at certain seasons of the year, these poor fishermen are far away from their homes, and unable to assist at Mass on Sundays, each one's family has a candle burning in the church before the statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea. These candles represent the husbands, sons, and fathers who at that moment are braving the terrors of the deep, and the flame of each burning offering is the hymn and prayer to Heaven on the part of the absent one.
Catholic Columbian:—It is something for us to be proud of that in this great State of Ohio, where we form so small a minority of the people, two of the members of the present Legislature chosen to receive its honors are Catholics and Irishmen. In the organization of the House, Hon. Daniel J. Ryan, of Scioto, was made President pro tem., and to the same position in the Senate Hon. John O'Neill, of Muskingum, was called by the voice of his party associates. May they both live to be Governors!
Little Company of Mary.—During his recent visit to Rome the Cardinal-Archbishop of Sydney made the acquaintance of the Rev. Mother-General of the Society of the Little Company of Mary, and also had numerous opportunities of witnessing the good done by the sisters in nursing the sick in their own homes; and his Eminence was so much impressed by their work, that he applied to the Superioress for some sisters to accompany him to Australia to carry on the work there, with the result that six sisters are now in the diocese of Sydney. The sisters have lost no time in commencing their good work, and they announce that they are now fully prepared to receive invitations to nurse the sick without distinction of creed, at their own residences in any part of the city or suburbs. It is the rule of the sisters to remain in constant charge of the patients in every kind of illness.
American Rent Payers.—The National Republican, Washington, D. C., of January 5, makes the following uncomfortable statement: "The generally prevalent impression is that the farming of this country is really carried on by farmers, who, in great measure, are the owners of the farms they till. On the contrary, Mr. Thomas P. Gill, in the North American Review, points out that at the census of 1880 there were found to be 1,024,601 farms rented by tenants in the United States, and he claims that in the five years since this census was taken the number of tenant holdings has increased 25 per cent. raising the number of tenant holdings at present in the United States to 1,250,000. In England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the present day the total number of tenant farmers is 1,069,127. So the United States contains 250,000 more tenant farmers to-day than the three kingdoms and the principality together. These statements are not radiantly cheerful. Our country is being Europeanized at an uncomfortably rapid rate."
The Church in the United States. Archbishops, 12; bishops, 62; priests, 7,296; ecclesiastical students, 1,621, of which the largest number, 335, belong to the archdiocese of Milwaukee; churches, 6,755; chapels, 1,071; stations, 1,733; diocesan seminaries and houses of study for regulars, 36; colleges, 85; Baltimore having the largest number, 8; academies, 618; New York having the largest number, 34; parochial schools, 2,621, attended by 492,949 pupils; charitable institutions, 449.
Good for an M. P.—The trustees of the fund subscribed to indemnify William O'Brien, M. P., editor of Dublin United Ireland, against the losses he sustained in the famous Bolton, French and Cornwall libel suits, have published a balance sheet, which shows that the total amount of the subscriptions received was £7,619. Of this £6,495 odd was expended directly in litigation, and £98 went for miscellaneous expenses and advertising. The balance of £1,025 was handed over by Mr. O'Brien, for distribution among the poor of Mallow.
His Holiness the Pope has conferred on Prince Bismarck the ancient Portuguese Order of Christ, which was founded by King Denis of Portugal in 1317, and adopted by King John XXII. three years later. The decoration, which is only conferred upon the most distinguished and exalted persons, was accompanied by an autograph letter from his Holiness.
Mr. Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, who, as a Conservative Catholic contested North Camberwell at the recent Parliamentary election, in a forcible letter to the London Times gives his views on the Irish question. He holds that there is no middle course now between Home Rule and martial law, between Mr. Parnell Prime Minister at Dublin and Mr. Parnell a traitor in the tower. And how long, he asks, would the country support a policy of blood and iron? Would even the Whigs go through with it for two sessions? I say no. One party or other would rebel, and we should in the end be forced to give in shame what we could now give in honor.
Church Freed of Debt.—The congregation of St. Ann's Church, Gloucester, Mass., was informed by the priest in charge, the Rev. J. J. Healy, that the church is now free of all indebtedness. The building was completed in 1876 with the exception of the spire, which was added during the summer of 1884. The church is built of granite, with a seating capacity of about one thousand, and is valued at $100,000. The church will be consecrated in July.
