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FATHER MATHEW:
A BIOGRAPHY.
BY
JOHN FRANCIS MAGUIRE, M P.
AUTHOR OF'ROMB: ITS RULER AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.'
NEW YORK:
D. & J. SADLIER & CO., 31 BARCLAY STREET,
MONTRBAL, C;-COR. NOTRE DAME & ST FRANCIS IAVIER STREET.




Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1864, by
D. & J. SADLIER & CO
I the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, fe the
Southern District of New York.
I*reotyped by VINCENT DILL,
No. 24 Beekman St., N. T.




PREFACE.
IT would be a reproach to the country which he
served, no less than to the age which he adorned,
were there no record of the life of Theobald Mathew.
To allow such a man to pass away, without more notice
than a paragraph in a newspaper, an article in a magazine, or a panegyric from the pulpit, would be a stain
upon the honour of Ireland. But although I felt this
as strongly as anyone could feel it, I did not venture
to attempt the task of becoming his biographer until
I saw that no other person had intimated an intention
of so doing.*  Not having found anyone undertaking
a duty which more especially belonged to one of his
own countrymen to undertake, I resolved on attempting it, notwithstanding that I had to discharge many
and varied duties, which involved constant claims upon
my time and attention. Setting aside that literary
aptitude for the task, in which I but too keenly felt
* The sketch by the late Daniel Owen Madden, though brilliant
and spirited, was but a sketch, not a biography; and the interesting
and well-written memoir from the accomplished pen of Miss Hillwhich formed one of the' Our Exemplars,' in a little work published
in 1861 by Cassell, Petter, & Galpin-did not extend beyond fifty
pages. Sketches and brief memoirs of Father Mathew there have
been, but no biography.




Vi                  PREFACE.
my deficiency, I had some circumstances in my favour
-the principal of which was, my intimate knowledge
of the subject of the contemplated memoir. I had
known Father Mathew from my childhood; and the
feeling which I entertained towards him at that early
period of my life, ripened into the strongest and the
truest friendship as I grew to manhood. From that
time, and up to the year 1849, when he left Ireland for
America, I was more or less intimately associated with
him, in private as well as in public. He thus became
known to me in almost every phase of his career and
character-in his weakness as in his strength, in his
-moments of despondency and gloom as in his hours of
happiness and exultation. I beheld him under every
circumstance, and in every position-now on the platform, and now in his own home; now in the presence
of his equals, and now surrounded by the poorest, the
humblest, even the most abject in society. The intimate knowledge of Father Mathew which I was enabled to acquire, was of advantage to my undertaking
in many respects; but the more I dwelt upon the
memory of his goodness, which was in reality his
greatness, the more I despaired of faithfully representing his character in my pages. Of one thing the
reader may be sure-that if I have failed in my intended likeness, the failure cannot be attributed to
flattery or exaggeration. The qualities of a great
heart, throbbing with none but tender, generous, and
holy emotions, cannot be exaggerated —the difficulty
is to depict them with anything like a fair approach
to their reality.  The task-rashly and presumptuously undertaken it may be-is accomplished; and
the result of no small labour, but of much greater




PIEFACE.                  Vii
anxiety, is now placed before the public. And now
that it is accomplished, I feel that I have omitted
many things which I ought to have done, in order to
render the portrait life-like, and in some degree worthy
of the original. I also feel that I may have failed in
giving an adequate idea of that wondrous movement
so providentially originated and so wisely guided by
the Apostle of Temperance; but with respect to this
portion of my task, there was the danger of imparting
an air of dulness to that which I desired to render
interesting to the general reader. In one respect, at
least, I have been faithful to the life and character of
Father Mathew,-in guarding against the voluntary
introduction of any topic which would clash with the
prevailing tone and temper of one who, devoted Catholic Priest as he was, might be truly said to belong to
mankind rather than to party or to sect. If by recording the life I have helped to perpetuate the memory
of a great and good man, I have achieved a task of
which I may feel some pride; but if the perusal of
these pages should inspire others to imitate the virtues
of Theobald Mathew, then indeed will his biographer
have much reason to rejoice.
CORK: September 1863.








CONTENTS.
CHAPTER L
Born in Thomastown House-His Family-His Infancy-His singular
Gentleness and Goodness as a Child-Hiding the Spoons-His influence over his Brothers-His Love of Order-The Silk StockingsTaste for Engineering-The Gentlemen with the Tail-Is to be a
Priest-His Walk from School-Enters and quits Maynooth-Is ordained-His first Sermon-His first Mission in Kilkenny-The Regular Orders-Cause of his leaving Kilkenny...   PAGE 1
CHAPTER I.
The Little Friary-Father Arthur O'Leary-His Character and Influence-New Coat for St. Patrick-Reply to the Quaker-Father
Donovan-Saved from the Guillotine-Attending the CondemnedHow the Shirts went-Father Donovan obtains a Colleague, and
provides for his Reception-Father Donovan's Ambition-' Moll in
the Wad'-Father Mathew little known at first-Confessional of a
Popular Priest-Devotedness of Father Mathew's Friendship. 23
CHAPTER I.
Father Mathew establishes Literary and Industrial Schools-Attracts
the Young to him-Founds valuable Societies-Economy of Time
-Punctuality in keeping Appointments-Early Rising-Same Kindness to all-His lavish Charities-Instances of his Kindness-The
imaginary Temptation-The Dean's Bees-He loses his youngest
Brother-Instance of his Humility... 45
CHAPTER IV.
Father Mathew as a Preacher-Earnestness his chief Attraction-Cotemporary Sketch of his Pulpit Oratory —His Sermons free from




~~~~X      ~       CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.-continued.
Sectarian Bitterness-His Charity Sermons-His Pictures of the
sublime Charity of the Poor-Intensity of his Emotion-The Man
and the Preacher one-Establishes a Cemetery-The Cholera of
1832-His untiring Exertions-The Hospital-Saved!-Give! give!
give!........... PAGE 65
CHAPTER V.
A Holiday-getter and a Feast-giver-Gentle Rebuke-Taught in a
good School-His Kindness to young Priests-Grand Party in the
Cock-loft-The'Bore' from the Country-His Success as a Peacemaker-The flounced'Habit....... 84
CHAPTER VI.
The House of Industry and its Inmates-The Pioneers of the Cause
-William Martin's Appeal-Grave Deliberation-Father Mathew
crosses the Rubicon..                           98
CHAPTER VII.
He consults William Martin-' Here goes in the Name of God!'-The
Horse-Bazaar-The Movement progresses-Billy Martin-William's
Oratory-William's gentler Breathings-The Reconcilement. 106
CHAPTER VIII.
The Pilgrimage to Cork-' Father Mathew's Parlour'-The House in
Cove Street-His Man John-The Great Powers of the Kitchen and
the Pantry-The happy Working of the Cause... 120
CHAPTER IX.
He visits Limerick-Extraordinary Excitement caused by his VisitIts Result —Visits Waterford-Speech of Bishop Foran-Whimsical
Occurrene-First Sale of Cards and Medals-In BorrisokaneGoes to Dublin -Denles he can effect Cures-Simplicity and Efficacy of the Pledge.... 131
CHAPTER X.
Admirable Conduct of the Irish Publicans-Curious Letter of a Publican-Respect of the Brewers and Distillers for Father MathewGeorge Roe of Dublin-Father Mathew visits the College of Maynooth-Extraordinary Scene-The Duke of Leinster-Visits Carlow
-Incidents of his Visit-Testimonies in the House of Lords. 143




CONTENTS.                        xi
CHAPTER X1.
Other Valuable Testimonies-The Marquis of Lansdowne-The Duke
of Devonshire-The Traveller Kohl-Mrs. S. C. Hall-Father
Mathew's Despondency-Dean Coil's Consolation-Stopping the
Royal Mail.....                        PAGE 154
CHAPTER XII.
His Reception in the North-Expenses of his Mission-His unceasing
Generosity-The Temperance Bands-The Appeal and ResponseThe'Poor Dhrummer'-A Village Tea-party-' Beautiful Music'Who paid for the Music.... 170
CHAPTER XIII.
Danger from insecure Platforms-The Catastrophe of Minane Bridge
-His Defence of the Bands-The dead Drum-major. 187
CHAPTER XIV.
Important Testimonies to the Progress and beneficial Effects of the
Movement-Lord Morpeth-Maria Edgeworth-Cardinal Wiseman
-Dr. Channing-Other Testimonies-Their Effect-Temperance
Speeches-Tim's Oration.... 205
CHAPTER XV.
Father Mathew an Advocate of Law and Order-Warns the People
against Secret Societies-Denounces Blood-spilling-His Rage for
making' Converts'-The Victim of Lemonade-The Deserters 216
CHAPTER XVI.
Desires to keep free of Politics-O'Connell a Teetotaller-The Easter
Procession of 1842-The Liberator and the Apostle-Tom Blewitt's
Speech-The Strangers' Evidence-Characteristic Incident-Father
Mathew's Considerateness.... 230
CHAPTER XVII.
His Charity extends itself Abroad-He visits Glasgow-His Doings in
that City-Excitement in Cork-An Irish Ovation-Acknowledges
the Welcome-His Annual Holiday-The austere TeetotallerFound in the Fact-The Tins-No Whisky in Father Mathew's
Plum-Pudding.....     -..    244




Xii                      CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Key to the Father's Heart-The greatest Miracles of all-Red
Denis-The Meeting in the Theatre Royal-The Man and the Cause
-O'Connell's Speech-A Monster Tea-Party-He pays for itDeath of his Brother Tom                         PAGE 259
CHAPTER XIX.
He determines to Visit England-Inducements to do so-Earl Stanhope's Letter-The Quaker's'Hotel'-Reception in York —I
Leeds-In London..... 274
CHAPTER XX.
A Rare Occurrence-A Noble Convert-The Press and the Peerage
-Lord Brougham-Characteristic Incident-The Great Duke and
the Apostle of Temperance-Welcomed by the Bishop of Norwich
-The Bishop's noble Eulogium-Father Mathew's good Work in
England...... 286
CHAPTER XXI.
Return to Cork-The Mathew Tower-Mr. O'Connor's Motives for its
Erection-Again in Harness-His Visitors-Midnight Labour-His
Correspondents-Strange Epistles... 294
CHAPTER XXII.
Father Mathew's pecuniary Liabilities-His Unhappiness-The Medal
Delusion-His Arrest-Items of Expenditure-Vindicatory Statement-How the Money went-Silver Medals-The enduring Memorial-An edifying Balance-sheet-Valuable Testimonies-The Soldier's Gratitude..... 307
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Parish Priest of Blarney-The Water-party at Blarney-Father
Mat's ingenious Device-The Antiquaries-The Ogham Valentine
-The enchanted Stream-Death busy with the Antiquaries-Killarney-Fidelity of the Boatmen.....     326
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Riots in Philadelphia-Promises to visit America-The Temperance Institute-The oratorical Catastrophe-' Old Dan Tucker'The Mesmerist-' Boo-boo-boo!'-The Tipperary men-The
crowning Indignity -His Reception of the Fugitive Slave. 345




CONTENTS.                       Xii
CHAPTER XXV.
His Speech on Capital Punishment-The Oriental's Question-Hia
distinguished Visitors-Innocent Festivities —Protestant Sympathy
-Sacredness of the Pledge.. PAGE 357
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Famine-Its Effects and its Causes-Ireland before the Famine-The Blights of 1845 and 1846 —Father Mathew's Correspondence with the Government-Timely Appeal —The Famine setting in...... 367
CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Society of Friends-Their Reports on the Condition of the Country and State of the People-Frightful Mortality..   381
CHAPTER XXIX.
The People rush from the Country into the Towns-Instances of the
Destruction of Life amongst them-An awful Spectacle-Father
Mathew in his Element-He warns the People against Intemperance-America sends Food to Ireland-The public Measures of
Relief-An honourable Testimony.... 391
CHAPTER XXX.
The Bishopric of Cork-Father Mathew.i nominated by the ClergyLetter from Father Prout-The Capuchin's Beard-Decision of the
Holy See adverse to Father Mathew-Addresses from the Clergy
and Laity-He bears the Disappointment bravely-His Friends the
Rathbones....... 404
CHAPTER XXXI.
O'Connell's Death-Sorrow of the Nation-Alleged Causes of his
Death-Father Mathew's respect for O'Connell-Roughly Treated
-Successful Remonstrance-His Famine Sermon... 415
CHAPTER XXXII.
He receives a Royal Pension-Important Explanation-Invading
John's Pantry-John's Refige-Father Mathew's Pets-Letters to
Mrs. Rathbone-His deserved Popularity.. 427




xiv                       CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
His Influence with the People of Ulster-A strange Question and a
laconic Reply-The incurable Cancer —A poor Breakfast-The disgusted Devotee-Christmas-boxes-The Great Duke.  PAGE 439
CHAPTER XXXIV.
He is attacked with Paralysis-His Fortitude and Resignation-His
Recovery hailed with Enthusiasm... 446
CHAPTER XXXV.
Resolves to Visit America-Leaves in the'Ashburton'-The Voyage out-Arrives in America-His Reception in New YorkHis Levees-The Daughters of Erin-New        York his Headquarters...... 460
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Slavery Question-The Abolition Party-Necessity for Prudence
-Scylla and Charybdis-Correspondence with Judge LumpkinComing Events casting their Shadows before them... 469
CHAPTER XXXVII.
His Secretary's Diary-Ill in New York-His indefatigable Labours
-Arrives in Washington-Debate in the Senate-Entertained by
the President........          478
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
How he employed his Sunday in Richmond-A Sunday in Savannah
-As Generous as ever-His Success at New Orleans-He believes
the Irish Exodus Providential-His Appeals to the Irish —Arrives
at Little Rock-A Mission in the Woods.... 488
CHAPTER XXXIX.
He sets out for the Springs of Arkansas-Delightful Journey-Spends
his Time pleasantly-Letter to Mrs. Rathbone-Bigotry rebuked
-Scene in the Navy Yard of Pensacola-He objects to'Lecture'-His wonderful Memory-Causes of his pecuniary Embarrassment........        499




CONTENTS.                       XV
CHAPTER XL.
Politeness to a Female Slave-Her Reply-An impressive Lesson
-Jenny Lind-Barnum-New World Notions-Another AttackEmbarks for Europe-His Farewell Address-Advice to his Countrymen-His Mission in America..                  PAGE 511
CHAPTER XLI.
Returns to Ireland-The confirmed Drunkard-Glad to see Beggars
again-The last of John-His Visitors at Lehenagh-Insanity of
Drink-The hundred Invitations to Dinner... 519
CHAPTER XLII.
Father Mathew's alleged Power of effecting Cures-General Belief
in this Power-The chronic Headache-Dr. Barter's TestimonyInstances of his strange Influence-Pilgrimages to his Grave. 526
CHAPTER XLIII.
Another Attack of Apoplexy-His Visit to Madeira-Getting worse
-Goes to Queenstown....                 536
CHAPTER XLIV.
Has Father Mathew's Work survived him?-The Spirit lives. 542
CHAPTER XLV.
In Queenstown-His Christian Humility-The ruling Passion strong
in Death-His last Moments... 547
CHAPTER XLVI
Feeling caused by his Death-Expressions of Opinion respecting
his Character-Protestant Testimony-His Funeral-His Statue.............                                 552








FATHER MATHEW:
A BIOGRAPHY.'
CHAPTER I.
Born in Thomastown House-His Family-His Infancy-His singular Gentleness and Goodness as a Child-Hiding the SpoonsHis influence over his brothers-His Love of Order-The silk
Stockings-Taste for Engineering-The Gentlemen with the Tail
-Is to be a Priest-His walk from School-Enters and quits
Maynooth-Is ordained-His first Sermon-His first Mission in
Kilkenny-The Regular Orders-Cause of his leaving Kilkenn.
SOME five miles west of Cashel, the ancient capital of the
County of Tipperary, and at the head of a fertile plain,
running westward between the Kilmanagh and Galtee range
of mountains, locally well known as the'Golden Vale,' there
stands a noble mansion in the midst of a still nobler demesne.
Its name is Thomastown. And here, on the 10th of October
1790, Theobald Mathew was born. Thomastown was for
many generations the property of a high county family, famnous for its wealth and extravagance, and notable in the
records of both Houses of the Irish Parliament, but now
utterly extinct. The park, two thousand acres in extent, is
still in high repute, in a county in which timber is not over
abundant, for its long beech avenues, its venerable oaks, and
its massive chestnuts, which rival those of Bushy. Pleasure
grounds, pieces of ornamental water, and long formal terraces




2                   FATHER MATHEW.
in the old style, lie around Thomastown House-an immense,
long-winged castellated pile, not more than two hundred years
old. An interesting account of its builder, and of the mode
of life he adopted, can be found in Sheridan's'Life of Swift,'
together with a circumstantial narrative of the Dein's visit
to Thomastown, and his entertainment there. It is now the
property of the Viscount de Chabot, the representative of an
illustrious French line, to whom, as the nearest surviving relative, the estate was directly bequeathed by the Lady Elizabeth, or Ellisha (as she is styled in the old peerages) Mathew,
daughter of the first and sister of the second and last Earl
Llandaff, an eccentric but kind-hearted spinster, of whom
further mention must be made hereafter.
With the trunk line of the Mathew family, traced back to
Rader, in Glamorgan, by Mervyn Archdale, and other genealogy-compilers after him, this biography has nought to do.
Such authentic particulars as can be procured at this time of
Father Mathew's immediate family, one of the branch lines,
and the only one with any representatives now left, are
scanty in the extreme. We know this much for certainthat some time in the second half of the last century, the
date of which event cannot be given with accuracy, John
Mathew of Thurles married a Miss O'Rahill, a member of a
respectable family; that this couple died shortly after their
marriage, leaving two daughters* and a son, James Mathew;
and that George Mathew of Thomastown, afterwards Baron
and first Earl of Llandaff, adopted and educated the orphan
boy. In due time James grew to manhood, when he found
himself in a very little better position than that of a dependent upon the bounty of his patron; but it is clear that his
protector did not neglect the charge he voluntarily assumed,
* Both of the daughters were married-one to Francis Kearney,
Esac, whose grandson, the Rev. Dr. Kearney, is Military Chaplain at
Ballincollig, and Rector of Carrigrohan, Co. Cork; the other to John
dunt, Esq.-Protestant gentlemea of good position.




HIS FAMILY AND INFANCY.             3
for James Mathew remained constantly at Thomastown, and
during the long absences of the owner of that grand old
place was entrusted with the management of the household
and establishment.
While still resident here, he married Anne, daughter of
George Whyte, Esq., of Cappa Whyte, she being then in
her sixteenth year, and endowed with considerable personal
beauty. Even this important step did not sever his connection with Thomastown, for he continued to dwell there
for several years afterwards. Children were rapidly born
to James and Anne Mathew. The fourth son, named Theobald, was the future founder of the Temperance movement in
Ireland. So was it that Thomastown was the place of his
birth and infancy.
About the year 1795, James Mathew, finding a young
family quickly springing up, and wishing, no doubt, to secure
for himself some more permanent footing in the world than
his position in Thomastown promised, took a large farm,
with a commodious dwelling-house upon it, called Rathcloheen, in the immediate vicinity of Thomastown House;
transported thither his wife and children, and so set up for
himself. This change he effected without any cessation of
kindness and good-will on the part of the now ennobled
master of the soil. Lands were let to James Mathew upon
easy terms; his Rocks and cattle grazed gratuitously upon
the rich pastures of the demesne; and things going on well
with him, he soon became prosperous and even wealthy, in
those halcyon days for farmers of the war time. As years
rolled on, no less than twelve children, nine boys and three
girls, were born to him. Of these-one having died in her
childhood-but one brother and two sisters are now left;
and from them, as they were much younger than their priestbrother, but little can be gathered of Theobald Mathew's
earlier years.
Theobald was, from his infancy, the favourite child of




4                   FATHER MATHEW.
his mother.  There was something singularly sweet and
engaging in the boy, which drew the mother's heart towards
him; and his own love for her, which was evidenced in a
hundred child-like ways, strengthened the mutual attachment. By his mother's side he preferred passing the hours
the others spent in play; and he was consequently somewhat
scornfully designated'the Pet' by his brothers and sisters.
At Thomastown House, too, before and after his father's
quitting it for Rathcloheen, he was in higher estimation than
the rest of the young people. The Earl's daughter, Lady
Elizabeth, some fifteen or twenty years the boy's senior,
formed an affection for him which never waned during her
life.
It does not always happen that the characteristics of the
future man are to be traced in the impulses of the child;
but in the impulses as well as the habits of the fine sturdy
handsome boy, the joy and pride of his fond mother, one
may behold, though in modified form, the very same remarkable characteristics of the man who for many years
occupied a prominent position in the world, and who owed
his singular power over his fellow-man more to the influence
of a loving and beneficent nature, than to intellectual superiority or preeminence. In one respect especially the child
and the man were identical. From his earliest years, the
desire to afford pleasure to others, to be the means of conferring happiness on some one human creature, was his most
marked characteristic. Even at this period of his life, this
desire had assumed the form of a confirmed habit, which, as
years rolled on, became almost as uncontrollable as a passion.
Young Theobald, or Toby, as he was familiarly styled, had
rather an aversion to the rude sports of his brothers and
their young friends and playfellows, although he was gay and
cheerful as boys usually are. But while the hardy young
fellows were engaged in play, or were absent on some expedition through the woods of Thomastown, Theobald was cer



EARLY LOVE OF FEAST-GIVING —IDING THE SPOONS. 
tain to be found in close attendance on his mother, expressing his love for that fond and indulgent parent in artless
prattle, or satisfying his affection by clinging to the skirt of
her robe, and looking up into her face, with his sweet innocent glance, beaming from the loveliest eyes of clear limpid
blue. Though this strong attachment to his mother, whicL
had a peculiar influence upon his after life, filling him with
reverence for good and holy women, was a source of constant
ridicule to his brothers, who called him'the Pet,' addressed
him as'Miss Molly,' and accused him of being always'tied
to his mother's apron-string;' still, from an early age, he acquired an influence over them which they never attempted to
dispute or resist, and which he retained and they felt to the
last moment of their connection in this world. The boy was
in many respects different from other boys. Not only was
he most lovable, from his goodness and gentleness, and his
invariable habit of seeking to afford pleasure to others; but
there was a sweet gravity, even a dignity, in the manner of
the child, which was most remarkable at such a period of
life. While tied to his mother's apron-string, as his brothers
declared him to be, he was not unmindful of their interests,
or indifferent to their marked partiality for good things; for
he employed the influence which he derived from his mother's
love, to coax from her the materials for a little feast, of
which he was to be the proud dispenser, and with which it
was his delight to surprise them, as they returned home, rosy
with health and exercise, and with the appetites of young
wolves. To procure a feast-to preside over it-to witness
the relish with which the sweet things were, not to say despatched, but devoured-this was a kind of passion with this
mere child. Not that he was by any means personally indifferent to such delicacies- -what healthy boy ever was?-but
that he derived more pleasure from bestowing them on his
brothers than in sharing them with them.
When a very little fellow, he was particularly partial to




6                  FATHER MATHEW.
plum-pudding, for which delicacy, it may be said, he never
ntirely lost his relish. In after years, he took pleasure in
telling how, one Christmas, while the family were still at
Thomastown, he quietly secreted, beneath the cushion of a
great old-fashioned chair, the silver spoons which had been
used with the plum-pudding. Great was the consternation
of the servants, and awful the amazement-the utter stupefaction-of the butler, at the sudden and unaccountable disappearance of the plate. The servants were in a lamentable
state of alarm, naturally dreading that suspicion should fall
upon them; and as for the family, they did not know what
to think of the strange occurrence. At length, Theobald
confessed, and not without some degree of pride, that he had
put them away in a safe place, so that they might be ready
at hand when the next Christmas brought with it its customary pudding. Upon which confession, which relieved many a
heart from a load of uneasiness, Lord Llandaff, who was one
of the kindest of men, promised his young favourite that, instead of waiting for Christmas, which was then a year distaut, there should be a plum-pudding every Sunday-a promise which was received with a vehement shout of delight.
This incident occurred while he was yet a very little fellow; but the recollection of Lord Llandaffs kindness never
faded from the retentive and grateful memory of Theobald
Mathew.
Though Theobald was the fourth child, with three brothers older than himself, it was singular to observe how he led
them, as if by natural right, and how they yielded to him
and obeyed him quite as a matter of course. His brothers
seemed to feel as if he were different from themselves; and
in more respects than one this difference really existed. He
never joined in any cruel sport, or willingly inflicted pain
upon a living thing. Coursing, and shooting, and ferretting,
in which his young companions indulged, and of their proficiency in which they were bcastfully proud, he detested with




HIS LOVE OF ORDER-THE SIIK STOCKINGS.       T
all his heart. He once witnessed, with horror and compassion, the agony of a poor hunted hare, in her breathless
struggles with the fierce dogs; and from that moment he
held the sport in abhorrence. The sight of a shattered wing
or blood-stained breast of a bird, brought down by his brother's gun, filled the heart of the boy with a sense of pain; for
his impulse was to succour and befriend, not to persecute or
destroy. Then he was never known to have uttered, not to
say an improper word, or word of dubious meaning, but even
a light word; and a harsh or unkind expression towards any
person was never known to have fallen from his lips. In this
respect, as in many others, the child was indeed the father
of the man.
In after life, he was remarkable for his love of order, his
neatness of dress, and the propriety which, in spite of his
voluntary poverty, distinguished the arrangements of his
modest dwelling. To find anything out of its right place
was, to him, a source of annoyance; it offended against his
sense of order and regularity. An incident is told of him,
which displays this peculiarity manifesting itself at a very
early age. While still at Thomastown, he happened to see,
in the breakfast-parlour, a pair of silk stockings on the back
of a chair before the fire, where they had been placed, perhaps with a view to their being'aired' previously to being
worn. The indignant disgust of Master Toby may be imagined when it is said that he tore the offending articles from
the chair, and flung them into the fire, where they were soon
destroyed. As may be supposed, there was a keen search
made for thA stockings, which were of a valuable kind, and
there was much astonishment at their mysterious disappearance. At last, as a desperate resource, Toby was asked if
he had seen the missing articles.'I did,' said the little fellow,'and I burned them, too.''Burned them — why did
you do such a thing, you bold boy?' was the very natural
question.'They had no right to be in the breakfast-parlour;




8                   FATHER MATHEW.
that was no place for them,? said the boy, sturdily.'Toby
is right,' said Lady Elizabeth Mathew;'they should not
have been put there.' Lady Elizabeth, who was then about
twenty-five years of age, thought the loss of her stockings
fully compensated by the lesson administered to her attendants from the lips of a child.
Between Rathcloheen and Thomastown, where he was
ever sure of being received with affection by Lady Elizabeth, Theobald's early years were happily passed. As each
successive year rolled by, he was more an object of love and
admiration to young as well as old. This may seem to savour somewhat of exaggeration, when said of a mere childa boy, with a boy's willfulness; but it will appear more
probable when the loving gentle sweet nature of the child is
considered-when it is remembered that he was always striving, with kindly ingenuity, to procure some indulgence or
gratification for others-for his brothers, who looked up to
and obeyed him-for the servants, who adored him-for the
poor, who were never tired of invoking blessings on the head
of their young benefactor, and who looked upon him as a'born saint.'
The strange influence which he acquired over his brothers,
three of whom were his seniors, was displayed in various
ways. Theobald was somewhat of an engineer. The farmyard and out-offices as well as the dwelling-house of Rathcloheen were indebted for their supply of water to a small
stream, which flowed from Thomastown demesne. During
the winter it amply sufficed for every purpose, but in the
heat of summer the little stream shrank in its bed, and
afforded but a scanty supply to the varied wants of the
establishment. This partial failure, which was of annual
occurrence, excited the interest of Theobald, not alone on
account of the practical inconvenience which the loss of the
pure element occasioned, but also fiom the love which he
felt for the stream  that prattled with such musical voice




THE GENTLEMAN WITH THE TAIL.           9
over its shallow bed, or flashed so brightly in the sunlight;
and on a fine summer day there might have been seen a
handsome boy, in the midst of a group of fine lads, all bigger than himself, working away with spade or shovel of
appropriate dimensions, deepening the channel, improving its
levels, or directing its scanty but precious waters into a
better course. Many years after these feats of infant engineering, he never could see a rill of spring water running to
waste without considering how it might be turned to the best
advantage for the use of man; so vivid and lasting, with this
impressionable and tenacious nature, were the events and
memories of his youthful days.
If Theobald were the'Pet' of his mother and the'Miss
Molly' of the ho.use, he was not on that account in any way
deficient in courage, moral or physical. Quite the contrary,
as a rather singular instance will prove. There lived, some
half dozen miles from his father's house, a gentleman, to
whom alleged acts of cruelty to the peasantry in the time of
the Rebellion, then fresh in the memory of all classes, had
attached an evil fame. So wicked and inhuman had been
the conduct of this gentleman, that the people in the neighbourhood declared he was'the ould boy himself, all out;'
and more than one village gossip, in the blacksmith's forge,
or by the kitchen hob, was willing to'take her Bible' that
the object of her horror was gifted with a tail; though the
horns, it was admitted, were not ordinarily visible. Theobald heard the story, perhaps, from one of his many pensioned crones, who crossed herself devoutly as she described
to her'darling Master Toby' the supernatural appendage
of the gentleman of evil reputation.  The strange story,
which was firmly believed in by the servants of the house,
seized fast hold of the lad's imagination, and he resolved to
satisfy himself, by personal inspection, whether Mr. 
were in reality so wonderfully and so unpleasantly endowed.
Accordingly, he rose early one morning, and having sadoaed




10                  FATHER MATHEW.
his pony with his own hands, he galloped or trotted on his
journey of more than half a dozen miles, till he reached the
gate of the gentleman's demesne; and there, partly concealed by a projecting portion of the wall, he remained for
hours, seated firmly on his pony's back, waiting in the hope
of seeing Mr. -- come forth, and thus afford him the
opportunity of satisfying his curiosity. He had his trouble
for nothing, for no Mr.    was to be seen that day; and
Toby was at length compelled, by hunger more than by
weariness, to turn his pony's head homewards. In a few
years after this strange expedition, he met the same gentleman in society, and then convinced himself that, whatever
the interior man might have been, the exterior was nowise
different from that of ordinary mortals.
The boy seemed to be marked out by nature for something different from other boys. His kindness, gentleness,
and unselfishness; his sweet and cheerful gravity; his ten
der compassion for the poor, the lame, the blind, and the
sick-including a liberal proportion of impostors among
them-who thronged the door-steps and invaded the spacious kitchen of his father's hospitable house; his wonderful
reverence for God's name, which he never lightly pronounced
-all marked ort Theobald, especially in the estimation of
the women of the household, as t!e future'Priest of the
family.' Mrs. Mathew was a pious Catholic, and, like most
good mothers of her creed in Ireland, she hoped to see one
of her many sons dedicated to the service of religion. One
of the elder boys was'intended' for the Church; and a
namesake and relative had actually presented him, or his
mother for him, with a costly suit of vestments and a valuable chalice; but, much to his mother's regret, George's'vocation' proved to be rather a passing impulse, than that
irresistible attraction towards the sanctuary which so many
young people in Ireland experience at an early age, and
which enables them to overcome every obstacle, and resist




IS TO BE A PRIEST-HIS WALK FROM SCHOOL.     1.
every temptation to a worldly career. One day, while her
now numerous family surrounded the spacious dinner-table,
the good lady, looking round with natural pride at her little
army of handsome healthy boys, almost involuntarily exclaimed-' Is it not unfortunate! I have nine sons, and not
one of them to be a priest!' The boys glanced at George,
and blushing George fixed his eyes steadily upon his plate.
But the silence was soon broken; for scarcely had the
words, which so truly expressed the inmost thoughts of the
speaker, been  uttered, when Theobald started from  his
chair, and cried out, with a voice full of emotion,' Mother,
don't be uneasy; I will be a priest.' His mother folded
him in her arms, expressing her delight and gratitude in
kisses and blessings; and from  that moment Theobald
Mathew was looked upon as dedicated and belonging to
the Church. From that moment, also, his influence over
his brothers, which had been singularly great before, was
confirmed and increased; which influence, gathering strength
as years rolled on, was not always to their personal advantage in after life.
When he had reached his twelfth year, Lady Elizabeth,
his constant friend and protectress, announced her intention
of educating him at her own cost. She selected for him a
school of good repute in Kilkenny, to whicl he was accordingly sent. Love for his family and kindred was ever with
Theobald Mathew one of the strongest and most ardent
feelings of his nature.  This feeling was nurtured  and
strengthened in the bosom  of a happy home.    It was
warmed into early vigour in the sunshine of domestic affection, and was never chilled or nipped by coldness or unkindness. While in the school at Kilkenny, he yielded to an
uncontrollable desire to see his parents and family, and
enjoy in their beloved society the festival of Easter. Without acquainting aniyone of his intention, he set out on foot
on a journey of between thirty and forty miles; but sus



12                  FATHER MATHEW.
tained by the strong feeling with which he was animated,
the affectionate boy got through it bravely, and at the close
of a long day arrived, weary and foot-sore, at his father's
house, where he was received in the arms of his delighted
mother, who only thought of his love for her, and her joy at
the unexpected meeting, and hinted no word of rebuke as
she strained him to her breast. Many a time, ay a full
half century after, did Father Mathew tell of that sweet
greeting, which more than repaid the young traveller for
the toil and fatigue of that tremendous undertaking.
The late Mr. Richard Sullivan, who for some years represented Kilkenny in Parliament, was a school-fellow of
his; and he was often heard to say that there was no
more popular boy, nor one more universally beloved by
teachers and students, than Theobald Mathew. His mother
was frequently gladdened by the tidings of her favourite
son's progress in his studies. By no means a brilliant boy,
he was attentive and studious, and of good natural parts.
The President of the academy, the Rev. Patrick Magrath,
was a man of keen discrimination as well as of sound
scholarship; and he entertained a high opinion of the
capacity of his amiable and attractive pupil, whose attention to his studies and invariably exemplary conduct were
the constant theme of his praise.
A writer in the'Dublin Review,' who wrote of Theobald
Mathew in after years, when his name was famous, thus
describes him as a boy —the father of the future man;
corroborating to the letter the account given of him by
the surviving members of his family:The writer of this article has been intimately acquainted with the
Rev. Theobald Mathew from his earliest boyhood, and he can truly
say, that even at that early stage of life he knew nobody so much or
so generally beloved as the individual who is now the' observed of
all observers' throughout Ireland. Incapable of anger or resentment,
utterly free from selfishness, always anxious to share with others




ENTERS AND QUITS MAYNOOTH.               13
whatever he possessed, jealous of the affections of those to whom he
was particularly attached, remarkably gentle in his manners, fond of
expressing himself rather in similes than in language; averse from
the boisterous amusements to which boys in general are prone, and
preferring to them quiet walks by the banks of a river, or by the side
of green hedges, in company with two or three select associates. and
yet very far from being of a pensive disposition-on the contrary, so
cheerful that the slightest ludicrous occurrence turned the smile he
generally wore into hearty laughter-he grew up esteemed by everybody who knew him. Even in his boyhood he seemed never to live
for himself; and yet by not seeking it he exercised an influence upon
those around him, which they never thought of questioning. Such
was his character in his early days. And when the writer of these
lines, after an interval of thirty years or more, visited Mr. Mathew
in the autumn of 1838, he could discern no change in the outlines of
that character, except that it was accompanied by a greater degree of
physical activity, acquired from almost incessant motion in the performance of sacerdotal or charitable engagements, which seemed to
have no end throughout the whole day.
Having gone through the usual course of studies necessary as a preparation for Maynooth, he was sent to that
college under the auspices of the Most Reverend Dr. Bray,
and matriculated in the Humanity Class, on the 10th of
September, 1807.
When the young student entered that famous college, its
president was the Very Reverend Dr. Montague, a learned
scholar and divine. Theobald Mathew was not destined to
finish his scholastic career in the halls of Maynooth. The
rules of that institution were then, as now, strict in* their
character, and rigid in their enforcement. Thus, for instance, it is not allowed that one student shall visit another
in his room; as, were it lawful to do so, irregularities and
abuses would be likely to follow in consequence; one of
which would be the interruption to the studies, which, at
a certain period of the year, the student prosecutes in
private. But if two or more students assemble in the room
of one of them  for the purpose of eating, which is defined




14                  FATHER MATHEW.
in the technical phraseology of the college by the term'commessatio,, they do so at the risk of expulsion. It may
have been that young Mathew did not regard this rule u
its serious aspect, or that the temptation of feast-giving
was too strong for his powers of resistance; but it is the
fact that he violated the rule in a marked manner, by
giving a party to a few of his special friends among the
students; and the meeting being of a convivial character,
the attention of the authorities was attracted to a circumstance extraordinary and unlooked-for in such a place. The
master of the feast was at once put under censure; but
anticipating expulsion as the result of the formal investigation which was to be held in due course, he quitted the
college of his own will, and thus probably avoided what
would have been regarded by many, who would never have
too closely scrutinised the'real cause of offence, as a stigma
upon his moral character. The offence, which was quite
venial in its nature, was just the one which Theobald
Mathew was most likely to commit. It will be seen that
it was but a manifestation of that habit of giving, that
love for affording pleasure to, or conferring happiness on
others, which was one of the most marked characteristics,
indeed passions, of his beneficent nature. He left the college in 1808. The time, however, was to come when lie,
who then hurriedly passed from its walls, was to be received
within them with such honours as are but rarely accorded
to, and more rarely deserved by man fr'om his fellowswhen he was to be hailed with affectionate reverence by
venerable priests and learned professors, and with tumultuous acclamations by warm-hearted and enthusiastic students. One might be disposed to think that this unexpected severance of his connection with Maynooth was
specially intended by Providence: for, had he gone through
the usual course in the classes of that college, he might
have become a rural parish priest, eveu have worn the




IS ORDAINED-HIS FIRST SERMON.           15
mitre; and though he was certain of being beloved by his
flock, whether of a parish or a diocese, the world at large
would, in all human probability, never have heard of the
name of Father Mathew.
Stimulated by the edifying example as much as impressed
by the poverty of two aged friars, the representatives of the
Capuchin Order in Kilkenny, he determined on attaching
himself to that lowliest and least influential of the regular
orders in Ireland; and, with that object in view, he proceeded to Dublin, where he placed himself under the spiritual care of the Very Reverend Celestine Corcoran of that
city. And on Easter Saturday, in the year 1814, he was
ordained by the most Reverend Dr. Murray, a prelate
whose apostolic virtues commanded the reverence even of
his bitterest opponents.  That solemn act was the commencement of a friendship which, increasing as years rolled
over the heads of the Archbishop and the Priest, terminated only in death.  Dr..Murray was through life the
faithful friend and powerful supporter of Father Mathew.
On this memorable Easter Saturday was his mother's
long-cherished ambition for her beloved son fully gratified.
He was now what she had hoped to see him-a priest of
the sanctuary, whose voice would be heard in the pulpit,
whose consecrated hands would minister at the altar..
It was while on a brief visit to his home, that he was
presented with a chalice, one of the most acceptable offerings which can be made to a young priest; and upon its
base he had subsequently engraved these words-' Pray for
the souls of Jame, and Anne Mathew, of Thomastown —thus
associating their honoured names and sacred memories with
the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This
was the chalice which he invariably used in private, and to
which he was particularly attached.
His first sermon was delivered in the parish chapel of
Kilfeacle, in his native county of Tipperary. It was on the




16                  FATHER MATHEW.
occasion of his saying Mass for the priest. He read and
explained the Gospel of the day, which proclaims the startling announcement, that it is more difficult for a rich man
to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to pass
through the eye of a needle. His principal auditor of this
his first sermon was a village magnate and millionaire, Mr.
Scully-considered to be one of the richest men in Tipperary. This rural Croesus was much struck with the discourse, which was not a little enhanced by the singularly
youthful and interesting appearance of the preacher, who
rightly explained that it was not the possession of riches
which was culpable in the sight of God, but the disposition
or use made of them. Mr. Scully was a very large as well
as a very rich man; and meeting the preacher at breakfast, he expressed his personal acknowledgements thus:'Father Mathew; I feel very much obliged to you for
trying to squeeze me through the eye of a needle.' The
old gentleman was at that time corpulent enough to have
blocked up the Camel's Gate of Jerusalem.
Father Mathew's first mission was in Kilkenny, where
he joined the small community of Capuchins. The community was small and poor, and their church was not particularly well attended prior to his becoming attached to it.
But soon after his arrival a very striking change was effected.
The Friary, as it was called, became, ere long, not only popular, but fashionable, thronged by the poor and frequented by
the rich.  The fame of the young Friar spread rapidly
tlrough that Catholic city, and his virtues were the theme
of every tongue. His personal appearance was of itself sufficient to excite interest, and his manners quite harmonised
with his outward form. In the first bloom and freshness of
early manhood, graceful and elegant in his figure and carriage, with a countenance of singular beauty, of expression
even more than of feature; winning of speech, polished of
address, modest and unobtrusive-the youthful priest was




IN THE CONFR3SIONAL AND THE PULPIT.         17
calculated to create the most favourable impression. Those
who remember him at that period of his life speak of the
extraordinary beauty of his countenance, and the indescribable sweetness of its expression-so good, and pure, and holy
-'something angelic'-reflecting faithfully the inward soul.
But personal attractions, however they might have cornmanded attention, or even fascinated for the moment, would
soon have failed to influence in his favour, had they not been
accompanied by those sterling qualities of mind and heart, as
well as that wonderful zeal for the cause of religion, which
Father Mathew brought with him to the duties of his sacred
calling.
It was in the unobtrusive but onerous and important
duties of the confessional that he first distinguished himself.
In that confined and comfortless'box' he was certain to
be found almost at any hour, even from the earliest in the
morning to the latest at night, during which the chapel was
open to the faithful. Here was the principal theatre of his
priestly mission; receiving, under the most solemn seal of
confidence, the sad story of the sinner, consoling the afflicted,
cheering and fortifying the weary spirit, strengthening the
feeble against temptation, guiding and directing by his advice
and counsel.. The poor, as usual, were the first to appreciate his worth; and they, by their lavish praise of the'new
director,' attracted the attention of those of a different class,
with whom the youthful priest became an object of the
deepest interest, and even veneration. Young as he was in
years, and younger still in experience of the world, his advice,
even in matters not altogether strictly within the province of
a clergyman, was eagerly sought for by many whose hair
was streaked with the silver of age. Nor was his advice
without its value; for, to an instinctive uprightness, and a
stern sense of justice, he united great natural shrewdness and
sagacity, with clearness and soundness of judgement.
Even at this early period of his ministry, his efforts as a




18                 FATHER MATHEW.
preacher were more successful than might have been supposed from the extreme thinness and weakness of his yet
undeveloped voice. But there was the one great and muchatoning charm —the evident sincerity of the preacher. Thin
and weak, almost shrieking, as his voice was at this time, it
reached the heart of the listener, stirring its inmost recesses,
and quickening its pulsation with sympathetic fervour. Few
men were ever animated with a more ardent love of God and
humanity than that which glowed in the breast of Father
Mathew, as his whole career testifies; and that sacred love
breathed in every word that he spoke from the altar or the
pulpit. It is not here necessary to allude to him further as a
preacher; for he shortly quitted Kilkenny for Cork, the scene
of his future missionary labours, and likewise of his world-wide
fame as a great moral reformer.
While in Kilkenny, the benevolence and charity which
were the leading features of his character sought every
opportunity for their constant exercise. The boy was here
repeated in the man. He was never happy unless in doing
good. To confer happiness on others seemed to be the
instinctive craving of his nature. IHad he a pound in his
possession, it was only so long as there was no poor person
near him with whom he could share it; but. had he anything left, after having relieved the wants of the necessitous,
it was his greatest delight to surround himself with a few
chosen friends, whom he entertained with a warmth and
grace of hospitality that specially distinguished him. The
boy feast-giver of Thomastown and Ratheloheen was now
the modest entertainer of the Capuchin convent in Kilkenny.
His departure from Kilkenny was one of the great events
as well as the turning-point of his life. It assisted to place
him in that position in which he had the opportunity of best
displaying those noble qualities which gathered round him
the love and admiration of his fellow-men, and prepared the
way for that extraordinary career which rendered the name




THE REGULAR ORDERS.               19
and character and labours of the humble friar the pride of
his country and the property of mankind. It may therefore be not unfitting to'explain the cause of his leaving Kil
kenny, and taking up his residence in Cork.
At the time when Father Mathew commenced the duties
of his ministry, the Catholic Church of Ireland was but
slowly emerging from a persecution which had endured,
with greater or less severity, and with but occasional
snatches of repose, almost from the period of the Reformation. But upon no branch of the Irish Church had that
persecution fallen so heavily as upon the Regular Orders.
And not only had the Regular Orders to endure the worst
malignity of laws conceived in a spirit of hate, and born
of fierce and sanguinary times, when passion or selfish policy
alone influenced the legislators of those days; but they had
also to endure the restraints imposed upon them by more
than one bishop of their own Church, in whose diocese the
feeble representatives of once proud and illustrious orders
sought an asylum, established their poor convent, erected
their little chapel, and pursued their mission of unostenta.
tious but active usefulness.