St. Patrick's Day in Boston.—The Irish societies of Boston held a meeting to decide the manner in which St. Patrick's Day should be celebrated in this city. Fourteen societies, represented by sixty-two delegates, were in attendance. President Edward Riley presided. The motion made at a previous meeting to invite Dr. Croke, Archbishop of Cashel, to lecture, in preference to having a street parade, was adopted by a vote of thirty-eight to six, and the convention adjoined, subject to the call of officers. Most Rev. Dr. Croke sent a despatch saying it was impossible for him to accept the invitation.
Home.—The annual meeting of the directors of the Home for Destitute Catholic Children on Harrison Av., was held on the evening of the 14th of January. During the past year 414 children were admitted into the Home. Three died, two absconded, 401 were placed in families, and 186 boys and girls remain in the Home. Since the Home was organized it has received and provided for the large number of 6,364 poor children. The officers of the corporation elected for the present year are: John B. O'Brien, President; Charles F. Donnelly, Vice-President; P. F. Sullivan, Treasurer; James Havey, Secretary; James W. Dunphy, John W. McDonald, and John Miller, Executive Committee.
Advice to Young Women.—A writer in a household periodical recommends washing dishes as the best thing to put the hands in the soft and pliable condition most favorable to piano practice. Mothers should give this recipe a good long trial on their girls who assault the keyboard, but shun the dish pan.
Lake Shore Visitor: Ambition, as it is now understood, is not made of very stern stuff. There are men regarded as ambitious, who are puffed up with vanity, and who look upon themselves as very important. Death would make such men an irreparable loss to themselves, but not much of a loss to any one or anything else.
A Year of Jubilee.—We give elsewhere the Encyclical of Our Holy Father the Pope, proclaiming an Extraordinary Jubilee. The translation is made by Rev. Dr. Mahar, for the Catholic Universe, Cleveland, O.
March is the month of St. Patrick. On the 17th, the children of Ireland, wherever located, celebrate the day. Their hearts revert back to the dear old land of their birth and the happy days of their childhood.
"The lilies and roses abandon the plain;
Tho' the summer's gone by, yet the shamrock remains,
Like a friend in misfortune, it blooms o'er the snow;
Oh, my heart's in old Ireland wherever I go."
Hon. John Finnerty in a recent utterance said, after he had read the Queen's speech, "The Irish people must make up their minds to meet the English with a courage displayed by the American colonists in dealing with the Queen's grandfather, George the Third. The Queen of England has a personal grudge against Ireland because Dublin refused a site for the statue of her husband, who once said of the Irish that they ought to live on grass."
The first Hungarian Catholic church erected in America was recently dedicated at Hazleton, Pa., by the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Hara, of Scranton, same State.
Grand Army Record.—This is the name of an eight-page paper issued by Thomas Keefe, at 31 Cornhill, Boston. As its name indicates, it is devoted to the interests of the Grand Army of the Republic, all soldiers and sailors of the late war, sons of veterans and the women's relief corps. The price is only $1 a year.
Newly Arrived Emigrants.—The Rev. John J. Riordan's efforts at forming a home, employment, and inquiry bureau, to benefit friendless and poor Irish immigrant girls and women, have met with wonderful success. Matron Boyle moved from 7 Broadway, where the Mission of the Rosary was started less than two years ago, to the home at 7 State Street, New York, purchased for $75,000 by Father Riordan. This property consists of a building and lot facing the Battery. On it Father Riordan expects eventually to erect a chapel, mission and home. The money thus far raised has come from 25-cent annual subscriptions.
John Kelly, the politician, is seriously ill at his residence in New York.
Oliver Wendell Holmes attributes his years and good health to an early morning walk or horseback ride before breakfast. He was naturally of a delicate constitution, and when he married Doctor Jackson's daughter the father-in-law said to him: "If you have the necessary physique to stand horseback riding, do it: if not, take an early walk each day." He scrupulously followed the advice.
Lord Erskine, while going circuit, was asked by the landlord of his hotel how he slept. He replied dogmatically: "Union is strength, a fact of which some of your inmates appear to be unaware; for had they been unanimous last night they could easily have pushed me out of bed."—"Fleas?" the landlord exclaimed, affecting great astonishment. "I was not aware that I had a single flea in my house."—"I don't believe you have," retorted his lordship, "they are all married, I think, and have uncommonly large families."
Jubilee Year.—See Encyclical of our Holy Father the Pope. Let every Catholic in the land peruse it.
The Boards of Guardians throughout Ireland have resolutely set themselves to the task of erecting laborers' cottages under the Laborers Act. Here and there some of the landlords are obstructing the performance of this good work, especially by resisting the extension of taxation for the purpose over the unions at large. But the days of the landlord's power on boards of guardians are very nearly at an end, and they are fast retreating before the determined attitude of the national guardians and the laborers, who are strenuously supported by the organized public opinion of the country as expressed through the various branches of the National League.
Farmers in Wales are now demanding a permanent reduction of twenty-five per cent. in rents, fixity of tenure and compensation for making improvements on their holdings. This is considerably in advance of what the Irish farmers asked when they began their Land League movement; yet they were denounced as plunderers by English writers who now say the Welsh must get what they claim.
Help the Prisoners.—Father Kehoe of St. Joseph's Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio, who has charge of the Ohio State Penitentiary, appeals through the Columbian to those blessed with the means to send him some assistance, be it ever so trifling, towards securing a better provision for the religious interests of the Catholic prisoners in that institution. There is surely no better way in which people can show proofs of their benevolence in a good work, and none in which their charity is sure of being more fruitfully exercised. The demands are more than ordinarily urgent just now, and the Chaplain appeals with confidence to the people and to Catholic publishers for their practical sympathy. He has the consent and authorization of the Right Rev. Bishop of the diocese to this course of procedure. Good books on any subject, pamphlets, magazines, papers, etc., would be welcome additions to the Catholic Prisoners' Library, which has been already established by the zeal of former chaplains and by the generosity of subscribers. At present the particular need is for prayer books or for funds that will enable Father Kehoe to purchase a sufficient supply of these and other religious articles. Donations of beads, scapulars, etc., would be most thankfully received.
The new boot and shoe store of Brennan & Co., 21 Tremont Street, and 851 Washington Street, Boston, announce a mark-down sale that merits attention. For one month, they offer to sell all goods at 20 per cent. discount from market rates. As the goods are of recent manufacture, and therefore stylish and new, the sale is a bona-fide one, and one where bargains may be looked for.
Our Magazine.—Baltimore Catholic Mirror: Donahoe's Magazine (Boston) has occupied a field exclusive to itself from the start—it is the popular magazine for the Catholic masses. It is not like those flimsy ventures which, under the title of "popular," get the people's money without giving them adequate returns. On the contrary, it is ample in scope, and its well-stored pages are carefully selected by its veteran editor. The leading article in its January issue is that on Cardinal McCloskey, by John Gilmary Shea.
A Belfast paper says: "As regards opposition from the minority in Ulster, it will soon subside. An Irish Parliament, once established, will have no warmer supporters than Protestants of the North." The Orangemen are but a small fraction of the Protestants of that part of Ireland.
A Bad Outlook.—At the present time there are in London about one hundred and fifty thousand persons in want and penury. There are nearly forty thousand men out of employment, and some ten thousand persons are sunk so low, physically and mentally, that many of them are in dire necessity, and were it not for the timely aid of the charitable, their hard fate would soon increase the number of those who die from starvation in the streets of the richest city in the world.
Smothering Children.—In a recent inquest in London a physician testified that the practice to which young mothers are addicted, of lying over their infants at night, caused the death of about five hundred children a year in London alone.
Munster Bank.—Two of the directors of the late "Munster," have appeared in the Bankruptcy Court:—William Shaw, whose indebtedness to the bank is stated to amount to over £129,000; and Nicholas Dan Murphy, indebted in the sum of over £24,000. A manager, other than Mr. Farquharson, who, by the way, is not dead, will probably find himself in the hands of the liquidators before long.
Tobacco.—The "paternal" government of Ireland prohibits the raising of tobacco. Mr. Thomas Power O'Connor, Nationalist Member for Liverpool, gave notice that he would introduce a bill to repeal the prohibition of the cultivation of tobacco in Ireland.
Father Burke was often heard to say that he could never speak at home as in America. "I never knew what freedom was," he declared, "until I set foot on the emancipated soil of Columbia. Then I said, 'I am a free man, and I will speak my soul.'"