Mr. Fitzpatrick, in his admirable'Life of Dr. Doyle,'
writing of this period, indeed almost of the very year which
saw Father Mathew a Capuciin friar in the little convent
of Kilkenny, uses these words:-'The Irish friars, at this
period, were slighted to such an extent by even the prelates
and priests of their own religion, that the Holy See was
obliged formally to interfere;' and Mr. Fitzpatrick quotes
an official letter from Cardinal Litta to Archbishop Troy,
dated the 14th of October 1815, in which the bitter complaints made by the'Regulars of Ireland' are set forth.
The order to which the young priest attached himself,
very much from the humility of his nature, was one of the
poorest and most neglected at that time in the country, and
certainly offered no worldly attractions to those who joined




20                  FATHER MATHEW.
its few and feeble communities. Of the different subdivi.
sions of the order of Minorites founded by Francis of Assisi,
the Capuchins, or cowled, who followed the rigorous precepts laid down by Matthew Barchi, three hundred years
after the death of the great saint, were the humblest and
most mortified. To this section, represented at that time
in Ireland by a few priests in the most important towns,
Father Mathew freely and of his own choice attached himself; and with them he cast his lot in the Church. In
these kingdoms the Catholic clergy, secular and regular,
have but one means of support,-the voluntary contributions of the people. There are, for them, no endowments,
no glebes, no rent-charges, no Ecclesiastical Commissioners
-the said functionaries being, it may be supposed, superfluous in connection with the Catholic Church. By the
people alone are the churches built, the educational and
charitable institutions maintained, the Bishops and Parish
Priests ard Curates, the Monks and Friars of various
orders, supported, sheltered, and clothed throughout the
entire country.  Fifty years since, the priest was necessarily a heavier burden upon the people than he is now. A
hundred years ago the Catholic population of Ireland did
not exceed a million and a half of souls; and, consequently,
when the Church began to revive after her long and dreary
night of suffering, and her oppressors at length discovered
that no enactment could crush her out of existence, ox
diminish her vitality, and so gave up actively oppressing,
without however repealing the disgraceful laws which con
tinued the power of oppression, the Catholic Bishops en
deavoured to keep the number of priests within the closest
limits compatible with supplying the spiritual wants of their
respective flocks. While acknowledging the value of the
Regular Orders, the Irish Bishops, were they so inclined,
could scarcely encourage their coming among their already
overburdened people, who would have to support them in




HE LEAVES KILKENNY.                21
addition to their ordinary pastors; and this policy, on the
part of the bishops generally, and which in some dioceses
assumed the regularity of a system, led to much unhappiness amongst those Regulars who ventured to establish
themselves in the different towns. This condition of affairs,
so far from deterring, rather induced Father Mathew to join
the Capuchins, whose watchword-' humility'-was the guiding principle of his life.
As it has been already stated, the young priest had not
been long in Kilkenny before his worth was discovered.
The Friary, which was not particularly well attended previously, became popular; his confessional was constantly
crowded; and the people, rich as well as poor, came to him
for advice and consolation. But his career in this the first
scene of his missionary labours was soon brought to an end.
In certain dioceses the Regulars were more restricted than
in others. As a rule, they were not endowed with'functions'-the power of administering Baptism and Extreme
Unction, the first and last Sacraments. Their chapels, too,
were under particular regulations. For instance, parishioners were not permitted to approach the Paschal Communion within their walls, and friars were restrained from
administering it, though at all other seasons except Easter
it was permitted. Also, friars could not perform the marriage ceremony without special permission.  There were
other distinctions between Seculars and Regulars; but those
mentioned were the most remarkable. Many of them hold
to this day, and, it must be remarked, without having their
justice or necessity questioned.
A circumstance occurred which brought his mission in
Kilkenny to a rather abrupt and unexpected termination.
The bishop in those days was the Right Rev. Dr. Marum, a
highly educated and conscientious man, with however very
strorg notions of church discipline. On Saturday evening,
Father Mathew was, as usual, in his confessional, the doors




22                  FATHER MATHRW.
of which were besieged by a crowd of penitents awaiting
their turn for admission. He was closely engaged in his
sacred duty, when an ecclesiastic entered the chapel, walked
direct to his confessional, and handed him in a document of
an urgent nature. Father Mathew opened it, read the first
few lines, rose from. his seat, and departed humbly from the
church, saying to his anxious flock, who felt that something
strange was about to happen-' Go to. your other clergymen;
I have no power to hear your confession any longer.' He
had received a command from the bishop to cease hearing
confessions, on the alleged ground of his having, contrary to
the regulations of the diocese, administered Paschal Communion. A report spread abroad that Father Mathew had
been suspended, and the circumstance under which he had
received the order from the bishop gave some show of probability to the rumour. It was but a rumour; yet the deprivation so imposed cut him to the soul. He determined to leave
Kilkenny without delay, and seek some other diocese; which
intention he put into immediate execution. The bishop dis.
covered, when too late, that the complaint on which he so
rigorously acted was entirely groundless, and that the young
friar had never infringed the regulations of the diocese.
Explanations and apologies were offered; but his resolution
was not to be changed, and he hastened his departure from
the scene of his first mission. Ever after, the bishop deplored
his own hastiness in this transaction, and did all in his power
to lighten the effects of a blow which he could not recall.




CHAPTER      II.
The Little Friary-Father Arthur O'Leary-His Character and
Influence - New Coat for St. Patrick - Reply to the Quaker —
Father Donovan - Saved from the Guillotine- Attending the
Condemned —How the Shirts went-Father Donovan obtains
a Colleague, and provides for his Reception -Father Donovan's
Ambition' Moll in the Wad - Father Mathew little known at
first-Confessional of a Popular Priest -Devotedness of Father
Mathew's Friendship.? EMOTE from the din of traffic, and shut out from the
I  public eye, there then, and for many years after, existed
in the city of Cork a little chapel of humble pretensions both
as to appearance and accommodation. This diminutive place
of worship had been erected by a celebrated member of the
Capuchin Order, a man whose strong and powerful intellect
and scholarly attainments were devoted as well to the defence
of his persecuted or endangered faith, as to the promotion of
liberal and tolerant opinions, and the maintenance of social
order. This was the famous Father Arthur O'Leary. As a
priest, he was pious, zealous, charitable; as a public writer,
he was bold, eloquent, of lively fancy, and replete with that
humorous vein which is so useful to a cause, and so damaging
to an opponent. Fearless and formidable champion to the
oppressed, as he proved himself to be during many trying
years, while the mass of his countrymen were slowly emerging
front an oppression against which it seemed almost useless to
contend, it was only natural that Father O'Leary should be
loved and honoured by those of his own communion; while
his earnest advocacy of toleration and Christian concord




24                  FATHER MATHEW.
among all men, whatever their faith, and his well-meant
efforts to repress lawless and destructive combinations of the
peasantry, earned for him the respect of his Protestant and
Dissenting brethren. Such, indeed, was his deserved influence with the leading members of the Irish Parliament,
that he on more than one occasion saved the Regular Orders
from the revival of old penalties, or the imposition of new
restrictions.  He encountered, and confessedly overthrew,
some of the most famous political and polemical writers of
the day, and these successful efforts rendered his name celebrated in England as in Ireland; but the production which
most added to his fame and enhanced his influence, was
one styled'An Essay on Toleration, or Mr. O'Leary's plea
for Liberty of Conscience.'  Very much owing     to this
remarkable work, he was elected a member of a society,
partly political and partly social, known as the Monks of
St. Patrick, which took its rise under the auspices of Mr
Yelverton, afterwards Lord Avonmore, and to which belonged many of the celebrated and leading men of the day.
During a debate in the Irish House of Commons, on the
Catholic Bill of 1782, testimonies of the most flattering
kind were borne to the merits of Father O'Leary. These
testimonies were the more remarkable as the assembly in
which they were spoken consisted exclusively of Protestant
gentlemen. Mr. Grattan described this Franciscan friar as'poor in everything but genius and philosophy;' and he
added —'If I did not know him to be a Christian clergyman, I should suppose him, by his writings, to be a philosopher of the Augustan age.' Mr. St. George would'for the
sake of one celebrated character of their body, be tolerant
to the rest.' Sir Lucius O'Brien'did not approve of the
Regulars,' but he spoke with respect of'the Reverend
Doctor Arthur O'Leary.' In five years after, Mr. Curran,
during a debate in the same House, thus bore his personal
testimony to the character of this remarkable man:-' Mr.




ST. PATRICK'S NEW COAT.            25
O'Leary is, to my knowledge, a man of the most innocent
and amiable simplicity of manners in private life.' A still
more interesting evidence of his merit is afforded by his
biographer, the late Rev. Thomas England, who states that
the late Bishop Murphy of Cork, when a mere youth, was
frequently the almoner of Father O'Leary's charities; and
that a number of reduced room-keepers and tradesmen were,
on every Monday morning, relieved by the good friar. TlJe
general average of his weekly charities amounted to 21., and
sometimes to 31. His biographer justly remarks —' When it
is recollected that the poor Capuchin had no income, except
what was derived from the contributions of those who frequented his chapel, the charitable disposition of his heart and
mind will be duly appreciated.'
There was a time, however, when the resources of the
good priest were not so flourishing, as the following incident
will prove. Father O'Leary had many Protestant friends,
who admired his ability, and sympathised with his opinions,
so full of liberality and Christian charity. One in particular, Mr. Joseph Bennett, a well-known lawyer of the day,
was most intimate with the distinguished friar, and frequently visited the little chapel, to enjoy the pleasure of
hearing his friend preach. On a certain St. Patrick's Day,
Mr. Bennett was in his accustomed place, listening with
delight to a noble discourse on the life and labours of the
national saint. The preacher and his Protestant admirer
dined together the same day. During dinner the latter
remarked-'Father O'Leary, that was a splendid sermon
of yours on St. Patrick.''Didn't I give him a beautiful
new coat to-day?' said the preacher in his usual jocular
tone.'Indeed you did,' replied his friend.'And  how
much do you think I got for my work?''I can't tell-I
have no notion; only I know it deserved more than it got.''Well, let us see,' said Father O'Leary-'there is the box,
on the chair near you. Turn it up, and count its contents.'




26                 FATHER MATHEW.
The box was turned up, and its contents were counted.'Eighteenpence-ha/fpeny!' exclaimed Mr. Bennett, in deep
disgust.'Well, my dear child,' said the priest, with a smile,'that's what St. Patrick gave me for his grand new coat.'
Father O'Leary gained more by a reply which he made
to a respectable member of the Society of Friends, than by
his splendid panegyric of St. Patrick. Going about the city
on his annual collection for the support of his chapel, he
called into the thriving shop of this worthy Quaker. He
made his application, and was answered by a decided refisal.'Then,' said he, as if speaking to himself,' I know for whom
it will be worse;' and he turned to leave the shop.'What,
friend!' said the Quaker,'dost thou mean to threaten?''Not I, indeed,' replied the friar.'Then what didst thou
mean when thee said thee knew for whom it would be worse?''Why, it would be worse for myself, to be sure, if I didl't
get the money,' said O'Leary, with a look of drollery which
betrayed the sedate Friend into a hearty laugh.'Then, if
that was all thee meant, here is a guinea for thee,' said the
Quaker.
Father O'Leary waged rather a fierce controversy with
Dr. Woodward, the Protestant Bishop of eloyne. Indeed
it would be more correct to say he defended himself from
a fierce attack from his Right Reverend assailant. It was
in reply to an envenomed attack, in which the friars, and
O'Leary in particular, were treated with scant courtesy, that
a passage, replete with sarcastic humour, thus concludes: —'It is equal to us where a man pays his debts, whether here
or in purgatory, provided he pays us ourselves what he owes
as; and however clamorous a mitred divine may be about a
popish purgatory, he may perhaps go farther and speed worse.'
Father O'Leary left Cork for London in the year 1789,
when he became connected with St. Patrick's Chapel, Soho
Square, in which he officiated till his death, in 1789, in the
73rd year of his age.




FATHER DONOVAN.                 27
In one of his public letters, written in the' Little Friary,'
while yet striking hard blows in the cause of religious freedom, he describes himself as'a poor friar, buried between
salt-houses and stables.' And this was a literal description
of his place of residence, the scene alike of his priestly duties
and literary labours.
Such was the most famous of the predecessors of Father
Mathew, and such the out-of-the-way place in which the
young priest recommenced his missionary career. In Cork,
as in Kilkenny, the Capuchin Order was represented by two
members of the body; and at the time of Father Mathew's
arrival, his associate and superior was the Rev. Francis
Donovan, of whom some particulars may be given.
At an early period of his life, Father Donovan may have
been courteous, refined, and elegant in manner; but at the
period when he was joined by his youthful colleague he was
not preeminently remarkable for these qualities-which, no
doubt, are too often but mere external attractions, and not
true indications of the real nature of their possessor. Father
Donovan was, in truth, a worthy and pious man, but he was
both rough and brusque, and not a little singular in some
respects. His life had not been wholly destitute of peril and
excitement; for not only had he been the witness of those
scenes of horror which have been since then the theme of the
philosopher and the property of the historian, but he was
made to feel in them a terrible personal interest. Educated
in France, at a time when society was heaving with the
throes of revolution, lie became chaplain to the family of a
French nobleman, shortly before the storm burst forth which
hurled throne into the dust, and prostrated altar in the mire.
The rank of his patron being of itself sufficient to decide his
fale before the so-called tribunals of the hour, which were
in reality purveyors for the public shambles, he determined
to fly from a danger which it would be madness to face, and
was fortunate enough to cscape to England. The nobleman




28                  FANrIER MATHEW.
and his family fled in safety, while the Abl)b Donovan was
left in Paris, in charge of the hotel and its valuable contents.
But as the guillotine was robbed of the Marquis, the Chaplain was made to take his place. It did not require many
minutes, or a long deliberation, to find one of his order guilty
of treason against the public safety; and the sentence was a
matter of course.
It was a fine, bright sunshiny morning during the Reign
of Terror, while yet Marat was a popular idol, and Charlotte
Corday was brooding over her thoughts of vengeance away
in the quiet province, when a long procession of victims
wound its way through the streets of Paris, delighting a
populace still unsatiated with blood. On it went, accompanied by a scoffing and yelling rabble, that surged and
swayed against the horse-soldiers who guarded the prisoners,
and who struggled to reach the scaffold with unbroken line.
In one of the rude tumbrils was the Abbe Donovan, who had
been actively employed during the preceding night in administering the consolations of religion to his fellow-captives.
The goal was at length approached, and the first tumbril
was close to the scaffold, on which stood the executioner and
his assistants, ready for their dreadful work. Father Donovan, whose appearance was the signal for many a scoff and
curse from the savage crowd that were now about to enjoy
their daily feast of human slaughter, believed his last moment
in this world had arrived; and having whispered a few
words of hope and consolation to his companions in misery,
he offered up a prayer to God, and prepared to meet his
fate with the fortitude of a Christian. But just as he was
about to cross the narrow space which appeared to separate
him rrom eternity, an officer, whom Father Donovan ever
after described in resplendent colours, rode up to the head.f the procession, and raising his voice-' his melodious voice,
sir'-above the hoarse murmur of the swaying multitude,
cried out-'in the vernacular, sir'-' Are there any Irish




SAVED FROM THE GUILLOTINE.            29
among you?''There are seven of us I' shrieked Father
Donovan, in agonised response.'Then have no fear,' said
the officer, in a voice that sounded to Father Donovan's
ears as the voice of an angel; and using his influence witI1
the officials and guards, this man in authority had his seven
countrymen put aside, on some pretence or other, and
ultimately secured their safety. The guillotine and the friends
of'liberty, equality, and fraternity,' were so fully fed on
that day, that both could spare the few prisoners who were
rescued from the knife of the one, and the remorseless cruelty
of the others. For some time after, as Father Donovan used
to tell, he would shake his head rather doubtingly;'for
though,' said he,'my pate was never any great things of a
beauty, I would have felt mighty awkward without it.' In
which opinion his fiiends generally concurred.
This event made a deep impression upon his mind; not so
much in consequence of his own extraordinary escape from a
fearful death, as from the idea of so many human beings summoned, almost without any preparation, before the Great
Tribunal; and he determined that, if he could, he would
devote himself thenceforward to the duty of attending on the
condemned in their last moments. His wish was gratified;
for, some time after his return to Ireland, he was appointed
Chaplain to the County Gaol of Cork, but not before he had
voluntarily prepared many a poor fellow to meet death with
firmness, and in humble confidence in Divine mercy.
Those were times when executions were terribly frequent;
as not only were many offences then punished by death which
are in these merciful days sufficiently atoned for by a short
period of imprisonment, but there were also classes of offences
which sprang from the unsettled state of the country, and
with which the law dealt relentlessly. Therefore, for a considerable time, Father Donovan had many opportunities of
exercising his charity and zeal in bringing the condemned to
a true consciousness of their awful position. Rough and ready




30                  FATHER MATHEW.
was the operation of the law in those times. In forty-eight
ours after the prisoner stood in the dock, and heard his doom
fiom the lips of his earthly judge, his soul was in the presence
of a greater and more merciful tribunal. It is a short time
for a man, strong in life, and with every faculty for enjoying
existence, to be made to understand that at such a moment
he is to die-to become as a clod of earth-cold, senselessa thiing to hide in the ground. A shorter time still in which
to prepare for the solemn thought of the world beyond the
grave.  This fearful rapidity with which execution thus
followed upon sentence, rendered  necessary the constant
attendance of the priest upon the condemned; and, as a rule,
Father Donovan remained up with his penitents for the whole
night previous to the fatal morning. It was then the custom
to convey the prisoner from the gaol to a place outside the
town, where the gallows was erected; and the bottom of the
cart in which he was so conveyed was frequently the platform
from which the victim of the law was launched into eternity.
Often must the gaol chaplain have thought, as he sat in the
cart beside the condemned, perhaps on the coffin which was
so soon to receive his lifeless body, of that memorable procession through the streets of Paris, with the long line of
tumbrils, in which old and young, the beautiful and the brave,
the innocent girl and the strong man, were borne to death,
amidst mocking cries, fierce gestures, and flaming eyes. Not
that there was any, even the slightest, similarity in the
conduct and bearing of the populace in both instances;
for while the one mocked and cursed, the other sympathised and prayed; still there was enough of resemblance
in the one procession to bring the other vividly before the
mind.
Father Donovan had many an anecdote to tell of his
experience as a gaol chaplain, and of how men bore themselves in the supreme moment of their fate. Though a goodnatured man, his temper was not difficult to ruffle; and on one




ATTENDING THE CONDEMNED.             31
occasion it was tried rather curiously. A prisoner was sentenced to death on Friday, and was to be executed on the
following Monday.   Father Donovan was, as usual, most
zealous in his attention to the condemned, and employed the
best means to bring him to a suitable state of mind. On
Sunday, the priest assured his friends that'that poor fellow
up in the gaol was a most edifying penitent, whose thoughts
were wholly fixed on heaven.' The hour too soon arrived at
which the law was to take its course. The sad procession was
slowly winding its way through one of the principal thoroughfares of the city, when the priest, who was absorbed in his
pious efforts to complete his good work, was stunned by
hearing the condemned man, who sat near him, cry out in a
voice expressive of great amazement —' Oh, be the holy
powers, that's quare!  Yea, Father Donovan, alana, look
there!-look at that fine man up there! But. what is he
doing there at all at all?' The priest indignantly glanced at
the cause of this ill-timed excitement, and he saw, over the
shop-front of a well-known ironmonger, the, to him, familiar
figure of Vulcan, which, cleverly carved in wood and naturally coloured, stood, nude and brawny, leaning in an attitude
of repose, the hammer resting on the anvil. The figure was
sufficiently life-like to deceive the unhappy culprit, whose
dread of death was not powerful enough to repress every
emotion of curiosity or surprise.
When engaged in this duty of attending on the condemned in their last moments, it was Father Donovan's
invariable custom to wear black silk breeches-this portion of his dress being of cloth on ordinary occasions. So
that when the silk was seen adorning the well-turned limbs
of the chaplain, it was known that the'law was to take
its course;' cut when doth was the material worn on a day,
generally a Monday, on which an execution was to have
taken place, it was equally certain that a reprieve had been
received.




32                  FATHER MATHEW.
To make a'decen' appearance on the scaffold was a
matter of pride, and indeed of consolation, to many a poor
fcllow; and in the kindness and sympathy of the chaplain
the condemned had an unfailing resource, for not only did
Father Donovan freely'lend' his own shirt, to render his
penitent' decent and clean' as he appeared before the public
for the last hour of his life, but he as freely'borrowed' the
shirts of his friends for the same purpose. The lending and
the borrowing in this case did not, as the reader may suppose, bear their ordinary signification; for neither the chaplain nor his friend ever again saw the article thus lent or
borrowed.
From this cause, among others, it was rather hard to keep
Father Donovan in shirts, his stock of linen being at times
reduced to a very scanty complement, as the following incident
will show.. He had been on one occasion invited to join a
yachting party by the wealthy owner of a fine boat, in which
the good priest had more than once before enjoyed a pleasant
sail and an agreeable day.'Mind you are ready in time,
Father Frank; for if we delay, we'll lose the finest part of
the day, and have the tide against us besides.''Oh, make
yourself easy about me; I'm sure to be punctual,' said Father
Frank, with an air of confidence that nearly satisfied his
friend.'Very well; but if you are not with us at my house
by such an hour, I will call for you at your place.' The
morning of the intended excursion arrived, but the friar was
not true to his tryst. Time was slipping away, and still no
appearance of Father Frank. So the friend proceeded to the
well-known cock-loft, in which the unpunctual priest dwelt.
To his quick and vehement application to the outer door, a
very elderly woman responded, after a cautious Who's there?'
by opening it to Mr. -.'Is Father Donovan within? I
have been waiting for him all the morning.' The old lady
made some vague reply, and looked a little confused; but,
on being pressed, she admitted that he was still in bed




HOW THE SHIRTS WENT.              33'In bed! why, what's the matter? is he ill?-he, such an
early riser, to be in bed, and a whole party waiting for
him I I must see what it means.' So saying, the speaket
turned to the door of Father Frank's room, which he found
to be locked. He then knocked sharply with his knuckles,
crying out,'Father Donovan   Father Frank I are you
within? what's the matter? are you sick?' No answer.
More knocking, and renewed appeals to Father Frank.'Man, I'll kick in the door if I do n't get an answer,' said
the impatient gentleman, as the vision of his yacht riding
buoyantly at Cove, and straining at her anchor, and his
friends waiting ready to start, crossed his mind. This last
appeal was effectual, for there was a creaking of the bedstead audible, and then a scramble towards the door, and a
turning of the key, and then a shuffle back, and more
creaking of the bedstead. In rushed the exasperated owner
of the yacht, who could only see a pair of beseeching eyes
and a rather red nose above the bed-clothes.'What does
this mean?-are you sick?-do you know the hour?-what's
the matter?' The reply was uttered in a plaintive voice-'I had a little disappointnlent, child.''Good heavens! I
hope nothing serious? what is it, Father Frank? can I be
of any use?''No, my dear, none in life; there is only one
in the world who can help me now, and that's Molly,' said the
occupant of the bed, in dolorous tones.'Molly I Molly!what of Molly? —what has she to do with your being in bed?'
Well, my child, if you must have the truth, which is always
the best, I must tell you that I determined to do honour to
your party, and to appear as a gentleman ought; and in
a fit of confiding simplicity I entrusted my only shirt to
Molly, to do up; and here I am, all this blessed morning,
fuming and fretting my life out, and she by the way starching
and ironing it I  My blessing on you, Molly I-'t is you
that would make up linen for the Prince Regent, let alone
for a poor Irish friar I  Father Frank's last shirt, save




34                  FATHER MATHEW.
the one in Molly's hands, had graced the person of a penitent
of his, who had been hanged the week before, and whose
last moments were not a little cheered by the consciousness
of the effect produced on his friends and the public in general
by the beauty and whiteness of that garment. Molly, the
old attendant, at last succeeded in the performance of her
task, and the toilet was completed to the satisfaction of
Father Frank and his anxious friend; who, it may be
added, soon after presented the priest with a good stock of
shirts, which, however, went in time the same road as their
predecessors.
It was not alone by such small sacrifices that Father Donovan soothed the unhappy men whom he attended to the scaffold. The thought of what would become of their wretched
families, when they were no more, would frequently add to
the bitterness of their last hours; but the assurance of the
priest, that he would take care of them and watch over them,
rarely failed in its tranquillising effect. And once that the
promise was given, it was sure to be kept, as many of his
friends knew to their cost, for Father Frank made them
sharers in the good work.
One day, Father Donovan, meeting a respectable lady
with whose family he was most intimate, abruptly said:'Congratulate me!-I have a young priest at last-and a
charming young fellow he is, I can assure you.''I hope,
Father Donovan, you will be kind to him,' remarked the
lady.' Kind to him I-to be sure I will; why not?' The
lady evidently suspected that Father Donovan was not
always a lamb of gentleness to his young coadjutors; and
perhaps she had some reason for so thinking. But whatever
he might have been to Father Mathew's predecessors, to
him he never gave the smallest cause of complaint. And
Father Mathew was the'charming young fellow' whose
arrival he so exultingly announced.  Scant, however, was
the accommodation for the new comer, and great was the




FATHER DONOVAN PROVIDES FOR HIS COLLEAGUE.    35
difficulty to provide for his reception.  Indeed, it would
he hard to find a more miserable hole than what was, in
fact and in reality, the Capuchin convent of the city of
Cork. It consisted of two small rooms and a kind of closet,
formed of what was afterwards the organ-loft of the little
chapel; which organ-loft was above the gallery that faced
the altar. One of the small rooms was the property of Father
Donovan, the other was to become the possession of Father
Mathew. To furnish this room for the stranger was a task
of no light care to Father Donovan. It had a bedstead, and
even a bed, but not a vestige of sheet or blanket. Perhaps,
were the truth known, it might be found that sheets and
blankets had been made over to some distressed neighbour,
who had whispered a sad tale into the ear of that priest of
rouhil exterior but tender heart. To purchase these essential
articles was out of the question, in the normal state of
Father Donovan's exchequer, and therefore they had to be
got by some other means, and were accordingly'borrowed'
of an obliging friend, who would have been delighted to'lend'
a much more valuable equipment for the same purpose.
The difficulty of the bedclothes having been happily got
over, there then was the dinner to provide; and how is
that to be managed?' thought Father Donovan.   Easily
enough to him.'Come with me, child, and I'11 show you
some of the sights of the city,' said he to the young stranger.
Having honestly fulfilled his promise in this respect, he
brought him to the door of a respectable-looking house,
occupied by a family as remarkable for their worth as for
their hospitality.' Come in here, child; I want to see a
fiiend, to whom I must introduce you.'  Briefly introducing his companion to the lady and gentleman of the house,
he whispered to him,'Stay here till I come back, and be
sure you wait for me,' and then abruptly quitted the room,
leaving the bashful and modest young friar to get on as
well as he could with persons to whom he had been pre,




36                  FATHER MATHEW.
viously unknown. He should have waited a long time had
he waited for the return of his superior. Poor young priest I
that was a day of trial for him. No one possessed more
thoroughly the feelings and instincts of a gentleman than he
did; and yet, in obedience to the injunction which he had
received, he was compelled to remain, though in a state of
mental torture, until the usual hour for dinner had been struck
by the house clock. The dinner was at length announced,
when Father Mathew, whose embarrassment and annoyance
were every moment on the increase, rose to depart.' No, no,
Father Mathew,' said the lady of the house,'you must not
go-you are to dine with us-you know we expected you.''Expected me, madam!-I assure you I ordered my dinner.''That may be, my dear sir; but still you must dine with us.
Father Donovan kindly promised us that pleasure, and he was
good enough to bring you here himself.' This, then, was
the meaning of the whispered injunction,' Stay here till I
come back; be sure you wait for me.' The cordiality and
kindness of the good lady and her husband broke down all
reserve; and that day was the commencement of a mutual
friendship which neither failed nor flagged at this side of
the grave.
The two friars became strongly attached to each other;
and yet rarely were two men more widely different from each
other in many respects. The one, rough and brusque, and not
unfrequently passionate and inconsiderate-the other, gentle
and courteous, sweet-tempered and thoughtful; the one, occasionally evincing a sublime disdain for the graces and
amenities of life-the other, almost formal in the observance
of the established rules and customs of society.
But there was this bond which linked the two men
together: they each recognised the worth of the other, and
they both yearned for some one in whom to centre their
affections-one whom to love, and to be loved by. Soon
the mutual feeling of regard ripened into the strongest and




FATHER DONOVAN S AMBITION.           3
warmest affection, rendered more sacred, on the one hand,
by that paternal feeling which age and a desire to cherish
and protect inspired, and, on the other hand, by filial respect,
and instinctive reverence for authority, and that natural
humility which induced a willing and cheerful obedience.
Father Donovan seemed, as it were, to have got a new
lease of life since the arrival of his youthful coadjutor, of
whose amiability and goodness he was never wearied of
speaking.'Indeed, Father Donovan,' said a friend to him
one day,'there is really no bearing with you of late, you
are so proud since your little Apostle has come to you.'
The zeal and holiness of the young priest even then suggested to the mind this most beautiful and sacred form
of appellation.  Jn five-and-twenty years after, he was
known in every quarter of the globe as the'Apostle of
Temperance.'
If any mortal man could be said to be truly happy, Father
Donovan might certainly lay claim to that rare distinction.
But there was one cloud that occasionally shadowed his happiness-the want of an organ and a choir. Two difficulties,
and rather material ones, stood in the way of the acquisition
of the first object. The one was the poverty of the church,
the other was the limited space of the building. The church
itself exactly measured 43 feet in length, and about the same
in breadth; and fiom the rails of the altar to the interior of
the porch, the space did not exceed 28 or 30 feet. So that,
were there money to purchase the organ, there was no place
in which to erect it. What might be, and what eventually
was, the organ-loft, was then occupied as the dwelling-place
of the two priests and an aged attendant. Still, notwithstanding the impossibility of accomplishing his wish, the idea
of an organ and choir haunted the brain of Father Donovan,
and he determined to accomplish his purpose by some means
or other. At length, he believed he had overcome all obstacles, and had realised the darling object of his ambition.




38                  FATHER MATHEW.
Father Mathew was conscious of a striking change in the
manner and bearing of his reverend friend, who suddenly
manifested a degree of softness and gentleness not generally
common to him, and who walked with a springy and rather
boyish step, as if he were revelling in the possession of
some joyful secret.'I have it, my dear boy - I have it,
at last-at last, sir!' exclaimed Father Donovan one day
to his friend, in a tone of exultation.' Have what, my dear
Father Donovan?' gently enquired Father Mathew.'Why,
the organ, my dear boy 1 I have such a treat for you for
next Sunday. Yes, sir; the organ. I knew I'd have it at
last.''An organ! my dear Father Donovan; how are we
to get it, and where are we to put it?' was the natural
question.'It's all right. I got it, sir-a most beautiful
instrument; and as for room, it won't occupy any space.
You will be sure to be delighted, and so will our poor people.
I tell you what it is, the Adeste is heavenly. Wait till you
hear it.' Father Donovan then explained how he had procured a barrel-organ, which played a number of sacred airs,
such as the Adeste fidelis and the Sicilian /l~ariners' Hymn;
and that these could be fittingly introduced during Mass, and
also at Vespers. The musician would be under his control,
and he (Father Donovan) would be responsible for the
admirable effect of this delightful innovation. The Sunday,
fraught with anticipated triumph to Father Donovan, arrived.
The organ and its operator were in the little chapel, and
Father Donovan was having a vigilant eye to both. Nothing
could be a more decided success than the Adeste, as many
besides Father Donovan thought it'heavenly;' nor was
its effect lessened by the plaintive sweetness of the Hymn.
Tears of rapture stood in the eyes of Father Donovan. It
was a moment of unalloyed triumph, such as mortals
experience but rarely in this life. The Last Gospel was
just being read by Father Mathew, who was the celebrant,
when the operator commenced a third air; but-horror of




'MOLL IN THE WAD.^                89
horrors — instead of one of those gentle and spirit-breath
ing strains that lift the soul to heaven in a flood of holy
melody, out rattled the two-well-known air of'Moll in the
wad!' It would be impossible to describe the bewilderment
of the congregation, or the rage and confusion of poor Father
Donovan, at this' awful scandal,' which nearly threw him
into a fever, from shame and humiliation. His friends were,
thenceforward, rather cautious in their allusions to mechanical
music, and indeed organs of all kinds; and as for the remotest reference to' Moll in the wad,' that would have been
a rashness as fatal to peace, as it would have been cruel and
ungenerous to the sorely-afflicted friar.
For a time, little was known of the young priest, who
was rarely to be met with beyond the precincts of his
chapel, and who with difficulty could be drawn from the
retirement of the miserable apartment which was appropriated to his use.  Miserable indeed  it was in every
respect; for not only was it bare of furniture, and mean
and poor in its accommodation, but the vitiated air from
the congregation, whose clothes were frequently saturated
with rain, ascended to this as well as to the adjoining
chamber, producing its natural effect even upon his youthful frame and robust constitution. If one desired to see
Father Mathew, the most likely place in which to find him
was the confessional.  As in Kilkenny, the number of his
penitents rapidly increased, and with them, of course,
increased the labour which he had to undergo in consequence
of his growing popularity.
To those who know little or nothing of this branch of
the duty of a Catholic clergyman, it would be almost impossible to describe with accuracy its wearying and engrossing nature.  Constant attendance in a crowded court is
fatiguing to the lawyer, whether he be actually engaged in
business or otherwise; but can its irksomeness, which is
relieved by mental excitement, or by the interest felt in the




40                 FATHER MATHEW.
conduct of a case, be compared to the dull, monotonous,
terrible drudgery of the priest, who is popular with the poor,
and whose confessional is therefore much fiequented? Some
idea of the labour undergone by Father Mathew in this
department of his priestly duty may be understood, when it
is mentioned that, on certain days in the week, he was in his
confessional as early as five o'clock in the morning. In this
box, his portion of which'vas about the width of an ordinary
arm-chair, he generally sat till eight o'clock, if he had to say
mass; or till nine, if he had not: but as soon as breakfast
was over, he was to be found in the same place, with an
anxious crowd at either side, each person awaiting his or her
turn to kneel at one of the two compartments.  Were it
Saturday, or the vigil of a festival, the duty, which commenced at five in the morning, did not terminate till ten, and
frequently eleven o'clock, at night.  Towards evening the
number always increased, as it was then only the working
people could conveniently attend. In this confined box, surrounded by those whose poverty was painfully evidenced
in the wretched condition of their clothing, the unpleasantness aggravated by the wetness of the weather or the
heaviness of the atmosphere, Father Mathew was pent up,
oftentimes for fifteen hours, as well during the stifling
heat of summer as in the numbing cold of winter; but
though this constant attendance was a fearful tax upon his
strength, and no small strain upon his constitution, he
never wearied of his work but persevered in it with the
most extraordinary energy and the most marvellous punctuality.
Let the reader imagine the young priest, in this little
chapel, seated in that circumscribed box, surrounded by a
crowd, poor, badly clad, with garments reeking with moisture; and then think of the various trades and occupations
in which the penitents had been engaged up to the moment
they had entered the sacred building. There was the dealer




THE CONFESSIONAL OF A POPULAR PRIEST.      41
in salt fish, the workman in the chandlery, those engaged
in killing meat for market or curing it for exportation, the
makers of puddings and sausages, and, omitting many others,
the lamplighters of the city!-the odour from whose clothes,
however tolerable in the open air, must have been overpowering in a confined and ill-ventilated place. For eighteen or
twenty years after Father Mathew had made Cork his future
home, oil lamps were alone used in its streets; and this mode
of illumination required a considerable staff of lamplighters
So soon as Father Mathew's fame spread abroad, the lamplighters turned to his confessional; and these poor fellows,
whose clothes literally reeked with fish oil in every stage of
decomposition, though most excellent and edifying Christians,
were about the least savoury of human beings. At first, these
highly flavoured penitents were almost two much for the jaded
stomach of the young priest to endure; but he never, in
any way, manifested the slightest repugnance to their close
neighbourhood, and ere long it became to him a matter of
indifference.
It was in the confessional that he laid the foundation of
his future fame.  His reputation  as a spiritual director
spread from parish to parish of the city, gradually it
reached to its remotest confines, and so travelled far beyond; until, subsequently, it was said, with as much of truth
as of pleasantry-that if a carman from Kerry brought a
firkin of butter into the Cork market, he would not return
home until he had gone to confession to Father Mathew. It
mry here be mentioned that, in order to hear the confessions
of people from the country, many of whom then spoke no
other language than  Irish, Father Mathew   set himself
diligently to learn the native tongue; and that after a time
he became sufficiently conversant with it for the purposes of
his ministry.
An incident occurred to him on one occasion which left
a deep impression on his mind.   It was on a Sunday




42                  FATHER MATHEW.
morning, when he had been engaged in the church from
six o'clock until after ten, in hearing confessions, celebrating Mass, and again hearing confessions. He had been in his
confessional the night before till eleven o'clock; so that, when
on this morning he was about to leave the church in order tA
get his breakfast, it might well be supposed that he was both
hungry and weary. But as he was about to leave, four
sailors rolled in, and requested him to hear their confessions.' Why did you not come at a more reasonable hour?' asked
Father Mathew, in a tone of momentary irritation;' I can't
hear you now, come in the morning.' The sailors turned to
go, when a devout poor woman, who had witnessed the interview, gently approached him, and touching his arm, said, in a
voice of respectful entreaty,' They may not come again, sir.'
This implied remonstrance made an instantaneous impression
on his mind; and running after the sailors, who had left in the
meantime, he brought them  back to the confessional, and
remained with them until he had administered the sacraments
to each. He then entertained them at breakfast, and dismissed them in a happy state of mind. He afterwards
thanked the poor woman,'through whom,' he said,'the
Holy Ghost had spoken to him.'
In some years subsequent to the period of which we now
treat, a Catholic lady said to an elderly servant in her
house-' Well, Kitty, how do you like Father Mathew as a
director?' Wisha, purty well, ma'lm.''What do you mean
by "purty well?"' enquired the mistress.'Well, indeed,
ma'm, he's a beautiful director, not a doubt about it; but-'
here Kitty paused.'What do you mean by your "but?"'
persevered the mistress, whose interest was excited by the
manner of her servant.'Then, ma'm, the way of it is thisthe worse you are in the beginning, the more he' d like you,
and the better he'd use you; but if you didn't improve very
soon, there is no usage too bad for you.' The mistress was
strongly in favour of Kitty not changing her new director.




DEVOTEDNESS OF HIS FRIENDSHIP.          43
Day by day, did the young friar win his way to the hearts
of the poor, and to the respect and confidence of the rich.
The people could not think of him without love, or speak of
him without enthusiasm. He was so gentle and compas.
sionate to them, so respectful to poverty, in which, as he
frequently said, he ever saw the image of the Redeemer;
he was so earnest in his desire to rescue the erring from vice,
and to raise the fallen to a new life; he was so full of fervour
and zeal, and yet without harshness or austerity-that he
took captive the affeetions of all who came within the reach
of his influence. This is not the testimony of one; it is that
of hundreds.
As the circle of his acquaintance became extended, so
likewise was multiplied the number of his fiiends; and, with
Father Mathew, once his friend, his friend for ever-for that
must have been a quarrelsome and perverse person indeed,
whose conduct severed the sacred tie with one who literally
revelled in the delights of friendship. He thus began to be
more generally known; and as he became more known, so did
his influence extend among the class whose aid and assistance
were frequently of use to him in the promotion of those good
works to which he soon turned his attention.
An instance may here be given of the strength and
devotedness of his friendship. It was in the summer of the
year 1817, when he had been about three years in Cork,
that that city was visited with an outbreak of fever of a
peculiarly malignant character-in fact, the worst form of
typhus; a disease which has long made its home in Ireland,
and which, in the period of pressure arising from scarcity
of food, is sure to manifest its dreaded presence. Father
Mathew was then very intimate with a family of great worth,
well known and universally respected on account of their
religious and charitable disposition. The eldest son, who
was then springing into manhood, was struck down by the
sickness, which was making fearful ravages amidst the




4                   FFATHER MATHEW.
poor, and rapidly picking out its victims from among the
wealthier class, to which the family in question belonged.
Their residence was some distance, perhaps a mile and a half,
from Father Mathew's little crib in Blackamoor Lane, where,
like his predecessor, Father O'Leary, he was'buried amid
salt-houses and stables.  But, as early as five o'clock in the
morning, the watchman, were he in the way, might have
seen a slight active figure climbing the wall which surrounded
the pleasure ground attached to the residence, and rapidly
making its way to the rear of the building. This was Father
Mathew, whose anxiety for the safety of his young friend was
so intense, that he sought the earliest intelligence of how he
had passed the night, but whose consideration for the people
of the lodge would not suffer him to disturb them at that
hour to open the gate for him, and admit him in the usual
way. The invalid, who was the object of so much solicitude,
recovered from the attack, and lives to this day to tell, with
grateful emotion, of a friendship so earnest and so sincere.




45
CHAPTER      III.
Father Mathew establishes Literary and Industrial Schools —Attracts the Young to him - Founds valuable Societies-Economy
of Time- Punctuality in keeping Appointments -Early Rising
-Same Kindness to all-His lavish Charities-Instances of his
Kindness - The imaginary Temptation - The Dean's Bees - He
loses his youngest Brother-Instance of his Humility-His
Preaching-His Passion Sermon-Charity Sermons-Establishes a Cemetery- The Cholera of 1832-His Services in the
Hospital-Saved!
BECOMING, after a time, thoroughly acquainted with
the teeming population around him, their wants, their
necessities, their virtues as well as their vices, he witnessed
with pain the operation of two parent evils-ignorance and
idleness; and he determined, so far as he could, to provide
the usual remedies to counteract their baneful influencenamely, education and employment. There were some few
schools'in the city for the humblest class of the community; but at the time when Father Mathew drew round him
active co-operators in his benevolent work, education was
much more restricted than it is at present, when it is placed
fairly within the reach of all who desire to avail themselves
of its advantages. As to industrial training, it was not much
thought of in those days. The efforts which Father Mathew
then made, in establishing a school in which industrial was
combined with literary training, and in forming associations
at once educational and charitable, were the fruitful germs
of undertakings of far greater magnitude, which were afterwards developed into widely-extended and permanent useful



46                  F      ATHER MATHW.
ness. He opened a school for female children, and procured
for it the attendance of a number of ladies who, at his
earnest solicitation, devoted themselves with zeal to its superintendence. In this admirable school, which was established
in a large store adjoining the Friary, hundreds of children
were instructed in the ordinary rudiments of literary know
ledge, and were also taught plain and other work, which was
made for them a source of profit and support. They also
received from those good ladies, whom they had so much
reason to respect, lessons of piety and virtue, which strengthened while they formed their moral character, and prepared
them to resist some of the worst temptations common to their
condition of life. This school progressed and prospered, and
was ere long felt to be a blessing to the neighbourhood.
Father Mathew cherished it as the apple of his eye. In the
year 1824 there were 500 pupils, grown girls as well as
children, in this school. The upper loft, or apartment, was
occupied by 200 girls, who were constantly employed in
various kinds of work during the hours in which they were
not engaged in learning the ordinary lessons taught in such
schools. The lower loft of the store contained 300 children,
a large proportion of them of tender years. There was also
an evening or night school for boys, many of them orphan or
deserted children, but all of the very humblest and poorest
class.
To attract the young towards him by every honest art of
persuasion and inducement, and to acquire and maintain over
them a salutary yet gentle control, was with him an instinct
as well as a policy. And few men were more calculated than
he was to win the confidence of the young, and to inspire them
with a deep interest in what they were taught, and a sentiment
of personal devotion to their teacher.  Father Mathew
naturally preferred adopting the suggestion of the blandi doctores of Horace to the stern maxim of Solomon. The crustula
were, in his esteem, a more effectual agent than the rod. Sweet




ATTRAOTS THE YOUNG TO HIM-ECONOMY OF TIME.    4 
smiles, and gentle words, and tender caresses, and timely
presents, and occasional feasts, and pleasant trips into the
country-these were some of the means which he employed
with a number of interesting boys and youths of the middle
class, whom he attracted to his church, and formed into
societies, whose objects were at once religious, educational,
and charitable. They attended at the altar, and, by their
decorum of conduct and gravity of demeanour, and the neatness and even picturesqueness of the costume which he had
provided for them, added considerably to the pomp and
impressiveness of the religious ceremonial for which the'Little Friary,' as it was commonly called, became remarkable under Father Mathew's auspices. The young men
taught catechism, and instructed poor children to read and
write; and they improved their own minds through the aid
of a well-stocked library, which their patron established for
their use and enjoyment. They also visited the sick, and
relieved their physical wants, as well as read for them and
prayed with them. Here, in the Josephian Society of fortyfour years since-for it was established by its founder in
the year 1819-was the precursor of more than one association which in this day proves to be of so much advantage to
its members, and which bridges over, as with a bridge of
gold, the chasm that divides the different classes of societyespecially those who possess almost everything, and those
who want almost everything.
Father Mathew was most remarkable for his faculty of
economising time. A favourite proverb of his was-' Take
time by the forelock, for he is bald behind; and few ever
so uniformly and persistently practised the wise lesson which
it teaches as he did. He made time by husbanding and
economising it. Rising early, generally about five o'clock,
and, if necessary even earlier, he got through much business while other men were still in bed. Though, like all
who are constantly engaged iL some engrossing pursuit, he




FATHER MATHEW.                  48
felt the day rapidly pass, he nevertheless found it to suffice
for the discharge of his varied duties. He seemed to have
the right moment for everything, and this too when his
duties became more onerous and pressing, and the claims
upon his attention were multiplied in consequence alike of
his great popularity, and the every day widening circle of his
acquaintance. In his appointments he was punctual to the
minute, always at the appointed place at the appointed moment.' In fact,' to use the words of a brother clergyman
who knew and loved him from the first year of his ministry in
Cork,'he was never once absent from where his duty called
him, whether by a public necessity or a private claim, or
where his presence could console the afflicted, or give hope to
the despairing.' It might be added that he was as punctual
as punctilious in his visits of friendship, and even of ceremony; though it must be admitted that he contrived to
combine a little business with occasions of the kind. For
instance, when visiting at the house of a friend, he was sure
to ask after the'young gentlemen' of the family; and when
the young gentlemen appeared, perhaps in obedience to a
special summons, and that he had fondled and caressed them,
as usual, he contrived to whisper into their blushing ear,'My dear, you are forgetting me altogether; I have not
seen you of late,'-a hint which was unfailingly understood,
and which was generally successful. So that these visits of
friendship enabled the watchful shepherd to keep his young
flock from straying into devious paths. But whatever the
duty, public or private, he was certain to perform it with
exemplary regularity; and thus, by early rising, and the
assistance of a programme, carefully prepared in the morning,
Father Mathew got through an amount of work which three
or four really active and energetic men, not possessing his
method, would have found it hard to have equalled. Being
one day asked by a fiiend how he contrived to rise so early
as he did, he answered, while pointing to an adjoining




EARLY RISING-THE SAME TO ALL.          49
cooperage, then in full operation,' If I were a cooper, and
bound to Mr. -, I should be up as early, so as to be at
my work at the appointed time, and thus become pleasing to
Mlvr. -, my master. But I have a higher calling, and T
serve a better Master; and am I to be less desirous of pleasing that Master than 1 should be to satisfy Mr. --?'
It will be seen how this habit of early rising, and the
method with which he provided for each hour of the day,
served him in those wonderful exertions which he subsequently displayed in his mission as leader of the temperance
movement.
Father Mathew was a gentleman by birth and association,
and his tendencies might have naturally led him to seek the
society of persons of the higher rather than of the humbler
class; but there never was a maq who was more thoroughly
free from the vice of toadying to the great-whether the
greatness were derived from power, position, wealth, or the
accident of birth. He was respectful to those who held a
high position, and deferential to authority, whether ecclesiastical or civil; but though full of humility and modesty, still
there was a kind of unconscious dignity, and even nobleness,
in the man, which kept him free from the slightest taint of
meanness or cringing. When occasions drew together the
representatives of various classes in the social scale, there
was not a shade of difference in his manner to one more
than to another-the same genial courtesy, the same consideration, the same kindly interest and cordial politeness.
Father Mathew's manner was polished, but it was not artificial. There was this difference between it and the mere
conventional politeness, which complies with the outward
forms and observances of society, but which has no heart
in it; Father Mathew was kind and courteous from thorough
goodness of disposition, which is the true foundation of that
quality which we understand as' gentlemanly.' A true gentleman is always considerate to the feelings of others; and




50                 FATHER MATHEW.
this delicacy of sentiment is as often found under the home.
spun of the peasant as under the broadcloth of the courtier.
In this s(qse Father Mathew was preeminently a gentleman.
To the poor he was respectful and tender, indeed almost
reverential.' They,' he used to say,' will be as high ir
heaven as the highest in the land.'
The circumstances of the Friary were now different from
what they had been before Father Mathew's arrival. The
church, though miserably small, displayed an air of neatness
and elegance, and the condition of the clergymen attached to
it was much improved.   Father Mathew received a considerable number of offerings and' intentions;'* but as his
pecuniary resources were increased, so were his charities
multiplied. If he gave but little before, it was because he
had only little to give, and he now gave abundantly because
he had much to give. His daily duties brought him into
contact with miseries and wretchedness in every imaginable
form, and he never saw distress, in whatever shape, without
attempting to relieve it. Here, in the midst of a poor and
populous district, was a fitting theatre for the benevolent
labours of such a man as Theobald Mathew. To give, and
give with open hand, was with him, independently of its
being a duty binding upon a minister of religion, a positive
pleasure, an intense gratification-a kind of voluptuous enjoyment.  Not only did he give charity himself, but he
encouraged others to give it.'Give, give, give I-have no
fear of giving. What you have, you got from God; and be
assured you will never be the worse of what you give in His
name.'  This was his answer to a person who talked of
caution and prudence in the exercise of this great Christian
virtue. He certainly had no fear of giving, giving with open
hand and unstinted measure. Besides his regular pensioners,
who were the very poor, he had a large number of room* Money given to a priest for masses to be offered up for some special purpose and intenlion.




HIS LAVISH CHARITIES.             51
keepers whom  he constantly relieved.  Then there were
orphans, who clung round his very heart; and widows,
whose claim on his compassion was irresistible. Where he
possibly could, he provided for the one, and relieved the
other. There was a class, however, to whom he was peculiarly tender and respectful —those who, to use an expressive
phrase, had seen better days.  Nothing could surpass his
delicate consideration for their sensitive feelings. If he could
not himself relieve persons of this class without hurting
their susceptibility, he did so in secret, and without his
name being known or his hand seen. Instances might be
mentioned of families in distress, or under a cloud, and who
had at one time been prosperous, and had carried a high
head in their day, being visited by some one who, in the
dusk of evening or the darkness of night, enquired of them
at the door, handed in a letter, and then vanished. The
letter contained money-money sadly needed —but the donor
was unknown; and it was only in years after that those who
had been thus made the bearers of his bounty, revealed the
fact that Father Mathew was the unknown benefactor whose
delicate charity assisted those families in their hour of
need, perhaps rescued them from despair. The clerk of his
chapel was frequently the medium through whom this timely
bounty reached its intended object; and speaking on one
occasion of his lavish charities, the clerk adopted this rather
expressive mode of describing his superior's faculty or love
of giving: —Look, sir! here is my notion on the subject,if the streets of Cork were paved with gold, and if Father
Mathew had entire control over them, and could do what
he liked with them, there would not be a paving-stone in all
Cork by the end of the year.'
Surely the boy was, in this instance, the father of the
man.   The child who clung to his mother's side, and fondly
importuned her for her little feasts for his brothers, and
indulgences for the servants, and alms for the poor, was




52                  FATHER MATHEW.
here reflected in the priest, whose whole thought was how he
could do good —how feed the hungry, and cover the naked,
and raise the fallen-how minister to the sorrowful and the
afflicted.
A case in point will exhibit the delicacy of his respect for
those who had seen better days, and his quick sympathy with
their feelings at what they considered the worst degradation
of poverty. It was that of two young and attractive girls
who, though delicately nurtured and carefully educated,
unfortunately had no claim by birth upon their father's property. So long as they lived with their father, they knew
nothing of sorrow or humiliation, and the world was to
them without a cloud. But the father resolved to marry;
and as there was no possibility of their being received by his
future wife, he was compelled, through his selfishness, to
make them over to the protection of relatives, who, having
apprenticed the poor girls to the dressmaking business, gave
themselves little further trouble about them. One of the girls
bore the change bravely; but the other, who was delicate
in constitution, and sensitive of disposition, gradually pined
away, and, ere many months had passed, died. The father
and his wife had left the country, and the surviving girl
was as utterly desolate as she was destitute. What to do
she knew not. To defray expenses of a funeral she had no
means whatever; and her mistress, being either unwilling or
unable to provide better, was about to have the remains of
the dead girl carried to the grave in a rude shell, or parish
coffin.  Bold and brave as she was, the surviving sister
could not endure this crowning indignity; for, in her mind,
this was poverty in its most odious and revolting aspect. A
thought struck her-she would appeal to one who had
always been kind to her and her sister. Quitting the mean
apartment, in which lay the body of the poor young creature, and the rude shell that had been biought for its
reception, she rushed through the streets, and, wild and




INSTANCES OF HIS KINDNESS.            58
almost breathless, reached the Friary, where she found
Father Mathew. Flinging herself on her knees before him,
she could only sob out,'Ol, Father Mathew I oh, Father
Mathew I''My dear child, what is the matter? tell me,
what has happened?'' Oh, Father Mathew, they are going
to bury my poor sister in a parish coffin I' This was repeated hysterically by the unhappy girl, whose strength and
courage were now completely broken down.'No, my dear
child; they shall not do so. Rise up, my poor child, and
have no fear. I will have her buried properly,' was Father
Mathew's instantaneous reply. And he fully redeemed his
word; for he went that moment to a respectable undertaker,
and gave the necessary directions; and as early as five
o'clock the next morning, there was a hearse and pair of
horses at the door, and a chaise for the officiating priest,
who, it need scarcely be said, was Father Mathew. In an
hour after, he was found in his confessional; as he would
not allow even a luxury of the kind-the luxury of doing
good-to interfere with his ordinary, but, with him, imperative
duties. It is pleasing to know that this considerate generos
ity produced the most salutary effect upon the mind of the
young girl, who soon regained her former strength and
courage, and persevered at her employment till she learned
to maintain herself independently.
Another case will afford the reader a further insight into
the character of Father Mathew, and will also serve to show
on what solid foundations rested the daily increasing fame of
this good and holy man. A miserably poor woman, long
and helplessly bedridden, had for her sole support on earth
an only daughter, a girl of angelic sweetness, who lived
but to minister to her afflicted mother. By incessant toil
at her needle, this delicate girl just earned as much as
enabled her to supply her mother with necessaries, and an
occasional comfort; but for herself, her thin and scanty
dress and transparent fingers told with terrible eloquence




54                  FATHER MATHEW.
of her bitter struggles and heroic self-denial. To feed her
bedridden mother, she starved herself.  If the holiest and
most exalted love could have borne. her up in her hard
struggle, she might have fought the good fight successfully;
but the poor child sank under the fearful pressure, and
died-as such die-in peace. The wretched mother was
stunned by a blow for which she had not been prepared.
She was blind, and could not see the fatal hectic upon her
darling's cheek, though she might have noticed the faltering
footstep and the failing voice.  Nor, such was the loving
deception practised upon her by her daughter, could she
have imagined that, while she had enough to satisfy her
wants, her poor child was at that very time dying of hunger.
In her despair, this bereaved blind creature lifted her voice,
and in her momentary madness blasphemed God-Who took
from her, as she foolishly thought, her only support. She
raved and cursed in the frenzy of her grief. Father Mathew
heard the sad story, which at once excited his compassion.
The scene of this misery was a wretched garret in one of
the worst lanes of the city.  Thither he went without
delay, but not before he had provided himself with necessaries and comforts suited to the condition of the invalid.
He found her still inconsolable, and raving in her despair;
but soon his gentle voice, fraught with tenderness and cornpassion, made this helpless creature feel that God had not
abandoned her, even in this world. With his own hands
he fed her; nor did he leave her bedside until he had
brought her to a right state of mind, and placed her in
care of a person whom he had provided to attend and take
charge of her. Next day, he constructed an altar in that
dismal garret, and afforded her the unwonted consolation of
being. present at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice. The
poor creature, who was naturally religious and resigned to
the will of Providence, perfectly recovered her right mind.
She did not, however, long survive her daughter; but so




THE IMAGINARY TEMPTATION.            55
long as she lived, she was supported and watched over by
Father Mathew. Her death was full of peace and gentleless, and, in her last audible prayer to the Throne of Mercy,
the name of her child was coupled with blessings upon hei
benefactor. Father Mathew concluded his good work by
following her body to the grave, where it was laid by the
side of that young creature whose short life had been that of
a martyr and a saint.
Father Donovan died about the year 1820, to the deep
sorrow of his attached friend, who during their intimate connection had looked upon him as a father, and loved him with
the tenderness of a son. The effect which this loss produced
on the mind of Father Mathew was very painful: for a time
his nervous system was completely prostrated. It was during
this distressing period of physical and mental prostration that
lie imagined himself to be tried by the following temptation.
Resisting the kindly importunities of his friends, who sought
to distract his grief by the influences of agreeable society, he
shut himself up in his unwholesome chamber, and there
brooded in secret over his gloomy thoughts.  As he sat one
evening by himself before the fire, whose flickering light filled
the room with fantastic shadows, a voice seemed to whisper
in his ear-' Father Mathew, that Cognac in the cupboard is
delicious. You have not tasted it. Why do n't you try it?'
Yielding to the delusion, Father Mathew replied, audibly-' Tea is much better.'' But you did n't taste the Cognac-it
is delicious-only try it,' whispered the imaginary voice.' No; tea is much better,' replied Father Mathew, now starting up in alarm. He seized his hat, and almost ran the short
distance which separated the Friary from the residence of
Dean Collins, the Parish Priest of St. Finn Barr's. He told
the cause of his abrupt visit to his venerable fiiend, who was
then in his seventieth year.'It was a suggestion of the
Evil One, my child, and you did well to resist it,' was
the answer of the Dean.    The  next day, the Cognac,




56                  FATHER MATHEW.
which had been given as a present to Father Mathew,
was sent by him to a friend. The voice was never audible
again, simply because the nerves had recovered their wonted
strength.
In those days there was not that cordial feeling which now
happily exists between the different orders of the clergy; and
the earnest support of a powerful friend, like the Dean and
Vicar-General of the diocese, and pastor of the parish in
which his chapel stood, was of no small service to Father
Mathew, the Capuchin. But that friendship was fairly won
by sterling merit and by good works. It would be difficult
to conceive a grander or more imposing High Priest than
Dean Collins, as he stood upon the altar, engaged in some
solemn office of his ministry.  Tall and commanding in
stature, the snowy whiteness of his hair imparted a venerable
majesty to his aspect. His face was beautiful in feature, but
more beautiful in expression. His eye was large, dark, and
soul-searching, but its light was usually softened by the tenderness of his disposition; and it was only when he had to
deal with the base or the mean, or when he thundered at
some scandalous abuse, that it flashed like lightning. Dean
Collins had all the graceful dignity and bearing of a gentleman of the old school, and, in society, his fascination of
manner was most remarkable. An able and learned man, he
was still as simple as a child. Of powerful intellect and
great wisdom, he was modest and unpretending.  Originally
well educated, and a scholar of considerable attainments, he
was not satisfied with knowing only what he had learned in
his youth; but during his long career as a missionary priest,
he steadily kept pace with the progress of the age; and to his
latest moments he was thoroughly conversant with the literature, the philosophy, the discoveries of the time, as well as a
keen observer of the political changes by which nations were
influenced either for good or ill. Ile did not love learning in
a selfish spirit; he equally loved to disseminate it. The




THE DEAN'S BEES.                51
memory of the days when it was surrounded with danger to
those who sought to drink from its spring, was ever present
to his mind; and he spared no effort to procure its waters
pure and unpolluted for the children of his flock. His almost
dying words will best represent his zeal in the cause of
education, and his vivid recollection of the evil days that had
gone.
It was a few days before he died; and he lay stretched on
a sofa, the sunlight and the soft breeze of summer entering
through the open casement. One of his curates, the Rev.
Wm. O'Connor, was with him in the room. Suddenly, the
Dean said, in a low but impressive voice-' Do n't you hear
the bees, Father William?''No, sir; I do not,' answered
his curate, who went over to the window, to look into the
garden into which it opened.' Do n't you hear the boys in
the school, laying up honey for the winter of life?' Do n't
you hear the bees now, Father William?''Yes sir, indeed
I do; I hear your bees.' They were his bees, for it was lie
who had built the hive for them, and called them together to
possess it.' Well I remember,' continued the dying priest,'when I was learning my classics, I had to watch on the
ditch side to protect the life of my teacher. The older boys
used to take that necessary duty in turn; and many a time
has my eye wandered over the surrounding country from the
pages of my Virgil, to see if there was a spy or an informer
in sight. But now see how it is I The finger of God is there.
Here are 600 boys below, gathering in the honey; and there
are 600 girls above, with the good nuns-and we are not
afraid of anyone. We need not watch now. No wonder I
should say-Magnificat anima mea Dominum!-My soul doth
magnify the Lord.'
This good man gave his unreserved friendship to Father
Mathew, simply because he believed in him, and honoured his
worth.'Oh, Dr. Collins,' said a lady to the Dean,'I have
been just listening to a sermon from Father Mathew, and I




.58                 FATHER MATHEW.
have been greatly edified.''My dear,' answered the venerable priest,'his life zs a sermon.'
The death of Father Donovan threw additional labout
upon Father Mathew, who, with the assistance of occasional
help, undertook and discharged all the duties himself. In
this laborious work he soon found distraction for his sorrow.
But he was ere long to suffer the keenest affliction of his
whole life. This was the death of his youngest brother.
Though the fourth son of his parents, Father Mathew
became, on their death, and as it were of right, the recognised head of the family. His eldest brothers regarded him
as their natural guide and superior, and his younger brothers
looked up to him as to a father; and, certainly, no father
could be more solicitous for the welfare and happiness of his
children, than was Theobald Mathew for the welfare and
happiness of his brothers. Robert was the youngest of all
the children, and Father Mathew took upon himself the care
of his education. He brought him to Cork, where he lived
with him, not in the cockloft of the Friary, for he had been
literally driven from that miserable hole by a succession of
fevers-but in a small house in the neighbourhood, of which
he became the tenant. Robert was the great joy of his life.
A gay, lively, cheerful boy, innocent as an angel, and
more beautiful than angels are generally represented-he
filled the house with pleasant laughter, and revived, by his
sports and gambols, the recollections of his brother's youth.
Every day was a holiday to the priest so long as he had
Robert to welcome him as he returned home, wearied after
many hours of duty in the church, or in attendance by the
bedside of the sick. The little fellow used to lie in wait
behind the door when he heard the familiar footstep, and
then, springing out from his place of well-known concealment,
jump on te ricck of his brother, with whom the pleasant
prank never tir, d, or lost its charm, because it delighted the
merry and Pjx ~tionate boy. Father Mathew kept Robert




HE LOSES HIS YOUNGEST BROTHER.         59
at a day-school of high character in the city; but he never
otherwise left him from his care. The truth is, he would
have spoiled the boy, had he not been of the most amiable
disposition; but such was his fondness for his young charge,
that he gratified his every wish. Robert grew to be a highspirited lad, strongly imbued with a love of adventure, which
was not a little stimulated by the stories and descriptions
indulged in by his brother Charles, who was then, and had
been for some time previously, engaged in the African trade.
Nothing would content Robert but to go with Charles, and
share with him the dangers and the excitements of trade
in a strange country and with a strange people. Father
VMathew was much pained at the idea of losing the boy, who
was at once his pet and companion, his plaything and
solace; but Robert's vocation was for the sea, and he was
not to be driven from his fixed idea. It was at length
decided that he should make the next voyage with Charles;
and too soon came the hour when he was torn from the arms
of his brother Theobald, and consigned, with cautions and
blessings, with tears and prayers, to his future guardian.
Those who remember Robert at this time, as he was emerging fiom boyhood, speak of him with the utmost admiration
— for the grace and elegance of his appearance, the extreme
beauty of his countenance, and his fiank and engaging man
ners. The vessel sailed for her distant destination; and
many a fervent prayer, murmured at the altar, or uttered by
the bedside at night, followed her path across the ocean.
The time came when the good ship was expected on her
voyage home; and as the days grew into weeks, so did the
anxiety of the priest increase. Often, as he returned from
some duty, he fancied that he should be met with the old surprise, and that the same loving arms would again cling round
his neck. But it was the will of God that it should be
otherwise. Theobald Mathew was never more to hear his
brother's voice, or feel his circling arms, save in some happy




60                  FATHER MATHEW.
dream, from which he was to awake in sorrow. The thought.
less boy, profiting by the temporary absence of his brother
Charles, and bidding defiance to his strict injunctions,
proceeded on an excursion to shoot pelicans, and, exposing
himself to the fierce heat of the sun, in his eagerness to come
on his game, received a sun-stroke, from which he died in a
few hours. Charles returned only in time to see that there
was no hope for the unhappy youth, whose rashness was not
only fatal to his own bright young life, but fatal to the
happiness of one at home, who loved him with more than the
love of a father. The blow was a fearful one to that fond
heart. It literally crushed it for a time. The mother that
bore him could not have felt a keener pang of anguish than
did poor Father Mathew for the loss of that engaging youth.
Indeed, the feeling of the elder for the younger brother had
in it much of womanly tenderness. Besides, Father Mathew
had been bequeathed the boy by his mother; and he ever
felt, in addition to that natural affection which such intimate
relationslip inspires, that he was paying back, through his
love for Robert, an instalment of the large debt of affection
which he owed to the memory of that revered parent. For
some time he was quite inconsolable, plunged in an agony of
grief; but religion came at length to his aid, and in the contemplation of the sorrows and sufferings of his Divine Master,
he learned the duty of resignation, and obtained sufficient
strength to assume at least an outward composure of manner.
It was a hard struggle, however, with one of his affectionate
disposition; and his eyes would fill with tears and his
features quiver with emotion, not only at the slightest allusion to the happy past, but at any circumstance which
recalled it too vividly to his mind. It was pitiable, said an
intimate friend, to witness the vehemence of his emotion, and
the struggles which he made to subdue his feelings. It wali
a poor consolation to him, but one of which he eagerly
availed himself, to order the erection of a monument over the




HIS GRIEF FOR HIS LOSS.                61
distant grave which held the remains of his lost brother;
and in a few years after, in the cemetery which he founded
in Cork, he raised another monument to his memory, bearing
this inscription:SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
ROBERT MATHEW,
WHO DIED IN THE BIGHT OF BENIN, MAY 27TH, 1824,
AGED 16 YEARS.
Yet think not, dear youth, tho' far, far away
From thy own native Isle thou art sleeping,
That no heart for thy slumber is aching to-day,
That no eye for thy mem'ry is weeping.*
For more than thirty years, as the 27th of May came
round, this tomb was decked with the fairest flowers, emblematic of the bright young life which had been extinguished on that fatal day.
The healing influence of time, and the teaching of that
religion which he not only preached, but made the guide of
his daily life, restored Father Mathew to apparent cheerfulness; but those by whom he was known most intimately,
state that he did not for many years entirely recover, if he
ever did, from the effects of that shock; which effects were
* These lines were taken from a little poem, written by one who
combined much sweetness and grace of expression, with a bard's full
share of misfortune and disappointed hope. The song of Gougane
Barra affords, however. a far more favourable specimen of his powers.
Calanan loved and honoured Father Mathew, and he offered him the
tribute of his sympathy in the rather feeble verses from which the
above lines were taken.
The first part of the poem referred to, which is descriptive of
romantic scenery familiar to many a modern tourist, is as follows:-'There is a green island in lone Gougane Barra,
Where Allua of songs rushes forth as an arrow;
In deep-valleyed D smond-a thousand wild fountains
Came down t, that lake from their home in the mountains.'




62                 FATHER MATHIEW.
manifested in frequent fits of despondency-the more gloomy
and profound when they followed some scene of gay conviviality of which he had been the life and centre.
Theobald Mathew was a man of strong feelings and quick
emotions. He was as keenly alive to sorrow as to joy, to
wrong and insult as to benefit and kindness. But while he
felt the sting, he did not resent the injury. He suffered all
the more acutely that he did not retaliate. The impulse was
there, for he was only human, with a man's strength and a
man's weakness; but he resolutely beat down his rebellious
nature, and rather sought to disarm his antagonist of the
moment by a kind word, which'turneth away wrath,' than
to triumph in an angry conflict. He had a grand proverb
which taught him the value of time, but he had a still better
maxim which taught him the value of temper:' A pit of oil
is better than a hogshead of vinegar.' Keenly sensitive and
naturally excitable, he still was able to control the impulse
which would prompt him to resent or retaliate. To use his
own words, he'struggled hard with the bitterness of the
moment;' and the struggle invariably ended in victory over
self. That'pint of oil' was a grand peace-maker.
Father Mathew had great humility of disposition, natural,
as well as the growth of reflection. An incident will happily
exemplify this humility, as well as the Christian charity of
the man. A lady, in mistaken friendship, and believing that
she was doing well in'putting people on their guard,'
resolved to perform this kind office for her favourite friend.
Being at a dinner party, where many guests were assembled,
and where the conversation happened to turn on Father
Mathew and his good works, she heard him spoken rather
hardly of.by a clergyman, who, perhaps, might have spoken
without much consideration, or in a spirit of momentary
opposition to the general feeling, which was strongly in
favour of the subject of conversation. The lady was deeply
mortified at the remarks made, and could not rest, poor




INSTANCE OF HIS HUMILITY.            63
soul, until she had poured her complaint into the ear of her
unconsciously outraged friend. Father Mathew heard her
patiently, without betraying the slightest emotion of resentment, and then meekly replied-' My dear madam, I am very
sorry indeed that my acts have not the approbation of this
clergyman, for he is a truly good man, and one whose good
opinion I value highly; and I only hope that I may merit it
in future better than I have hitherto done.' The lady was
stunned by the reply, and could not at the moment say
whether she was more annoyed with the assailed or with the
assailant. Some time after, the same clergyman contracted
a bad fever, while attending the sick; and the first priest
found at his bedside, and the one most constant in his attentions to the dying man, up to the last hour of his life, was
the Rev. Theobald Mathew.
He was now about twelve years in Cork, and was most
popular with persons of every class and creed. In those
times religious differences were more strongly marked than
in these happier days; and the state of the Catholic question, which was to be settled in a few years after by the Act
of Emancipation, was such as to keep alive much anger and
bitterness in the public mind. But even then, and while such
elements of strife were in constant action, Father Mathew
was respected by his Protestant and Dissenting brethren,
who, notwithstanding his being a devoted Catholic Priest,
could not fail to recognise in him the true type of the Christian minister. His manner and appearance were greatly in
his favour. Kind, cordial, and courteous, he was deferential
without the slightest tinge of sycophancy; and his appearance was pleasing and prepossessing in the highest degree.
Handsome in person, with a countenance full of sweetness
and expression, his natural gifts were heightened by the
extreme neatness and simple elegance of his dress. While
he looked the gentleman every inch, he was still unmistakably the priest. A brother clergyman, speaking of Father




64                 FATHER MATHEW.
Mathew in those days, says,' He was the most irreproach.
able man I ever knew, and the pink of a gentleman. No one
ever lived more within his ministry than he did. He was
then what he was to the last-a mild, kind, gentle, unassuming man-always the same.''There was,' says another
clergyman,'a quiet gravity in his manner, with an air of
genuine sanctity-something of the altar and the sanctuary
always about him.' No one was more thoroughly devoid of
affectation, and no one was more truly what he appeared
to be-religious without austerity, good without parade,
charitable without ostentation; devoted to his church, and
in every thought a priest, but free from the slightest taint of
sectarian rancour or intolerance. And this with him was
not the result of calculation. or even of reasoning; it was
instinctive, and sprang from his very nature.




65
CHAPTER      IV.
Father Mathew as a Preacher - Earnestness his chief Attraction -
Cotemporary Sketch of his Pulpit Oratory- His Sermons free
from sectarian Bitterness- His Charity Sermons-His Pictures
of the sublime Charity of the Poor —Intensity of his EmotionThe Man and the Preacher one - Establishes a Cemetery - The
Cholera of 1832 —His untiring Exertions-The HospitalSaved!-Give! give! give!
FROM the year 1820, his reputation as a preacher had
been steadily advancing; and at the time of which we
now speak-six years after that date-he was admitted to be
one of the most popular preachers of the day. This was at
a period when the Cork pulpit was adorned by men whose
powers were of the very highest order. Father Mathew was
not a man of shining abilities, nor was he a profound or
severely-trained scholar. Neither had he fashioned his style
upon the best models, or improved his taste by a thorough
acquaintance with those authors whose works are the classics
of English literature. He was not then certainly an accomplished pulpit orator, if at any period of his life he could lay
claim to that distinction; and in the earlier years of his
ministry he was frequently guilty of errors of taste, and vic.
lations of those rules laid down by rhetoricians of ancient and
modern schools. And his voice, which at first was shrill,
weak, and puny to the last degree, still lacked that strength
and volume which practice and confidence imparted to it in
later years.  But those who for the most part thronged to
hear him, and crowded his little church with that object,
were not either inclined to be critical, or very capable of criti




66                  FATHER MATHEW.
cism. They came, in an humble spirit, to hear the Gospel
expounded-to be told of the mercy and goodness of Godof the beauty and holiness of charity-by one whose life wlas
the living example of the precepts he taught. What was it
to them, if a simile were false, or a metaphor out of place,
or an image occasionally tawdry, or a sentence wanting in
polish, or a chain of reasoning loose and inconclusive?-they
crushed into that little temple to listen to the word of God
preached by a man of God; and in that expectation they were
never disappointed. Once within that church, they yielded
themselves implicitly and unhesitatingly to his spiritual and
moral guidance, and they went with him whither he led
them.  Ay, and even those few who ordinarily could sit
coldly in judgement upon the excellencies or the defects, the
style or manner of a preacher, and who, perhaps, came just
to see something of the young priest of whom the'common
people' and the'old women  talked so much-even they,
cool critics and lofty judges, as they held themselves to be,
found themselves suddenly surprised by strange dimness of
vision and a chocking sensation in the throat, at the unpretending pathos of the preacher. What was the charm that
held spell-bound the close-packed hundreds beneath the pulpit, that riveted the attention of the crowded galleries, and
moved the inmost hearts even of those who had come to criticise? The earnestness of the preacher. Not the earnestness
of the actor, who simulates, with cunning declamation and by
impassioned gesture, the ardour of nature. No; it was the
earnestness of truth, of sincerity, of belief. Father Mathew
practised what he preached, and believed what he so persuasively and urgently enforced. Then, the emotion, which
his voice made manifest to the ear, and which his agitated
features made visible to the eye, was real, genuine, springing
from  the heart, thrilling his nerves, warming his blood,
quickening his pulse-felt in every fibre of his frame. There
was established between the preacher and the audien e the




COTEMPORARY SKETCH OF HIS PUBLIC ORATORY.        67
most complete and perfect identity of feeling, the result of
the sympathy which they mutually felt.
From one of a remarkable series of papers, entitled'Sketches of the Cork Catholic Pulpit,' published about
the year 1826, and which were written by a clergyman,
whose fame as a pulpit orator is equalled by his reputation as
a profound scholar,* a passage or two may be aptly quoted,
so as to afford the reader a clearer impression of the Father
Mathew of that day.    The writer, after paying an eloquent
tribute to the character of the preacher, to whom, he says,
the reverence of all classes of the community was spontaneously and unreservedly tendered, thus describes the effect
produced by his preaching on the mind of one who rather
came to judge than to sympathise:We have ourselves more than once gone to hear this preacher,
with the express intent of duly and fairly estimating his powers as a
speaker, and have summoned to our aid as much of our critical bitterness as we conceived sufficient to preserve our judgement uninfluenced
by the previous charm of his character. We were not listening to
his affectionate, earnest, and pathetic exhortation more than ten
minutes, when our criticism-our bitterness-our self-importance, left
us; all within us of unkind and harsh was softened down-our heart
beat only to kindlier emotions-we sympathised with our fellowchristians around us. We defy the sternness and severity of criticism
to stand unmoved, though it may remain unawakened, while Mr.
Mathew is preaching; and this surely is no mean criterion of the
excellence of his character, and the efficiency of his ministry in the
pulpit.
His personal appearance is thus minutely sketched:He has the advantage (though he appears to make little use of the
advantage) of possessing a finely formed middle sized person, of
exquisite symmetry; the head, of admirable contour, and from which
i finished model of the antique could be cast; the countenance intelqigent, animated, and benevolent; its complexion rather sallow, inilining to paleness; eyes of dark lustre, beaming with internal peace,
and rich in concentrated sensibility, rather than speaking or kindling
* The Very Rev. M. B. O'Shea, Archdeacon and Pastor of St. Patrick's, Cork.




68                    FATHER MATHEW.
with a superabundant fire; the line of his mouth, harmonising so completely with hib nose and chin, is of peculiar grace; the brow, open,
pale, broad and polished, bears upon it the impress not merely of
dignified thought, but of nobility itself.
The concluding passage is at once a description and a testimony:
His principal talent lies in the disposal of the persuasive topics.
He is fond of appealing-and in truth he does it with success-to the
warm devotional feelings that have their fixed and natural seat in
the Catholic bosom; to the devotional recollections and associations
that alternately soothe and alarm the Catholic mind. To all these
he appeals; matters so full of thrilling interest, and of inherent eloquence, that they burst on the soul with an all-subduing, instantaneous and electric force, purifying and ennobling the commonest
phraseology that happens to be selected as their vehicle. Thus has
this excellent young man gone on, notwithstanding many imperfections, which may yet be removed by ordinary study and attention,
preaching earnestly and successfully, and enforcing truth and illustrating the beauty of the doctrine of his religion, by the noblest, the
fairest, the most convincing comment-the undeviating rectitude,
the unspotted purity, the extensive and indefatigable beneficence of
his life. 0, si sic omnes!
His Passion sermon, which he preached generally twice
on Good Friday, was a marvellous success. The subject is
of itself sufficient to inspire the human heart with the profoundest emotions of sympathy and compassion, and to fill
the soul of the Christian with reverential awe.  But as the
preacher led his breathless audience, step by step, through
each stage of that tremendous tragedy, that sublime agony,
they were themselves the horror-stricken spectators of those
memorable scenes. They glowed and shuddered, they sighed
and wept, until, in the supreme moment, when the Great
Atonement is consummated, they were so overwhelmed with
sorrow, that sobs and cries testified to the depth of their
emotion, and the triumph of the preacher.  But is'triumph'
the right word, where there was neither art nor artifice-no
deliberate attempt to work upon the feelings of susceptible




FREE FROM SECTARIAN BITTERNESS.        69
piety?  The preacher was as much moved as were those
whom he moved. He was present in spirit with the beloved
ones at the foot of the Cross, his features, as his soul, convulsed with the liveliest grief and horror; and those who saw
that working countenance and that heaving breast, and
heard those thrilling accents, could not but feel the keenest
sympathy with his almost terrible emotion.
There was another charm in Father Mathew's preachingit was utterly divested of religious, or, more correctly speaking, sectarian bitterness.  He was not a controversialist.
Controversy, which too often stands for conflict, was not
suited to his natural temperament; neither, perhaps, was his
mind sufciently trained by theological study to enable him
to wield with effect against an opponent, and with safety to
himself, those sharp-poilted weapons which, wlile slaying
one's antagonist in argument, too frequently penetrate beyond
the robe, and wound the sacred side of Religion. He was
not a deeply-read theologian, and with Canon Law he was
but imperfectly acquainted; indeed, so little so, that he occasionally committed himself by mistakes which, though of
small importance in the esteem of laymen, assumed a grave
aspect in the consideration of the severely-trained student of
Maynooth or the Sorbonne. Few men, however, were better
Biblical scholars than was Father Mathew. With the Sacred
Scriptures he was intimately and profoundly conversant.
There was not a line from Genesis to Revelation with which
he was not familiar. Imbued with the purer spirit of the
New Testament, his imagination was yet captivated by the
grandeur and the beauty of the Old. In its sublimity, as in
its sweetness, the Bible was thoroughly mastered by this
Brother of the Capuchin Order. Thus he had at will, and
ready for every occasion, as for any emergency, quotations
from gospel and parable, from hymn and canticle, from
prophecy and proverb; and if he could not wrestle in tough
argument, or flash logic in keen strife of intellect, he could




70                  Y&THER MATHEW.
disarm  with an apt quotation, or safely intrench himself
behind a maxim which might not be disputed. His sermons
were eminently scriptural, breathing certainly more of the
meek spirit of Him who taught so lovingly on the Mount,
than of those fierce kings and mighty captains of Judea,
whose words sound like trumpet blasts, and whose deeds ring
again with the clang of battle.
Of his charity sermons I may here make mention, although
his reputation for these more ambitious efforts'of pulpit
oratory was of somewhat slow growth; and it was not until
about the date of his adhesion to the temperance cause that
he was eagerly sought after by those interested in the management of such charities as were either wholly or partly sustained through appeals of that nature.  Here again, his
earnestness, his character, his life, rendered his preaching not
to say impressive, but irresistible. He pleaded with all the
fervour of his soul for those whom, of all others, he loved the
most-the poor, the afflicted, the suffering, those sunk in sorrow or lost in shamc. The charity which glowed in' his own
breast he imparted, even if momentarily, to those whom he
addressed. In these sermons there was not the least attempt
at display-no elaborately prepared and carefully studied
preface, in which the orator, in measured sentences of graceful cadence, might exhibit the range of his scholarship, and
his acquaintance with the learning of the historian or the
speculations of the philosopher. Father Mathew was too
earnest, too direct and practical, for display of any kind. He
gave out his text, and plunged right into the midst of his
subject-telling his audience what were the commands and
injunctions of God as revealed in the Old Law and taught in
the New-what were the duties of the rich to their brethren
the poor. He painted the poor lovingly and truthfully, in
their sufferings and in their patience, in their profound misery
and in their exalted charity; and while he touched the heart
by pathetic descriptions, anid stirred it by impassioued appeals,




THE SUBLIME CHARITY OF THE POOR.            71
he shamed the niggard alms-giving of the wealthy by narrating instances of the sublime generosity of the poor to the
poor. A beautiful instance of this boundless charity, so frequently evinced by the humblest in the community, formed
a striking feature in one of his most successful sermons,
preached first in Cork, with great advantage to the cause for
which he appealed, and afterwards preached in Dublin with a
success almost unprecedented. It will afford the reader an
idea of the happy manner in which he imparted a human
interest to his religious exhortation:If I were to pause to enumerate but the hundredth part of the
many generous deeds of mercy performed by the poorest of the poor,
of which I myself have been witness, I would occupy the whole of
the time which this discourse should last. Permit me, however, to
state one simple case of facts:-A poor woman found in the streets a
male infant, which she brought to me, and asked imploringly what
she was to do with it? Influenced, unhappily, by cold caution, I
advised her to give it to the churchwardens. It was then evening.
On the ensuing morning, early, I found this poor woman at my door;
she was a poor water-carrier; she cried bitterly, and said-' I have
not slept one wink all night for parting with that child which God
had put in my way, and if you will give me leave, I will take him
hack again.' I was filled with confusion at the pious tenderness of
this poor creature, and I went with her to the parish nurse for the
infant, which she brought to her home with joy, exclaiming in the
very words of the prophet-' Poor child, though thy mother has
forgotten thee, I will not forget thee.' Eight years have elapsed
since she brought to her humble home that exposed infant, and she
is now blind from the constant exposure to wet and cold; and ten
times a-day may be seen that poor water-carrier passing with her
weary load, led by this little foundling boy. Oh! merciful Jesus,
I would gladly sacrifice the wealth and power of this wide world to
secure to myself the glorious welcome that awaits this poor blind
water-carrier on the great accounting day! Oh! what, compared to
charity like this, the ermined robe, the ivory sceptre, the golden
throne, the jewelled diadem!
Father Mathew was not content with reaping his present
harvest; he sowed in the richest soil of the human heart seeds




12                 FATHER MATHEW.
of compassion and tenderness, which afterwards brought forth
good fruit, in many a holy work and charitable undertaking.
For the orphan especially he appealed with resistless pathos.
At times, his words produced an electrical effect, and haunted
the memory with unfading freshness.  To this day, the
writer remembers, as vividly as if they were spoken but yesterday, though they were heard by him more than twenty
years since, these words, delivered with all the force of the
sincerest conviction:'I never meet in the street a ragged
child, asking me for charity in the name of God, that I do
not think I see the infant Jesus, with outstretched hands, and
hear the petition for human mercy emanating from. the lips
of the Divinity.'
Answering those who allege they would wish to do good,
but that they are afraid of imposition, he thus answered:'Wretched excuse I It is safer to be imposed upon by nineteen, than to allow one deserving object to depart unrelieved.
Many, says the Sacred Text, imagining they received weary
hungry travellers, entertained angels.'
His pictures of the hospital, the garret, the sick and the
dying poor, the expiring father of the destitute family, were
as full of pathos as his pictures of the heartless rich man,
breathing his last in the midst of gorgeous luxury, which his
eye then loathed, were striking and terrible to the imagination. The preacher prayed and implored, and his wailing
tones called forth the responsive tear; but he likewise thundered against the selfish, the hard-hearted, the cruel, the
grinder of the faces of the poor and the betrayer of innocence,
in the language of immortal wrath, and denounced their
guilt with the awful anathemas of the Sacred Word.
Occasionally, his emotion completely overpowered him; as
an instance will show. It was while he was preaching the
annual charity sermon for the Magdalen Asylum. He drew
a captivating picture of one whom he had personally knowna pure and sinless girl, happy in her unconscious innocence,




INTENSITY OF HIS EMOTION.             3
gay as the lark in the morning sky, the spring of the fawn in
her step, the light of gladness in her eye, and prayers of
thankfulness to God on her virgin lip. Then bringing the
dark figure of the seducer into this Eden of innocence, he
depicted him marking out his prey, lying stealthily in wait
for her, haunting her footsteps, flattering her artless vanity,
encompassing her with snare and pitfall, never relinquishing
his hellish pursuit, till, by foul and devilish perfidy, he had
accomplished his fatal purpose, by the ruin of his victim.
The preacher described the struggles, the prayers, the weaknesses, the helplessness of the poor young creature, thus lost
to honour and to virtue. And then he told how, after he had
missed her from her accustomed place before the altar, he
met her one wild night in the public street, and how, covered
with shame, she sought to elude his grasp. She was not yet
hardened in her hateful life; but her beauty was gone, her
light extinguished in a night of horror; and as he pictured the
defilement of that poor human heart, once the tabernacle of
the living God; he burst into a passionate flood of tears,
overpowered by the emotion which his own words excited.
There was not a dry eye in the congregation; but the charity
gained largely by this irrepressible outburst of feeling.
No man was more thoroughly represented by his own
words than Father Mathew; and a single passage from one
of his charity sermons offers, as it were, a key to his whole
life.'Mercy! heavenly mercy I Had the Deity never
spoken-had He never revealed, by prophet or apostle, that
mercy was His will-its innate excellence, the high honour it
confers upon us, the delicious, the ieffable pleasure ue enjoy in
its exercise, would be sufficient to point out to us the necessity
of this indispensable duty.'
An idea of the good sense of the man and the simplicity
of his style, may be gathered from a reply which he made to
a brother clergyman of eminent ability, and most remarkable
for his gifts as a preacher: who observed to Father Mathew




14                  FATHER MATHEW.
how difficult it was at times to select a subject, and to know
what would please a cultivated congregation.'My dear sir,'
said Father Mathew,'preach for the poor, and your preaching will always serve for the rich.
Amongst the many useful and indeed necessary works with
which, in a religious and social point of view, his name is
indissolubly linked, was the establishment of a new cemetery
-that which has been for more than thirty years known as
the'Botanic Graveyard,' or'Father Mathew's Cemetery.'
It derived its former name from the fact, that the ground
purchased by Father Mathew, and leased to him in January
1830, had been for several years known as the Botanic
Gardens, attached to the Royal Cork Institution. These
grounds had long been remarkable for their beauty, the
admirable manner in which they were laid out, and the
variety and rarity of the trees, shrubs, and other botanical
treasures with which they were adorned. Even at this day
it is no uncommon thing to hear it said that such a person
had been buried in the'Botanic Gardens.' Father Mathew
was impelled to take this important step by two considerations,-the desire to relieve the poorer classes from the heavy
and oppressive burial-fees then exacted in the established
graveyards of the city, and the necessity of putting an end to
a condition of dependence which Catholic pride felt to be
alike galling and degrading. This state of things sprang out
of the religious condition of the country, and the lingering
pressure of the still unrepealed Penal Laws. He had a keen
remembrance of a circumstance which excited intense feeling
at the time, and which may be mentioned, as it tends to illum
trate the grievance for which a practical remedy was now
sought to be obtained. It occurred shortly after the passing
of the Burial Act in 1825, when Dean Magee-determining
to enforce the authority acquired by the new law, which, while
professing to be a measure of relief, in reality perpetuated
exceptional and unjust legislation —gave orders that no




ESTABLISHES A CEMETERY.              75
elergymran should be allowed to pray in the churchyard of
St. Finn Barr's without permission from him. The first
message to that effect was delivered by a subordinate on the
occasion of the burial of a respectable Catholic in that graveyard. The deceased gentleman had been much esteemed for
his charitable disposition, and his many good works; and a
large concourse of persons, of all classes, testified by their
presence the respect in which they held his memory. The
venerable Dean Collins, whose name has been previously mentioned, as one of Father Mathew's best friends, attended the
funeral, accompanied by several clergymen, of whom Father
Mathew was one; and as the Dean was in the act of reciting
the solemn service for the dead, he was most indecently interrupted, to the grievous indignation of the excited multitude.