President Cleveland has signed the Presidential Succession bill. The law now lodges the presidential succession in the cabinet, and puts seven men in the line of eligibility for the place. It so happens that all of the present cabinet are Americans by birth, and over thirty-five years of age.
The returns from the late ball of the Charitable Irish Society is estimated to be about $800. At this rate it will take a long time to build that hall.
The Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster has written to Rome in favor of the canonization of Joan of Arc.
Says our esteemed contemporary, the Catholic Record, of London, Ontario:—"The number of Catholics in the new British Parliament is 76, the greatest since Emancipation. They are all Irishmen. The Anti-Irish English "Cawtholics" could not elect a man in their own country to the office of pound-keeper without the aid of the Irish whom they affect to despise."
The California millionnaires set an example in charity that might well be imitated by their Eastern contemporaries. At Christmas James C. Flood donated $1,000 to the Catholic Orphan Asylum of San Francisco, and $1,000 to the Catholic Orphan Asylum of San Rafael, Cal., and $500 to the Magdalen Asylum, San Francisco. James Mervyn Donahoe donated $100 apiece to the Catholic Orphan Asylum, Presentation Convent, and Youth's Directory, all of San Francisco. Mrs. Maria Coleman $1,600 to the San Francisco Catholic Orphan Asylum. A magnificent altar, composed of Carrara marble and onyx, costing $5,000, has just been completed in St. Joseph's Church, San Jose, Cal. It is the gift of Mrs. Catherine Dunne.
Columbus.—It is announced from Corsica that the preparations for the celebration of the fourth centenary of Christopher Columbus are far advanced. The principal display will be made at Calvi. The latest works of the Abbé Casanova, establish beyond doubt the fact that it was here the illustrious navigator was born, and this opinion is shared by the majority of Italian historians. The United States propose to take a special part in the ceremonies, and it is expected that by a special decree on that occasion the Corsicans will be declared American citizens.
Father Burke had an ardent admiration for Cardinal Manning, saying on one occasion that he was the greatest cardinal living in the church at this day, dwelling on his activity, accomplishments, and readiness on all public occasions; and also his capacity for every work to which he turned his attention.
The Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, on the 17th of January, by the society of that name. After the usual exercises, Rev. Father Bodfish, the director, gave a brief review of the past year, and exhorted the members to persevere in the good work which characterized its members. This is an excellent society, and we would advise all, both young and old, to join it. Its grand object is the discountenance of blasphemy, impurity and all the vices to which poor human nature are addicted. The officers for the year 1886 are: Rev. Father Bodfish, director; Patrick Donahoe, president; William Connolly, Treasurer; Andrew P. Lane, Secretary.
A London correspondent of the Dublin Evening Mail, writes of Mr. Parnell:—"A friend tells me that one of the prettiest sights on the Hastings promenade on Christmas Day was the Irish chief gamboling with two little girls. One would have thought from his appearance that he had no thought of a Constitutional crisis. His face 'sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,' he seemed more like a modest usher of a school frolicking with his master's children than the moving spirit of a National rebellion."
Joseph Milmore, a well-known sculptor of Boston, died recently at Geneva, Switzerland, whither he had gone for his health. He belonged to a family of sculptors, the most distinguished of whom was Martin M. Milmore, who died some three years ago. Joseph was engaged with his brother Martin in many important works. Joseph Milmore was born in Sligo, Ireland, and came to Boston when hardly more than a babe. At the close of his school-life he became an apprentice to a cabinet-maker. Later he engaged in marble cutting, and developed his taste for sculptural work. His last work of consequence was on the statue of Daniel Webster, at Concord, N. H.
The following Irish members returned to the new Parliament have declared themselves in favor of women's suffrage, according to a list in the Women's Suffrage Journal:—Joe Biggar, Cavan, West; Sir T. Esmonde, Dublin County, South; E. D. Gray, Dublin City, St. Stephen's Green; T. M. Healy, Monaghan, North; Londonderry, South; R. Lalor, Queen's County, Leix; J. Leahy, Kildare, South; E. Leamy, Cork, North-East; J. McCarthy, Longford, North; Sir J. McKenna, Monaghan, South; B. C. Molloy, King's County, Birr; J. P. Nolan, Galway, North; W. O'Brien, Tyrone, South; A. O'Connor, Donegal, East; T. P. O'Connor, Liverpool, Scotland, W. Galway City; C. S. Parnell, Cork City; R. Power, Waterford City; J. E. Redmond, Wexford, North; W. Redmond, Fermanagh, North; T. D. Sullivan, Dublin City, College Green.