He was imperiously commanded, by the express directions of
Dr. Magee, to desist from the performance of the Catholic
service over the remains of a Catholic parishioner. Dr.
Collins raised his tall figure to its fullest height, and, turning
to the bearer of the unchristian mandate, which had been
rudely and even insolently conveyed, said, in a voice which
was heard by all present:'Go, sir! tell your superior that
I will not comply with his indecent and untimely command.
No law, civil or ecclesiastical, that I know of; prohibits any
man, clergyman or other, from offering up a few prayers for
the dead, within the precincts of a churchyard or on the high
road, when there is no introduction, or, if he please, obtrusion, of the peculiar ceremonial of the Catholic Church. Go,
sir, and tell your master he will not find me, or my brother
priests, obedient to his command. Go and tell Dean Magee
that I will pray to God when, where, and in what manner I
please, without asking permission of Dean Magee.' A deep
murmur of sympathy rose from the very heart of that insulted
assembly; and were it not for the nature of the occasion.
and the chastened feeling which it naturally induced, a wild
cheer would have rung through that graveyard, scaring the




76                  FATHER MATHEW.
rooks in the old trees that cast their solemn shadows upon the
quiet graves beneath, and perhaps startling those who were on
the watch, to witness how the Dean's rash conduct had been
borne by the'bondsmen' of that day. It is sufficient to say
that the spirited and becoming resistance of Dean Collins put
an end to scandals of the kind; for we do not find in the
records of Cork that any similar attempt was made by the
dignitary who became, in some years after the incident
referred to, Archbishop of Dublin. The occurrence, nevertheless, made a deep and lasting impression upon the local
community, and in no small degree influenced Father
Mathew in the important undertaking which was so soon to
be crowned with the most complete success.
It required very little, either in arrangement or outlay, to
adapt the beautiful grounds to the purpose for which they
were now destined. The cypress and the willow, the cedar
and the palm-tree, were there in blended beauty; and fragrant shrubs and bright evergreens delighted the eye at every
step. Soon, the modest mound, with its simple cross, marking the last resting-place of the lowly dead, dotted the space
liberally reserved for free burials; and soon, too, the headstone, elaborately carved, and the tomb and monument,
simple and elegant, or costly and ambitious, afforded their
evidence of the want that had been experienced, and of the
grateful readiness with which this most useful and benevolent
undertaking had been availed of by the wealthier classes of
the Catholic community. On January the 25th, the lease
was perfected; and in the following month there was erected,
in the central avenue, a great stone cross, which is overshadowed by a veritable cedar of Lebanon, and beneath
which, according to his living intention and dying injunction,
now rests all that is mortal of the good man by whom the
cemetery was founded and the cross was erected.
In seven or eight years after the conversion of these
grounds into a cemetery, there was a motion made, in the




THE CHOLERA OF 1832                 77
Irish Court of Chancery, to restrain Father Mathew from
using portions of the adjoining ground for the same purpose.
The circumstance is only of this value, that it affords an
opportunity of quoting the testimony of the opposing counsel,
as to the disposition made by Father Mathew of the revenue
derived from burials. Mr. Sergeant Warren, who appeared
for the plaintiff, used these words:-' It is quite true, my
lord, that the defendant here has been actuated, in the course
he has taken, by the purest and most benevolent motivesthese I give him the fullest credit for. I doubt not that he
has bestowed (as stated in his answer and in his proofs) the
profits arising from the cemetery in works of charity, and that,
so far from deriving any personal benefit, he is rather a loser,
by the payment of part of the rents of the lands out of his
own resources.' It is not always that such testimony is borne
to a defendant by the counsel of the plaintiff.
Very soon, indeed, was the necessity for this additional
receptacle for the dead terribly manifested. In 1832, the
cholera, the dread of which had been haunting the minds of
those who daily noted its eccentric but fatal track, burst out
in Cork with fearful malignity.  It had for its fitting birthplace and cradle one of the filthiest dens in one of the most
crowded and worst-ventilated districts of the city. There it
appeared in its most awful aspect, appalling the community
by the rapidity of its stroke, the brief struggle of its victim,
and the wild dread of contagion which its very name evoked.
The people were filled with dismay, as each hour brought
with it new tidings of its spreading from house to house, from
lane to lane, from street to street, from district to district.
The calamity, severe and terrible as it was, had this much of
good in it-it called forth the courage, the devotedness, and
the generosity of the principal inhabitants, whom it united
together, even as one man, irrespective of all political or reli.
gious distinctions whatever. Maniy instances of the greatest
heroism and of the most extraordinary munificence could here




78                    FATHER MATHEW.
be mentioned; but allusions to individuals might seem invidious and unfair; and, besides, those who distinguished
themselves most by their fearless exertions and by their unstinted generosity, are now numbered with the dead, and are,
we humbly trust, enjoying, in a happier world than that
which they adorned by their virtues, the reward promised to
those who walk in the way of the Lord.
This was just the occasion to call into their fullest activity
the qualities of a man like Father Mathew.    At this time
we can    only faintly remember the confidence which     he
inspired, and the blessings which followed his footsteps, as he
rapidly passed through the streets on some mission of charity;
but we have been favoured with a communication from one
who bears a grateful memory the generous aid which he, the
pastor of the parish in which the plague first broke out,
received from his brother priest.  The writer is the Catholic
Archdeacon of Cork, the Venerable M. B. O'Shea, niow
pastor of St. Patrick's, then pastor of SS. Peter and
Paul:
I have at this moment (Feb. 11th, 1863) the most vivid and grate
ful recollection of the generous and heroic zeal displayed by my
revered and beloved friend, Father Mathew, when, with the unselfish
devotedness of a martyr and an apostle, he threw himself into the
midst of the peril, when the terrible reality of Asiatic cholera smote
my parish first of any locality in Ireland, in April 1832. When the
first stunning effect of the blow had subsided. as it speedily did, a
noble spectacle was exhibited by the union of all ranks. professions,
and creeds, while resolutely and fearlessly confronting the calamity,
and aiming at its mitigation by all the resources which humanity,
religion, and science are sure to bring into play, in the presence of a
fearful crisis. Amongst those who at that awful period took a conspicuous part, not only in unwearied attendance by the bed-side of the
plague-stricken sufferers. but also in suggesting and practically carrying out sanitary and remedial measures for the relief of the sick in
private houses and in the public hospitals, Father Mathew was ever
foremost. and always indefatigable. What most deeply affected me
then, and which the memory even now, at the distance of more than




HIS UNTIRING EXERTIONS IN THE HOSPITAL.        79
thirty years, fills me with the mingled emotions of gratitude and of
reverential regard, was the visit he paid me in the very early stage of
this dire calamity, when my hard-worked curates and myself were
overwhelmed with incessant calls by day and night, before there was
time for the erection of a temporary hospital, and before the pestilence
had spread over other and distant districts of the city and suburbsthe centre and focus of the disease being a block of narrow ill-ventilated streets and lanes in the immediate neighbourhood of my
residence, where the cholera raged with peculiar virulence. Two or
three days after the first terrific outburst of the pest, and as soon as
the awful tidings reached Father Mathew's ears, he hastened to my
house, and, with open heart and arms, embraced me; and, while offering
his consolation and sympathy, tendered me his valuable services and
the offices of his sacred ministry, for the comfort and spirtual aid of
my poor afflicted parishioners, at every hour by night or day that I
should refer to him. This offer, unexpected and unsolicited on my
part, was, of course, promptly and gratefully accepted; and nothing
could equal the noble untiring efficiency of the support he then gave
me until the benefit and blessing of his ministrations to the sick were
required away from my central district. in the southern quarter of
the city, which, in less than a fortnight after, was doomed to undergo
its own share in the prevailing scourge.
Quitting the district in which he had laboured so zealously as a volunteer, Father Mathew devoted himself, almost
exclusively for a time, to the more legitimate sphere of his
duties, his own parish. Here the plague raged in all its horrors, and at every hour of the day the brave priest might be
seen going from house to house, performing the duties of his
ministry amidst sights and sounds that appalled the stoutest
heart, and shook the strongest nerves. But this was not all
he did in that trying time.
One of the largest hospitals in the city was established at
a little distance from his dwelling in Cove Street, and was
attended by a full staff of clergymen, who spared no labour
in that trying moment. In order to ensure the presence of a
clergyman at every hour of the day and Light, it was arranged
that the duty should be taken in turn; and Father Mathew




80                  FATHER MATHEW.
requested,'as a favour,' that he should be apportioned the
hours from midnight to six in the morning-the very hours
which even the most zealous might be excused from select
ing. But Father Mathew knew how little reliance could
be placed on mere mercenaries, gathered together for the
occasion, and performing duties of a depressing and even
revolting nature. In whatever part of the city he might
have been during the day,-in the garret or the hovel in the
remotest suburbs, or by the bed-side of a friend who had
been suddenly struck down,-he was unfailingly punctual in
his attendance in the hospital during the long and weary
nours of night. Gentle and mild as he was, still there was
not a nurse or an assistant in the hospital that did not stand
in awe of the vigilance of Father Mathew, or who would
willingly have incurred his rebuke. If the nurses watched
the patients, Father Mathew  watched both nurses and
patients; and while he was present, there was no such thing
heard of as a nurse or attendant nodding at her post, or
relaxing in her attention to the sick. An incident, to which
he oftentimes referred in after life, and which was soon known
through the city, exhibited the value and necessity of his
vigilance and supervision.
He had administered the last rites of religion to a young
man, in whom he had a special interest, and having received
a summons to another part of the hospital, he hurriedly
quitted the ward, from which he was absent but for a short
time. On his return, he approached the bed in which he
had left the young man alive; but the bed was now unoccupied.'Nurse, nurse! what has become of the young
man who lay in this bed?' asked Father Mathew.'Dead,
sir,' was the laconic answer.'Dead!-it cannot be-where
is he?''The corpse is taken to the dead-house, sir.'   I
can't believe he is dead-I must go myself and see,' said
Father Mathew; and he at once proceeded to the ghastly
chamber to which the dead were borne, previous to being




SAVED 1                     81
taken out for interment. It presented an awful spectacle
indeed.  At one end was a pile of miserable coffins, the
merest shells, made of thin boards, and knocked together
with a few nails. Some of these wretched receptacles were
on the floor, either with their lids fastened down, or open
and awaiting their future occupants. On tables, and also on
the floor, lay a number of bodies, in each of which a heart
throbbed and a soul dwelt a few hours before. Some lay,
blue and distorted, in the sheet in which they had been
snatched from  the bed on which they died; more were
wrapped, like mummies, in similar sheets, which had been
covered with pitch or tar, liberally laid on to prevent contagion. Amidst that scene of death in its most appalling
aspect, there was a horrid bustle of life; coffins being nailed
down with noisy clatter-sheets being rapidly covered over
with a black and seething substance-bodies being moved
from place to place, and tumbled into their last receptacle
with the haste and indifference which a terrible familiarity
with death engenders in the minds of a certain class-orders
hoarsely given-figures moving or reeling to and fro; for it
was necessary that those who performed the horrid and revolting duties of that chamber should be well plied with whisky: it
was the custom of the time and the necessity of the moment.
Into this scene of horrors, partly lighted by a few coarse
flickering candles, Father Mathew hurriedly entered. Even
the strongest might have recoiled at the spectacle which met
his sight; but he only thought of the object of his mission.
There lay the body, and near it were two men preparing the
tarred sheet in which they were to wrap it.'Stop, stop!'
said Father Mathew,'surely the young man can't be dead!''Dead, your reverence I God forbid you or me would be as
dead as that poor fellow-The Lord have mercy on his sowl!'
said one of the men.'No, no, I can't believe it-I was
speaking to him a moment before I left the ward-let me
try.''Wisha, try, if you plaze, your reverence; but he's as




82                  FATHER MATHEW.
dead as a door-nail; and shure it does n't take long to carry
a man off in those times-God be between us and harm I'
There was a momentary suspension of the loathsome work as
Fathew Mathew knelt down beside the body, and pressed his
hand lightly over the region of the heart. A group, such as
few, save perhaps those who loved to paint the terrible and
the hideous, would desire to see near them, clustered round
the devoted priest; and not a sound was heard for a time in
that chamber of death. There was a suspense of a moment
-it seemed an age-when Father Mathew cried out exultingly-' Thank God! he is alive!-I feel his heart beatthank God, thank God!' It was quite true-life was not
extinct; and restoratives having been applied, the young
man was removed to another part of the hospital-and in a
few days after he was able to pour forth his gratitude to him
who, through God's mercy, had rescued him from inevitable
death; for had but another minute elapsed, he was lost to
this world for ever. As may be supposed, this incident had
a salutary effect in the hospital, though it was little wanted
to render as untiring as ever the sleepless vigilance of Father
Mathew.
The physicians who were associated with him in that-fearful time spoke ever after with enthusiasm of his zeal, his utter
disregard of self, and his munificent generosity; for, from his
own resources, he constantly sent the most costly wines and
spirits to the hospitals, as stimulants to be used by the
patients, and also for the staff, who, as he then believed,
required their use after the discharge of their arduous and
exhausting duties.
The reputation of Father Mathew was much enhanced by
his marvellous labours at this period-which labours never
ceased until the temporary hospitals were closed, and confidence was fully restored to the public mind. Nor indeed
were his labours over even then, though they assumed
another form; for there were widows to assist, and orphans




'GIVE I G IVE GIVE'             83
to educate and provide for; and to this holy duty he
applied his utmost energy, and devoted every shilling he
could spare from the other objects of his seemingly exhaustless bounty.'Give! give! give!'-so he preached, and
so he practised; and when he gave his last shilling, he gave
it in the name of God, confident that God would send him
more to give.




84
CHAPTER     V.
A Holiday-getter and a Feast-giver-Gentle Rebuke-Taught in a
good School-His kindness to young Priests-Grand party ill the
Cock-loft-The' Bore' from the Country-His Success as a Peacemaker-The flounced' Habit.'
THE nature of Father Mathew was eminently paternal.
The innocence and gaiety of childhood had for him an
unfailing charm. He was interested in the plays and sports
of youth; and the more they yelled and shrieked in the delirium  of childish enjoyment, the greater was his delight,
especially if, as was often the case, he had been the promotei
and patron of the day's amusements. To promote their enjoyment and add to their happiness was with him to live over
again his own youth at Rathcloheen. No one better knew the
genuine tastes and likings of little people than Father Mathew.
He knew that apples and oranges, and nuts, cakes, and sweet
things, including toffy and' bull's-eyes,' were to them the
summum bonum of earthly felicity; and that these, with an
out-of-door holiday, when they could run, and shout, and
tumble, and play all manner of wild pranks, were, in their
esteem, to be preferred to the finest clothes in the world.
And accordingly he made a reputation for himself with the
young people of the city, as a holiday-getter as well as a
feast-giver. Indeed, his visit to any school, whatever the
effect it had upon the solemn master or the sedate mistress,
sent a thrill of joyous expectation through the scholars of all
degrees; for not rarely was the glad announcement made,
in words that surpassed the most ravishing music.-' Young




A HOLIDAY-GETTER AND A FEAST-GIVER.       85
gentlemen, Father Mathew has asked for a holiday for you,
and I cannot refise him  anything he asks for.''Young
ladies, ditto, ditto.' But if he obtained the holiday, he also
provided a feast; and often times the fine old place occupied
by his brother Charles, at Lehenagh, a couple of miles outside the city, was the scene of the twofold enjoyment. Entertaining a profound reverence for youthful powers of digestion,
he looked on placidly while sturdy boys crammed themselves
with quantities of pastry, the fourth part of which would have
consigned a full-grown man to the care of his doctor. Considerate to children in general, to orphans he was peculiarly
tender; and invariable presents of large bags of apples and
nuts, sent on the eve of All Saints-an occasion devoted by
youth to perpetual crunching and testing of teeth, as by
those somewhat older to the mysteries of melted lead, &c.to the orphans in the Asylums, and to the children in the
House of Industry, exhibited the interest which he felt in
these unfortunate little ones. These he frequently had taken
to the green fields, and to the pleasant meadows along the
river's side, but under the care of watchful guardians.  Such
excursions were always preceded by a good breakfast, and
were usually wound up by a more solid entertainment, both
being at his expense. His feeling towards children may be
further illustrated by the following incident.
During certain days of Holy Week, it is the custom, in
Catholic countries, to remove the Blessed Sacrament from
the tabernacle on the high altar to a side altar, which, with
pious care, is elaborately prepared for its reception. This
altar is decorated with the richest velvets, the choicest silks,
or the most sumptuous brocades-with lace, and flowers, and
jewellery-whatever, in fact, is costly and precious in the
eyes of the world. Hundreds of waxen lights flood the altar
with their radiance, and enhance the effect of the drapery
and the decoration. The effect is still further heightened by
the sombre gloom of the rest of the church, and the blank




86                  FATHER MATHEW.
desolation of the high altar, upon which not only is there
no light burning, but which is entirely shrouded in purple,
emblematical of the mourning of the Church, and the Passion which it commemorates. The small or side altar is the
object of devout attraction, and typifies the tomb which
received the sacred body of the Redeemer. On these days
it is customary for the faithful to'make their rounds'-that
is, to go from church to church, and to offer up in each certain prayers appropriate to the solemnity of the occasion,
and to do so with a suitable intention. Nothing can exceed
the devout and decorous bearing of those who perform this
religious exercise; even the children, as a rule, are reverential in their manner, and repeat their prayers with edifyillg gravity. But a few are sure to be thoughtless and noisy,
and, perhaps with the best intention in the world, are rather
distracting by their behaviour. The little Friary, or Father
Mathew's Chapel, as it was indifferently called, was at all
times, at least since his connection with it, remarkable for
the splendour and beauty of this altar, and for the extreme
richness and elegance of its decoration. The most costly and
beautiful articles were lavished upon it in profusion by the
good ladies who thus evinced their piety, and their respect
for the priest whose virtues they revered. The temper of
these excellent ladies was not at all times proof against the
incursions of troops of little ones, whose clattering footsteps
resounded in the hushed chapel, and whose artless admiration, uttered too often in a tone of voice more suited to the
open air, than to a place of solemn worship, was rather trying, more especially to those interested in the maintenance
of decorum. The annoyance occasioned by these incursions
excited the anger of a lady, one of the voluntary teachers
in the adjoining school, and whose position gave her peculiar authority. She was in the act of driving before her a
noisy bevy of very young children, when Father Mathew
came up, and, drawing away her attention from the little




GENTLE REBUKE-TAUGHT IN A GOOD SCHOOL.       8''
intruders, said,'My dear madam, why are you driving these
children out of the chapel?'Oh, Father Mathew,' answered the lady,'they were making such a noise, that they
were disturbing the congregation; and really, I must say,
Father Mathew, I wonder how you can tolerate them, going
in and out, as they do.'' My dear madam, you must remember the words of our Divine Redeemer, who said, Suffer these
little ones to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is
the kingdom of Heaven.  If they come from curiosity now,
they will come to pray another time; and you cannot tell
what impression is made upon the mind of the very youngest
child that enters the House of God.' The lady never again,
whatever her temptation to do so, interfered with the movements of these questionable worshippers.
The sports and gambols of youth were pleasing to the
good man's heart, but the spectacle of their piety raised
him, as it were, to the seventh heaven. He could scarcely
restrain his emotion as he administered to them the First
Communion, or witnessed their performance of some work
of charity. By teaching and by example, he encouraged his
young friends to do good to their fellow-creatures; and when
he saw that his teaching was not in vain, that the seed which
he had planted in their heart was bearing abundant fruit, his
happiness was very great.
Passing through one of the principal streets of Cork, he
saw two of his special proteges, two young lads of respectable position, standing in a door-way, and deeply engaged
over something contained in a little book.' Good morrow,
boys I' said Father Mathew, as he shook hands with his
young friends, and gave to each of them his usual caress,
which was a soft pull of the ear.'What are you doing
here, my dears?'   After some little show of reluctance,
they told him that they were collecting for a case of uigent
charity, which at the time excited the liveliest compassion.
A poor young mother, with a number of helpless children,




88                  FATHER MATHEW.
had been left utterly destitute by the sudden death of the
head of the family, who had held a respectable rank in hi,
native city. And the young lads, taught in a good school,
had, of their own accord, taken up the case, and were going
from door to door, seeking for contributions.'Why did n't
you tell me of this?-why not call on me?-why pass me by,
my dear?' said Father Mathew to the elder lad, who had
the care of the little book in which the subscriptions were
entered.'Why, Father Mathew, we were really ashamed to
apply to you; we knew you had more calls on you than any
one else, and you are always giving charity.'' But, my dear,
you were wrong in not coming to me. It would have pained
me if I had not the pleasure of aiding you in your good work.
Put my name down for 5/. I have not the money now, but
call on me in two days for it at my house.' When the lads
came at the appointed time, they were radiant with triumph.' Oh I Father Mathew, you have done us such good I The
moment your name was seen, every one had confidence in the
case; and see! we have got over 2001.! We are so much
obliged to you.'' No, my dear boys, it is I who ought to
be so much obliged to you, for doing such a work of charity
for this poor family. God will bless you for it, now and
hereafter. It is by such acts that we do honour to God's
holy name.   Thank you, boys-thank you.'     And with
another fond pull of the ear, and the promised 51., the delighted lads were dismissed.
Those of a different faith felt almost the same respect for
Father Mathew, and the same confidence in his purity of life
and integrity of motive, as did the members of his own commurlion. A rather remarkable proof of the esteem in which
he was held by Protestants may be mentioned. The conductors of one of the very first classical schools of the city,
well known to more than one generation as'Hiamblin's
School,' made a special application to Father Mathew, requesting him to teach catechism and give religious instruction




HIS KINDNESS TO YOUNG PRIESTS.         89
to the Catholic boys on a certain day in the week; and on
every Thursday, for several years, the catechism was taught
and the instruction given by him in the school. The schoolboys, Protestant as well as Catholic, liked Father Mathew,
who, it must be said, found an easy road to their hearts by
procuring for them an occasional holiday, and inviting the
whole school out to Lehenagh, where, as one of the pupils
of that day now states, they were'gloriously treated.' The
surviving member of the then existing partnership in the
conduct of that celebrated seminary, speaks of Father
Mathew in the warmest terms of respect and affection.'He
was,' says Dr. Porter,' one of the kindest, one of the best,
and one of the most benevolent men I ever knew-a man of
true liberality of mind, and a thorough gentleman.
To young priests, as well as to young men intended for the
ministry, Father Mathew was invariably kind; and many
a grey-headed pastor, by the zealous assistance which he afforded to the Apostle of Temperance, paid back the debt of
gratitude which he had incurred in his youth-perhaps in the
hour of sickness, or at a time when the offices of fiiendship
were most needed. Young priests just left college, and yet
without a mission, are not usually in the most affluent circumstances; and at such a time an act of kindness is peculiarly
acceptable. Father Mathew, when an opportunity of the kind
was afforded him, would say, as if he were asking a favour
rather than conferring a benefit,'You must oblige me and
come and say eight o'clock Mass for me for the next fortnight.
Do so, my dear sir, if you possibly can.' Of course, the young
priest was only too glad to accept the invitation; and it was
thus, among other kindly devices, that Father Mathew was
enabled to render a substantial service without hurting the
pride or lowering the self-respect of him whom he served. If
a young priest were sick, formality was then out of the question. He entered the sick room as a father would that of a
son; and if anything were wanted, which was often the case,




90                  FATHER MATHEW.
he ordered it to be sent in at his expense, and insisted upon
its being as freely used as it was freely given. He provided
a careful nurse, where it was necessary to do so, and supplied
every requisite, either during the stages of the disease, or
during the tedious convalescence; and were change of air
and a milder climate considered essential to recovery, a banknote, slipped into the hand of the patient, with a gentle pressure and an imperative whisper-' You must, my dear. Yoe
will seriously pain me if you refuse'-placed the means of
health at the disposal of the invalid.  Hundreds of instances
of his kindness to his brethren in the ministry might be
recorded of him; but it will be sufficient to say, that never
was his sympathy or his assistance sought for in vain, and
that it was more frequently proffered than solicited.
He was also fond of assisting young persons who had an
evident vocation for a religious life, to prosecute their studies,
and realise their pious intention.  If he felt convinced that
the vocation was real, and that they were likely to serve
religion, and reflect credit on the Church, he encouraged and
fostered their piety; and were they in circumstances which
rendered material aid necessary, he contrived to send them
to Rome, or to some college at home, to accomplish the
object of their desires.  He considerably strengthened his
own order in Ireland by his selection of subjects, and by
his liberality in enabling them to complete their course of
study.
That remarkable trait in his character-his hospitalitymerits special notice.  Hospitality is not always a proof of
generosity or kindness of disposition, for there are many who
freely entertain from ostentation, or a wish to eclipse their
neighbours; but Father Mathew's hospitality was born of
his nature-it sprang from his heart-it manifested itself in
his youth-it grew and increased with his years.
He had not been long in Cork, when his brother Charles,
returning from one of his voyages, came to pay the priest a




GRAND PARTY IN THE COCK-LOFT.         91
visit.  Proceeding to the Friary, he ascended the stairs
that led to the gallery, or loft, which was occupied by the
two friars, Father Donovan and Father Mathew. As he
approached the top of the stairs, he was surprised to hear
bursts of laughter, and other unmistakable indications of
jollity and pleasure; and on entering the low-ceiled room
belonging to his brother, he was quite taken aback at the
spectacle which met his astonished gaze. There was a.company of about twenty surrounding a well-served table, plentifilly supplied with glasses and decanters, hot water, lemons,
sugar, wine and whisky, the usual and orthodox'et ceteras;'
and Father Mathew at the head of the table,'looking;' said
Charles,'as happy as a king —quite in his element —delighted
at seeing so many people enjoying themselves.' Songs and
toasts, wit and humour, fun and jollity, were the order of the
evening; but at a reasonable hour-earlier, perhaps, than
most of the guests thought necessary-the party broke up,
and the brothers were left alone to talk over the past, and
speculate as to the future. The guests of that evening were,
some of them, his brother clergymen-others, the friends with
whom he had become acquainted since his arrival in Cork,
and who, loving him then, loved him to the last.
When a grand entertainment of this kind was given by
either of the friars, it was necessary to convert the other
chamber into a kitchen; and Father Donovan came out in
great force on such occasions, for he had quite a genius for
cooking.'Poor Theobald Mathew,' says a brother-priest, fondly
looking back to the earliest years of his mission,'was never
so happy as when he had a dozen of us around him. He
was as good a host as ever lived —full of innocent gaiety,
and as easily amused as a child.' Fond of company as he
was, especially when he himself was lord of the feast, he was
never, even once, guilty of excess, or indeed of the slightest approach to it. As an intimate friend of his happily




92                  FATHER MATHEW.
remarked —' He was always cautious, but convivial —fond of
seeing people enjoy themselves, but never once bordering on
being the worse of wine.' Singularly abstemious himself, he
did not in any way run counter to the custom of the day,
much less so when he assumed the duties of a host; in which
capacity he neither spared his wine, nor refrained from pressing his guests to'help themselves.' In those days, the idea
of any man wilfully abstaining from the use of the'gifts of
God,' was never dreamed of; or if a case were mentioned
where a person did not drink wine, or had an aversion to
whisky-punch, it was at once set down to eccentricity, or to
some constitutional tendency —perhaps, to insanity —which
might be developed by the use of stimulants. Father Mathew
then took the world as he found it, never imagining that a
day was to come when he was to lead a crusade against its
most deeply-rooted customs, and to assail strong drink with
all the enthusiasm and ardour of a Soldier of the Cross. He
may have been constitutionally, or from taste, averse to the
free use of wine; but his prevailing motive was the danger
of giving scandal, and the necessity which compelled him, a
priest, to be more circumspect than other men. A glass or
two of wine, or a'tumbler of punch,' carefully and dexterously' watered,' was the extent of his indulgence. And, as an invariable rule, long before the hand of the clock pointed to
ten, he slipped away from whatever company he happened to
be with, and was on his way to his apartment in the Friary,
or to his modest, though afterwards historic, house in Cove
Street.
Father Mathew was a most agreeable companion; for,
what is a thing very rare to be met with, he combined the
two opposite qualities of being a first-rate listener and a firstrate raconteur. His powers as a listener were rather severely
but successfully tested on ones occasion, when he obtained
unmerited credit for the display of other qualites which had
no possible opportunity for their exercise. Among the guests




THE'BORE' FROM THE COUNTRY.          93
whom he entertained that day was a thorough-paced bore
from a neighbouring town, who not only talked of himself; his
affairs, his opinions, his views of things in particular and
things in general, his wisdom, his sagacity, his extraordinary
depth of penetration, &c., but took good care that no one
else should as much as edge in a word. A mill, with a
fine head of water, and the machinery in full motion, could
scarcely vie with this sublime bore, who, though he contrived
to do his duty manfully at dinner, and with the' materials'
afterwards, never stopped the flow of his discourse for a single
minute. He literally held Father Mathew by the ear for the
whole of that evening. But his host was in one of his grandest listening moods. He looked full at his loquacious guest,
with eyes beaming with benevolence, nodding from time to
time'like a mandarin,' occasionally ejaculating'Ah!' in a
tone of surprise or sympathy, and, on very rare occasions,
affording breathing time to the speaker by such expressions
as'Dear me, sirI'' How very strange!''It is quite
wonderful, my dear sir!' This was the extent of Father
Mathew's share in that evening's conversation. And yet,
when the unwearied bore bade good night to his host, and
got out into the street, he clutched the arm of the disgusted
friend, who had introduced him and brought him to dine,
saying,'My dear fellow, I had no idea that Mr. Mathew was
so agreeable a man. I assure you, I have been most pleasingly disappointed in him. So full of anecdote! So charming a companion! Such sound common sense! Really I
do n't know when I spent so delightful an evening.'
Now a bore of this kind was a positive relief to Father
Mathew, who rejoiced when he could have some one with
him who relieved him of the trouble of talking. But few
could enter more usefully and profitably into conversation
than he could, when he pleased, or who narrated striking
events or described circumstances of personal occurrence
with better effect.




94                  FATHER MATHEW.
Though leading a life of extraordinary activity, and absorbed in the duties of his ministry, he still found time for
reading other than strictly professional works. He was generally acquainted with the literature of the day, and could
criticise with acuteness the merits of a popular work, pointing
out, with unfailing accuracy, its good or evil tendency, its
fallacies or its truths. To books of travel he was much inclined; but where the traveller penetrated some new country,
explored virgin forests, or described the habits, customs,
modes of life, and superstitions of a wild race, Father Mathew
was captivated by his pages. For natural history he had the
greatest partiality, as it enabled him better to understand the
benignity of Providence, its care for all created things, and
the wonderful adaptation of the animal creation to the sphere
in which it was destined to exist. Whatever, in the wonders
or the beauties of creation, spoke of the glory, the greatness,
or the beneficence of the Supreme Being, filled the heart of
Father Mathew with thankfulness and praise. He was likewise deeply interested in biographical works, especially when
their subject was the life of a man eminent for his public virtue, the devntion of his talents or energies to the good of his
country, the elevation of his race, or the redemption from
bondage of some down-trodden branch of the great human
family.'Plutarch's Lives,' which contain so many instances
of heroic virtue and lofty deeds, had a peculiar charm for a
nature such as his, which, while compassionate towards human
weakness, soared above everything low, or mean, or little
When he did not read himself, he contrived to have one of
his young friends to read for him; and after a good dinner,
and a pleasant chat, which placed the most timid at his ease,
the request was made:'Perhaps, my dear, you would be
good enough to read some pages of an interesting book for
me?'-which request, it need scarcely be added, was irresistible as a royal command. Thus there were two persons
benefited by the reading, the listener and the reader.




HIS SUCCESS AS A PrACE-MAKER.         95
Father Mathew had extraordinary success as a peacemaker. To restore peace in distracted families was the very
thing which he most delighted to do, as well from the natural
prompting of his disposition as from a sense of religious obligation. His visits under such circumstances were those of
an angel. It was impossible to resist the tenderness of his
pleading or the earnestness of his importunity; and many a
husband and wife had reason to bless his timely interference;
and so also had many a parent, to whom the wayward child
was restored, in duty and affection, by his persuasive counsels.
Generally, he was sent for in cases of the kind; but were he
not sent for in a case which had come to his knowledge, he
would contrive to make a visit at the right moment; and not
even the haughtiest or most self-willed could quarrel with
Father Mathew, or feel humiliated by his good offices.'I
declare, sir,' said a gentleman to his friend, one day in the
public street, as Father Mathew left them,'I believe that
man has some extraordinary power about him. I had not
the best feeling towards him, on account of something that
annoyed me; but, sir, I do assure you, the moment he
grasped me by the hand, there was an end to my anger.
I can't say what it is; but if we lived in another age, I
should be inclined to say there was magic in it.'' Would
that we had more of such magic and such magicians in these
days,' was the answer of his friend.
To be a peace-maker was one thing, but to be a matchmaker was quite another. To overtures of every kind which
had match-making for their object, he lent a deaf ear. He
had no objection to see his young friends happy-quite the
contrary; but with the young people themselves, their
parents, and their friends, Father Mathew left such matters.
Nor were tempting offers wanting, offers which might well
shake the firmness of most men. It is a positive fact that
one gentleman offered him so much as a thousand pounds,
if he brought about a marriage with a lady on whom the




96                 FATHER MATHEW.
gentleman had fixed his-intentions. The offer was declined
with good temper.
Father Mathew was made the repository of many a tale
of sorrow or of shame, the slightest betrayal of which would
have brought misery or dishonour to many a home; but he
was also made the recipient of absurd confidences, and his
advice was gravely asked respecting matters which, to say
the least, were not altogether within his province. An instance of the latter kind may be mentioned. Father Mathew
often told it himself, and never without a laugh at its oddity.
A very old and poor woman called on him one day, and
desired particularly to speak with him in private. Her countenance denoted much mental pertubation, and a sigh or two
gave warning of the afflicting nature of the coming disclosure.'Well, my dear,' said Father Mathew,'you seem disturbed;
what is the matter?''Oh, then, your reverence, it's my
"habit" that's troubling me, and I came to ask your reverence what would you advise me to do with it?''Your
"'habit," my dear?''Yes, indeed, your reverence, the
" habit"-it wo n't let me rest easy with thinking what I'm to
do with it.'' Why, my good woman, what is the matter with
your "habit," and what can I possibly do for you?''Well,
your reverence, here's the way it is,-I have the "habit''
for a long time, for, you know, one must always be prepared,
and shure we do n't know the moment when our hour may
come; and, your reverence, I tried it on the other night,
and'-(here a sob choked her utterance) —' and-and-your
reverence-it's too short!' This sad announcement was followed by another burst of emotion.' But, my dear, what?'
-' Oh, your reverence, I hadn't a wink of sleep for the whole
night with thinking of it-and the disgrace of it I' The
matter was becoming serious, and poor Father Mathew was
quite bewildered. What could he do for her, unless give
her money to purchase a newr'habit?' But no; it was not
money, but advice, she required —not a new'habit,' but to




A BRIGHT IDEA.                  97
know what to do with the'habit' to which she had been
accustomed, and which she associated with the happy ending
of her life. A bright idea struck him, which, with as much
gravity as he could summon to his aid, he imparted to his
anxious applicant, who seemed to hang in suspense on his
very look.'Well, my dear, that being the case, I recommend you to put flounces to it.' It was a beautiful idea, and
it brought peace and consolation with it. The old lady
grasped at it with avidity, and gratefully thanked his reverence for his suggestion, and declared she would go home that
moment, and carry it into immediate execution. She left her
adviser with a benediction, and an assurance that she was
now happy in her mind. The reader will best judge of the
nature of the suggested addition, when it is stated that the
habit referred to was a kind of shroud, in which devout
people, belonging to certain lay orders, or religious societies,
were laid out or' waked' in when dead.
Doing good everywhere, consulted by rich and applied to
by poor, promoting every useful or charitable object, possessing the respect and confidence of all creeds and classes in
his adopted city,-such was Father Mathew, when called
upon to assume a new position, and to undertake duties
which, while disturbing the entire course of his priestly life,
drew him from the even tenor of his missionary career, to
new scenes, new acquaintances, a new field of action, new
labours, and new anxieties.




CHAPTER VI.
The House of Industry and its Inmates-The Pioneers of the CauseWilliam Martin's Appeal-Grave Deliberation-Father Mathew
crosses the Rubicon.
FATHER MATHEW had been for some years one of
the governors of the House of Industry-The Cork
Workhouse of those days-in which the poor waifs and strays
of society, the wretched and the broken-down, the victims
of their own folly, or of the calamities, accidents, and vicissitudes of life, found a miserable home. To a man of his nature,
such an assemblage of destitute and helpless human beings
was a cause of the truest sympathy, as of constant enquiry
and consideration.  He possessed the key to open harder
hearts and unlock closer breasts than theirs: and many a
tale of folly and of sin was whispered in his ear, in accents of
self-reproach, by the miserable inmates of that house. The
dilapidated drunkard excited his compassion, but the orphan
child of the drunkard made his heart bleed with sorrow.
While he saw, in that last of asylums, many a victim of the
changing fashions of the day, of manufacturing industry
turned into a new channel, of sickness or decrepitude, he
likewise saw in its dismal wards the dupes of their own
besotted folly, the slaves of a passion that seemed to be as
uncontrollable as it was fatal in its consequences. Here, in
this wretched abode, was the worldly ruin which, from the
pulpit and in the confessional, he had so often depicted as one
of the results of this destructive vice; and in the hospitals,
in the jail, in the lunatic asylum, as in the haunts of infamy,




THE PIONEERS OF THE CAUSE.            9.
he witnessed other phases of the same terrible infatuatN
On the Board of Governors, with Father Mathew, was one
who, himself a convert to the doctrine of total abstinence,
never failed to direct his attention to a case more remarkable
in its distressing features than another, with the observation-'Strong drink is the cause of this.' And having excited the
compassionate sympathy of his hearer, he would add,'Oh,
Theobald Mathew! if thou would only give thy aid, much
good could be done in this city.'
Long before Father Mathew had the slightest idea of
taking any part in the temperance movement, William Martin
had made up his mind that Theobald Mathew was, of all
others, the man best suited to render it successful. For
some eight or ten years previous to the now recognised
commencement of the movement in Ireland, attempts of
various kinds had been made in Cork to diminish, if possible,
the evils of intemperance, and bring the working classes of
that city to believe in the virtue of sobriety. Among those
who were the early and the most prominent labourers in the
then unpromising field, were the Rev. Nicholas Dunscombe,
Rbichard Dowden, and William Martin.    The first was a
Protestant clergymann; the second was a distinguished member of the local Unitarian body, remarkable for his broad
philanthropy, and his advanced opinions on all questions of
social progress and reform; and the third was the honest and
earnest Quaker who afterwards gloried in the title of'Grandfather of the Temperance Cause.' These men, and a few
others of inferior note, worked resolutely and bravely, but
with comparatively little success. They had not the ear, and
therefore found it impossible to reach the heart, of the local
community. They were, in the first place, of a different
religious persuasion to that of the great bulk of the population, and, in the second place, they preached a doctrine, which
excited the wonder of some, but the ridicule of more. A few
believed, and became converts, and the tiny rivulet swelled




100                 FATHER MATHEW.
in the course of time to larger dimensions; but it never
flowed with the strength and volume of a stream. Mr.
Dunscombe was earnest, and spoke with all the force of
sincerity, but, comparatively, in vain-with no result adequate
to his zeal and his persistent advocacy. Richard Dowden
employed every art of the practised orator to enforce his
views, or to obtain even a single convert. He now tried
what fun, and humour, and comical description could do, and,
if that failed, he had recourse to eloquent denunciation and
passionate appeal; still the numbers in his society might
have been easily counted. William  Martin gave his testimony, and essayed his powers of persuasion; but laughter
and derision were for years the only apparent result of his
well-meant efforts. Now and then, others, including some
excellent members of the Society of Friends, spoke in persuasive accents, and made affectionate appeals to audiences
more or less incredulous and unsympathising, which were
generally drawn together more from curiosity, or perhaps a
hope of witnessing'some fun,' than from any other motive.
Tea-parties were occasionally held, and these celebrations
attracted many young people, who came rather in search of
amusement than with the desire of being instructed or improved. What the pioneers of the movement could do, they
did; but notwithstanding the earnestness, the sincerity, and
the single-mindedness of its advocates, the doctrine was
unpalatable, or it was ridiculed as absurd, or condemned as
fanatical, and its practice was regarded, almost generally,
as a kind of eccentricity very nearly bordering on madness.'Now, moderation-if these people only stopped there-is all
well in its way, and is commendable rather than otherwise,
for we ought to be moderate in the use of the gifts of God;
but total abstinence!-why that is the dream of a madman,
and a downright flying in the face of Providence.' This is
how those who condescended to'argue' the question delivered
themselves of their indignant feelings. There was, besides,




WILLIAM MARTIN'S APPEAL.           101
a kind of lurking suspicion that there was some concealed
object, something lurking in the back-ground, in this desire
on the part of Protestants'to entangle Catholics in their
societies.' This suspicion, utterly without foundation, was
still not devoid of a certain influence in closing the ears of
the working classes against well-meant advice and disinterested advocacy. So that, while a few laboured zealously and
perseveringly to preach the cause, they advanced but slowly
and painfully, as it were inch by inch, and made little headway against the tide of popular indifference or popular
mistrust. In vain a reformed veteran, whom excess had
brought to the verge of the grave, to decrepitude and
misery, appealed to his then vigorous upright form, and his
comfortable dress and decent position, to convince his hearers
of the benefit which he had received from a total avoidance
of the cause of his former ruin and disgrace. With as little
profit did a respectable mechanic refer to his years of folly
aand tribulation, and contrast them with his present security
and independence. The advocates were listened to, and applauded, but rarely was their example imitated. The right
man was wanted for the cause, and he was soon to come.'Oh, Theobald Mathew, if thou would but take the cause
in hand!' was the constant appeal of William Martin to
the benevolence of the most popular and influential priest of
the day. These appeals were not addressed to a dull ear or
an insensible heart.' Thou could do such good to these poor
creatures,' were words which haunted the memory and stirred
the conscience of Father Mathew. For some time he made
no sign which could indicate that he was seriously considering
the proposal to undertake the leadership of the movement.
But never was a grave proposal more anxiously considered
in all its bearings. Seriously and solemnly did Theobald
Mathew commune with himself in the solitude of his chamber,
and fervently and humbly did he pray to God to vouchsafe
him light and guidance.




102                  FATHER MATHEW.
Father Mathew was now in his 47th year, and possessed
an extensive and profound experience of his fellow men. In
every phase of life and grade of society, and under every
circumstance common to a large community, that experience
had been gained.   In the mansions of the rich, in the
garrets of the poor, amongst those endowed with the wealth
of the world, and those to whom a week's sickness brought
with it the horrors of actual want, he had witnessed the
working of a vicious and, unhappily, a too-pervading habit.
He had seen the happiness of the brightest home wrecked
by the weakness of a father, by the folly of a husband,
or by the deeper and more terrible misery caused by the
infatuation of the mother and the wife-ruin and dishonour
brought upon young men who had entered upon life with
buoyant hopes, and the most brilliant prospects of success.
He had beheld the prosperous merchant, the successful
trader, the energetic manufacturer, sink  gradually into
bankruptcy and decay. With even greater sorrow, he had
seen the light of genius, extinguished in hopeless gloom, and
splendid talents flung recklessly away, as if they were not
the special gifts of God to a chosen few. To use his own
expressive words, he had seen the stars of heaven fall, and
the cedars of Lebanon laid low. In the prison, the madhouse, the hospital, the workhouse, he recognised the victims
of this absorbing passion. Poverty and disease, debasement
and crime, he in a great measure attributed to its baneful
influence.  He admired and was proud of the intelligence
of the artisans of his city, but he deplored their recklessness
and their improvidence. He knew many, many families, that
ought to be independent, and even in the enjoyment of comforts, plunged in a state of chronic misery, and frequently
indebted for a single meal to the accommodation of the
pawn-office-children in rags and squalor, with coarse words
upon their young lips-wives despairing and broken-hearted
— husbands debauched or brutal.




GRAVE DELIBERATION.              103
All this, and more, had pressed upon his mind, filling him
with sorrow and dismay, not imagining how a remedy was to
be had for an evil of such magnitude, so deeply-rooted and
so widely-spread.  Was there not Religion?-why could it
not prove of avail in this instance? Surely, it had accom
plished greater miracles-why not this? But the difficultyand no man knew it better than Father Mathew-was how
to bring the influence of religion to bear upon the habitual
and confirmed drunkard. The drunkard was not the one to
attend to the ministrations of his clergyman; he frequently
failed to comply with one of the most obvious duties of the
Christian-namely, to go to his place of worship on the
Sunday. If he occasionally made resolutions of amendment,
he neglected to fortify those resolutions with the graces of
religion.  His fatal habit was a bar between him and the
religious influence. He fought against it, derided it, or kept
it at a distance; and if he yielded to it at last, it was, perhaps on his bed of damp straw, to which drink had brought
him, or on a pallet in the hospital, to which an accident or
injury received in some savage conflict had consigned him.
Tlhen indeed he promised amendment for the future; but
Fatlier Mathew knew, alas! too well, how, once out of danger, such promises, extorted by fear, were broken in healthbroken as easily as strong men break bands of straw-or,
like the impress of the foot on the sand, were washed away
by the next wave.
What cozld he do?-Father Mathew asked himself in the
solitude of his midnight musing-what could he do for the
people he so truly loved? how could he benefit the poor, in
whose sorrows, sufferings, and poverty he recognised the
image of his Redeemer? Was there really a remedy in this
pledge of total abstinence, this total avoidance of the cause
of the evils he deplored? Would it, could it be ever adopted —that is, generally, or to any extent?  Were not the
habits, customs, feelings, and associations of the Irish people




104                 FATHER MATHEW.
opposed to this total renunciation of a long-accustomed indulgence? Were all the social enjoyments to be given up?
Was moderation, that which he had practised during his entire life, and which he had so often seen enhance the delights
of friendly intercourse-was this to be condemned as an evil?
Was wine to be banished from the table, and anathematised
as an unmitigated mischief?  Did not hundred' of his own
personal friends, his most esteemed and honoured friends, men
of blameless lives,-good and religious and charitable,-did
not they use it and enjoy it, and in moderation too? Was
lie to tell them that they were doing wrong?
Then, there were vast interests which would be imperilled
by the change fiom a habit which was so universal. Enormous capital was invested in breweries and distilleries.
Thousands of families were living in independence by this
trade, discharging all the duties of citizenship, educating and
providing for their own children, and not neglecting the
children of the poor; contributing to the charities, supporting every useful institution, and freely responding to every
appeal on behalf of religion. Were there not fully five hundred retailers of drink in his own city, almost every one of
whom he knew, and from many of whom he had. obtained
liberal assistance in his good works? and were their families
to be thrown on the world, and by his hand, too?
Then again, would the attempt succeed, as he was told it
would if he would only aid it? Was not the opposing power
too great to be overcome? The personal interests of those
engaged in the trade-the habits and customs of s(ciety —
the weakness of man's nature,-were not these fatal obstacles to the success of so desperate an attempt? Was it
prudent, was it wise, was it honest, to undertake so tremendous a task, when, in all human probability, the result would
be none other than failure? Besides, there were the friends
whom he would pain, the friendships which it might sever,
the injury which it would inflict. Nay, his own flesh and




HE CROSSES THE RUBICON.            105
blood-the brothers of his youth-their young children, whom
he loved with such yearning fondness-the husband of his
sister,-these would be among the victims of his mission, were
that mission to be successful! Was he also to abandon the
darling object of his life, that noblest ambition of the Minister
of Religion, the completion of a temple to the worship of the
Deity?
Such were the thoughts that passed through the perplexed
mind of the good priest, as he remembered the frequent
appeal,'Oh I Theobald Mathew, if thou would only give thy
aid to the cause, what good thou wouldst do for these poor
creatures!' and passed in review the dangers and obstacles
which he would have to encounter, could he bring himself to
take so formidable a step. Vanity had no seductions in a
moment and in an issue like this. The responsibility was too
awful, the risk too terrible, the consequences of success too
grave, the shame of failure too bitter.  In prayer, on his
knees before his God, he sought for guidance from on high;
and if, after long and anxious deliberation, and frequent mental struggles, he became at last convinced that the cause was
one in which, for the sake of his people, he ought boldly and
unreservedly embark, and if he decided on placing himself at
the head of the movement, may we not believe that he received the guidance which he so reverently sought?
He did not decide until after long and anxious deliberation; but once having decided, he acted promptly, as a man
whose mind was thoroughly made up. Like Ceesar, he had
crossed the Rubicon.




106
CHAPTER VII.
He consults William Martin-' Here goes, in the name of God!'The Horse-Bazaar-The Movement Progresses-Billy MartinWilliam's Oratory-William's gentler Breathings-The Reconcilement.
THAT was a joyful day to honest William Martin, on
which, early in April 1838, he received a message from
Father Mathew, requesting his presence that evening at
the house in Cove Street.    William, as he afterwards
assured his friends,'had a presentiment of what was about
to happen,' and for that day he carried his sixty-eight
years as jauntily as if they had been only thirty. At the
appointed moment he was at the door, which was open
for his reception; and there, at the threshold, stood his
friend Theobald Mathew ready to receive him, his handsome countenance radiant with kindness and good nature.'Welcome, Mr. Martin; welcome, my dear friend. It is
very kind of you to come to me at so short a notice, and
so punctually too.''I was right glad to come to thee,
Theobald Mathew, for I expected that thou had good
news for me.''Well, Mr. Martin, I have sent for you to
assist me in forming a temperance society in this neighbourhood.''I knew it!' said William;'something seemed
to tell me that thou would'st do it at last.''My dear
sir, it was not a matter to be undertaken lightly, and I
feel that there are many difficulties in the way.''There
are difficulties in everything we do,' remarked William;'but thou knowest we must conquer them.''Very true,
my dear fiiend, we must try and do so. You remember




HE CONSULTS WILLIAM MARTIN.           107
that, a considerable time ago, you spoke to me on the
subject at the House of Industry.''I remember it well,
and that I often spoke to thee about it, and told thee that
thou were the only man that could help us.''At that
tin.e,' continued Father Mathew,'I could not see my way
clearly to take up the question; but I have thought much
of it since then, and I think I do see my way now. I
have been asked by several good men to take up the cause,
aid I feel I can no longer refuse. How are we to begin,
Mr. Martin?''Easiy enough,' said honest William.'Appoint a place to hold the meeting, fix a day and hour,-and
that's the way to begin.''Will Tuesday next, at seven
o'clock, in my schoolroom, answer?' asked Father Mathew.
It's the very thing,' said William, who added,-'This
will be joyful news for our frields. Oh! Theobald Mathew,
thou hast made me a happy man this night.' An affectionate pressure of the hand was the response.
This, indeed, was great news for the friends of temperance-for those who had struggled so long, and in vain, to
arrest even the decent attention of the community, and who
had seen such little result from their many years of earnest
and disinterested labours.  They rejoiced unfeignedly, and
wisely considered that the cause was thenceforth destined to
advance; though no one could have then imagined that it
would ever have assumed the importance which it obtained
in scarcely more than a year from that date. People do not
anticipate miraculous revolutions; and what was to happen
was of this class.
When it became generally known through the city that
Father Mathew had taken this important step, some applauded him, and said that it was in keeping with his other good
works; but a much larger number ridiculed the notion of his
lining the'fanatics.' Those who were inclined to take a
lenient view of his folly, said lie had lost his usual good sense,
or attributed his conduct partly to a momentary impulse, and




108               FATHER MATHEW.
partly to his natural unwillingness to say'no' to any application.'And then, those temperance fellows have been so pestering and bothering the poor man, that he could not resist
their importunities.' To say the truth, many of his friends
were deeply disgusted at what they regarded as an uuaccountalle freak, or, at the best, an instance of pitiable weakness.
Tile meeting was not a very large one, whatever its future
influence upon the country and upon its people. Of course, the
veterans were there to witness the triumph of their courage
and fidelity. Several of the personal followers of Father
iMathew were there also. But of those in whose behalf he
had consented to place himself in a position from which his
natural modesty shrank, there was a small attendance. It
mattered little, however, what the attendance was, whether
small or great; it was the work to be then undertaken which
was of importance. The place of meeting was auspicious and
appropriate. It was the schoolroom   in which, for nearly
twenty years, since when it had been established by the good
priest who now placed himself at the head of another movement for the good of the people, many hundreds, nay thousands, of the children of the poor had been taught, trained,
and fed within its walls, and prepared, by knowledge and by
industry, for the better discharge of their duties in life.
Father Mathew took the chair, and opened the proceedings
in a short address. He briefly described the object for which
he had called his friends together, and referred to the frequent
applications that had been made to him by gentlemen who
differed from him in religion, but who were known and respected for their worth and benevolence.
These gentlemen (he continued) are good enough to say that I
could be useful in promoting the great virtue of temperance, and
arresting the spread of drunkenness. I am quite alive to the evils
which this vice brings with it, especially to the humbler classes, who
are naturally most exposed to its temptation, and liable to yield to its
seductive influences. I have always endeavoured, as a minister of




'HERE GOES, IN THE NAME OF GOD 1'          109
religion, to discourage drunkenness, not with the success I desired,
it is true; but I yielded to no one in my wish to see our working
classes sober and self-respecting. I could not refuse to listen to the
many appeals made to me. Your respected friend Mr. Martin has
often asked me to do what I am about to do this night-and Mr.
Olden. whom you well know, has told me that' the mission was from
God, and that I should not reject it.' My dear friends, I much fear
that your kind partiality has made you overlook my many defects, and
attribute to me merits which I am very far from possessing; but if,
through any humble instrumentality of mine, I can do good to my
fellow creatures. and give glory to God, I feel I am bound, as a
minister of the Gospel, to throw all personal considerations aside, and
try and give a helping hand to gentlemen who have afforded me so
excellent an example. Indeed. if only one poor soul could be rescued
fiom destruction by what we are now attempting, it would be giving
glory to God, and well worth all the trouble we could take. No person
in health has any need of intoxicating drinks. My dear friends, you
don't require them, nor do I require them-neither do I take them.
Many of you here have proved that they can be done without, for you
are strong in health, and in the possession of all your faculties. After
much reflection on the subject, I have come to the conviction that
there is no necessity for them for any one in good health; and I advise
you all to follow my example. I will be the first to sign my name in
the book which is on the table, and I hope we shall soon have it full.
Father Mathew then approached the table, and, taking the
pen, said, in a voice heard by all, and remembered by many
to this day-' Here goes, in the name of God!' and signed as
follows,-' Revd. Theobald Mathew, C. C., Cove Street, No. 1.'
It is not possible to describe the exultation of William
Martin, and the deep satisfaction felt by others; it is sufficient
to say that sixty names were enrolled that night, including
the names of some who, now much advanced in life, are still
faithful to the promise of that memorable evening-the
10th of April 1838.
From that moment Father Mathew became public property.
His time was thenceforward no longer his own, and his house
was soon to lose its accustomed privacy.  Day by day, there
grew upon him an amount of labour, labour of body and of




110                 FTHR ATHER MATHE
mind, such as perhaps no other man ever went through, and
which, could he at all have anticipated it when he wrote that
signature in the book, might have appalled even his self-sacrificing spirit. Now indeed his twenty-five years of devotion:o
the service of his fellow-citizens proved of infinite value to
him. His reputation, for every virtue which could adorn'a
man or a priest, had long been established in the hearts of
the mass of the population, with whom his name had become
a household word, the type of goodness, and charity, and
compassionateness. No man had ever more successfully prepared the way for his own work, or so securely laid the
foundations-broad, deep, wide, and solid-of his own future
fame, as he had done during those five and twenty years.  In
his confessional, in his pulpit, in the squalid garret, in the
haunts of fever, by the bedside of the sinner, in the wards of
the cholera hospital, in his munificent charities, in his unostentatious benevolence, in his acts of untold kindness and generosity-zn his whole life-lay the secret of his marvellous
success-of the miraculous progress of the movement of which
he had now become the leader. He may have been, and
indeed was, derided by many, though only for a short time;
but no one was foolish or wicked enough to question
either the sincerity of his conviction, or the purity of his
motives. Theobald Mathew's character was beyond the reach
of calumny. In the reverence of the people for that character
was based the foundation of the temperance cause in Corkin Ireland-in Scotland and England-in America. No other
man could have done the work; he did it, because he was
the right man to do it.
At the next meeting, to which the public were invited
through placards, the signatures were very much increased;
for once it was generally known that Father Mathew had'a society of his own,' the interest of the working classes was
attracted towards it. Soon the crowds became so great, that
fears were entertained of the security of the loft of the old




THE HORSE-BAZAAR.                I 1
store, in which the meetings were held on two nights in the
week, and also on Sunday, after'last Mass.' Curiosity, no
doubt, attracted numbers to these meetings. They desired to
ascertain for themselves what Father Mathew really said, and
if it were possible that he recommended people to give up
drink of every kind, and that he adopted the motto of'Billy
Martin'-not to'touch, taste, or handle,' what William
unflatteringly designated as'poison' and'brewer's wash.' To
their great amazement, they found that their faithful and
beloved friend, the friend of the poor and the needy, whose
every effort had been devoted to the service of the people, did
advise them, in simple and affectionate language, to avoid a
certain cause of danger, and to prefer solid comforts, to a false
and fleeting gratification.  He told them some of the facts
of his experience, which facts now assumed a more startling
significance to his own mind; and, depicting in forcible but
unexaggerated language the misery and ruin, the sorrow and
disgrace, which drink brought upon society, especially on those
who lived by the sweat of their brow and the labour of their
hands, he exhorted them to think of their own interests, their
children's welfare, their happiness in this world and in the
next, and, with the courage of a truly Christian people, to free
themselves from the bondage of a degrading habit. Coming
from any one, such advice was good; but urged by Father
Mathew, it was irresistible. Thus more was done by him in a
few weeks for temperance in Cork than had been accomplished
in twice that number of years before.
It became therefore indispensable that a suitable place
should be found, which would be capable of accommodating
the thousands who flocked to the preaching of the new doctrine.
Fortunately, it was found in the Horse Bazaar, a great covered space, in which, for years after, more than 4,000 persons
were frequently assembled. It was quite convenient to, and
within a few yards of, Father Mathew's house in Cove Street,
and was placed unreservedly at Iris disposal by one of his




112                 FATHER MATHEW.
sincerest friends and most devoted followers, Mrs. O'Connor.
It was in this vast and dimly-lighted building that temperance
was rocked and nursed, and that the sturdy infant grew strong
and robust and bold, until eventually it attracted public attention to what it was doing. At first, Father Mathew did not
speak at any length, and preferred that the speaking should
fall to the share of others; and the walls of the Bazaar rang
nigllt after night with fervid and impassioned oratory such as,
whatever some may think to the contrary, a theme of the kind
is calculated to elicit and inspire. Nor was there any lack of
really clever speakers now surrounding Father Mathew. He
had nearly all the old practised advocates, who had the usual
arguments at their fingers' ends; but he had likewise men of
ability and enthusiasm, who flung into their advocacy all the
ardour of their youth, and who, with the versatility and vivacity common to their country, enlivened their addresses by
humorous descriptions and witty and amusing sallies. The
speaking had the charm of variety and contrast. Following
after the homely good sense and oftentimes unconsciously comical oratory of'Billy Martin, as people would persist in calling him, there flashed a brilliant speech from Frank Walsh,
a barrister of local celebrity, one of the best popular orators
of the day, and a man beloved for the genial kindness of his
disposition.  Frank Walsh was an invaluable aid to Father
Mathew, and was one of the first to make attractive the
meetings of the Bazaar. He could elicit the tear by his
pathos, and delight his audience by his playful fancy and
happy mimicry. Then some honest artisan, conquering his
bashfulness, narrated his experience, sometimes with homely
simplicity, but as often with genuine humour. Then there was
the Secretary, James M'Kenna, who had known the two sides
of the question from personal experience, and whose speeches
frequently partook of the character of rhapsodies, rather
startling to the ear of the critic, but to which the evident
sincerity of the speaker imparted the genuine ring. There were




THE MOVEMENT PROGRESSES- CBILLY MARTIN )  113
others; but it is not necessary that their names should be
mentioned. Suffice it to say, that scarcely in any community
could any cause have been better supplied with advocates, or
a leader sustained by more zealous and devoted lieutenants.
The movement rolled on majestically. The hundreds rapidly swelled into thousands, and the thousands were, before the
year was at an end, to become hundreds of thousands. Thus,
in three months fiom the day that Father Mathew signed
the book'in the name of God,' the number on the roll was
25,000; in five months, it was 131,000; and in less than nine
months —from April to December of the year 1838-it was
]56,000. So the temperance reformation went on, swelling
like the tide, till it rushed with the force of a torrent, and
eventually assumed, so to speak, the dimensions of an ocean.
No wonder that'Billy Martin' should occasionally, in the
exuberance of his delight, depart from the decorous placidity
of the Friend. As this worthy man had much to do with
inducing Father Mathew to join the movement, or rather to
create and lead it, the present may be a fitting time to give
the reader an idea of what'the Grandfather of the cause'
was like.
At the first time of his adopting temperance notions, which
were decidedly repugnant to-his social and convivial habits,
he was far advanced in life; and when he signed his name
on the 10th of April 1838, he was within two years of the
patriarchal age of seventy. But he was as strong as an
elephant, and as active as a horse-the two animals he
invariably introduced into what may be termed his sensation
speeches. Broad, sturdy, and vigorous, he had gone into the
cause with all the earnestness, honesty, and obstinacy of his
nature. Honest and upright in his dealings, he was just the
man to' stand no nonsense,' and to despise half measures from
the bottom of his soul. William was a philanthropist, and
abhorred slavery and oppression of every kind. He was a
negro emancipationist, and an enemy to capital punishment;




114                FATHER MATHEW.
but to no cause did he devote a tithe of the ardour and
energy that he did to temperance. He had given up whiskypunch and wine and porter himself; and why should n't every.
one do the same? He made the sacrifice,-if it were a sacrifice, —and he should like to know why every other person in
the world should not do likewise?
For years, William had been accustomed to decorate his
shop-window with flaring placards and startling pictures,
which silently though forcibly advocated his darling cause.
Whatever came from   the temperance printing-press which
most strikingly illustrated the folly, the ruin, or the disgrace
of drunkenness, or depicted in the most glowing colours the
advantages which followed in the path of sobriety, found
a place in this picture-gallery of his. No caricature of the'miserable drunkard' was too broad for his taste; it was
impossible that the colours could be laid on too thick or too
dark for William's satisfaction. Besides, as he said, the public were to be frightened if they could not be argued out
of the folly and wickedness of their drinking habits; and
the ladies too, lie added, should be shown'what came of
their drinking their couple of glasses of their nice port
and their beautiful sherry.' There were pictures to suitevery understanding. Those who could not be won by examples of domestic felicity, in which a lady in pink, with a
very small child sitting on the carpet at her feet, and a gentleman in a blue coat and yellow trowsers, reading by a lamp,
pleasingly figured, were appealed to through their grosser
sense-the concupiscence of the eye-by the representation of
a prodigious plum-pudding, bristling with huge almonds, or of
a mammoth round of beef; while those who were insensible
to persuasion, and should be dealt with sternly, were aroused
to a sense of their danger by an internal scene, in which a
gentleman was represented in the act of administering a
second and evidently a superfluous blow to his wife, witl a
poker of gigan.tic cleinetsioiis; or a street scene, in which the
ZD ~~ 




WILLIAM MARTINIS ORATORY.            115'groggery' and the brewery and distillery were represented
as being under the direct superintendence, and indeed active
management, of Satan and a host of hoofed and horned satellites. The mass of the community at that time regarded
total abstinence as the wildest of wild dreams, and the most
foolish of absurdities; and, in their eyes, he who preached
it was either a fool, a knave, a dupe, or an impostor. But
William did not care a button as to what people said or
thought of him; he resolved that if they would not listen to
the truth, they should see it.  Therefore everything novel and
astounding found an honoured place in his shop-window; and
when a crowd gathered and gaped, great was his rejoicing
thereat.
He delighted in all the catch-words of temperance oratory,
and repeated with undiminished relish certain couplets and
scraps which enriched the harangues of the ordinary temperance platforms-such as
Drink of the fountain bubbling free;'T was good for Samson, and't is good for thee.
Though a Friend, and a lover of peace, William  was a
fierce zealot in temperance.  Indeed I am thoroughly convinced that he would have cheerfully gone to the stake-of
course, after first sturdily fighting against it-in defence of
his principles; and it is much to be feared that he would not
have dealt over mercifully with the'groggeries,' which were
the objects of his special detestation-had he them in his power. He preached total abstinence on many occasions with an
energy and vehemence startling to unaccustomed ears. His
speech was at times rather a war-whoop than an appeal to
the reasoning faculties. In this respect he was a remarkable
contrast to those members of the Society of Friends who had
joined at an early period.  Bland and gentle in manner, and
persuasive in advocacy, they, when compared with William,
were as the softest whispering of the gentlest zephyr to the
L~V VIYUVVVIV~~I~lrVILl




116                 FATHER MATHEW.
swell and roar of the storm. Nor was William   Martin
always in the stormy mood: he could be humorous and playful, and relished fun amazingly, as well as indulged in it, to
the vast delight of his audience-especially after the company
had enjoyed a more than usually satisfactory tea.
The writer well remembers the amazement depicted on the
countenances of two American Friends, whom Father Mathew
had brought with him to a'soiree,' while listening to a speech
from William. He was in majestic force this night, and
seemed evidently. determined to afford his transatlantic brethren a lively idea of how things were done in Ireland. He
revelled in comical pictures and droll incidents, and he wound
up with his favourite queries, which clinched the argument,
and left his imaginary opponent tramplpd beneath his sturdy
feet. Imagine this broad-shouldered vigorous old man of
seventy roaring out the following questions and answers, his
voice swelling in volume and his vehemence culminating to a
force quite prodigious at the final and crushing assertion-'Whlat does the Race-horse drink?-Water I What does the
Elephant drink?-Water!! What does the Lion drink?Water!!  It is good for Man, Beast, and Bird I I 1!' As
hes houted out the last word, which he usually pronounced
as if it were spelt with a'u' instead of an'i,' he was
carried away by his energy, and literally roared and stamped-the American friends looking on in indescribable amazement, perhaps either dreading apoplexy for the impassioned
orator, or the sudden giving way of the floor, which, no
doubt, William  sorely tried. Father Mathew thoroughly
relished his friend William's exhibitions of' earnestness and
sincerity,' as he rather mildly designated these grand outbursts. The following, which was accurately reported at the
time-it was spoken in 1843-will afford a favourable specimen of William Martin's gentler breathings:-'Well, my friends, how things are changed!-thanks to
your good President. I remember the time when I was the




WILLIAM'S GENTLER BREATHINGS.             117
scoff and scorn of all Cork.' Here an old lady, from the
root and vegetable market, with a deep lace frill to her
snowy cap, which was ornamented with a broad ribbon of the
most brilliant hue, remarked, in a consolatory tone-' Do n't
mind what they did, Mr. Martin, darling —'t is you had the
sense, and they had n'" God bless you I you knew what was
good for poor craytures, and't is finely you are this blessed
night, sure enough.'  When the good humoured laughter
which this sally provoked had subsided, the speaker continued
his address —"Tis a great change for the better.   But I
knew how it would be.   When that meeting was held on the
10th of April, 1838, and your respected President undertook the task, I felt as if a load was taken off my shoulders,
and put upon Theobald Mathew's.'    Mr. Martin, finding his
audience to be in the most amiable mood, thus pleasantly
relaxed:I will just tell you an anecdote, to show you how foolish a poor
fellow may become when he has a little drop in. There was a man
named John Turner, who thought that he should go to the publichouse, and take a pint of porter; he had 2s. 6d. in his pocket, besides
the price of two pints. Well, John Turner went in, and called for
one pint, and then he called for another, and at last poor John Turner
fell asleep. Now there were some'purty boys' in the tap-room at
the time, and they got a cork and burned it over the candle, and
smeared poor John's face, until he became like a black. Well, one
said that he ought to cut off one of John's whiskers; and when that
one was off, they did n't think it was fair but to cut off the other,
until John Turner was clipped as bare as a fighting cock.'Let us
look at his pockets,' said they; and they looked in, and saw 2s. 6d.,
and they took it out. After that they got a looking-glass, and put it
opposite to him, and then they shook him to waken him. John opened his eyes, and rubbed them, and took a peep in the glass.' O dear!
is this me? said John-' no it can't: it must be some other man.
I was a fair man, and I had whiskers on me- and this fellow is
black, and has n't a hair on his face. Oh dear! oh dear! said poor
John,'who am I at all? Well, if it is me,' said John,'I ll soon
find out, for I had 2s. 6d. in my pocket: and if I have n't it, I can't
be John Turner.' He put his hand in his pocket, and there was




11 8                 FATHER MATHEW.
no 2.2. (,/. to Ihe friindl-so he s;id that he could n't be John Turner.
lite tIhei tlhought'ti Ih:-t if alnyvuie sholldl know hlim. it should be his wife;
so he rolled atld sat;taggred to ltie door. tand het ripped, and he says-'Is it here 0on1 J ol0l Tuillr -  lives'?7' It is,' says his wife, who opened the door. *Am I John Turner? —look at me, and tell me am I
John Turninr?'  Yon, alre not John.' says the wife.'John had a
nice fair face. and had line whiskers —and you liave none; and John,
my Johl. used to walk stead ly. and hold himsetlf up like a manbut you are staggeringl ab)out like a drunken fool. and you are nearly
doubled up.''Oh dear! oh dear! thenl who am I?' said John
Turner.' No matter who you are.' said the wife —you are in want
of a lodging, and you must be taken in.' So she let him in; and I
suppose when he awoke in the morning he found out that he was poor
John Turner himself. It is said there is'nourishment' in strong
drinks, but I say it is in the eating that the nourishment is to be
found. When I eat, I find, as the lady said who took the port wine,
that it is doing me good down to my very toes. Here I am in my
seventy-second year, and I am strong and healthy without their'nourishment.' Oh, take the pure bubbling streamDrink from the bubbling fountain free,'T was Sampson's drink,'t is good for thee.
William sat down on this occasion, as he did on most
others, amid a storm of applause.  The same old lady with
the grand cap rushed over to him, and seizing his hand,
exclaimed,'God bless you,' Mr. Martin-'t is you're the
splendid man of your age. Faith't is n't every young fellow
that's like you-strong an' hearty you are this day, my old
buck I God spare you to us for another twenty year, at any
rate.' William was affected, but somewhat embarrassed, by
the old lady's enthusiasm, which was fully shared in by her
female friends in his neighbourhood.
A little incident in which William Martin was concerned,
will afford an interesting idea of the character of the man
whom he sincerely admired. William could, when he so liked,
arid that was not rarely, be as obstinate as a mule.  Father
Mathew was quick, hot, and, at times, obstinate also.   In
fact, he had so lolg, not to say influenced, but even ruled,
others, that he was-at intervals, and rarely, to be sure



THE RECONCILEMENT.              119
impatient of contradiction. William was rough and resolute;
his friend warm and somewhat self-willed.  Some question
arose respecting which the two friends had a difference of
opinion, and neither would yield to the other; and so they fell
out-W-illiam leaving the house in high dudgeon. Scarcely
had the broad back of the sturdy Quaker been lost sight of
at the corner of the street, when poor Father Mathew's
anger vanished like smoke, and gave place to the keenest
compunction.  He was most unhappy at the notion of his
having wounded the feelings of his good old friend, and would
have followed him and implored his forgiveness, if he believed
it would have been of any use. William was grieved in his
own way, and became several degrees more gruff in consequence.  A kind friend interposed, and explanations and
assurances of mutual regard and esteem followed.  Father
Mathew quickly availed himself of the opportunity afforded
to him, and proceeding to the place of business of honest
William, fluntg himself upon his neck, and, kissing him on the
cheek, humbly implored his pardon. That was another proud
day for William Martin, between whom and Father Mathew
no cloud, small even as a man's hand, ever again interposed.




120
CHAPTER VIII.
The Pilgrimage to Cork-' Father Mathew's Parlour'-The House in
Cove Street-His man John-The Great Powers of the Kitchen
and the Pantry-The happy working of the Cause.
T HE 200,000 on the roll of the society in the month of
January, 1839, were not exclusively from the city and
county of Cork. It is true, the city and county contributed
a large portion of the entire; but the number was partly
made up by those who poured in from the adjoining counties
of Kerry, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary-and
even from remote Galway. The tidings of the great moral
reformation worked in Cork quickly spread, through the
agency of the public press, throughout the island, and to
all parts of the United Kingdom. The speeches of Father
Mathew and his assistants were copied from one paper into
another, and with them accounts of the success of his mission,
the benefits which it conferred on the community as well as
on the individual, and the evils which it remedied or prevented. Attention was thus arrested and interest excited, and it
was only natural that those who read or heard accounts of
what was doing in Cork, should come to the conclusion that
what was good for Cork was good for other places, and that
what had done one person good would do another person
good; and so, as Father Mathew did not come to them, they
resolved on coming to him. Thus it was that the public
conveyances brought numbers into Cork every day, and that
multitudes of pilgrims might be seen on the roads leading into




THE PILGRIMAGE TO CORK-THE PARLOUR.       121
the city, with their little bundles in their hands, and generally
lame and foot-sore after their long journey. To Cove Street
the pilgrimage was directed. To see Father Mathew-to
take the pledge from him-to be touched by him and blessed
by him,-this was sufficient reward for the longest and
most painful journey. But never did Father Mathew send
the poor pilgrim from his door without having first fed and
comforted him, and, where necessary, provided for his safe
and easy return. A seat on a public car, or something in
the pocket, enabled the poor traveller from a distance —
often of 50 miles, sometimes of 100 miles-to return happy
and joyful to his home. Thus, through the accounts given
by the early pilgrims, of the good man who had heard
their story, who had sympathised with them, who had blessed them and prayed for them, who had treated them as a
father and a benefactor, was the fame of Father Mathew
spread abroad, even more effectually than through the columns
of the public press. The expense entailed on Father Mathew
by what may be described as this pilgrimage to Cork, the
Mecca of temperance, was considerable; and before he ever
sold a single medal, he was involved in debt to the amount of
1,5001., notwithstanding the numerous offerings which he continued to receive as a priest. His resources were not increased, but his expenditure, even thus early in the movement, was
so to a very great extent.
The lower apartment, or parlour, which was on a level
with the street, was converted into a reception room for
those who came to take the pledge: and here was the book
in which the names were enrolled, and here the pledge was
administered.  It was in this celebrated apartment that
scenes such as the following might be daily witnessed. At
all hours of the day and evening-even to ten or eleven
o'clock at night-'batches' of ten, twenty, or even thirty,
might be seen waiting to be enrolled. Some were sober and
penitent; others smelling strongly of their recent potations,




122                FATHER MATHEW.
and ashamed to commit themselves by uttering a word;
more boisterous and rude, their poor wives and mothers
endeavouring to soothe and keep them under control. One
of this class-a big, brawny fellow, with rough voice, bloodshot eyes, and tattered clothes-would roar out:-' I won't
take the pledge-I'11 be  if I do. Is it me! What ococ-occasion have I for it I  I won't demane myself by taking
it. I always stood a trate, and I'1l stand it again. Me
take it I Let me go, woman! I tell you, lave me go!''Oh, Patsy, darlin', don't expose yourself. You know I'm
for your good. And what would his reverence say to you if
he heard you? Do, alana, be quiet, an' wait for the holy
priest.''Well, hould off of me, any way. Can't I take care
of myself?  Can't I do what I like?  Who'll dare say I
can't?''Oh Patsy, Patsy, darlin' I''Is, indeed  Patsy,
darlin' I Let me go, woman 7'-and, bursting away from the
trembling hands of the poor creature, who struggled to hold
the drunken fool; Patsy would make a wild dash to the door,
amidst muttered expressions of sympathy, such as —'God
help you, honest woman I't is you're to be pitied with that
quare man.''Yes,' another would remark,'an' a ine man
he is, and a decent man, too, if he'd only be sober.' But
just as Patsy was about effecting his escape, and swearing
that'he would never be the one of his name to demane himself by taking their dirty pledge,' he was certain to be
arrested by Father Mathew himself, who at a glance knew
the nature of the case.  Catching Patsy with a grasp
stronger than that from which he had escaped, Father
Mathew would say, in a cheerful voice to Patsy, as if that
gentleman had come of his own free will to implore the pledge
at his hands-'Welcome I welcome I my dear. Delighted
to see you. Glad you are come to me. You are doing a
good day's work for yourself and your family. You will have
God's blessing on your head. Poverty is no crime, my dear
child; it is sin alone that lowers us in the eyes of God.




THE HOUSE IN COVE STREET.           123
Kneel down, my dear (a strong pressure on Patsy's shoulder,
under which Patsy reluctantly sinks on his knees), and repeat
the words of the pledge after me; and then I will mark you
with the sign of the Cross, and pray God to keep you from
temptation.' What could poor Patsy do, but yield, as that
magnetic hand rested affectionately on his tangled locks?
And so Patsy's name was added to the long muster-roll of
the pledged.
We doubt if there was a tap-room in Cork in which
a more decided odour of whisky and porter-or, as the
phrase went,'strong drink'-was apparent, than in'Father
Mathew's parlour —especially on the evenings of Saturday
and Monday, but more especially on the latter. The odour
did not however ascend higher, for a door, covered with
faded green baize, shut off the upper from the lower part of
the house; into which, if the reader has no objection, we
shall take a peep.
If Father Mathew lived in a cloister, he could not have
lived more modestly and quietly than he did. His principal
room-his only room, save that in which he slept-was at
once breakfast and dining-room, study and reception-room.
It certainly did not exceed sixteen feet from wall to wall.
Not a morsel of carpet concealed the well-washed boards;
while the furniture consisted of the barest necessaries-a
centre table, a sideboard, a side-table, some chairs, and a
writing-desk. On the side-table was a large-sized bust of
Lord Morpeth, the popular Secretary of Ireland, and friend
of Father Mathew. Two enormous volumes of the Sacred
Scriptures, one containing the Old and the other the New
Testament, flanked the bust; and a glass filled with flowers,
when flowers were in season, completed the adornment of this
show-table. On the wall opposite the fire-place hung a good
oil painting-a portrait of Cardinal Micara, the head of the
Capuchins, who had constantly exhibited the deepest interest
in the career of the illustrious Irish friar.  Opposite the




124                FATHER MATHEW.
windows, a good engraving of a celebrated picture of the
Holy Family was suspended. But, framed with richness and
glazed with reverent care, was a marvellous production in
worsted, intended to represent, and fondly believed by the
donor and artist as well as by its grateful recipient to represent, the religious profession of St. Clare. The desk was
fearfully bespattered with ink, and otherwise exhibited signs
of being an article of furniture more useful than ornamental.
But everything, save the said desk, was neat and in perfect
order.  If it were poverty, it was willingly and honestly
assumed; but the neatness and order bespoke the presence
and influence of a gentleman. In this modest apartment the
Apostle of Temperance was visited by many of the great and
distinguished of the earth, and here he exercised a hospitality
which made those who partook of it experience that most
agreeable of all feelings in the mind of a guest-namely, the
consciousness of being welcome, and at home.
There was one, however, in that house who, in it, was a
much greater man than its master. That was the servant
John. Now, as much of Father Mathew's internal comfort
and peace of mind depended upon John, and the mood in
which he happened to be in, it is necessary to say something
of that august potentate of the pantry.
John was a dried-up, wizened-faced, dapper old bachelor,
who entertained the most exalted opinion of his own wisdom
and knowledge of the world, and the profoundest contempt
for nearly every human creature, save Father Mathew and
his own marvellously-old mother. John was sour of visage
and still more sour of speech. The gleam of his small eyes,
and the downward curl of his thin lips, were pretty good
indications of his general state of mind, which was apt to
be ruffled at the slightest provocation. He was eminently
aristocratic, and hated to be bored by the poor. For his
part, he did n't know what the priest wanted with them, or
they with hm; but he could unhesitatingly say that he




HIS MAN JOHN.                  125
detested their knocks at the door, their constant enquiries,
their vulgar manners, and the sight and smell of their clothes.
John had served in a noble family-hence he was an infallible
authority on all matters of taste, style, and fashion. He
had been in London-therefore he was equally an authority
on foreign travel and the world in general. There was one
article which he specially prized, and which, indeed, divided
with Father Mathew and his venerable mother that small
amount of affection which he condescended to bestow upon
anyone or anything save himself. This was a silver watch
of formidable dimensions, which was encased in three leather
wrappers, no doubt as a precaution against chill or rheumatism. If one desired to conciliate the favour of the magnate,
one perhaps might achieve that grand result by respectfully
requesting to know'what the exact hour was.' John would
graciously proceed to satisfy a curiosity so natural, and would
draw forth the well-protected time-piece, and gravely divest it
of its three wrappers; then, having glanced with a kind of
scientific air at the dial, which was of prodigious surface,
he would loftily announce the time, to the minute and to the
second; having done which, he would caress the back with a
tender hand, and at once restore the valuable article to its
wrappers and his fob.
This sweet-tempered bachelor did not at all admire little
boys. He did n't know what good they were, or why they
were brought into the world, unless to stuff themselves
unpleasantly with pastry, to spoil tablecloths, and to worry
deserving and inoffensive servants. It was a source of
anguish to him to be compelled to allow the priest's two
nephews-boys keen after sweets, and of daring appetiteto have the run of his pantry. But,'John, give the boys
that pie,' was too direct a command to be resisted; and
John would retire with a grumble, while Father Mathew
would stand looking on, his hands deep in his pockets, and a
smile on his face, while the boys ploughed deep into the con



126                 FATHER MATHEW.
tents of a pie-dish, and made paste and fruit vanish before
their combined attack. No doubt John must at times have
wished that some unlooked-for ingredient had been mixed
with the sweets, to punish the lads for the liberties which, on
too frequent occasions, they took with him, and especially
with his age.
The priest was in the habit of inviting young people to
breakfast, always to John's disgust. On one occasion, a young
fellow, nervous and awkward, spilled his tea, and upset his
egg-the shame of which double catastrophe was terribly
enhanced by the display of John's sublime disdain, and the ostentatious solemnity with which the mischief was temporarily
repaired. The poor lad felt himself in a social Coventry,banished from polite society for ever.
John was a good servant, so long as he did not attempt
to play the part of master. He was neat of hand, clean in
person and in habit, and an admirable cook. In the artistic
laying of the cloth for dinner, and the scientific arrangement
of the table, there was not, as he often declared, his superior
in the universe; and really few could excel him in his
soup and coffee. John brought in the soup-tureen with a
solemnity of deportment which would have done honour to a
master-of-ceremonies; and as it was distributed to the guests,
he awaited with grim dignity the accustomed praise. Should
an unhappy guest look dissatisfied, or even indifferent to the
merits of the elixir, he was lost-marked down from that day
in John's darkest tablets. But if he praised it in this fashion
-' Really, this soup is so delightful, that I must trouble you
again, Father Mathew'-he won the artist's heart-took it
by storm. There was, however, one commendation for which
he always looked, and which he invariably obtained-that of
his master, who would have drunk the soup were ditch-water
its principal ingredient, rather than have pained his old follower. The usual formula of approval was thus pronounced
-'Very nice, indeed. Why, Johli, you are getting better




GREAT POWERS OF THE KITCHEN AND THE PANTRY. 12'
every day.' These words were like sunlight to John's moral
landscape. His sour features brightened with delight, and
for the moment the natural vinegar and lemon-juice were
banished from his thin lips.
John loved his master, in his own way, and after his own
fashion; but he had a mission to fulfil, and that was to tyrannise over that master, and to retain Biddy, the woman
servant, in a state of abject subjection. He succeeded in the
former object rather too well; but in the latter he had not
equal success, for Biddy was a woman of spirit, and stood
on her rights, defending them with the valour of a heroine
against the encroachments of the enemy. Little knew the
admiring world outside the difficulty which the Apostle of
Temperance had to maintain even an armed neutrality between the Great Powers of the Kitchen and the Pantry in
Cove Street, or the many and unavailing efforts he had made
to effect a solid and lasting peace on terms honourable to
both. When peace did reign between the Powers, Father
Mathew rejoiced in spirit.
We shall renew our acquaintance with our friend John.
There was no flagging in the good work, as the gradually
widening circle of the'batches' in the Horse Bazaar, and
the increasing numbers pouring into the parlour in Cove
Street, sufficiently attested. The interest of the local conmunity was excited in the movement, and the pride of the
citizens of Cork was gratified by the fact of their city being
the birth-place and cradle of a great moral reformation.
But a deeper feeling was aroused, as the practical results of
sobriety were being daily manifested, not only in the greater
quietness and good order of the streets, but in the material
and moral improvement of those who adopted this once muchridiculed pledge of total abstinence. The numbers in the
prisoners' dock in the Police Court were steadily diminishing,
week after week; masters and employers expressed their
satisfaction at the improved conduct of their servants and




128                 FATHER MATHEW.
work-people; the attendance of children in schools became
more steady and continuous as their parents became sober
and self-respecting; and the appearance of the people generally was marked by an air of -comfort which they had not
previously exhibited.  If the trade of the publican was
lessened, which undoubtedly it was, those who dealt in necessaries and humble luxuries were correspondingly benefited.
Temperance-rooms began to spring into existence; and in
these members gathered together, and drew other members
towards them, as well by the example which they afforded, as
by the inducements they held out. Working men could sit
at the bright fire of the reading-room without risk of temptation, hearing the news, discussing the topics of the hour, or
glorying in the progress of the cause from which they were
taught to expect great honour and lasting advantage to their
country. These reading-rooms ere long assumed a very important feature in the movement, and became one of its most
effective means of practical organisation.
During all this time Father Mathew was as much the
priest as ever. The same early hours, the same attendance
in the confessional, the same attention to his clerical duties,
the same activity and punctuality in whatever he had to
perform. The Father Mathew of 1838 and 1839 was in all
respects, save one, the same as the Father Mathew of any
year since his arrival in Cork; and that one exception was
in the greater labour which he was compelled, fr6m his new
position, to undertake, but which he cheerfully, and indeed
delightedly, went through.  Doubt and uncertainty as to
the step which he had taken, and the course which he was
now fairly entering upon, vanished altogether from his mind
at the spectacle of the rags and misery, the squalor and
wretchedness, the sorrow and crime and ruin, which the experience of each succeeding day proved to be the consequence of the prevailing habit of a people naturally possessed
of the highest moral and social qualities. Whatever may




HAPPY WORKING OF THE CAUSE.             129
have been his former apprehensions as to the difficulty he
would have to encounter, and the risk of failure in his undertaking, he had entirely forgotten that he ever entertained
such a sentiment. In fact, Father Mathew had caught the
contagion of the movement, and was now as confident and
fearless as the least responsible member of his already vast
society.  From  a timid yet willing convert, he had warmed into an enthusiast; and that too, ere many months had
passed since he used the memorable words-' Here goes, in
the name of God!' There was not a man in Ireland whose
heart and soul were more thoroughly enlisted in the cause.
He saw in it the social redemption of the individual, the
national elevation of the country; and he gave himself up to
it without reserve, in the spirit of a Christian and a patriot.
And he had his reward in the happy faces and decent appearance of the people, as he met them in the streets, saw them
in their homes, or observed them in the body of the church,
or at the rails of the altar.
It was thus, in four years from the commencement of his
work, that, at a' festival' in the town of Nenagh, he happily
referred to the motives which had induced him to undertake
the task:This great temperance movement which we witness, was not lightly
thought of by me; it was not the result of sudden excitement; it
was not the impulse of a moment, that induced me to undertake the
share I have had in it. I pondered long upon it; I examined it carefully; I had long reflected on the degradation to which my country
was reduced-a country, I will say, second to none in the universe
for every element that constitutes a nation's greatness, with a people
whose generous nature is the world's admiration. I mourned in
secret over the miseries of this country; I endeavoured to find out
the cause of those miseries, and, if that were possible, to apply a
remedy. I saw that those miseries were chiefly owing to the crimes
of the people, and that those crimes again had their origin in the use
that was made of intoxicating drinks. I discovered that if the cause
were removed, the effects would cease; and with my hope in the
God of universal benevolence and charity, reposing my hopes in the




130                  FATHER MATHEW.
Omnipotent, I began this mission in Cork, with the cordial assistance
afforded me by persons widely differing in creed, and particularly by
members of the Society of Friends in that city.  Four years have
passed away since the grain of mustard-seed was sown; many perils
were encountered; many objections had to be met; misrepresentation
had to be combated; opposition had to be faced. I went on, notwithstanding all. The grain of mustard seed grew by degrees into that
mighty and majestic tree that has overshadowed the land, and under
whose peaceful and protecting branches we are met this evening.
Invitations now began to pour in upon Father Mathew
from many parts of the country, more particularly from the
adjoining counties, soliciting his presence, that he might administer the pledge, and organise local societies. For some
time he did not yield to these entreaties, however supplicatory
and pressing; but his compassion for the pilgrims from a distance, who so often knelt before him hungry, fainting, and
foot-sore, at length prevailed over his reluctance; and from
that moment might be said to have commenced a new
phase in the movement, whose progress thenceforward was
prodigious, and whose success was almost miraculous.




1S1
CHAPTER      IX.
He visits Limerick -Extraordinary Excitement caused by his Visit
-Its Result-Visits Waterford-Speech of Bishop ForanWhimsical Occurrence-First Sale of Cards and Medals-In
Borrisoka.ne —Gos to Dublin-Denies he can effect CuresSimplicity and Efficacy of the Pledge.