The Tory Ministry was defeated in England by a resolution offered by Jesse Collings, an English reformer, the nature of which was, that a certain amount of land should be set apart for the use of agricultural laborers. On this minor English measure, the Salisbury government was ingloriously defeated by a vote of 329 to 250. The Irish eighty-six voted against the Tories, and thus ends this last attempt at coercion. As Mr. Sexton said in his great speech, "Mr. Parnell was too old a parliamentary bird to be caught with such thinly spread chaff as that." Probably the Tories will adopt obstructive tactics. They hope, by encouraging the Irish landlords to carry out ruthlessly wholesale evictions, to provoke disorder and crime in Ireland, with a view to compel Mr. Gladstone to revert to coercion, and so bring about a conflict between the Liberals and the Irish party. This shameful scheme will probably fail. The Parnellites will make vigorous efforts to prevent disorder in Ireland, in order to give Mr. Gladstone a fair chance.
Mr. Gladstone sees how the wind is veering, and begins to trim his sails. He announces to his tenants reductions in their rent, varying from twenty to thirty per cent. It is an ominous incident. Evidently, the "Grand Old Man" is preparing to take off his coat to deal with the land question, as well as with Home Rule.
The Dublin Freeman's Journal says: The Queen's speech, opening Parliament, was an opportune attempt to please both the Irish parties. It has a tendency to propitiate the stronger party and disappoint the Loyalists or Orangemen.
Justin McCarthy, M. P., says: It is out of the question for Mr. Parnell to take a seat in the Gladstone cabinet. The conditions to be accepted by the one could not be offered by the other. The Irish National members regard the whole situation as satisfactory, and are convinced, that, no matter who comes in, or who stays out, Home Rule is certain.
The Cunard Line.—After the 17th of April, the Cunard Steamers will sail weekly from Boston, on Wednesdays, in place of Saturdays as formerly. The company have placed their best steamers on the Boston service,—the Oregon, Gallia, Bothnia, and Scythia. With this fleet, Boston is the place to get the most rapid passage between America and Europe. The Oregon is already favorably known to the travelling public for the superiority attained in speed, and when running to or from Boston, will certainly cross the ocean in six days. The Oregon, on her last trip from New York to Queenstown, made the run in six days and seventeen hours.
Holydays of Obligation.—According to the request of the Fathers of the late Council of Baltimore, the Holy Father has intimated by letter to the American Episcopate that the number of holydays of obligation, to be observed by all Catholics in this country, has been reduced to the following six, viz., Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin, Nativity of our Lord, Ascension of our Lord, Circumcision of Our Lord, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and the Feast of All Saints. The Feasts of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, Epiphany, and Corpus Christi, as festivals of obligation, have been abrogated; but the solemnity of the last-named feast the Holy Father desires to be celebrated on the Sunday within its octave. This arrangement of feasts makes the practice of their observance a general one. The days named are of obligation in every diocese, and now every diocese has six holydays; formerly, many had as many as nine. By lessening the number the Holy Father made it certainly more easy for the laborer, who felt that he could but poorly afford to observe the day, as his earnings were about all he had.
Cardinals.—Lake Shore Visitor: Just now we are having a few newspaper Cardinals. Baltimore, Boston, and New York want the honor, and the papers seem to think that there should be a proper selection made on the part of the Holy Father. Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, and several other small places have not been heard from yet. This country could supply on newspaper more than enough of Cardinals. The Americans are by no means greedy.
The lecture of Hon. A. M. Keiley, at the Boston Theatre, on Sunday evening, January 31, in aid of the House of the Good Shepherd, netted the handsome sum of over seven hundred dollars.
Vick's Floral Guide, for January, 1886, is beautifully illustrated. All lovers of flowers, plants, etc., should procure this issue. Address, James Vicks, Rochester, N. Y.
The Catholic Mirror, Baltimore, Md., has issued a supplement in the shape of an annual for 1886. It is profusely illustrated and contains besides the Almanac a good portrait of the Archbishop of Baltimore with other engravings.