HE city of Limerick was the first scene of his missionary labours. He had been invited to visit that city
by his venerable friend, the Righlt Rev. Dr. Ryan, a man
simple and homely in manner, but of solid good sense, and
true Christian piety.  Father Mathew the more readily
yielded to the invitation, as his doing so afforded him the
opportunity of visiting his sister, Mrs. Dunbar, to whom he
was tenderly attached, and to whom he had always stood
more in the relation of a parent than a brother. The announcement of his intended visit-of the coming of the'Apostle of Temperance' —produced the most extraordinary effect,
as it was borne from village to village, from town to town,
from county to county, along the banks of the noble Shannon,
and far away into the wilds of distant Connemara. Father
Mathew, of whom mothers told their children, and the old,
by the fireside, spoke with reverence, was coming to Limerick I
The first week in December 1839 was a memorable time in
that fine city. Even on the day before he was expected to
arrive, the principal roads were black with groups of people
-om all parts of the county, from the adjoining counties, and
from the province of Connaught.  During the next day, the
streets of Limerick were choked with dense masses-with a




132                  FATHER MATHEW.
multitude which it was impossible to count, and whose numbers were guessed at, as being something fabulous.  It was
an invasion, a taking of the town by storm. The necessaries
of life rose to famine prices —for who could have anticipated
such a mighty rush?-and where were food and drink to
be found for those myriad mouths? What the authorities,
the Bishop and his clergy, and the good citizens could do,
to relieve the necessities and minister to the wants of the
strangers, they generously did.   The public rooms were
thrown open for their shelter at night; for were the town
ten times its size, it could scarcely have afforded ordinary
sleeping accommodation for those who now stood in need of
it. Father Mathew's reception was an. ovation such as few
men ever received; indeed still fewer had ever excited in a
people the same blended feelings of love, and reverence, and
enthusiasm.  Though with a serious and solemn purpose in
their minds, the people rushed towards him as if possessed
by a frenzy. They struggled and fought their way through
living masses, through every obstacle, until they found themselves in his presence, at his feet, listening to his voice, receiving his blessing, repeating after him the words which emancipated them, as they felt, from sin, sorrow, and temptation.
With considerate kindness, the authorities had taken such
precautions as would have sufficed on an ordinary occasion;
but the following extract, from a biographical notice, written
in a few months after, by the late Rev. James Birmingham,
P. P. of Borrisokane, will show with what result on this
extraordinary occasion:So great was the rush of the temperance postulants, that the iron
railing opposite the house of Mr. Dunbar, the rev. gentleman's
brother-in-law, in which he had stopped, were carried away, and a
number of persons were precipitated into the Shannon. Fortunately
they were all safely picked up, and no further accident occurred. I
have been told by those who were spectators of the scene, that some
of the horses, with their riders, of the Scots Greys, who attended to
keep order, were occasionally lifted from the ground, and carried away




INVITED TO WATERFORD.                 133
for a short distance by the rushing multitude; and so densely were
the people crowded, that several, in their eagerness to approach Mr.
Mathew, ran along to their destination quietly and securely on the
heads and shoulders of the vast assemblage.
After four days of incessant labour —preaching and exhorting so long as the least remnant of voice was left himFather Mathew concluded one of the most successful of all
his temperance missions, and one that imparted an amazing
impetus to the progress of the cause, which, in those four
days, had obtained 150,000 additional disciples and propagandists. Thenceforward there was no going back, no halt
or hesitation-the word was'Onwards!'
Though Limerick may claim the honour of the first missionary visit of the Apostle of Temperance, Waterford claims,
through the Right Rev. Dr. Foran, the good Bishop of that
day, the distinction of being the first city which invited him.
That invitation was given in the following letter, which is the
more important as it describes, in a few words, the earlier
phases of the wondrous popular movement:Waterford: November 4, 1839.
VERY REV. DEAR SIR,-Anxious to cooperate with you in your
zealous and, under God, successful undertaking of bringing the
people of this country to habits of temperance and sobriety, I. and
the clergy of this city, are doing what we can to induce our flocks
here to enroll themselves in your society. A great number of habitual
drunkards have willingly come forward and expressed their ardent
desire to become members of your Temperance Society, but many of
them, from their extreme poverty, are unable to defray the expense
of a journey to Cork. If you could make it your convenience to come
here. any time between this and Advent. and begin the good work in
this city, you would, I have no doubt, do incalculable good. While
you are here, my house shall be yours. May I request, at your convenience, a few lines in answer?
I remain, very reverend dear sir,
With esteem, yours faithfully,
* N. FORAN.
The success which attended the first visit may be best




134                   FATHER MATHEW.
described in the words of the amiable prelate, whose apostolic
character was depicted in the sweetness of his countenance,
and the mildness and gentleness of his manner.   On a subsequent occasion, when the elite of Waterford were assembled in
the Town Hall to do honour to Father Mathew, Dr. Foran,
when responding to the mention of his own name, said:Your Chairman told you that I was the first Catholic Bishop who
invited Father Mathew to his diocese. It is true I was. The cause
of temperance commenced in Waterford before Father Mathew visited
our city. When he was administering the pledge in Cork, and when
the fame of his great mission had gone abroad, hundreds of the
people of Waterford journeyed to Cork, and on foot. at an inclement
season of the year. in order to become enrolled under his banner.
Some good and humane gentlemen. on seeing this. came forward and
offered to raise a sufficient sum to send the people on cars.'No,' said
I,'but we can write to Father Mathew to come to us for a day or
two.' I did write accordingly. and Father Mathew acceded to our
wishes. IHe came to Waterford in December, 1839, and spent three
or four days here. I thought at, the time that three or four thousand
persons might be induced to join his standard within that period; but
what was my extreme astonishment. as well as gratification, when in
three days not less than 80,000 received the pledge at his hands!
In the course of his address, the speaker thus explained
why he, as a bishop and a patriot, lent his aid to the temperance movement:My dear friends, why should I not encourage this movement, and
sanction and support it by every means in my power? If I did not
do so, I would not be an Irishman; if I did not do so, I would not be
a Christian; and if I did not do so, I would not be a Bishop. I would
not be an Irishman if I did not countenance and support the great
cause by every influence I possess-and I am an Irishman; and being
an Irishman, I love my country, as every Irishman does. Loving
my country, I wish for its peace. happiness, and prosperity; and I am
convinced that until the people of Ireland become an entirely temperate, sober, and moral people. they never can enjoy prosperity or happiness. I would not be a Christian or a Priest if I did not encourage
and sanction the movement, for no one can assert that either the
temporal or eternal interests of mankind can be obtained without the




BISHOP FORAN'S SPEECH-WHIMSIOAL OCCURRENCE.     135
practice of sobriety. Much as I value temperance. if it did no otber
good but merely render the people of Ireland sober, I would not think
much of it. But you all know that drunkenness was the curse of
the country, and the chief cause of its degradation. You know that
faction fights resulted from it, and that many victims have been
offered up to its dreadful power. It is a many-headed monster; it is
not the parent of one crime alone, but it drags a thousand others in
its train. The habitual drunkard is a swearer, a blasphemer; he is a
bad man, a bad father, a bad husband, a bad son, a bad member of
society; and therefore a person addicted to this vice will be liable to
fall into a thousand others. Look at the mighty reformation already
effected in the people of this country!-they have become a sober and
a thinking people; they have improved in every relation of life, as
fathers, husbands. brothers, sons, and members of society-they are
more than ever devoted to the practice of true religion, and more
obedient to the commandments of their God. These are the advantages of temperance, and if they did not come in its train, I should
not value it. But they do follow from its practice, and therefore it is
my bounden duty as an Irishman, a Christian, and a Bishop, to support the temperance movement by every influence within my limited
jurisdiction.
The good Bishop who thus spoke is, if we are to believe in
the promises made to the just, now enjoying in heaven the
reward of his virtues in this life.
It was in Waterford, on an occasion subsequent to Father
Mathew's first visit, that the following whimsical occurrence
took place.  The hall of the Court House was too confined in
its space to accommodate the vast numbers that pressed on
continually to take the pledge, and the weather being then
peculiarly severe, the meetings were necessarily held in the
Catholic Cathedral, a very fine and spacious building. In
one of the enormous batches, of which there were several
during the day, was a poor fellow who was decidedly'the
worse of liquor'-in fact, unmistakably tipsy. He nevertheless managed to repeat the words of the pledge with due
gravity and decorum; but no sooner had Father Mathew
approached him to mark his forehead with the sign of the
Cross, as was his custom, than the new member of the Tem



186                  FATHER MATHEW.
pera-nce Society clutched his leader by the skirts of his coat
with such a grasp as a drunken man can take, and, in a voice
much broken by hiccups, cried out-'Father Ma-ma-chee,
darlin', you m-m-ust k-k-iss me!'' My dear, do let me go.
God bless you, my dear child; be a good boy for the future.
Thore-do let me go,' said Father Mathew.'No, Father
Ma-chee, darlin', I won't 1-1-ave go my hoult till I get wan
k-k-iss''Oh, my dear, do let me go''No; wan is all
I ax, an' I m-m-ust have it. Do n't r-r-efuse a poor fellowcraychure wan kiss-only wan I' persisted the tender soul.
Several gentlemen, including the clergymen in attendance,
approached, and tried to pacify Jim, and induce him to quit
his hold of Father Mathew's coat; but all to no purpose.
Jim was determined to have his'wan k-k-iss.''Jim, avick,
ar' n't you ashamed of yourself-the holy priest! —an' in the
chapel, too!' remonstrated an old woman near him.'Jim,
you hosthoon you! quit yer hould of his reverence this moment!' insisted a sturdy fiiend at the other side.' No, not
till I get wan k-k-iss; no, af I died for it, I won't lave go.'
Father Mathew, seeing that unpleasant consequences were
likely to ensue if Jim's rather inconvenient request were not
at once complied with, resolved to make him happy, and
accordingly kissed Jim on both cheeks, saying,'Now, James,
my dear, go home and remain quiet, and be a sensible boy
for the future.' The'boy,' we may remark, was not much
short of forty years of age. Jim relinquished his grasp of
the skirt of the coat, and retired, proud of his achievement.
It was of very common occurrence to see a tipsy or even
drunken man take the pledge. With many, this drunkenness was the result of premeditation. They were resolved
to have a parting'dhrop of the crayture;' and, with tears
in his eyes, and even heart-rending sobs, more than one poor
fellow tossed off his last pint of porter, or swallowed,'at a
mouthful,' his last glass of whisky. Father Mathew was
often asked why he administered the pledge to persons'in




FIRST SALE OF CARDS AND MEDALS.          137
a beastly state;' but his answer was,' I will never refuse the
pledge to anyone, and I find that people who come to me
drunk remain faithful to the pledge.' A Protestant magistrate, from Macroom, in the county of Cork, communicated
to the writer a remarkable instance in support of this statement. He says:An accidental occurrence gave me the honour of an acquaintance
with the great and good Father Mathew. I was waited upon by
several of the townspeople to request my company at a temperance
meeting, at which Father Mathew was to preside. The evening passed
most happily. Several persons had the pledge administered to them;
and among the number, a shoemaker was hauled in, quite unable to
speak or walk, from sheer drunkenness. I at once objected to his
getting the pledge, but Father Mathew resolved on giving it, and was
right. That man kept it.
Father Mathew returned to Cork for the Christmas, and
returned as a conqueror.  The quarter of a million of pledged
teetotallers which that memorable journey added to the ranks
of the society, produced an effect throughout the whole country such as could not have been anticipated. Local societies
were called into existence, reading-rooms were established,
and bands were formed. The organisation soon became complete; and, ere long, there was scarcely a parish in any part
of Ireland that had not its society, its room, its banner, and
its band.
And with the growth of the society, and the perfection of
its organisation, increased the expenditure entailed upon its
leader. To meet the enormous expense which his temperance
mission involved, Father Mathew adopted the plan of issuing
cards and medals, which were sold at a profit, but which
were not purchased by the twentieth of those who took the
pledge, and whose names were inscribed on the register. We
shall have subsequently to deal with this matter of cards and
medals, as much misconception was created by the alleged
enormous gains made by their sale; not, to be sure, in the
first flush of the miraculous progress of the cause, but at a




138                   FATHER MATHEW.
later period. We must at present refer somewhat further to
the manner in which the movement progressed.
Having discharged his ordinary priestly duties during the
important festival of Christmas with the same zeal as previously distinguished him, dispensed charity with a still more
unsparing hand, administered the pledge during all hours of
the day and evening, visited the temperance rooms, given
audiences, taken counsel with his lieutenants, assisted materially to extend and strengthen the organisation in Cork, and
having moreover visited with unfailing punctuality his host
of friends in the city, he again set out on his mission.
The most remarkable meetings held during the next three
months were those held in Parsonstown, King's County, and
in Dublin. An eye-witness, the Rev. Mr. Birmingham, thus
describes the scene in Parsonstown:On entering the area. on which stands the Roman Catholic Chapel,
a scene presented itself highly calculated to stir up, even in hearts
not very susceptible of such impressions, feelings of intense interest
and of awe. In front of the chapel was stationed a large body of
police, presenting a very fine and well-disciplined force; outside these
were the rifles on bended knee, with bayonets fixed and pointed,
forming a barrier to oppose the rushing multitudes; whilst within
and without this barrier, to keep the passages clear, the cavalry,' in
all the pomp and circumstance of glorious war,' with flags waving to
the wind-moved up and down in slow and measured pace. Beyond. and as far along the streets as the eye could reach, were the
congregated masses swaying to and fro with every new impulse. and
by their united voices producing a deep, indistinct sound like the
murmur of the ruffled waters of the sea. Within the vicarial residence, and in strong contrast to the stirring scene without, sat the
mild, unassuming. but extraordinary man. round whom had collected
this display of martial pomp and numerical force. He seemed perfectly unconscious of the excitement he had produced, and spoke and
acted as if he regarded himself as the least remarkable man of the
age. Here I had been introduced by a friend to the Apostle of Temperance.
It is not necessary to trace Father Mathew's progress
through the country on that occasion; it is sufficient to say




IN BORRISOKANE-VISITS DUBLIN.            139
that it was marked by the same wonderful enthusiasm on the
part of the people as was displayed at Limerick and Waterford. The good priest of Borrisokane, who has been already
quoted, thus describes the results of a casual visit which was
paid to his own parish:Mr. Mathew arrived late at night, and unexpectedly. Only a few
had been aware of his arrival; and in the morning, when I waited
on him, the postulants were but thinly scattered up and down the
street. I asked Mr. Mathew to do me the honour of spending the
day with me. He expressed his regret that time did not permit him,
and stated that he should be off the moment he had received into
the society the few who presented themselves. Fame, however, was
busy in trumpeting the rev. gentleman's visit to our neighbourhood;
and I became indebted to the number and enthusiasm of those who
poured in to be enrolled, for the honour of receiving at my humble
board the distinguished guest, whose company, it had appeared, I
should for that day be obliged to forego. Each moment Mr. Mathew
was on the point of moving away; but each moment brought numbers from the surrounding parishes, who having heard that the rev.
gentleman had been in Borrisokane, threw aside their various implements of industry, and hurried in to enlist themselves under the
standard of temperance, and receive the good man's benediction.
Fatigued and breathless, men, women, and children, rushed forward
indiscriminately to take the pledge. Mr. Mathew could not bring
himself to disappoint such eagerness, or damp such ardour. He was
consequently obliged to remain; and standing on a stone seat under
a venerable ash tree-now more venerable than ever-he received
in this small town, without any previous notice having been given,
7,000 or 8,000 souls.
Next in importance, as to its effect upon the country, and,
indeed, upon the United Kingdom, to his visit to Limerick in
December 1839, was that which he paid to Dublin on the
28th of March, 1840. It was bringing the movement into
the capital and heart of his country.  He was ardently welcomed by the Most Rev. Dr. Murray, the prelate by whom
he had been ordained thirty-six years before, and the friend
who had been faithful to him through life. Father Mathew
was now famous; and his sermon, preached for one of the




140                   FATHER MATHEW.
orphan institutions of Dublin, was a striking success. Long
practice had imparted to his voice the strength and volume
which it lacked during many years of his ministry; but the
simplicity, persuasiveness, pathos, and earnestness which at
all times distinguished his preaching, had lost nothing of their
charm. Tie collection amounted to between 3001. and 4001.
The great area of the Custom House, or Beresford Place,
was selected for the open-air meetings; and, day after day,
fiom an early hour, the indefatigable Apostle was at work in
his mission.  One or two extracts from his addresses on this
occasion are of special interest.  In the following he publicly
disclaims, not for the first or even the hundredth time, having
any power whatever to effect cures; and he justly denies that
he ever in any way encouraged the people to think that he
could effect them:My dear friends. I wish to allude to a certain subject, to which I
adverted on the first day I attended here-it is with regard to the
great number of infirm ai 4 sick persons that are coming here to take
the pldge. I mentioned before what brought them here. They
attend to join the society in consequence of the exaggerated accounts
they received from those who had been drunkards, and who, to encourage others to become teetotallers, showed the benefit they enjoyed
from being temperate in their habits. They state that their health,
which had been impaired by the use of intoxicating liquors, became
renewed, and that their constitutions, which were broken down. were
repaired by the practice of temperance. The first person I heard speak
on the subject was Mr. Smith, the great teetotaller, who stated that
persons who for years could not work, when they became teetotallrs,
were able to resume their avocations. This induces people who are
suffering from various diseases to come to me, under the impression
that I could cure them; but it is not in my power to afford them
relief; that is all in the hands of God. I received an anonymous letter
on the subject, finding fault with my conduct; but I do n't mind those
attacks, it is my wish to please and satisfy all. St. Paul said he would
himself be an anathema for the sake of his brethren. Some persons
say, why not put them away;-but I would not envy the feelings of
the man that could treat these poor people so unkindly. Persons who
are free from superstition have brought me to those sick persons, to




DENIES TIE CAN EFFECT CURES-THE PLEDGE.         141
gratify them; and when I went to them I did not refuse them my
blessing. I went through no ceremony of any kind, but simply
invoked a blessing on them, and it is no harm to do that to anything,
animate or inanimate, or to any creature, rational or irrational. Whatever the consequences may be, though I do not wish to see them
coming here, I will not refuse them my blessing, or, rather, refuse to
ask God to bless them. If, for one moment, I relieve them from pain
of mind, or despondency of heart, I care not what is said about it, for
it should not give scandal. Several of those persons have been turned
out of hospitals incurable; and it is natural that when man cannot
afford them aid, they apply to heaven for it. Persons of strong religious belief have importuned me to give them a blessing and let them
go away. I cannot, as I said before, bless them, but I can say,' God
bless you.' I use neither candle nor holy water, nor go through any
ceremony, but merely give them a blessing. I have seen Protestants
invoking a blessing.
The efficacy and simplicity of the pledge are most happily
described in the following passage, which is quite characteristic of the use to which he applied his familiarity with the
Scriptures:I do not know how it is possible, but I can assure you there is very
little difficulty in adhering to the pledge. I have been told by numbers in all parts of the kingdom that they had not the slightest trouble
in adhering to the pledge, or the least wish to break their promise.
The pledge appears to be, in fact, as fast binding as the strongest oath,
though nothing could be more simple than it is in detail. Simplicity,
however, never takes away from the efficacy of any proceeding. It
reminds me of the case of Naaman the Syrian, who, when he went to
the prophet to be cured of leprosy, was told to go and wash himself
in the Jordan. He at first refused, on account of the simplicity of the
cure, and said that he had rivers enough in Syria to bathe in if he
thought bathing could do him any good; but his servant at length
said to him,'Father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing,
surely thou shouldst have done it: how much rather what he now
said to thee: wash, and thou shalt be clean.' Naaman then went
and did as he was desired, and he was at once cured, and his skin
became as the skin of an infant.
During his stay in Dublin, he was treated with the greatest distinction by persons of all classes and creeds, who vied




142                   FATHER MATHEW.
with each other in evincing their respect for' the moral
regenerator of Ireland,' as he was now frequently termed.
Several young men of the higher class, including a number
of the students of Trinity College, took the pledge at his
hands. But the most remarkable feature in his first visit to
Dublin was thus, in two years after, described by himself
when addressing a meeting in Glasgow:When in Dublin, administering the pledge in Beresford Place, I
happened to allude to the necessity and importance of the ladies doing
their duty in this respect, when I was told that if they could obtain
a convenient place, a number of them would take the pledge. Well,
a meeting was called in the Royal Exchange, and 500 ladies enrolled
themselves teetotallers




143
CH APTER X.
Admirable Conduct of the Irish Publicans-Curious Letter of a
Publican-Respect of the Brewers and Distillers for Father
Mathew-George Roe of Dutlin-Father Mathew visits the
College of Maynooth-Extraordinary Scene-The Duke of
Leinster-Visits Carlow-Incidents of his Visit-Testimonies
in the House of Lords.
rTHAT there should have been some opposition to the
temperance cause, was not only what was natural to
expect, but what' Father Mathew had fully anticipated from
the first.  Strange to say, and much to their credit, the
opposition, such as it was, did not arise from the publicans of
the country. That they were seriously injured by the spread
of temperance was certain, and that they would be injured
still more was inevitable; but still their conduct throughout
the entire continuance of the agitation, for a period of some
eight years, was in the highest degree creditable to their
good feeling.   The following  letter from  a  publican  is
amusing for more reasons than one, and will indicate the
effect produced, even thus early, by the movement upon the
retail business of the trade. It need scarcely be said that'the respectable farmers' sons' referred to had improvised
an ingenious excuse for not paying their lawful debts:Newbawn, New Ross: May 16, 1840.
REV. SIR,-I beg leave to inform you that about a year ago I
commenced public business, in a house which cost me upwards of 1001.
I gave credit to respectable farmers' sons to a considerable amount,
but, in consequence of they having taken the Temperance pledge,
they say that you would not allow them to pay for any kind of intoxi



144                   FATHER MATHEW.
eating liquor. I therefore humbly request that you will write a few
lines to my parish priest, the Rev. Mr. Ryan, on the subject, as it will
be the means of keeping myself and family from begging. I do hereby
pledge myself to resign this business the moment AJr. Ryan shall
have received your letter, and that I will take the Temperance
pledge myself, as my son has done.
Awaiting with anxiety your favourable reply, I have the honour
to be,                        Rev. sir,
Your most obedient servant, &c.
MIICHL. CANNON.
At a period subsequent to the date of this letter, Father
Mathew thus alluded to the fact that numbers of the retailers
throughout Ireland had joined his society, while he happily
replied to those who interestedly cried out against it and its
principles:There is no public good effected without some individual injury
being occasioned; the introduction of steam-engines, for example,
put, necessarily, many hands out of employment; the railroad conveyances have seriously affected stage-coach proprietors, and those
who had hack-coaches and cars to let out for hire; but the public is
confessedly benefited by such improvements. In the making and
vending of spirits and other deleterious drinks, many have previously
made a livelihood, and some a fortune, whilst not a few of them have
been sufferers to a considerable extent. I am, however, happy to say
that numbers of them have nobly come forward and joined our
society. To be sure, in every change, be they ever so pregnant with
blessings for the community, some interested persons will be always
found to stand up and oppose their progress; and so it is with us.
Some concerned in the manufacturing and retailing of deleterious
drinks cry out incessantly against our society. They forcibly remind
me of the conduct of the people of Ephesus to St. Paul, when he came
among them to preach the Gospel, and diffuse the blessings of Christianity. Many of them were silversmiths, whose principal enolument
arose from the making of statues of the goddess Diana (the idol then
worshipped at Ephesus), and their constant cry then was,'Great is
Diana of the Ephesians!' Thus it is always with many in this
country engaged in the spirit trade, who are heard to cry out incessantly,'Great is Whisky!  Potent is Ale!  Great is Whisky!
Potent is Ale!' But I say to you,'Greater, far greater still, is
Temperance-greatex, far greater still, is Teetotalism.'




BREWE'. AND DISTILLERS-GEORGE ROE OF DUBLIN. 145
Many testimonies of the respect paid to Father Mathew
by those who had large capital embarked in the manufacture
of whisky and porter, and whose interests had been seriously
injured by the spread of temperance, could be adduced;
but that manifested towards him by one of the most eminent
distillers, and one of the most honourable and high-minded
men in Ireland-George Roe, of Dublin-made a deep impression upon the temperance leader, and is honourable to
both. Father Mathew made a short visit to Dublin, with
the object of collecting for his new church, which he had
very much neglected, and in fact had been compelled to
sacrifice to the cause to which he had now devoted all his
energies. Among others on whom he called was George
Roe, to whom, as he afterwards said, he'appealed in fear
and trembling.'  The answer was characteristic of the
princely-minded gentleman.'No man,' said George Roe,'has done me more injury than you have, Father Mathew;
but I forget all in the great good you have done my country.'
And he presented his proud and delighted applicant with a
handsome donation.
And among the distillers and brewers of his own city
he possessed many friends, to whom he was never afraid
to present himself in the cause of charity. The Beamishes,
the Crawfords, the Wises, the Murphys, the Hewitts, the
Lanes, the Dalys, and others, never failed to evince their
respect for Father Mathew; and when the citizens of Cork
met, in 1857, to commemorate his memory by a public
statue, Colonel Beamish, the head of the great establishment of Beamish and Crawford, was one of the most
eloquent eulogists of his fame and character.
Father Mathew had now-indeed, even before the year
1840-become every inch a leader.   Each day his ardour
seemed to be, if possible, on the increase. Next to the
duties of his ministry, the promotion and spread of temperance was the great object of his life. To widen, deepen,




146                  FATHER MATHEW.
and strengthen the foundations of the great fabric which
he had reared up; to extend its influence among the higher
classes; to enlist men of talent and zeal in its advocacy;
to induce employers to set an example to their work-people;
to prevail on masters and mistresses to do the same to their
servants; to attract the young and innocent into the ranks;
to interest the feelings of his brother-priests in the progress
of a cause which, as he said, next to that of religion, ought
to be the one dearest to their hearts-in fine, to go on until
the inhabitants of the country were gathered into one great
temperance fold, was his fixed resolve.  Assist the cause,
and you complimented him.     Do so even by an admission
of its usefulness, and you pleased him; do so by your own
personal example, and there was no sacrifice which he would
not willingly make for your advantage.  But look coldly on
it, and you pained him; sneer at it, and you wounded him;
attack it, and you roused his indignation. As a leader, he
valiantly stood in the van, and challenged the enemy to
strike at his shield. Assail the society, and you assailed
him; attack its members, and it was he who felt the blow.
The'cause' had become part of his very being; and this
was one of the reasons of his marvellous success. Nor was
he averse to meet his opponents, or to encounter their
opposition by the trenchant logic of common sense, in such
vigorous language as this:What filled our gaols and bridewells? The effects of intoxication.
What crowded the very lunatic asylums?  Drunkenness and its
effects. What fed the very gibbets?  Drunkenness.  I never will
give up until we are freed, with the blessing and the assistance of
God, from all these deplorable evils; and if I encounter during the
progress of my career the sneers of some, and the contumelies of
others, I must expect it. Some there are, and it is strange, look with
an evil eye upon me. But cannot I say in the words of St. Paul,' Am
I your enemy, because I tell the truth?  Let them show me anyone
brought to misery or ruin by total abstinence.  Show me anyone
brought to gaol or bridewell by total abstinence. Show me anyone




VISITS THE COLLEGE OF MAYNOOTH.        141
sent to the lunatic asylum from total abstinence. Oh, no! not a
single one.
After having enrolled hundreds of thousands in various
parts of the island-50,000 in one place, 100,000 in another-and become the moral leader of 2,000,000 of his
countrymen, Father Mathew, in the June of 1840, wisely
turned to the fountain source of the religious teaching of the
Catholics of Ireland, all of whom he hoped to embrace in
his society,-namely, to the College of Maynooth, to which
he had been invited by the President.  Within its walls
were being trained the future priesthood of Ireland; and if
he could but enlist their young and warm  hearts in his
cause-the cause of the country they loved-it would be of
greater permanent advantage than if another million, carried
away by the impulse of the moment, were added to his ranks.
His reception was an ovation, his success great beyond his
most sanguine expectation.  Of those outside the college
walls no less than 35,000 were computed to have taken the
pledge; and as to what took place within its walls, the following, from a glowing description written by one of the
students who was among the'postulants,' and who was
inflamed by the generous excitement of the hour, will afford
the reader a vivid idea of the effect produced by this memcrable visit, and of the extraordinary enthusiasm which the
presence and preaching of Father Mather excited in the
minds of hundreds of educated young men, whose days were
divided between severe study and the practices of piety. If
such were the effect produced by the Apostle in the halls of
an ecclesiastical college, what must not it have been in the
market-place, or on the hill side, with working people and
peasants for his auditors?  The student, who writes in all
the impassioned ardour of his first feelings, thus depicts the
scene:I had the good fortune to be present in the great hall of the college
when the professors and students knelt down with edifying humility




148                    FATHER MATHEW.
under the inspiring eloquence of an humble priest. The scene was
majestically grand; it threw back the mind upon itself; it drew forth
in full light all that is high and all that is amiable in the Irish heart;
and to a day-dreamer, like myself, recalled in tender recollection
the memory of other times, and looked for a while like their revival.
On an elevated bench, which extends along one side of the quadrangular room, stood the Apostle of Temperance,'reasoning of justice and temperance and the judgement to come.' The able and amiable Dr. Hughes, Bishop of New York, was present on every occasion, and showed by his feelings how deeply he loves the land of his
birth. Mr. Mathew was supported on either side by the maters and
professors of the college.  The room was piled to the utmost extremity by the students and several distinguished strangers were occasionally present. A small vacant space under the bench was the hallowed spot consecrated to the virtue of temperance. The words of
wisdom which he uttered were followed by deep emotion-they won
the heart and subdued the judgement. No pen can describe, and none
but an eye-witness can conceive, the stirring effect produced ou a
thoughtful spectator by the appeals of Theobald Mathew-the conflicting emotions of joy and astonishment in his audience, and the
thunders of involuntary applause that greeted each new accession of
converts as they moved deliberately forward in successive files, and
with eager emulation, to the arena of virtue and heroic self-denial.
For the more convenient management of so great an institution the
discipline of the college wisely separates the senior and junior parts
of the community. The good man, after his first successful essay in
the senior college, requested to be led to the junior house. He briefly
stated the object of his mission.  They listened in silent wonder;
their innocence was startled by the turpitude of the unfelt gratification, and their humility was alarmed by the exalted act of virtue
they were invited to imitate. No postulant appeared, and the holy
man retired with perfect composure, but not without hope. Their
own reflections created a speedy revolution of sentiment, and they
requested him to return.  He hurried with eager zeal to see them
again, and the little Benjamins, as he endearingly called them, repaid
his paternal solicitude by fully emulating, at each successive visit he
paid them, the generous enthusiasm of their seniors.
The writer's feelings are further described by his own act,
and the hopes to which the success of the day gave rise in the
mind of an ardent youth:



THE DUKE OF LEINSTER.               149
Yielding cheerfully myself to the many generous examples I had
seen in the town and in the college, I did what an Irishman should do
under such circumstances. I must be like them, said I; I will do as
they have done; after ages will bless this day; and, folding my arms
in deep deliberation, I knelt amongst the crowd, I registered in heaven
my solemn promise of total and perpetual abstinence, and got the
benediction of Father Mathew.
The fruits of this visit to Maynooth were 35,000 of the
people, 8 professors of the college, and 250 students.
During his visit to Maynooth he was the guest of the Duke
of Leinster, at Carton. This amiable nobleman-'Ireland's
only Duke,' as he was termed by O'Connell-received Father
Mathew with the greatest distinction. Indeed, it might be
said with justice that his attention to him was extraordinary;
for the housekeeper of Carton said she never received ap
order as to the arrangements or preparations which she
should make for the reception of the most distinguished
nobleman, even for the Lord-Lieutenant; but when Father
Mathew was expected, the duke requested that she would
take'particular care' in her arrangements for his reception.
If he were a crowned monarch instead of a lowly friar, he
could not have been treated with greater respect and distinction by his noble host.
In the month of October of the same year, he visited
Carlow, near which town there is a lay and ecclesiastical college, in which the illustrious Dr. Doyle had been a professor
many years before.  The meetings were held in the cathedral; and such was the enthusiasm excited by the addresses
of the Apostle of Temperance, and the ardour of the thousands who rushed forward with impetuosity to adopt the
pledge, that the students of the college speedily caught the
contagion, and made known their desire to imitate the general example. Father Mathew was delighted at the intelligence, it being that, of all others, which he most longed to
hear.  He appointed to meet the students in the evening,
and having dined at a late hour in the college, with a large




150                  FATHER MATHEW.
party assembled to do him honour, he proceeded to the refectory of the ecclesiastical students when their supper was
over.   Several of the lay students were admitted on the
occasion, as they had expressed a wish to take the pledge at
the same time.   He won the hearts of the students by his
affectionate manner, as he went from table to table, and
enquired of them of their parents and friends, many of whom
he had personally known, and spoke to them of their town,
or their parish, or of something in which they were interested.
He then addressed them on the object of his visit.
My dear young friends (said he) I am inexpressibly delighted at
hearing that many among you are disposed to take the pledge. I am
well aware no one present requires words of advice or encouragement
from me, as a necessity does not exist for your becoming pledged tc
the principles or practice of total abstinence. But your example will
have a powerful influence on many others, who will be induced to
emulate your virtuous and noble resolution, either through motives of
religion and moral purification, or from necessity and a distrust in
their own weakness in withstanding those strong temptations to indulge in excess, which were so frequently, and are still, presented in
Ireland. The humbler classes in this country naturally look to their
clergy for good example as for direction, and hence it affords me the
greatest possible delight to find the young aspirants to the priesthood,
and also the young gentlemen of the lay college, prepared to make
sacrifices which cannot fail to give great edification to the people.
Father Mathew then administered the pledge to a considerable number, and requested that if any others desired to
do the same on the morrow, they would do so on the steps of
the high altar in the cathedral,'in presence of the assembled
thousands of their countrymen;' and he added,'The A lmighty would bestow His choicest graces and blessings on
them, in return for their generous and sublime resolve.'
Those of the ecclesiastical students who had not taken the
pledge on this occasion, held serious communion with themselves during the night, and asked for direction fiom on high.
The result of their earnest deliberation was, that a largo
additional number resolved on affording an example in their




HIS VISIT TO CARLOW.                  151
own persons.    A  respectable clergyman, who was then one
of the students of the college, has furnished the author with
an interesting sketch of Father Mathew's mission to Carlow,
from which is taken the account of what happened on the
following days:On the day following, the students who had resolved on taking the
pledge ranged themselves on the steps of the platform before the high
altar, whilst a vast multitude assembled in the nave and transepts of
the cathedral. With a feeling of proud gratulation, Father Mathew
oointed to the band of students who were prepared to set an example
to the people, and after an animated address to the congregation, the
candidates knelt down and repeated the words of the Total Abstinence
pledge after the great representative of the temperance movement.
Immediately afterwards. the good Father, full of emotion and bending
over each student in succession, embraced him warmly, and kissed
him on the cheek, whilst he repeated words of the following import
on passing before the line of kneeling ecclesiastics: God bless you,
my dear sir! God bless you! God bless you, my dear young gentlemen!' Before leaving Carlow, he requested a list of the names of all
those students to be left with his secretary, and no long interval
elapsed until each one received from him the gift of a silver medal,
as a souvenir of the occasion, and as a token of the Very Rev. Father's
grateful appreciation of this accession to the ranks of his teetotallers.
Whilst successive congregations filled the cathedral at intervals
during each day, the late Most Rev. Dr. Healy, Bishop of the dioceses
of Kildare and Leighlin, was in almost constant attendance, as a spectator. whilst he seemed truly anxious in every way to promote the success of the good Father's mission. Although the pious missionary freqtiently disclaimed all pretentions to the possession of supernatural or
miraculous powers, yet such was the faith and fervour of the peasantry,
that many afflicted with various diseases felt desirous of receiving the
pledge at his hands, and of obtaining his benediction, in confident
expectation that they would experience instant relief and a permanent
cure. In very many instances, by a sort of preternatural effort, cripples were seen casting away their staves and crutches, as no longer
needful, whilst they walked erect, or nearly so, to the great astonishment of all present, Protestants as well as Catholics. In those instances, pious ejaculations resounded through. the cathedral, both from
the afflicted patients themselves and from the crowds that flocked
around them, within and without the sacred building.  For any




152                   FATHER MATHEW.
restoration of this kind, Father Mathew invariably requested the
people to give all praise and glory to God, under whom he was an
unworthy instrument, permitted to exercise the duties of a holy
ministry, and to effect only what he believed to be a great social
reformation.
All day on Tuesday the crowds pouring into the cathedral were in
no manner diminished, and th sun went down without the slightest
interruption to the immense mental and physical exertions of Father
lathew.
At an early hour on Wednesday he was similarly employed; but
his engagements elsewhere obliged him to leave by the midday coach,
which awaited his arrival on the Dublin road. The good Father sent
his luggage forward, and remained himself in the cathedral to the
last possible moment, when he told the people he must absolutely
leave, but he promised that he would take the first available opportunity to return again and resume the labours of his abundant harvest
in Carlow. The coach had been already delayed beyond its time, and
Father Mathew, with a hurried grasp of the hand to a few of the
numerous friends about him. and a courteous adieu waved to others,
ran through the College Park by the nearest route to his destination.
Groups of men had contrived to scale the college walls, and these
threw themselves on their knees before him, asking to take the pledge
before he should leave. In breathless haste, it was administered in a
number of instances, and whilst he was in rapid motion across the
park. Others, again, had passed round the road to the coach, where
a great multitude of men, women, and children were collected. It
was utterly impossible to comply with their urgent requests to be
enrolled, as the coach-driver was obliged to ply his whip with vigour,
to make good his time between the intermediate stages to his ultimate
destination.
On Friday, July 10, 1840, the Marquis of Westmeath
asked a question in the House of Lords, which elicited valuable testimony in favour of the temperance movement. He
called attention to what he termed a'proclamation,' which
had been issued by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Lord
Ebrington), in which this passage occurred:'To the benefit
which the temperance pledge has conferred upon Ireland, in
the improved habits of the people, and the diminution of
outrage, His Excellency bears a willing and grateful testi



TESTIMONIES IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.      153
mony.' He desired to learn whether this proclamation was
authentic or not.
The Marquis of Normanby could give no official answer
on the subject; but he would say, from all the information
which he had received with respect to the movement then
going on in Ireland, he was convinced that a most beneficial
change had been effected amongst the people by the pledge.
The Earl of Devon said that, so far as he had an opportunity of judging, a great and substantial good had been
done. I believe, continued the noble earl, that it has been
effected by perfectly legitimate means and legitimate exertions, and that it is as little connected with fanaticism, with
party, or with appeals to religious feelings of a peculiar character, as could be imagined. I have myself heard Father
Mathew address the people; and his manner is such as any
noble lord who hears me might adopt in addressing a public
body in support of such an object. It is, I conceive, pessimi
exempli to speak in reproachful terms of that which has been
productive of very great good.
The Earl of Wicklow thought that the temperance societies were calculated to effect much good; and the individual who had devoted himself to the furtherance of the
temperance movement deserved the greatest praise for what
he was doing.




154
CHAPTER      XI.
Other Valuable Testimonies-The Marquis of Lansdowne-The
Duke of Devonshire-The Traveller Kohl-Mrs. S. C. HallFather Mathew's Despondency-Dean Coll's Consolation-Stopping the Royal Mail.
DURING      the year 1840, Father Mathew received the
most flattering and consolatory expressions of approval
from some of the foremost men of the day; for, in spite of
the triumphant nature of his progress, and the love and
admiration of the people, he was occasionally depressed by
some sneer, taunt, or false accusation, wantonly or maliciously
levelled at the society, its principles, its practice, or its usefulness. Such testimonies, then, as the following, from the
Marquis of Lansdowne, which awaited him in Cork, on his
return from an arduous campaign, were like sunlight to his
soul. If he were easily depressed —we do not by any means
say daunted-he was easily cheered and encouraged. He
had plenty of courage, both moral and physical, and no lack
of self-will-even a strong tinge of obstinacy; but he possessed the sensitive heart of a woman, and a susceptibility
that at times became almost morbid in its intensity.  He
took great pride in the letter which we now quote. This,etter was personally handed by the noble writer to Mr.
Donnelly, who acted as one of the secretaries in charge of
the temperance register and other books. Donnelly was on
this day enjoying unusual idleness, it being generally known
that Father Mathew was absent, and was not to return for
some days. There was no one in the little parlour save the




THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE.             155
book-keeper, when a quiet-looking, neatly-dressed, elderly
gentleman entered the apartment, and, taking a seat near the
window, fell into pleasant conversation with its idle Occupant.
He asked him a variety of questions, as to the progress of
the cause, the number on the roll, and the effects already
produced; and made special enquiries as to the labours and
charities, as well as the daily life, of Father Mathew; all
of which questions were frankly and unreservedly answered.
The quiet-looking and kindly-spoken gentleman appeared
much pleased at the information afforded him, and, on rising
to take his leave, he handed his card to Donnelly, requesting
him to present it to Father Mathew. Donnelly looked at the
card, and was'struck of a heap,' as he said, at having treated
a great nobleman as if he were' nobody at all;' and he
stammered out an apology for his apparent want of respect.'Not at all, my good sir,' said the marquis;'you owe me no
apology whatever; you have nothing to blame yourself for;
you answered all my questions freely and satisfactorily; and
perhaps had you been told who I was, I might not have
learned as much as I am happy to know.' The marquis then
left the house; but he had not gone ten steps from the door,
when he turned back, and, drawing a letter, which he had
ready in the breast-pocket of his coat, he handed it to Donnelly, saying:'Give that to Father Mathew, with the Marquis of Lansdowne's kindest wishes.' This was the letter:Cork: Sept. 15, 1840.
REV. SIR.-I am near the conclusion of a journey through a considerable portion of the south of Ireland, in the course of which I
have myself had, everywhere, repeated occasion to observe a most
remarkable change for the better in the appearance of the population,
and to be assured by others on whom I could rely of an equally
manifest improvement in their character and conduct, produced by
ihe extraordinary success of your unremitting endeavour to introuuce amongst them confirmed habits of temperance and self-control.
I had hoped to have had an opportunity, at this place, of expressing to you personally the deep sense I entertain, both as an Irish




]56                  FATHER MATHEW.
proprietor and a public servant, of the value of your exertions,
obviously conducive, as they must prove under all circumstances,
to the maintenance of peace and order, and to a grater developement than could by any other means be attained, of every social
virtue.
Your temporary absence from home has alone prevented my doing
so, and I trust I may be permitted to take the only method in my
power of recording these sentiments in a mode that may not be disagreeable to you, by inclosing a draft for 100/., and requesting the
favour of you to apply it to the use of any one of the institutions
for the benefit of your poorer countrymen in which you take an
interest, and which, in your judgement, stands most in need of pecu
niary assistance.
I am, rev. sir, with sincere respect,
Your obedient servant,
LANSDOWNE.
Rev. T. Mathew.
The writer of the above kindly letter is now no more,
having died in the early part of this year, at the venerable
age of 82 years.
Among the other distinguished personages who sought the
acquaintance of Father Mathew about this time, was the late
Duke of. Devonshire, a nobleman of princely character, and
one of the best and kindest of the landlords of Ireland, in
which country he possessed vast estates. The duke, who was
then stopping at the Imperial Hotel, in Cork, wrote a
courteous letter to Father Mathew, requesting that he would
honour him by a visit. Father Mathew at once availed himself of the invitation, and waited on his Grace, who received
him with every mark of respect. The interview was equally
agreeable to both, and was the commencement of a friendship
which was sincere and earnest to the last. The duke, who
was every inch a gentleman-a gentleman whose courtesy and
kindness sprang from goodness of heart-was charmed with
Father Mathew.    He admired him particularly for his disinterestedness in embarking in an undertaking which lie knew
must entail injury upon his own family, whose interests he




THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE-KOHL-MRS. HALL.          157
sacrificed to the public good. Having seen and spoken with
the temperance leader, the duke no longer wondered at the
influence which he exercised, or the success which he had
achieved. He said he found him to be a man of such divine
countenance, and of a manner so marvellously winning, that
he could now easily understand how the people were moved,
as by an impulse, to fall down before him.  The impression
produced upon the duke by this interview was communicated
to the writer by a gentleman intimately connected with his
Grace, and who was present on the occasion.
The descriptions given of Father Mathew at this period of
his life were sometimes both felicitous and accurate.  Perhaps that written by the Russian traveller Kohl is among the
best.  It is in these words:He is decidedly a man of a distinguished appearance, and I was not
long in comprehending the influence which it was in his power to
exercise over the people. The multitude require a handsome and imposing person in the individual who is to lead them, and Father
Mathew is unquestionably handsome. He is not tall, he is about the
same height and figure as Napoleon, and is, throughout, well built
and well proportioned.  He has nothing of the meagre, haggard
Franciscan monk about him; but, on the contrary, without being
exactly corpulent. his figure is well rounded, and in excellent condition.  His countenance is fresh and beaming with health.  His
movements and address are simple and unaffected, and altogether he
has something about him that wins for him the goodwill of those
he addresses. His features are regular, and full of noble expression,
of mildness and indomitable firmness. His eyes are large, and he is
apt to keep his glance fixed for a long time on the same object. His
forehead is straight, high, and commanding, and his nose-a part of
the face which in some expresses such intense vulgarity, and in others
so much nobleness and delicacy-is particularly handsome, though
somewhat too aquiline. His mouth is small and well proportioned,
and his chin round, projecting, firm, and large, like Napoleon's.
Mrs. S. C. Hall, who enjoyed his intimate fiiendship, presents him in his moral as well as his physical aspect:The expression of his countenance is peculiarly mild and gracious.
His manner is persuasive to a degree, simple and easy and humble,




158                 FATHER MATHEW.
without a shadow of afifectation, and his voice is low and musical, such
as moves men. A man more naturally fitted to obtain influence over
a people easily led, and proverbially swayed by the affections, we have
never encountered. No man has borne his honours more meekly,
encountered opposition with greater gentleness or forbearance, or disarmed hostility by weapons better suited to a Christian.
Occasionally the despondency, which was somewhat constitutional with Father Mathew, was displayed in a manner
sufficiently marked to excite the attention of his audience.
His address in Limerick, in the October of 1841, partook
largely of the gloom that for the moment seemed to pervade
his mind.  It may have been the necessary consequence of
the tremendous labour of mind and body to which he was at
the time exposed, it being then in the very whirl and rush of
the movement, to which each day imparted additional strength
and velocity; or it may have arisen from the slightest remarks of some anonymous opponent, or the venomous sneers
of some malicious caviller.  The passage quoted will indicate
the irritation under which it was spoken:But though, in becoming a teetotaller, the individual taking the
pledge becomes a new man-though he has ideas of self-respect,
and decorum, and propriety which he had not experienced before,
and though he is no longer the reckless and improvident character he
had been, yet I must say there are persons who expect too much from
teetotallers, and who think that they should all be perfect.  Their
faults are magnified, whilst their virtues are shaded; the lapses they
make are invested with attributes that do not belong to them, whilst
the good they do is never taken into consideration. It is tlought by
those who are thus severe upon the teetotallers, that human nature
does not belong to humble life-but I say that the cabin beneath
whose lowly roof it is supposed no human sentiment is cherished.
covers as much of the workings of the heart, as yonder proud mansion that graces and adorns the banks of your majestic Shannon. I
have been blamed for many matters connected with the temperance
society, for which I think no blame should be attributed to me, or to
those who are blamed with me. I cannot express the sentiment of
sovereign contempt which I entertain for those who thus betray the
feelings that agitate them. Some of them raise the cry; and the




HIS DESPONDENCY-DEAN COLITS CONSOLATION.        159
least vice they themselves have is their utter want of every virtue.
Some others say that I should prevent females to attend soirees, while
their own daughters and wives, perhaps, mingle in the crowded ballroom, and whirl in the maze of the profane waltz. Some say that
I should prevent persons to sit in their temperance rooms and enjoy
each other's society in that respect; whilst they themselves, the victims of drunkenness, may be seen reeling through the streets to their
homes, after spending their nights in the tap-room or tavern. They
will not see the frailties of teetotallers as they see the frailties of other
men.
He then talked of friends who had left his side and faltered
in the race, and spoke in a tone of such despondency as excited the sympathy of his listeners, and, among the others, of
Dean Coll, the Parish Priest of Newcastle, a man of great
learning, and who possessed more of the readiness and manner
of the popular orator than many of his contemporaries. Tlle
Dean was a staunch supporter of the cause, and a firm friend
and ally of its leader; and thus, in a spontaneous outburst,
which at the moment produced an electrical effect-the whole
audience being charged with the right sympathy —he offered
that consolation to his friend of which he stood then so much
in need: —
Mr. Mathew told of friends leaving him. No friend, my dearest
friend (said the venerable Dean), shall leave you. Fear not-no
friend shall depart from you. There is no man who is not the subject
of critical and vile and slanderous malignity when he rises to dignity;
but I do not hesitate to denounce it folly in any man who doubts
that you are the commanded messenger of God. Enemies, you say,
pursue you. Fear them not, wherever they be. It is the mark of
God's servant to meet with the cross, and to be obliged to bear it.
But, dearest friend and brother in the sanctuary, to go on in the
glorious mission for which you are destined, be not troubled at the
persecution of enemies; in every peril God shall be your shield, and
your country shall be your protector. (Here the whole company
stood up and responded to the sentiment by an outburst of enthusiasm
seldom witnessed.) No! you need have no fear. You are sustained
by the sanction and cooperation of those whose opinion you should
prize.  The venerated Bishop of the diocese would be present this
lvening, were he able to be so. The Catholic prelates throughout




160                 FATHER MATHEW.
the land were the active cooperators in the movement. No; fear not!
You have the support of all whose support is worthy of appreciation
— pursue your way, as you have begun it, and as you have gone on,
until a drunkard shall not be seen to reel through the land we love.
The reader may imagine the effect produced by this passage upon a meeting composed exclusively of those who respected Father Mathew as a leader, venerated him as a priest,
and loved him as a man. Father Mathew never forgot that
evening.
A circumstance that occurred in the town of Athy, will
give an idea of the eagerness with which the people availed
themselves of every opportunity to take the pledge. At this
time, the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland
was scarcely hatched in the brain of its projector, and the'mail' was the quickest mode of conveyance between the
cities and chief towns of the country. The mail coach between Dublin and Cork, when coming from Dublin, stopped
at Athy sufficiently long to admit of the passengers breakfasting in the hotel of that town. On the day in question, the
coach stopped as usual; but one of the inside passengers
having been recognised by the group then invariably awaiting
the arrival and the departure of the'mail,' a shout of joy was
raised, which resounded through the quiet little town; and
in a minute the cry'Father Mathew is at the hotel!' was
heard almost by every human being of the entire population.
Soon a dense crowd of some thousands assembled; and by
the time the coach ought to have started, that vehicle was
wedged round so completely, that to think of moving it one
inch from the hotel door until Father Mathew had administered the pledge to those who now clamoured for it at his
hands, was quite out of the question. Father Mathew had
no desire to delay the coach, which was, in fact, stopping the
principal correspondence of the south of Ireland; but what
could he do, but endeavour to diminish the numbers by giving
them the pledge, and thus get rid of the obstruction? And




STOPPING HER MAJESTY'S MAIL.          161
he at once commenced to do so with more than ordinary
expedition.  But as fast as he got rid of one large batch,
another much larger took its place-and all this time the
crowd becoming more dense, in consequence of frequent
accessions from the surrounding country; so that it positively
was not until after a delay of fire hours, during which Father
Mathew worked as he never worked before in his life, that
the Royal Mail was well out of the town of Athy.  The incident made considerable noise at the time, and some of the
papers were very indignant with the'friar,' and his audacity
in stopping Her Majesty's Mail, and interrupting the correspondence of the country; and one journal went so far, in its
wrath, as to suggest that he should not be suffered to travel
by a similar conveyance again.  The then agent in Cork*
sent the article-it was from an English paper-to Mr. Purcell, the proprietor of the coaches and contractor for carrying
the mails; and the reply which that gentleman made was, to
enclose to his agent a letter for Father Mathew, in which he
assured the audacious stopper of Her Majesty's Mail, that he
would confer a favour on him, Peter Purcell,'by making free
use of all his coaches to further the holy cause of temperance.'
This liberal offer, of which Father Mathew gratefully availed
himself, was of considerable advantage to the latter, as the
coaches of Mr. Purcell traversed the principal highways of
the kingdom.
The same privilege was granted by Mr. Bianconi, the wellknown owner of the public cars of the country.
In the public Press of Ireland Father Mathew had a
powerful and consistent supporter. No matter what its politics, it advocated the spread of temperance, and spoke with
respect of the motives and services of its distinguished advocate. Irish journalists generally adopted this policy and tone
from an earnest desire to promote so good and useful a cause,
* Mr. Anthony Murray.




162                FATHER MATHEW.
and out of sincere respect for the character of the man; but
it occasionally did happen that the opportunity of bestowing
praise on Father Mathew was availed of to strike a blow at
another great Irishman, who rivalled the temperance leader
in his hold on the affections of the mass of his countrymen,
and whose impassioned appeals in favour of legislative independence produced a still greater impression upon their minds,
than the milder and less exciting addresses of the moral reformer. Thus it was that not only did Father Mathew receive
a large share of praise and encouragement on his own account,
but he was indirectly indebted to Daniel O'Connell for no
small amount in addition. With the conductors of most of
the Irish journals he was on terms of friendship. Those who
opposed his religious faith, or who were in constant antagonism to the active popular political movement of the day, experienced genuine pleasure in meeting so good a man on
neutral ground; and once that they had formed any acquaintance with him, the charm of his manner soon ripened the
acquaintance into friendship. As for the popular journalists,
who were mostly of the same faith as himself, they united
their sympathy and their personal affection with their support.
Not a few of the leading journalists of Ireland had joined the
society; and there was not a newspaper in the kingdom in
which a considerable proportion of the staff-Editors, Reporters, Clerks, Compositors, Messengers, Printers' Devils,
and all-had not taken the pledge, and did not, at one time
or other, possess the temperance medal.
Father Mathew was intimately acquainted with the young
gentlemen who attended his meetings in the capacity of reporters, and he was ready on every occasion to show then
attention and kindness. The Cork newspapers were then, as
they are now, spiritedly conducted, and commanded efficient
reporting staffs, every member of which was known to the'Apostle' as his'dear young friend. Among others in whom
he was sincerely interested was L.-, who was a first-rate




A'STEDFAST TEETOTALLER.           163
hand at his profession, and whose attachment to FatheMathew was observable in the care he bestowed on his speeches,
On one occasion L-    went down to Fermoy, to report a'great demonstration,' and he put up at the same hotel with
Father Mathew. Poor L~       was not remarkable for his
strength of mind or tenacity of purpose, and, yielding either
to the weakness of his nature, or the solicitations of his more
sceptical friends, he, to use the popular phrase of the day,'broke the pledge:' he, however, insisted he had only'surrendered it.' At any rate, he was not then a'teetotaller'
though he did not think it necessary to apprise his friend
Father Mathew of that fact. L —   was at his little table,
on the platform, working diligently with the pencil at times,
and taking his leisure at others, as some well-membered pas
sage was repeated by the speaker.  Father Mathew  was
urging on his hearers the fact that no one had suffered in
health or pocket from having taken his advice; and happening to glance at L —'s handsome face, he found, as he believed, a happy illustration of the health which the'steadfast
teetotaller' was sure to obtain and retain; and placing his
hand fondly on the head of the horrified L —, he thus continued, to his victim's ineffable confusion —'Look, my dear
friends!-here is a fine specimen of a faithful teetotaller
(L —. blushing deeply) —he never tastes anything stronger
than water or tea (L —'s confusion increasing). There is
the hue of health on his countenance-not the flush of strong
drink (L-    red as a peony, and his pencil paralysed). HIe,
my dear friends, will never, please God! barter his moral
independence for a fleeting gratification. He will not be like
Esau, who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage (L —
wishing devoutly that the ground might open and swallow
him, or that, at the very least, some fearful accident might
happen to the platform).  No, my dear people, my young
friend here is a faithful follower of the cause, and will never
turn his back on the pure and spotless banner.' Fortunately,




164                FATHER MATHEW.
here the personal allusion ceased, and the fondling hand wag
taken from the head of the victim; for had the torture continued a minute longer, as L —   afterwards assured his
friends, something dreadful would have happened him. It was,
however, not all over with him yet.  Father Mathew and
L —    breakfasted the next morning at the same table
During breakfast, L — desired the waiter to bring him his
bill.'Oh, no, my dear,' said Father Mathew,'you are n 
guest here-you must not pay anything.''Thank you, sir,
not at all-I assure you I must pay my own bill. Waiter,
bring it to me at once.''Waiter, do no such thing. Everything must be included in mine. I could not think of allowing it.' L —   made a last desperate effort-' I assure you
Father Mathew, Mr. —     (the proprietor of the journal he
represented) would be very indignant with me if I allowed
you to pay my bill. Waiter, bring it to me.''Do what I
insist upon, waiter,' said Father Mathew, with a manner that
was not to be disputed. L — looked at the waiter, and
the waiter looked at L, and L's glance of despair
was only matched by the waiter's look of comical perplexity.
Before the document respecting which this struggle took place
was produced, L —  was seated on'Bian,' * his back turned
to the hotel.  During the previous evening and night, poor
L — had sought consolation in rather deep potations; and
in the bill which was thrust into the pocket of the Apostle of
Temperance there was a fearful list of'materials' for whisky
punch, and'goes' of brandy and water! For a month after,
L — fled from the face of Father Mathew; but when they
afterwards met, the latter did not, by the slightest sign, exhibit his knowledge of the fact that poor weak L - had sold
his birthright for a mess of pottage.
It was somewhat about the same time that two members
of the Cork press were sent to an important meeting of the
same character. Having performed their duty, they imme* A popular abbreviation for Bianconi's car.




CAUGHT                     165
diately drove to a distant village, at which the night mail was
to stop, and in which they had taken their seats; and they
dined, and then wrote out their report. At the appointed
time the mail arrived, and they occupied their places. There
was but one other inside passenger, and he was muffled up in
a corner, and was quite silent, and was supposed by the
friends to be indulging in a comfortable nap. The friends, as
soon as they were well settled, commenced a lively chat. At
length, one asked the other this question-'Jack, what do
you think Father Mathew is doing now?''What is he
doing? —why, taking a good stiff tumbler of punch, such as
you and I, Dick, will take, please the Fates, at the next
stage.''Punch! nonsense, man.   Surely you are jesting.
You do n't think Father Mathew is such a hypocrite.''Faith
I do n't care what he is, my boy; but I am sure the jolly old
buffer is taking a stiff tumbler at this moment-and I wish
I had the same.' When the coach arrived at the next
stage, the gentlemen of the press got out, and, entering the
inn, called for the promised beverage. They had got through
about half of their smoking tumblers, when the guard entered, saying,' Come, gentlemen, time is up; please make haste.''Hallo, guard I' said Jack, the more convivial of the two,'take something.''I thank you kindly, sir, no —I'm temperate.''You, coachman-won't you have a drop this cold night?''No, sir, thank you all the same. I hav'n't tasted anything
for years, and, please God, I never will. But I'm as much
obliged to you, sir, as if I took what's in the house,' said the
man of the whip.''Tell me, guard, who is that you have in
the coach with us?  Do'nt you know him, sir?  He's one
the country ought to be proud of. It' Father Mathew!'
It is not necessary to represent with accuracy the exclamations uttered by the doubter of the consistency of the temperance leader; it is enough to say that he precipitately abandoned the remainder of his punch, and, scrambling up to a seat
behind the coachman, thus accomplished the rest of his jour




166                  FATHER MATHEW.
ney. The other, on entering the coach, received a warm shake
of the hand; but not a word was said by Father Mathew
of the conversation hilich he no doubt fully heard, For he
asked where was Mr. -; to which the reply was made,
that'the inside of the coach did not agree with him, and that
he preferred the fresh air.' The sceptic must certainly have
been peculiar in his tastes, for the night was frightfully raw.
To one of these two gentlemen of the press a circumstance
occurred, shortly after, in London, which was near having been
attended with unpleasant consequences, and which strongly
impressed him with the value of temperance, and the danger
that might arise from too intimate an association with those
who drank in excess. Both of the actors in the scene are
since dead, but both were personally and intimately known
to me for several years. Mr. —, who held the position of
assistant-editor of one of the Cork journals, determined to
retire from the drudgery of the press, and establish himself in
London in some other profession or business. The companion
of his journey to the metropolis was Richard -, who had
for many years occupied the position of chief of the reporting
staff on the same paper, and had just received an engagement
as a Gallery Reporter on a leading morning journal. Richard
at once commenced his duties, for which he was eminently
capable; but Mr. -    determined to indulge himself a little
before he seriously set about his new profession. Drink was
his besetting weakness. Differing, however, from. most Irishmen, he did not drink out of good fellowship, or from a
love of company: his indulgence was solitary and selfish.'Richard,' said Mr. -  one day to his friend, who lodged
with him in the same house,'I wish you would take charge
of some money for me.''Why should I take charge of it?can't you put it in the bank?' replied Richard.'I do n't
like putting it in the bank, and you will oblige me if you
keep it for me; it's only for a few days.''Be it so,' said
Richard.  The amount was between 200/. and 300/., and




THE FALSE ACCUSATION.             167
consisted of bank bills, notes, gold, and silver.  Honest
Richard had as little notion of money matters as he had of
the philosophy of Confucius; but, acting upon what seemed
to him like a presentiment, he drew up a docket, in which
he represented the different sums that made up the whole
amount entrusted to his care. He then deposited the precious charge in a box in his bedroom, and thought no more
about the matter. Scarcely had Mr. -    placed his money
in safety, than he made elaborate preparations for a prolonged and systematic debauch.  Wines, brandies, spirits of all
kinds, were profusely ordered and sent in. For a fortnight,
or longer, the solitary drinker continued his carouse. At
the end of that time he was seen one morning to descend
the stairs, dressed with more than ordinary neatness-for he
was quite a dandy in dress-and to leave the house, with
steady step, but with face of deadly paleness. Richard, after
his previous night's work in the Gallery, resolved to refresh
himself by a ramble in the parks. On his return, he was
surprised to find the entire household assembled in the common sitting-room, and two strange men with them.   No
sooner had the unsuspecting reporter entered the apartment,
than one of the strange men deliberately placed his back
against the door, as if to bar all egress; while the other,
addressing Richard, asked him if he were Mr. -.'That's
my name,' said Richard.'Then, sir, I am sorry to tell you
I am here from Bow Street, on a serious charge against you,'
said the officer.'What,' said the Irishman,'have the girls
been saying anything against me?   Much more serious
than that, sir; Mr.     has charged you with embezzlement I'' Good God!' exclaimed Richard, now thoroughly
alarmed, and turning to Mr. -, who sat at the table, his
face pale as that of the dead,'could you have done so?''It
grieved me much to do so,' replied Mr. —, with the solemn
air of a Brutus about condemning his son to death;'but it
was my duty, Richard, and I could not avoid it.''Did Mr.




168                 FATHER MATHEW.
--   entrust you with his money?' enquired the officer.'He
did certainly,' was the reply;'but come with me, gentlemen,
and I will show you where it is.'  Most fortunately, the
money was correct to the shilling.'In the name of God,
what induced you to make such a charge against me?' asked
the poor young fellow of the wretched drunkard, when all
had again returned to the sitting-room.'My dear Dick,'
sobbed Mr. -, bursting into a flood of tears;'I would
trust you with a thousand pounds!' The officers retired
in unutterable disgust; and, ere an hour had passed, Richard
had established himself in other lodgings, and had'registered
a vow in heaven' as to three things-to adhere to the pledge
for twelve months —never again to take the charge of any
man's money-and to keep as far away as possible from one
liable to an attack of delirium tremens. The vow was religiously observed.
As may be supposed, there was much similarity in many of
Father Mathew's speeches, for he delivered hundreds of such
in the year.  By local allusions, and illustrations borrowed
from some circumstance or event of the day, he imparted
as much novelty to each speech as the nature of the subject
well admitted of; still, to an accustomed ear, especially that
of a reporter, the general similarity was obvious. A very
young and talented member of the Cork press, and who is
now making for himself a reputation in the very highest class
of periodical literature, was specially instructed to attend a
certain meeting, and to be sure and give Father Mathew'a full and careful report.' The meeting was held on Sunday-a beautiful bright day in summer, which invited to
pleasure and enjoyment-but it was not honoured by the
attendance of the representative of the palladium  of our
liberties. He was far away, outside the harbour, amidst the
young and the gay, revelling in the enjoyment of his self-given
holiday. Nevertheless, the next issue of the paper contained
a long, elaborate, and careful report of Father Mathew's




LITERAL REPORTING.              169
speech of the day before, which, besides arguing tle question
with more than usual force, contained some admirable descriptions and powerful appeals, and was enriched by several
local allusions and personal references of a complimentary
character. Thus, for instance, the people of the parish and
their'beloved pastor' came in for more than their share of
affectionate eulogy; even the band was praised for'its
delightful performance,' and'the fidelity of the members of
the reading-room' was held up to all societies as a shining
example.  The speech told wonderfully.'Really,' said a
knowing one,'that's the best speech Father Mathew ever
delivered.'  And Father Mathew thought the same; for
when he next met the reporter, he shook him by both hands,
saying,'My dear J, that was a most beautiful report.
I do'nt think I was ever better or more faithfully reported
in my life.'  The modest reporter blushed, and answered,'I was afraid, sir, you might not have been pleased with it.''Pleased, my dear I why it was literal. Only it was rather
better done than I spoke it.' The mind of the reporter was
much relieved by this assurance; for the report had been prepared the day before the meeting was held, and was borrowed
from Father Mathew's former speeches, which were contained
in the newspaper file.  It was ingeniously supplied with such
novelties, in the way of courtesy and compliment and illustration, as the reporter knew would have to be introduced
on the occasion. It was not until many years after that the
proprietor of the paper heard of this ingenious instance of'literal' reporting.




170
CHAPTER      XII.
His Reception in the North-Expenses of his Mission-His Unceasing Generosity - The Temperance Bands - The Appeal and
Response —The'Poor Dhrummer — A Village Tea-party-'Beautiful Music' — Who paid for the Music.
FATHER MATHEW'S success in the Province of Ulster
was far greater than he or his friends could have anticipated; as, from various reasons, into which it is not within
the scope of this work to enter, the spirit of sectarian strife
was more active and acrimonious in that portion of Ireland
than in the provinces of the West and South. There was
one reason for the existence of this feeling in the North,
which did not apply to the other provinces-the population
were, at least in some counties, about equally divided between
the different religious denominations. Thus, while, as a rule,
the Western and Southern counties were Catholic, the Northern counties had a nearly equally balanced number of followers belonging to the two great denominations, of Protestant
and Catholic, including Presbyterians under the head Protestant.* It must be admitted that no other Catholic priest
could have succeeded in conciliating the goodwill, and indeed in arousing the enthusiasm, of the sturdy Presbyterian
and the strong Orange Protestant of Ulster. Had Father
Mathew been a controversialist, who had wrestled in theological conflict, like his distinguished predecessor Father
O'Leary, not only would the heart but the very highways of
Ulster have been closed against him. But, as before stated,
* By the census of 1861, the three Churches were thus represented in Ulster 
Catholics, 963,687; Protestants, 390,130; Presbyterians, 511,371.




HIS RECEPTION IN THE NORTH.             171
polemical controversy was repugnant to his nature; and
strife of any kind, especially in the name of religion, he would
neither take part in, nor do anything to promote.       His
character had gone before him, and his presence accomplished
the rest.  As he said himself at a meeting in Newry, in 1841,
to which he had been invited by the Right Rev. Dr. Blake,
Catholic Bishop of Dromore —' that Bishop after St. Paul's
own heart,' as Father Mathew described him-the progress
of temperance in the North had been one continued triumph.'I lad, it is true,' he added, the aid of the press of Ulster,
of all parties; and I rejoice that some of the most talented
conductors of that press are here to-night.'  On the same
occasion he thus described the manner of his reception in the
North:We had no military, no police, no constables; but, in lieu of them,
we had several excellent young gentlemen from Belfast, Lisburn, and
other places. who kept order. I must here speak particularly of
young Mr. Hancock, of Lurgan. whose efforts in the preservation of
the peace, and in aid of the cause, were most laudable. I had the
happiness of being the guest of his amiable mother, whilst in Lurgau;
and I had the honour, also, of being the guest of the noble proprietor,
Lord Lurgan. Col. Blacker there met me, and read to me a beautiful
poetical tribute to the success of teetotalism, during the reading of
which every eye in that gilded saloon beamed with pleasure. In
coming originally to the North, I had great difficulties to contend
with. I was told I would be assassinated in Ulster; but I had confidence in my cause, as I came in the name of the Lord, proclaiming
aloud,'Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, to men
goodwill.' I knew the people of Ulster were too virtuous to refuse
me their aid in this total abstinence movement, on any sectarian
grounds. I had also too much reliance on the honour of Irishman to
suppose the people of this province would arise in their might, and
crush one humble individual, who was merely trying to promote public morality. In the words of the poet, slightly altered, I may say,
in conclusionBlessed for ever the day I relied
On Ulster's honour and Ulster's pride.
On a subsequent occasion he referred to his further experit




172                   FATHER MATHEW.
ence of the kindness and good feeling almost universally mani.
fested towards him by persons of the most opposite opinions
on all matters of importance, and showed how, by his tact
and good nature, he converted into a compliment that which
some few ill-conditioned or ill-mannered persons intended as
an insult to the Popish Priest: —
When I was about visiting Cootehill, there was a great number of
placards posted about the place cautioning me not to go there, as it
was supposed the Protestants would not receive me kindly; and the
Catholic Bishop wrote to me not to visit the place; yet I went there,
and the first person who met me, and who gave me the most cordial
welcome, was the Rev. Dr. Douglas, rector of Cootehill, together
with all the respectable Protestants of the town. I discovered afterwards that the person who got the placards printed and posted up
was no other than a Catholic publican of the town. I met some of
my warmest friends from Armagh to Caledon, amongst whom were
Messrs. Ellis, Moore. and many others, who, for the sake of good
example and edification, took the pledge, in order to induce others to
do the same; and I can tell them that from the time I went into
Ulster till my last visit to Drogheda, I have received the greatest
kindness at the hands of all persons and parties. At Clones there
were two orange flags raised there wl.en I visited it. and, instead of
an insult, I thought this a very great compliment, never having seen
one or being honoured with one before, and when I saw them I called
for three cheers for the orange flag, and the Catholics and Protestants
became the greatest friends from that day forward, and during three
days while I remained there, the different parties were the -best
friends imaginable. I could have apprehended nothing save goodwill
and kindly feeling from one end of Ulster to the other, and this was
amply demonstrated by my visits to Lurgan, Lisburn, Belfast, Downpatrick, Derry, and other places; and the'Prentice Boys' of Derry
showed me the greatest kindness, but it was not to me alone, but to
the glorious cause. Thousands of them came out to Moira from Belfast and other places, and actually detained me three days longer than
I intended to have stopped; and was not this truly delightful?
Invitations now continually poured in upon him from all
parts of Ireland —from    bishops and parish-priests-from
presidents of temperance societies —from noblemen and gentlemen, who desired to obtain for their poor neighbours and




EXPENSES OF HIS MISSION-HIS GENEROSITY.  173
their own dependents the advantage of his presence. Generally speaking, when he was invited to a town by a clergyman,
it was with two objects in view —that he might administer
the pledge to the people, and preach in aid of funds for the
erection or completion of a church, a convent, or a school.
And thus, wherever he went with this double object, he was
sure to be himself one of the most liberal, indeed the moet
liberal contributor to the charity on behalf of which he
appealed. It was no uncommon thing for him to hand 101.,
or even 201., to his friend, the clergyman who had invited
him to his parish, and who, in so doing, had conferred on
him the greatest of all favours-namely, afforded him the
opportunity of prosecuting his mission. The local temperance society was always certain to benefit by his visit. If
they were in difficulty from debt, he released them from their
embarrassment, and set them on their legs again; for hb
wisely regarded the reading-room, with its hundred or couple
of hundred members, as a rallying-point  and a stronghold for
the cause.
Mr. Purcell and Mr. Bianconi had, no doubt, acted in a
kind and thoughtful manner towards Father Mathew, when
they made him free of their coaches and cars; still the cost
of an inside seat in a mail coach did not represent the fiftieth
part of the expense of an ordinary journey made by Father
Mathew during the ardour of the campaign. From the moment he quitted Cove Street, in the City of Cork, until he
returned to it again, after having traversed half a dozen
counties, his hands were continually in his pockets-'giving
-giving —giving.'  At every place the coach stopped, a
crowd soon surrounded him; and among the crowd —including the lame, and the blind, and the sick, the very old,
and the very young-money was scattered profusely. It
literally rained silver upon those occasions. This unreflecting and even reckless liberality may not have been wise or
prudent; but it was utterly impossible that Father Mathew




174                 FATHER MATHEW.
could have reflected, or could have calculated, when his corn.
passion was excited, or his charity appealed to. His eye and
his ear were direct avenues to his heart: and when these
conveyed sights of misery and voices of distress, the heart
responded to the appeal, and the hand instinctively followed
the impulse of the heart. Thus he gave with open heart and
open hand, and could no more refrain from giving than he
could refrain from feeling sympathy or expressing compassion.
A few lines from a letter written to him, about this time,
by a clergyman who was compelled to proceed to Rome to
prosecute a cause in which he was personally interested, will
further exhibit the generous nature of this good man. The
writer says:
I accept with gratitude the sum of 601. which you offered me, and
will punctually repay it. Less would do, but I may have to stay
two or three months, and I cannot return without making church and
altar purchases, particularly if I succeed.
A respectable widow, of straitened means, called on him
one day, to consult him about her s.on, a promising lad whom
she wished to place in a certain collegiate institution: and
thinking that Father Mathew might have sufficient influence
with its conductors to obtain admittance for her son on
reduced terms. she applied to him to that effect.'I am
sorry, my dear madam,' said Father Mathew,'that I cannot
do what you desire. I am sure the terms cannot be reduced,
as they are already barely sufficient to meet the expenses of
the establishment.''Dear, dear! what am I to do?-I am
sorry, sir, to have troubled you; but, really, as you know,
my means are so small, that it would be impossible for me to
exist on what would remain after paying the pension,' said
the poor lady, in the most affecting tones.'Well, my dear
madam, I tell you what you can do-bring me the sum you
say you can afford to give, and I will pay it for you; and we
will arrange it in that way, and your boy must have his
chance of working his way, and being an honour and credit




THE TEMPERANCE BANDS.              1 5
to his good mother.'  God will bless you, sir, for you have
many a widow's blessing, and mine among them,' replied the
now happy woman. The money was regularly handed to
Father Mathew, for transmission to the college, and the
young lad received an education through which he advanced
in life; and it was not till many years after, that the widow
discovered that the full sum had been paid for her son, and
that Father. Mathew had regularly made good the balance
out of his own pocket.
Hund-reds of such instances as the following might be
given, as an evidence of'how all the money went.' It is
the concluding passage from a letter written, rather early
in the movement, by the Rev. Mr. Molony, of Rosscarbery,
in the county of Cork, and addressed to a Cork newspaper:
I beg to add that he has literally forced on me a most splendid donation for the completion of the chapel, and that he has left with me,
gratuitously, cards and medals for the vast number of poor people
who had enrolled themselves.
It will be necessary to refer to the alleged receipts for
cards and medals in a subsequent place. We now desire to
say something of what were at once the pride and glory of the
local societies, and a source of constant anxiety and expense
to Father Mathew. These were the Temperance Bands.
Father Mathew had not the slightest knowledge of or
taste for music. He could scarcely distinguish one air from
another; and as for'turning a tune,' he could as soon have
turned the universe. In conversation, or in addressing an
assembly, his voice was pleasing and melodious; but when,
at High Mass or Vespers, he was compelled to sing-if the
word can properly apply in his case —his voice was a croak,
and his performance was mournful and dismal beyond description. The simplest Gregorian chant was too much for
Father Mathew. In fine, he had'no ear' for music. Still
he loved to be thrilled and stunned by the alternate shriek




1 7t                FATHER MATHEW.
and roar of the genuine Temperance Band. He delighted
in the shrill fife and the shriller piccolo, and in the rattle of
the small drum and the thunder of the big-simply because
these harmonious sounds emanated from a band; and where
there was a band, there also was a reading-room; and where
there was a reading-room, there was a stronghold of temperance, a source of strength and encouragement to the weak
and the vacillating, as well as a tribunal of public opinion
formidable to the backslider.  He also liked the bands
because they amused the people; and his desire was then,
as at all times, to promote amusements which were innocent
and harmless in themselves, and cheering in their influence.
The rage for getting up bands soon became a kind of music
mania. Thus would the members of a room yet unblessed
with that costly acquisition put their melancholy case-' You
see, sir, temperance is a very fine thing, and people who took
the pledge ought to hold true to it-that we don't deny;
but why should n't one society have its band as well as
another society? —and is it to be said that we are to have
no music for a procession, or a soiree, or a meeting, or a walk
out in the country on a Sunday?-and if Father Mathew
comes to honour us by a visit, are we to be beholden to any
other society for the loan of their band? No, sir; we must
have our own band, whatever it may cost.' And with such
sentiments on the part of a society, of course the getting up
of the band was the next thing thought of; and until the
instruments were actually in the room, shining in brazen
glory on the walls, or were in the hands of the performers,
and a master engaged, there could be neither peace nor contentment for that society.  Subscriptions were frequently
raised from the local gentry in the rural districts, or from
the wealthier inhabitants of the cities and towns; but there
was one unfailing resource for the society in want of a band
-that was, in the exhaustless liberality of Father Mathew,
to whom the appeal was usually made in this fashion, through




THE APPEAL AND RESPONSE.            177
a deputation headed by an elder of the room —' The truth
is, your reverence, we can't get on at all without the music.
We're afeard the members will be leaving us, and that would
be bad, your reverence; for the poor fellows may be falling
into temptation, and that's what none of us would like, youl
reverence, if we could help it at all. It will keep the members together to have the band in the room; and, your reverence, the boys and girls are so fond of the music, that it
would be a pity to disappoint them, the poor things! Faith,
sir, we'd be ashamed of ourselves if we would n't be able to
play finely for you by Easter Monday. And, your reverence, we all greatly depend on you entirely; for sure, your
reverence, you're our leader in the blessed cause. Our hopes
are in you altogether, and we know you won't desert us,
plaise God!' To an appeal of this kind, what could Father
Mathew do but respond, as he always did, not to say liberally, but munificently? His reply to the deputation was
sure to be in words such as these,-' I am very happy to
see you, gentlemen, and to do anything I can for your excellent society. I am proud of your fidelity, and I trust you
will always stand firm, and resist temptation, and that there
will be no backsliders among you.' Here, of course, he was
interrupted by a disclaimer, pronounced in tones of the most
virtuous energy. There was not a man of that deputation
but who, according to his own statement, was to remain
faithful to his dying day.'Very good, gentlemen,-very
good. boys,-God bless you all, and enable you to keep your
promise! You must have a band, of course, and I will assist
you us far as I can. I hope to hear you play well when next
I visit you. But, remember, be true and faithful followers
of the Lord, and don't give scandal to others. God bless
you, gentlemen; God bless you, boys!''Do n't be afeard
of us, your reverence; every man of us is true to the cause.'' We are, your reverence, every one of us,' would the other
members of the deputation chime in, in chorus.'That's




178                 FATHER MATHEW.
delightful to my ears, my dear children; and now, here is
my contribution. Be faithful, like valiant soldiers in a good
cause.''Thank your reverence I we're entirely obliged to
your reverence. This will be great news for the boys and
girls that are waiting for us.' And so, invariably, away
would go the deputation rejoicing.
But this was not the last that Father Mathew had to do
with the band to which he thus contributed, or, as the case
may have been, which he thus established. If the big drum
yielded to the merciless vigour of its lusty operator, whose
conscientious performance was the pride of the room and
the admiration of the neighbourhood, Father Mathew was
probably consulted as to the condition and prospects of that
much-aggrieved instrument; and, if it were hopelessly invalided, as it too often had every reason to be, a subscription
from the President for the purchase of a new victim to the
prowess of the'great drummer' was expected; and, so long
as he had a pound at his disposal, it was generally given by
him.
If a considerable majority of the big drums that had to
do duty during the Temperance campaign did not suffer
dissolution, then I would be inclined to believe that the same
Providence that watches over the fall of a sparrow must also
have condescended to protect the Irish temperance drum;
for, as a rule, that devoted instrument was entrusted to the
ablest member of the room, a man of approved muscle and
vigour; and rarely, I must frankly admit, was the confidence thus reposed in the energy of the performer ever betrayed. What was expected at the hands of this most important member of the temperance band may be indicated
by the following little incident:It was on the occasion of an emigrant ship sailing from
the harbour of Cork, with several hundred passengers, mostly
the young, strong, and active-the very bone and sinew of
the country. The emigrants had all taken the pledge from




THE'POOR DHRUMMER.1              179
Father Mathew. who had. as was his invariable custom ir
similar cases, presented them with cards and medals. Feeling a deep interest in the welfare of these poor people,
Father Mathew determined on paying them a visit on board,
before the ship left her moorings for her long voyage. Out
of'compliment to the President, and to give greater eclat to
the proceedings of the day, one of the city bands, consisting
of some six or eight performers, volunteered to accompany
the party. Father Mathew and his friends embarked in a
roomy wlialeboat, whicl was in waiting for him at the usual
landing-place; the band, with the exception of the drummer,
finding accommodation for themselves at the bow. The ship
lay about a mile and a half from the shore; and as soon as
the boat was well under weigh, the premonitory tap on the
drumn assured us that we were to add the charm of music
to the enjoyment of a lovely day in summer, waters dancing
and sparkling in the sunsline, and the contemplation of that
noble picture of maritime beauty which the harbour of Cork
presents to the eye. The powerful fellow who pulled the
stroke oar of the boat, and whose every dip in the water
left afrer it what he himself termed the'rale colliflower,'
a:,p ared, from the first, to take a marked interest in the
drummuer, who was perched on the stern, behind the coxswain. The band was really excellent, and was led by a,
musician of taste and cultivation. Here the drum, contrair
to the established rule, was not only a useful but a subordinate adjunct; it marked the time, and enriched the harmony
of the well-balanced instruments. The'stroke,' who had
taken me into his confidence, winked at me from time to
time, and directed my attention to the drummer, by various
nods, and an occasional nudge, whispering,'Yea, listen to
hir, sir. Did ye ever hear the like of that?' His amaze-.ent deepened into the profoundest contempt, as the drumimer was still contented with his shamefully subordinate and
humiliating position; and most eloquently were the feelings




180                 FATHER MATHEW.
of my friend the'stroke' depicted on his expressive countenance.  At length his disgust, long brimful, overflowed;
and stooping over to me, he thus gave vent to his feelings —' Wisha, sir, he's a mighty poor dhrummer all out. I' d get
a boy of ten year old in our room to bate him. He ought
to be ashamed of himself, a great big fellow of his size!
Ah, sir, if ye'd only hear our band, then you'd know what
a rale dhrum is.' The critic was not perhaps altogether
impartial, for lie was the vigorous and most successful performer on the big drum of his own room; and, it must be
added, no artist stood higher in the esteem of its members,
or in the admiration of the small boys of the town. To use
his own expressive words,'he was the lad for knocking life
into it, and no mistake.'
Though many years have passed since then, I have to this
moment the liveliest recollection of the performance of a
genuine village band, which had been established, as its
patrons alleged,'to cheer and delight the members with its
strains of melody.' I had been requested by Father Mathew
to accompany him to the'Festival; and as the carriage
approached the door of the house in which the tea party was
to be held, we were saluted by a startling outburst of complicated sounds that, on the whole, bore some resemblance
to the air generally known as the'Conquering Hero.' Had
not the spirit of the horses been rather tamed down by a
long pull, it would be difficult to say what might have happened; for the big drum was beaten by the village blacksmith, who was, to do him the'barest justice, a powerful
performer. Of course, There was a dense crowd assembled
in a moment in front of the'hall,' as it was proudly designated; and cheer after cheer welcomed the arrival of the
world-renowned Apostle of Temperance. In a mornot, and
as if by impulse, a'batch' was formed in a small semicircle, down on their knees in the street; and, for a quarter
of an hour or twenty minutes, Father Mathew was hard




A VILLAGE TEA-PARTY.              181
at work administering the pledge in the centre of the little
village.
At length we were enabled to enter the'hall,' which was
a moderate sized but low-ceiled room, whose walls were
decorated with evergreens and garlands of flowers-for it
was in the middle of June. The banner of the society occupied a conspicuous place over the chair, which was grandly
upholstered with crimson merino; and on the wall, at the
end, the words,'Cead Mille Fealtha —in English,'a hundred thousand welcomes!'-were painted in large yellow
letters on a strip of green calico. At the top of the room,
before the chair, was a mahogany table, lent for the occasion by some local patron of temperance; and this table
was resplendent with tea-pots and coffee-pots, some of silver
and more of grand'Britannia,' also lent to do honour to
Father Mathew. There was a goodly show of currant cake,
a present to the society; and the whitest sugar and the
richest cream showed the zeal of the memlers, and the liberality of the neighbouring gentry-not a few of whom were
present, and occupied the place of honour. Two narrow
tables, made of planks, knocked together for the occasion,
ran down the length of the room, and sustained mountains
of bread and butter, the slices of substantial thickness; also
jugs of enormous size, and cups of liberal dimensions.  At
the tables sat young and old, from the grandmother to the
child in arms. The elite of the village was there; and many
a healthy decent-looking man, now sitting in quiet gravity
in the midst of his family, was, not many years, perhaps even
months, before, the tyrant of his home, and the pest of the
neighbourhood. The elderly ladies rejoiced in snowy caps,
with grand borders and flaring ribbons; and the young
exhibited equal taste in the simple neatness of their dress,
and the careful arrangement of their glossy hair. The ap
pearance which the crowded but over-close chamber pre
sented was a pleasing and a hopeful one indeed. On a




182                 FATHER MATHEW.
raised and railed-off platform at the enl of the room, the
band had taken their position; and as Father Mathew
entered, the'Conquering Hero' was again given, in a style
which would have impelied the'Enraged Musician' to instantaneous suicide, had he been present at that merciless
piece of instrumentation.  But the audience, whose ears
were in their hearts, could hear no discord whatever, and
thought it the most ravishing harmony. And Father Mathew,
looking as noble as a king, beamed with delight, his eyes and
lips smiling in concert. Nor was he wanting in abundant
praise of the performance, which, awful and nerve-shattering
as it was to unaccustomed ears, was really wonderful, inasmuch as the greater number of the performers had never
held a musical instrument in their hands a month previously
to this grand exlibition of their proficiency. When the last
bar was concluded, up rose Father Mathew, wlo, bowing
with grace towards the orchestra, said-' Thank you, gentlemen! thank you very much, for your beautiful music!'
The band was in a flutter of ecstasy at this public tribute
from' one of the greatest men in the world,' and not a
member present but felt the compliment.'I knew, sir,'
said a village dame to me,'that his reverence would be
plazed. Faith, sir, I think the boys plays as well as the
army, if not better.' The stewards are now bustling in and
out, preparing the tea, which is being concocted in an adjoining room. The beverage is borne in in the enormous white
jugs, from which ascend columns of steam in this hot June
night. The tea'for the Apostle and the quality' is also
supplied; and just as the company are about enjoying themselves in that luxury, which cheers but does not inebriate,
the tap of the drum is heard-then another tap-and, at the
third, your whole nervous being is assailed with a crash of
sounds such as to bewilder you for the moment. Shriek and
squeak, bur, and roar, and clash, with a blending of all, and
an occasional predominance of some-this is the band exe



'BEAUTIFUL MUSIC.               183
cuting'Love not I' an air which, at that time, owed much
to the energy of our national musicians. The tumult is
awful. The walls, you imagine, must shortly yield to the
stupendous reverberations created by the big drum, which
is under the able hands of the muscular blacksmith. The
performers proudly persevere, their master beating time, and
swaying his head from side to side, with a gravity worthy
of the bandmaster of the Coldstreams. The members are in
a state of rapture, and reward the musicians with a loud
clapping of hands and stamping on the floor.'Very beautiful, indeed!' is heard again from the President, whose commendation, honest and sincere, is by no means endorsed by
the occupants of the upper table. The members of the band
— Dinny and Ned and Larry and Tom       and Billy-are
invited by their delighted friends and relatives to seat themselves at the tables, and'make much of themselves, poor
boys;' and the largest cups and the thickest slices are
awarded to the performers, as some faint expression of gratitude and admiration. The big drum has a place of special
honour, for his labour has been mighty, and he now wipes
the accumulated moisture from his manly brow.
When the band have done themselves justice, they again
proceed to the'orchestra.' Some whispered consultation is
seen to be carried on; and, shortly after, a member of that
important body makes his way through the crowded room to
where Father Mathew is seated, and announces his message,
which resulted in the following dialogue:-' Plaze your reverence, the gintlemen of the band would like to know what
chune your reverence would prefer.''Oh, my dear, anything the gentlemen please themselves.''Your reverence,
they'd like to lave it to yourself''Well, my dear, "God
Save the Queen" is a very fine air, and so is "Patrick's
Day."'   I'm afeard, sir, we're only learning them chunes;
but would your reverence like the "Conquering Haro?"'' Had n't we that before, my dear?''Well, you had, your




184                 FATHER MATHEW.
reverence. Perhaps your reverence would be after liking
"Love not?"-that's a mighty sweet thing.''It is indeed,
my dear, a very nice air; but had n't we that also?''Well,
you had, your reverence; but the gintlemen of the band
thought you'd like tu plaze yourself.' Father Mathew, of
course, understood the limited nature of the band's repertoire,
and so he gravely called for the'Conquering Hero,' and
expressed a hope that it might be followed, in the course of
the evening, by that delightful air,'Love not.' The band
felt the more proud at having paid this graceful compliment,
and they executed the doomed pieces of music several times
that night with unabated vigour and undiminished discord.
In six months after, one could not have recognised that
village band; for then they played air, and waltz, and march
music, with harmony and precision. It was it's first night's
public performance that so long haunted my memory.
I have listened with a kind of amused horror to the first
performances of a temperance band within the walls of a
reading-room, or temperance hall; but a more bewildering
aggregation of sounds was to be enjoyed by the musical epicure on those occasions when Father Mathew gathered round
him the societies of' the districts within some miles oT the
city, for a special jubilee. I remember one of these. It was
a kind of monster meeting at Blarney, a well-known locality,
famous in song and legend, about five miles distant from the
city of Cork. The meeting was held in a beautiful valley
encircled by hills, on the sides of which many hundreds of
well-dressed people were scattered in picturesque groups.
Balnners of all hues and shapes floated and fluttered from
every prominence and vantage ground, and more than twenty
bands sent up their blended dissonance to the skies. As no
one band was allowed to have precedence of the other, and
as each was desirous of exhibiting its proficiency, of course
no one band would give way to the other; therefore all
should be heard alike; and all were heard alike, to the




WHO PAID FOR THE MUSIC.            185
greatest general advantage. One can scarcely realise, even
to the wildest imagination, the sublime discord of twenty
bands, each playing a different air, with twenty vigorous and
athletic'big drummers' energetically rivalling each other,
and the surrounding hills multiplying while reverberating the
complicated and torturing medley of sounds. Were nymphs
and dryads still haunting sylvan solitudes, one could suppose
them flying in dismay from such fearful discord, and never
again returning to their sunlit dells and pleasant shades.
But the day was beautiful, the sun shone brightly, the banners fluttered gaily, the people were happy, and Father
Mathew was in ecstasy.
But Father Mathew had to pay for the music of that and
similar popular festivals. Had to pay is not, perhaps, a correct mode of putting it; did pay, is more accurate. Many
of these young men had come a distance of a dozen miles, or
more, to do him special honour, and they had a dozen miles,
or more, to travel before they reached home. As a rule,
too, they were of the humblest class, who had but little to
spare even for a day's festivity. Father Mathew was not
the man to be insensible to the devotion or the sacrifices
of his followers; and so his secretary was ordered to pay
them  such a'compliment' as sent the poor fellows home
rejoicing.
It did now and then happen that misunderstandings occurred in temperance rooms, and that the members of the
band occasionally thought too much of themselves-that the
cornet-a-piston sent in his resignation, that the flute gave up
in disgust, or that the big drum refused to strike. Such
things did happen; for it must be borne in mind that teetotallers were human, and not angels. When these little difficulties arose, it sometimes, though rarely, happened that the
band was broken up, that the instruments were parted with,
and that the rocm was abandoned; and that, when the moment of repentance came, and the society gathered together




186                 FATHER MATHEW.
again, and the band was to be reorganised, and all things
were to be set right as before, an urgent appeal to Father
Mathew was inevitable. And to respond effectively to an
appeal of the kind, Father Mathew would willingly havo
parted with his last shilling. Through the contention of
that village society the President was pained; in the backsliding of its members the Apostle of Temperance was scandalised. And what sacrifice would he not make-should he
not make, he thought-to restore peace to that little society,
and protect its members from folly and from danger? Thus
it was that the bands, while useful to a certain extent, and a
source of intense gratification to the people throughout the
country, were to Father Mathew not only the cause of considerable anxiety, but of constant expense.




187
CHAPTER XIII.
Danger from insecure Platforms-The Catastrophe of Minane Bridge
-His Defence of the Bands-The dead Drum-major.
ON several occasions Father Mathew was placed in serious
jeopardy by the insecurity of temperance platforms; but
there was one adventure of the kind to which he rarely desired
to allude, but to which his brother Charles now and then slily
referred, to the momentary annoyance of the priest. Father
Mathew had consented to preach for an old friend of his, the
pastor of a parish distant from Cork about ten miles; and, as
usual, the opportunity was availed of by the friends of temperance to hold a meeting, and promote the spread of the cause
in the village and the adjoining districts. The first thing to
be done was to erect a platform, from which the speakers
were to address the expected assembly; and the rural architect, when he surveyed his work on the Saturday night,
believed in his soul that a finer, safer, or more ingenious construction than his grand platform was never devised. Sunday arrived, and with it the Apostle of Temperance, who
preached the promised sermon for his reverend friend. From
the chapel the congregation proceeded to the place of meeting, and the numbers were increased by people flocking in
from all the neighbouring districts. The platform presented
a very imposing appearance, it being seven or eight feet from
the ground, and decorated with laurel branches, and with
banners, which floated from the four uprights on which the




188               FATHER MATHEW.
entire structure rested. A question of grave importance had
arisen in the meanwhile-namely, which of the two bands
present-the band from   Cork, or the local band-was to
have the place of honour?  Courtesy to the strangers, who
might have been regarded in the light of guests, would perhaps have suggested to the local society that their band
should gracefully yield the occupation of the platform to the
band from the city; but the local artists were proud of thei.
performance, and sensitively jealous of their rights-therefore, and as a matter of principle, they stationed themselves
on the platform, and hailed Father Mathew's arrival with a
grand burst of music, repeating the jubilant strain at least
half a dozen times, the better to impress the gentlemen from
the city with a notion of what' boys from the country,' were
capable of doing'in the line of playing.' Upon the termination of the last bar, the chair was taken, and the proceedings
of the day commenced. The band on the platform were constantly on the watch for the conclusion of a speech; and
scarcely had the orator finished his concluding sentence when
the music struck up. Indeed an occasional rumble of the
drum, or squeak from one of the other instruments, would indicate the impatience of the musicians, and their decided preference for their own performance t tthe most glowing oratory
or heart-moving pathos. The numbers on the platform had
been gradually increasing, in spite of the remonstrances of
one or two gentlemen, who had not the most implicit faith
in the stability of the structure. The architect, it must be
remarked, listened to such warnings with sublime disdain, or
replied to them with withering contempt. Since the Tower
of Babel there was no structure equal to this platform, for
ingenuity of design, perfection of detail, or solidity and endurability.'People ought to confine their observations to
matters with which they were professionally conversant, and
not meddle with subjects above their comprehension.' So
thought and said the insulted architect of Minane Bridge.
-— Vub —rr  CIUIL  UII~~~~~~~~1~~ V~~~V  I~~l~~JUIVYU   WLVUIVYVV  VI ~~~~~~~I~~-I~~~WIIV   UI1\~11



THE CATASTROPHE OF MINANE BRIDGE.       189
Father Mathew had -not been speaking longer than a few
minutes, and had just commenced a new sentence with the
words-' We have met here to-day, my dear friends, for'when, lo! as a trick in a pantomime, or as a house of cards,
the solid platform, which had been built for posterity, vanished in a second, leaving but the four posts, or uprights-to
one of which Father Mathew was seen clinging, as a sailor
would to a mast, his polished boots glittering in the sun 
First there was a cry of horror, then a dismal wail, then a
general sigh of relief. Fortunately, the platform, which had
been built on a steep elevation, had fallen backwards against
the hill, and not forwards-but, had it so fallen, the accident
would have been probably attended with disastrous results,
as many persons were then standing under it in front. No
one had been seriously injured. Shins and knees were contused and scraped, coats and trowsers were torn and fractured, and an odd black eye or an ensanguined nose imparted variety to the catastrophe of the day. But the band!the luckless local band I that would stand on its rights, and
that would n't give up the platform to the strangers I Sad
was their plight, miserable their condition, bitter their unavailing self-reproach. The flute had suffered from a compound fracture of a hopeless character; the cornopean was
twisted into strange contortions, its wide circular orifice flattened into the resemblance of a cod's mouth; and as to the
drum-the big drum-that noble instrument which had been
the glory of the village, and the admiration of the country
for five miles round-one might enjoy a comprehensive view
of the landscape through its shattered sheepskin. It was not
ruin, but chaos. Father Mathew applied an effective salve, in
the shape of a crown-piece, to the slight wound of a poor
old woman who for a time resolutely proclaimed that she
was'kilt entirely;' but it required a much more costly
plaister to heal the deep wound inflicted by that fatal accident on the feelings as well as the instruments of that unhappy




190                  FATHER MATHEW.
local band, whose sufferings were rather embittered than
otherwise by the gay and joyous manner in which the Cork
musicians played the people from the place of meeting to the
gate of the chapel, where the proceedings were resumed. The
architect had vanished with his platform, and was not seen
for some days after. The writer often thought of that rural
genius with no slight disgust; for, having been one of the
occupants of that treacherous erection, he bore, in a complicated abrasion of both knees, and corresponding but fatal
fractures of his best black trowsers, more enduring than
pleasing memorials of the day at Minane Bridge.
It had been often alleged against the temperance bands
that they played during the hours of Divine Worship on Sundays; but if they so transgressed, it was very rarely, and in
direct violation of the positive injunctions of Father Mathew,
tlat his followers should abstain from every cause of offence
to those who differed from them in religion, and whose feelings might be wounded by sounds not certainly suggestive of
devotional emotions.  In a letter addressed to Richard Allen
of Dublin, and written on the 7th of April 1842, Father
Mathew, while alluding to the progress of the temperance
movement, thus vindicates it from the charge of its being
sectarian in its character, and defends the bands against
their assailants:Be not alarmed, my dear Mr. Allen, temperance is not retrograding.
At this moment I am honoured by more than seventy pressing invitations from the Roman Catholic prelates and clergy, to administer
the total abstinence pledge in different parts of Ireland. Give me
but time, and, with the aid of the Great Jehovah, we will wave our
pure and spotless banner over the length and breadth of the land.
There are difficulties which cause me more pain than the assertion
of Sir Robert Peel,-the insidious efforts to give to our society a
political 3olouring, and to invoke a gloomy fanatic cry against us.
The great body of teetotallers, it is true, is composed of Roman
Catholics; but that is from the great bulk of the people being Roman
Catholic, and not f'om anything exclusive in our society. A hostile




HIS DEFENCE OF THE BANDS.               191
disposition has been excit d on this account in certain localities; and
I must also complain, with the deepest sorrow, that many who. fiom
rank and station, possess great influence, have not, to use the mildest term, exercised it in favour of our society. I utterly disclaim
any political object; my ardent desire is to promote the glory of God,
by drying up the fruitful source of crime, and the happiness of His
creatures, by persuading them to the observance of temperance.
Our musical bands, too, and our processions, are rocks of offence
to many. If it was allowed to any to object to them, surely it should
to the members of your society, who reject music and parade, in
every case; yet you have all magnanimously cooperated with me,
despising this paltry pretext. I respect the religious feelings which
disapprove of music and processions on the Lord's day-I would not,
on any account, offer violence to tender consciences; but we, Roman
Catholics, after in general devoting the afternoon of Saturday, and
the forenoon of Sunday, to religious observances, do not deem it a
desecration of the Sabbath for such as have been earning their bread
by the sweat of their brows during the week, to recreate themselves
innocently during the remainder of the day. We should be allowed
to enjoy our Gospel liberty-we regulate our conduct by what we
interpret to be the spirit of the Gospel, and not by the letter of the
Levitical Law. Oh! that the sweet and beneficent spirit of the
Gospel, that thinketh no evil, was diffused from pole to pole, uniting
all mankind as one family, and making a world happy.  The earth
would be then, indeed, a delightful habitation, in which each man
could enjoy, in charity, the blessings of this life, especially through
the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed hope and glory of the great God.
Lovers of God, and of His everlasting ordinances, should be to our
failings a little kind.
Let them contrast the shocking spectacles which presented themselves heretofore on the Lord's day, with the calm decorum that at
present universally reigns. The bacchanalian yell (that made hideous
the Sabbath's early morn) is heard no more,-the Temples of the
Living God, crowded with sincere worshippers,-the taverns, bridewells, and brothels empty,-the awful blasphemy,-the false oath,
and dire imprecation, no longer insult the attested majesty of the
Deity. It is my religious conviction that one sin of drunkenness, or
one of the black deeds to which men are prompted when inflamed by
intoxicating drink, outrages more the sanctity of a jealous God than
all the music of the three hundred temperance bands on the Sabbath
day.




-92                 FATHER MATHEW.
Belonging to one of the best bands of Cork was an elderly man, a pensioner, who had seen good service in his day.
Having no practical knowledge of music, he could not do
duty as an instrumentalist; but he impressed his brothermembers with the necessity of obtaining a grand-looking
and imposing drum-major, who would make a splendid appearance on all public occasions.  Of course, he himself
was the grand-looking and imposing personage, who was to
fill this conspicuous position. The idea was favourably entertained, and immediately acted upon; and soon the local public were startled by the appearance of this fine old fellow
strutting majestically at the head of the band, wearing a
hairy cap of prodigious dimensions, and swaggering a genuine
drum-major's staff, with resplendent nob, in the truest style of
military art.  There was not a prouder man in her Majesty's dominions than that drum-major of the temperance band.
The cheers of the little boys offered the sweetest incense to
his harmless vanity.  But even drum-majors are not proof
against the assaults of time; and the mornful day came when
our drum-major was compelled to lay aside his astounding
chako, and surrender his glittering staff. In a word, he died.
The members of the room sincerely mourned the loss of their
faithful comrade, and the band was disconsolate at their
bereavement. It was determined to bury him with suitable
pomp and solemnity-with a grand procession, muffled drums,
and military music.  Unhappily, in their grief, the band
forgot that they did not know a single note of the'Dead
March,' without which a public funeral was not to be thought
of. What was to be done? It was plain there was only
one thing to be done —namely, not to bury the drum-major
until the march was learned. And so the drum-major was
kept above ground for a week longer, during which the
band were hard at work practising the march; and had it
not been for the interference of the police, the drum-major
might not have been consigned to the dust for another week,




TliE DEAD DRUM-MAJOR —SUNDAY MEETINGS.      193
as the band were somewhat uncertain in their execution of
that indispensable piece of music.  There was, however, no
help for it, as the neighbours had become greatly alarmed
at the longer continuance of the drum-major above ground,
and the police would not listen to the urgent plea for further
practice; and so the funeral came off with distinguished success, the band far exceeding their own hopes, and the chako
and staff, which were placed on the coffin of the departed veteran, producing a striking effect.
The temperance cause had many friends, but not a few
enemies; and among the latter were those who sought to
raise a cry against the teetotallers for holding their open-air
meetings on the Sabbath, and who were so far carried away
by their prejudices as not to consider that the promoters of
such meetings were really engaged in furthering a great
moral movement-indeed, if rightly understood, a great religious work; and that working people could not conveniently,
or without injury to their families, assemble on any other day
than Sunday. Father Mathew thus replied to this unreasonable accusation:I pity (said he) the man who could contemplate in our meeting
nothing but a profanation of the Sabbath day. We are not, it is true,
under the fragile roof of a cathedral; but we are assembled under the
glorious canopy of heaven, to worship the Almighty God. Our work
is on high-we are assembled to pay to the Lord the homage of pure
hearts, and to inculcate the practice of the great cardinal virtue of
temperance. Men point at us the finger of scorn, as the Pharisees
did at our Lord, and say,'They violate the Sabbath-the teetotallers
assemble and hold temperance meetings on the Lord's day;' but
these persons, my friends, are secret enemies of our glorious causethey well know that, if we do not assemble on the Lord's day, we
could not hold our meetings at all; for the great majority of those
composing our society are from among that useful and virtuous body,
the operatives, who on every other day labour from the rising to the
setting sun, and could not come to hear our doctrines inculcatedthe principles and maxims of true sobriety laid down. The temperance cause is the work of the Most High God, and it is admirable in
our eyes.




194                  FATHER MATHEW.
Scarcely anything connected with Father Mathew's temperance mission was more remarkable than the extraordinary
rapidity of his movements. Heard of in the North one day,
his arrival in the South was recorded in a day or two after;
and this, too, at a time when railways were almost unknown
in Ireland.  Thus, in October 1841, he was in Newry; and
in a couple of days after, having passed  nrough Cork, he
was administering the pledge in Tralee.  An instance of this
extraordinary celerity of movement was displayed in July
1842, and is recorded, not because it is more than usually
remarkable, but that it happened to attract the writer's attention. After a successful visit to the county of Limerick,
he arrived in Cork on Friday the 8th of July. He left Cork
on Saturday, and held a meeting near Bantry on Sunday; he
returned to Cork on Tuesday, visited Tralee on Friday the
15th, held a meeting near Kenmare on Sunday, returned to
Cork and remained until the 23rd, and then started for
Castletown Beerhaven, where he preached and administered
the pledge the following day, Sunday the 24th.
The two following paragraphs, taken from a Cork journal,
will afford a further idea, not only of the rapidity of his movements, but of the tremendous labour to which he voluntarily
subjected himself. As both these paragraphs appeared in
1844, it must be evident that he had then in no way relaxed
in his wonderful exertions:
Father Mathew left Cork, on Saturday, August 10th, for Newmarket, where he was to preach yesterday, the 11th, and afterwards
to administer the pledge. On to-morrow, the 13th, he will take his
departure for Esker, in the county of Galway, where he is to preach,
and administer the pl.edge on Thursday, the 15th. He has arranged
to visit Blanchardstown, near Dublin, on the following Sunday, the
18th, and Carlow on Wednesday, the 21st. He will return to Cork
on the 23rd, in time for the great temperance demonstration, which
will take place at Carrigtwohill, on Sunday, the 25th instant.
The Apostle of temperance left town by this morning's (Friday,
November 22nd) Dublin mail, for Boyle, in the county of Roscommon,




A PRISONER IN THE BLANKETS.          195
where he is to preach and administer the pledge on Sunday and
Monday. He will return to Cork on Wednesday.
It was during this trying campaign that the splendid con.
stitution with which he was endowed received its nrst injury,
and that the germs of painful disease, from which he suffered
severely in a few years after, took deep and lasting root in
his system. Travelling, however wearying, was not that from
which he suffered most; but the continuous and incessant
labour of addressing vast assemblies in the open air, and
administering the pledge to many thousands in the course of
a single day, standing frequently for six hours together, and
not being allowed one moment either for rest or privacy
during all that time. From the moment it was known that
Father Mathew had arrived in any place, the whole population was in a fernent of excitement, and crowds rushed after
him wherever he appeared. A rather comical cause of embarrassment arose, on one occasion, from the extraordinary
anxiety of the people to catch even a glimpse of'the great
Apostle.' He had arrived in the dusk of the evening at the
house of a parish priest in a remote part of the county Galway, where he was to preach in aid of the funds of a school,
convent, or chapel, and afterwards administer the pledge.
The best room in the house was prepared for the honoured
guest, who was conducted to it by his host. The room was
on the ground floor, and was lighted by a large bay window,
which was without blind or curtain of any kind. Father
Mathew, whose bedroom in Cove Street was as plain and
simple as this apartment, only thought of preparing himself,
by a good night's rest, for the labours of the following day;
and turning his face to the wall, and his back to the window,
he soon fell into a deep slumber. Awaking, as was usual
with him, at an early hour in the morning, he opened his eyes,
blessed himself, repeated a prayer, and turned towards the
window. But imagine his dismay, when he beheld a crowd
of people-men, women and children-in front of the blind



196                 FATHER MATHEW.
less and curtainless bay window, and at least a score of noses
flattened against the glass, the better to enable their respective
proprietors to obtain a peep at his reverence.  A  more
modest man did not exist than Father Mathew; and great
was his embarrassment at this indication of his popularity.
He glanced at the head of the bed, and at the table near
him, to see if a bell were in reach; but such a luxury in the
house of a priest, in a mountain parish of Galway, was not
to be thought of.  No help, therefore, from  that quarter.
There was something resembling a bell-pull at one side of the
fire-place; but if it were a real bell-pull, and not a mockery
and a delusion, it might as well have been twenty miles away,
for any practical advantage at that moment; for it would be
difficult to say what would induce Father Mathew to quit
the shelter of the bed-clothes, and walk across the room to
grasp that tantalising cord.  The crowd outside was momentarily on the increase, and the deepening murmur of their
voices testified to the animation of the conversation carried
on. Occasionally might be heard such as the following:-'Do ye see him, Mary, asthore?''Danny, agra, lave me take
a look, an' God bless you, child I''Where are you pushing
with yerself? -hould off ov my foot, will ye?''Oh,
wisha I there s the blessed priest!''Honest man, would
ye be plazed to lift off ov our back-one'ud think'tis a
horse I was.'''Tis a shame for ye to be there-what curosity is in yes all I''Mammy, mammy! there he is — I sees
his poll I'' Whisht, an' do n't be after wakin' him.' Father
Mathew ventured another peep; but the slightest movement
on his part only evoked increased anxiety outside; and it
seemed to him as if the window-panes were every moment
accommodating a larger number of flattened noses. The poor
man felt himself a prisoner, and listened with eagerness for
any sound which gave hope or promise of deliverance; but
it was not till after three mortal hours of his guest's comical
captivity that the considerate host, who would not'disturb'




HIS HOPES FOR THE YOUTH OF IRELAND.        197
his guest too early, entered the appartment, and thus became
aware of the presence of the admiring crowd, who, it need
scarcely be said, were quickly dispersed, to Father Mathew's
ineffable relief.
For no result did this good man so earnestly labour as for
the moral elevation of the youth of Ireland. In them was
centred all his hopes. If he could only bend the green twig
as he pleased, he knew the tree would correspondingly incline
There were blessings, and carresses, and praises, and holidays,
and medals, for the boys who took the pledge; there was
the fondest affection and the most devoted friendship for
the youth who adhered to it faithfully. Wherever Father
Mathew went through the country, he was delighted at the
improvement which he witnessed in the dress, in the manner,
and in the bearing of the children of the humbler classes;
and his heart was gladdened by the accounts which he
received from the clergy of town and country of the daily
increasing numbers on the school-roll. The improvement in
the youth of the higher classes was equally striking. At one
of his meetings he thus gave expression to his exultation at
the progress which he witnessed with so much delight:Oh, I predict glorious things for the young and rising generation!
My heart warms and expands as I conjure up before me all that is in
progress for the advantage of and the improvement of the young
minds of Ireland. Not alone in the arts and sciences how great will
be their advancement, but indications of talent of every kind, of comforts hitherto unknown amongst us, of future peace and happiness,
are making themselves manifest, and my aspirations are becoming
more and more realised every day for the improvement and amelioration of the condition of my native land. Yes, heretofore, to be sure,
individuals of talent and abilities occasionally arose and appeared;
but, like the meteor flashes, they illuminated all around for the
moment, and became the transitory ornaments of their native land;
but the young men of the present day, oh! how can I describe them?
Seem they not like the fixed stars in the clear and cloudless Heaven,
shining on, shining on in their glory and their purity to the end.
Oh! you cannot know how it cheers my heart to find how the young




198                   FATHER MATHEW.
mind of Ireland is now progressing, not slowly, but surely, steadily,
and successfully, and not alone in Cork, but in every part of the
kingdom. Daily I receive accounts fiom the various parts of the
country which are truly gratifying to the heart, of the fidelity of m)
dear teetotallers.
Father Mathew's style of speaking was simple and unafected, but it was earnest and impressive. He availed himself
of any incident or event which had occurred, to illustrate his
temperance discourses, and render them more forcible through
the influence of example. The following, though spoken many
years since in the village of Blackrock, a short distance from
the city of Cork, is applicable at this moment, not to one
locality, but unhappily, to almost every locality; and its good
sense is as apparant now as it was then:Were you, my friends, to remain in my house where I administer
the pledge, from morning to night, while I am in Cork, you would
see examples before you of the fearful consequences resulting from
the use of strong drink, that would congeal your blood in your veins.
Is it not awful even to think on the numbers, once respected members
of society, degraded and ruined-all the victims of one besetting
habit? I was going to call it a passion, but it is no passion. It is no
passion arising from our nature-for we have no natural propensities
that could make us delight in the use of intoxicating liquor. It is
merely a habit, brought on by ourselves, like any other bad habit,
like the habit of smoking tobacco, or taking snuff. This very morning, a young man came to my house fiom a remote part of North
Tipperary. I saw him only a few weeks ago, sober, respected, and
happy. He came to me a miserable object, capable of exciting compassion in the hardest heart-he was but a wreck of what he had
been a short time ago. He had broken his pledge-spent in a few
weeks the fruits of many years' saving-and left behind him a young
wife and a helpless family. He returned there this morning, setting
out on his journey without a coat to shelter him from the rain, and
was obliged to beg for money to support him on his way. Will any
one tell me that it was better for him to drink, to beggar his family,
to run the risk of losing his life from the inclemency of the weather,
to which he is this day exposed? No, my friends, do not let any one
thus deceive you. It is not better for any one, either man or woman,
to drink intoxicating liquors-it is far better for all to be total




RESULTS OF HIS LABOURS.               199.abstainers. Show me any one in the wide circle of your acquaintance, who was ever benefited, either in body or in soul, by the use ot
intoxicating liquors.. I allow there is some enjoyment-some sensual
gratification —to be found in the use of those liquors; but what is
that enjoyment to the frightful risk that is encountered? Ought any
man blight his prospects in life, and those of his family, for the sake
of that wretched indulgence  How many are there whose fathers,
had they been teetotallers, would have been able to have given them
the blessings of a liberal education, and who might now fill some of
the highest situations in the land.  There are many who, twenty
or thirty years ago, were in the receipt of large sums of money, who
are now miserably poor, and whose children are in rags-idle, and
straggling, like vagabonds, through the streets; and all this owing
to the criminal neglect of their parents, who spent in intoxicating
liquors the money which should be expended in properly training and
establishing their children in life.  Show me the man who ever
advanced in life, who was addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors.
some may have risen high in life, who were not actually total abstainers, but they were invariably men who had a constitutional
dislike to strong drinks, and were examples of temperance; but show
me any man addicted to habits of intemperance who ever gained an
advanced position in life.
It is not necessary to follow the temperance leader step by
step through his extraordinary labours, or to weary the reader by descriptions of scenes which, from their very nature,
must partake not only of the same general features, but even
of similarity in detail.  I prefer to say something of the
results of those incessant labours, and the beneficial effects
which followed from the more extended adoption of the
temperance pledge.
Those results and effects were public as well as private,
alike influencing the community and the individual.   They
were to be seen in the diminution of crime, and the improved
moral tone observable throughout the country, notwithstanding the frequent pressure of severe poverty, and the existence
of provocations to outrage arising, in a great measure, from
various circumstances and conditions of the law, which do
not properly enter within the scope of this work. Judges, in




20                 FATHER MATHEW.
their opening addresses to Grand Juries, congratulated the
counties which they visited upon the spread and progress of
temperance, and distinctly attributed the lightness of the
criminal calendar to the sobriety of the mass of the population. Many such valuable testimonies might be quoted,
as proofs of the good accomplished by one man. Baron
Richards was not content with a public reference to the fruits
of Father Mathew's mission; but having heard that he was
then-in July 1842-holding meetings in the county Kerry,
he sent his registrar specially to him, to express his congratulations on the great success which attended his disinterested
labours, and on the improved condition of those who had
taken the temperance pledge. Indeed such was the estimation in which sobriety was now generally held, and the disgust
which habitual intemperance excited, that the appearance
of a medal on the breast of a witness in a court of justice
had no small weight with judge and jury in favour of its
wearer. The medal was of its self prima facie testimony to
his good conduct and trustworthiness.
As a conclusive proof that the diminution of crime was
one of the necessary consequences of the spread of temperance among those classes of the community most liable to be
tempted to acts of violence or dishonesty, some few facts
from the official records of the time may be quoted here.
They are taken from returns of'outrages specially reported
by the constabulary,' from the year 1837 to the year 1841,
both included. The number of homicides, which was 247 in
1838, was only 105 in 1841. There were 91 cases of'firing
at the person' reported in 1837, and but 66 in 1841. The'assaults on police' were 91 in 1837, and but 58 in 1841.
Incendiary fires, which were as many as 459 in 1838, were
390 in 1841.  Robberies, thus specially reported, diminished
wonderfully-from 725 in 1837, to 257 in 1841 1 The offence
of'killing, cutting, or maiming cattle' was also seriously
lessened; the cases reported in 1839 being 433, to 213 in




SERIOUS DIMINUTION OF CRIME.            201
1841! The decrease in cases of'robbery of arms' was most
significant; from  being 246 in 1837, they were but 111 in
1841.   The offence of'appearing in arms' showed a favourable diminution, falling from 110 in 1837, to 66 in 1841.
The effect of sobriety on'faction fights' was equally remarkable. There were 20 of such cases in 1839, and 8 in 1841.
The dangerous offence of'rescuing prisoners,' which was
represented by 34 in 1837, had no return in 1841 1
Without entering further into detail, the following return
of the number committed during a period of seven yearsfrom 1839 to 1845-must bring conviction home to the mind
of any rational and dispassionate person, that sobriety is good
for the individual and the community:Year.                                Total Number.
1839..... 12.049
1840..... 11,194
1841.......  9,287
1842.....                 9,875
1843.......   8,620
1844.......  8,042
1845...                         7,101
The number of sentences of death and transportation
evidenced the operation of some powerful and beneficial
influence on the public morals. The number of capital sentences in eight years-from  1839 to 1846-was as follows:Year.                               Number of Sentence.
1839.......     66
1840.......     43
1841.......     40
1842.......     25
1843.......     16
1844......     20
1845.......     13
1846.....     14
The sentences to transportation during the same periodfrom 1839 to 1846-exhibited the like wonderful result:



202                   FATHER MATHEW.
Year.                               Number of Sentences
1839.......    916
1840.......    751
1841.......    643
1842.......    667
1843......         482
1844.......    526
1845.......        428
1846.....                   504
The figures already quoted are most valuable, as they
prove, beyond the possibility of doubt, that national drunkenness is the chief cause of crime, and that national sobriety
is, humanly speaking, one of the best preservatives of the
morals of a people. The figures which are to be now given
exhibit the marvellous change effected by father Mathew's
preaching in the drinking habits of his countrymen. These
figures show the number of gallons of Irish spirits on which
duty was paid, and the amount of duty, from the year 1839
to the year 1844, both included:
Year.               Gallons.           Duty.
1839... 12,296,000.. ~1,434,573
1840... 10,815,709..  1,261,812
1841..   7,401,051..    936,126
1842..   6,485,443..    864,725
1843...   5,290,650..    904,908
1844...   5,546,483..    852,418
It has been seen that, even in the year 1842, the consumption of Irish spirits was reduced to one-half of what it had
been in the year 1839. And though the Famine, which had
its origin in the partial failure of 1845, and was developed
into frightful magnitude by the total failure of 1846, produced a baneful effect on the temperance movement, by impairing its organisation, closing the temperance rooms, and
inducing the people to seek in false excitement a momentary
forgetfulness of their misery; still the consumption of spirits




FURTHER RESULTS-SACRIFICES HIS FAMILY.        203
did not recover from the effects of Father Mathew's mission,
and for years exhibited the result of his influence, as the subjoined returns will show:Year.               Gallons.           Duty.
1845... 6,451,137.. ~860,151
1846... 7,605,196.. 1,014,026
1847... 7,952,076.. 1,060,276
The figures which we have quoted exhibit, it is true,
most important results; but an extract from the trade article
of the Freeman's Jourrnal, for February 1842, will indicate, in
an equally strikingl manner, the happy influence of the temperance movement upon the comforts of the Irish people.
The writer says:The people, we have abundant proofs, are happier and better, ana
the nation is more intelligent and prosperous. Perhaps the best proof
which can be given of the former is the increase of the Customs revenue, more particularly as regards those articles which are especially
co;sumrnd by the people. The increase in the Customs revenue or
Great Britain and Ireland during the past year was ~148,000, of
which the increase of those duties levied in the port of Dublin alone
was ~77.000, or more than one half of the entire increase. The
wholo amount of this revenue from this port in the past year was
~981.000, or very close upon one million. But the articles from which
this large amount of increased revenue has been received are those the
humbler classes consume most largely; the increased consumption of
tea and sugar producing in this port, within that period, an increased
revenue of 10 per cent. In the duties on tea and sugar in this port of
Dublin alone, the increase amounts to ~55,000, or over one-third the
whole amount by which those duties in the present exceed those of
the past financial year.
The writer adds that the result would appear more striking
were not duty paid in England on much of the sugar used
ia Ireland.  The revenue on tobacco decreased to the amount
Xf ~3,0'00 within the year.
Father Mathew made fiequent allusions to the injury he
had brought upon members of his own family by his advo



204                   FATHER MATHEW.
cacy of temperance; and the following words, spoken in
December 1842, come appropriately in this place,:I do not know but that there are distillers or brewers listening to
me. I have such in my own family. One member of my family in
Cashel, a distiller, now manufactures, I am glad to say, as much in a
week as would supply his customers for a year. That is a great
falling off from other days. I am rejoiced at this; for when the
glory of God is in question, we should not mind the ties of flesh and
blood.
A member of Father Mathew's family, connected with him
by marriage, thus writes in March 1843:Every teetotaller has gained morally and physically by the movement; but my immediate family have been absolutely and totally
ruined by Father Mathew's temperance mission.
A writer in the Dublin Review, in an article devoted to the
temperance movement in Ireland, has the following, in reference to the unselfish and disinterested conduct of Father
Mathew:We need not, therefore, remark how little consistent with considerations of a worldly nature are the present occupations of the
Apostle of Temperance. The brother and relative naturally wrote to
him, and said,'If you go on thus, you will certainly ruin our fortunes.' His answer is,' Change your trade; turn your premises into
factories for flour; at all events my course is fixed. Though heaven
and earth should come together, we should do what is right.' This
language is worthy of the Messiah.




205
CHAPTER XIV.
Important Testimonies to the Progress and Beneficial Effects of the
Movement-Lord Morpeth-Maria Edgeworth-Cardinal Wiseman
-Dr. Channing-Other Testimonies-Their effect-Temperance
Speeches-Tim's Oration.
ORD      MORPETH, when Irish Secretary, thus referred,
at the annual dinner in the Mansion House, in Dublin,
to the beneficial effects of the mission of Father Mathew,
and the hopes and aspirations to which it gave rise:I have already adverted to the gradual diminution of crime; but
when I look for the source of this most striking developement in this
ameliorating process, I own I am rather pleased not to have to refer
for it to the acts of policy of any government of the day. It was my
lot, in the House of Commons, to hear an humble but sincere tribute
to the wonderful efficacy that attended the exertions of Father
Mathew; and although I fear, at this moment, we present rather too
convivial an aspect for his entire approval, yet I am glad to speak in
the presence of so many who, from their personal observation, can
confirm the marvellous effects his mission has had in extending —nay,
increasing habits of temperance throughout the land. He needs not,
and looks not for, our praise-higher motives impel him, and higher
agencies befriend him. I will not go into the details of this transformation; but I will ask. considering this pure and lofty renovation
of a nation's virtue, is there anything which seems too large to hope
for, or too bright to realise? This change which has passed over the
people seems to have been anticipated by the poet of a former day,
who is never so much at home as when he celebrates heroic or holy
actions:The wretch who once sang wildly, danced, and laughed,
And sucked in dizzy madness with his draught,
Has wept a silent flood-reversed his waysIs'sober, meek, benevAlent-and prays.




206                    FATHER MATHEW.
Maria Edgeworth, the celebrated novelist, whose descriptions of humble life in her own country are the happiest
because the most natural ever written, thus exhibits, by the
testimony of her village of Edgeworthstown, the practical
effects of the temperance reformation on the habits, manners,
customs, and comforts-in a word, on the daily life of the
Irish peasantry. Miss Edgeworth's letter was written in
reply to one addressed to her by Mr. Allen of Dublin, with a
view to elicit so valuable a testimony in favour of the cause.
The distinguished writer says:In our village of Edgeworthstown the whisky-selling has diminished since the pledge has been taken, within the last two years, so as to
leave public-houses empty, and to oblige the landlord to lower houserent considerably. This we know to our pecuniary loss, I need not
add to our moral satisfaction.
The appearance of the people, their quiet demeanour at markets and
fairs, has wonderfully improved in general; and to the knowledge of
this family many notorious drinkers, and some, as it was thought, confirmed drunkards, have been completely reformed by taking the pledge.
They have become able and willing to work, and to take care of
their farms and business-are decently clothed, and healthy and happy,
and now make their wives and children happy, instead, as before their
reformation, miserable and half heart-broken. I have heard some of
the strong expressions of delight of some of the wives of the reform(ed
drunkards. One wife said to me,' Ma'am, I'm the happiest woman
now that can be: sure he says he is wakened from a dream, and now
he goes about his business so well-and, ma'am, he can eat more, and
he can bear the noise of the children, which he never could formerly.'
I have heard of many instances where the health has been improved
even where the'total abstinence' began late in life, and after habits
of daily intemperance.
I have not known of any in which the health has suffered. Very
few, scarcely any, instances of breaking the pledge have as yet come
to our knowledge. But some have occurred. The culprits have been
completely shunned and disgraced, so that they are awful warnings
to others.
So long as public opinion is upheld in this manner, and so continues
to act, we may hope that this great power-this inestimable moral
blessing to Ireland in particular —will continue; and most earnestly I
hope and pray that it may.




MARIA EDGEWORTH-CARDINAL WISEMAN.           207
Beyond all calculations-beyond all the predictions of experience,
and all the examples from the past, and all analogy-this wonderful
crusade against the bad habits of nations, the bad habits and sensual
tastes of individuals-has succeeded and lasted for about two years.
It is amazing, and proves the power of moral and religious influence
and motive beyond any other example on record in history.
I consider Father Mathew as the greatest benefactor to his country,
the most true friend to Irishmen and to Ireland.
The following additional testimonies to the great reformation accomplished by one individual were borne by two distinguished men-Cardinal Wiseman and Dr. Channing.      The
former was then the Catholic Bishop of Birmingham; and
it was on the occasion of the consecration of St. Andrew's
Chapel, Dublin, that, in his dedication sermon, Dr. Wiseman
thus referred to Father Mathew's preaching, and its marvellous results:
Long ago, a Pilgrim came from the East, and described the sufferings of the Christians under the galling Infidel yoke. and beseechingly
called upon their brethren to relieve them; his words sank deep into
the hearts of many, and numbers of rich and poor put on their breast
the Cross of the Church, and devoted themselves to the rescue of the
Holy Sepulchre. The resolution and harmony with which so many
obeyed his call, and the unspeakable success of his mission, seemed to
give it a Divine sanction, and his cause was declared to be the cause
of God. Actuated by motives as inspiring, an humble son of St.
Francis has travelled your land, preaching against a vice which was
the greatest bane of your domestic happiness and spiritual welfare;
calling upon you to take up the Cross of the Church and place it in
your hearts, and not on your garments.  How has this mission
succeeded, and how was that call obeyed? It has been obeyed beyond all human calculation; and the adhesion, not of thousands, but
of millions, has proved the authority that sanctioned it. Has God not
thus extended his blessing even to the most despised amongst you?
Yes, my brethren, and when you see the reproach of intemperance,
formerly, and perhaps not unjustly, cast upon you, now removedwhen you see the humble family that was cold and helpless now warm
and comfortable-when you see the children of the poor not neglected,
not illiterate, and destitute of clothing, but decently clad, and educated and supported, and the young people sober, and industrious, and
virtuous; and when, in fine, you see the happy and contented family




208                    FATHER MATHEW.
sitting round a well furnished board, do n't forget him who, through
God, has given those blessings, and blessed the peasant as well as the
prince, the cottage as well as the palace. Those blessings will soon
be the familiar words of the country; the traces of your feuds will
soon be extinguished, education will be brought to every home, the
prevalence of temperance will open new ways of industry for honourable ambition; and the period is not far distant when the neighbouring nations will point to you as a country God has specially favoured,
and munificently blessed. Peace and prosperity are in your path.
In a discourse delivered in Boston, Dr. Channing describes
that marvellous moral revolution which was being then accomplished at the other side of the Atlantic:At the present moment, it is singularly unreasonable to doubt and
despair of the improvement of society. Providence is placing before
our eyes, in broad light, the success of efforts for the amelioration of
human affairs. I might refer to the change produced among ourselves
within the last few years, by the exertions of good men, for the suppression of intemperance, the very vice which seems the most inveterate, and which, more than all others, spreads poverty and crime;
but this moral revolution, in our own country, sinks into nothing
when compared with the amazing and almost incredible work now in
progress on the other side of the ocean. A few years ago, had we
been called to name the country of all others most degraded, beggared
and hopelessly crushed by intemperance, we should have selected Ireland. There, men and women, old and young, were alike swept away
by what seemed the irresistible torrent. Childhood was baptized into
drunkenness; and now, in the short space of two or three years, this
vice of ages has been almost rooted out. In the moral point of view,
the Ireland of the past is banished-a new Ireland has started into
life; five millions of her population have taken the pledge of total
abstinence; and instances of violating the pledge are very, very rare.
The great national anniversaries, on which the whole labouring population used to be dissolved in excesses, are now given to innocent
pleasures.  The excise on ardent spirits has now been diminished
nearly a million sterling. History records no revolution like this;
it is the grand event of the present day. Father Mathew, the leader
in this moral revolution, ranks far above the heroes and statesmen of
the times. However, as Protestants. we may question the claims of
departed saints, here is a living minister, if he may be judged from
one work, who deserves to be canonised, and whose name should be
placed in the Calendar not far below the Apostles. And is this an age




DR. CHANNING-ADDITIONAL TESTIMONIES.        209
in which to be sceptical as to radical changes in society, as to the
recovery of the mass of men from brutal ignorance and still more
brutal vice?
This beautiful passage was first called to the attention of
Father Mathew by the Rev. Mr. Hort, a venerable Presbyterian minister, then-in January 1842-dwelling in Swansea, who writes to his reverend friend in a strain honourable
to both:Every day of my life I offer, at the throne of grace, my prayer for
continued support to your soul and body in your labours of Christian
love-for continued efficacy to be imparted to your glorious and benevolent efforts; and I think I know you well enough to be sure that
you will not esteem as presumptuous that prayer and blessing of a
very aged fellow-disciple of the Saviour, trembling and tottering on
the brink of the grave.  I rejoice most sincerely in that honour with
which God has been pleased to crown you; and in the reputation, so
well sustained and so widely extended, which envelops you as a white
and lustrous robe of real dignity.  As a testimony of the extension
of the report of the wonderful work of divine grace which is now
being carried on by your efforts, I take the liberty of sending you a
transcript from a late publication of the illustrious American writer,
Channing, pointed out to me by Mrs. Huxham, daughter of mine, living
in the vicinity, who, together with Mrs. Edgar, in Cork, share their
father's respect, admiration, and high esteem for you.
The two additional testimonies to the practical benefits
conferred on the community by Father Mathew's mission belong to the year 1842.  The one was spoken by Lord Louth,
the other was written by a Catholic priest.
The following brief report of his lordship's speech at a
temperance festival in the assembly-room of Tallanstown, and
at which many of his tenantry were present, is taken from
an Ulster newspaper:Lord Louth complimented the members of the teetotal association,
and said that, in whatever clime or country he should travel, he would
be ever found the staunch advocate of the teetotal system. He had
seen many societies, but a pleasanter sight he never saw than the
present, where all was sobriety, harmony, and cheerful good order.
He knew they had many enemies, who would rather have them




210                   FATHER MATHEW
fighting, cursing, and breaking each other's heads. As a magistrate,
what had he or the bench to perform? scarcely anything except fining
the poor people for their animals (pigs and goats) trespassing on the
road; and the police had nothing to do than to watch them, and right
glad would they be to catch them-for they had no other employment. A teetotaller never was brought before him accused of crime;
and he was sure none of the present company would take one hundred guineas and break their pledge. He concluded by stating that,
wherever he would be, he would be happy to see such a sight.
The writer of the pregnant note now given was then officiating in the parish of SS. Peter and Paul, in the city of
Cork, and has been for several years parish priest of Blackrock, the beautiful peninsula which forms so fine a feature in
the scenery of the Lee. Writing to Father Mathew on the
9th of April 1842, the Rev. Mr. O'Sullivan says:I hope your journey will be productive of much good in the parish
of Killavullen. The change already effected there by your apostolic
labours is almost miraculous. Quiet and order prevail in the little
town, which two years since was the continued scene of riot, drunkenness and blasphemy.
Testimonies such as the foregoing, which might be multiplied, had a most beneficial effect upon the mind of the
country. They assisted to impart to the public feeling of
the nation a higher moral tone, and to inspire disgust and
hatred of the vice which had neutralised so many fine qualities, and entailed so deep, if not so deserved a reproach upon
the character of a whole people.  If strangers, too, thought
so much of what had been done, and what might still be
accomplished-if those from a distance described in such
glowing colours and in such lofty terms that moral revolution
which was making Ireland famous throughout the civilised
world —why should not her own children feel proud of the
virtue and self-denial through which those great things were
achieved, and of that bright and glorious vista opened to
the aspiration of the moralist and the patriot? These testimonies, so full of generous sympathy, had, upon a susceptible




TEMPERANCE ORATORY.              211
and impulsive race, the effect of a trumpet blast-they stirred the heart, roused the spirit, and strengthened the resolution of the leaders as well as the more intelligent of the
rank and file of the army of temperance. They also tended
to deepen into something akin to idolatry the feeling of
mingled respect, veneration, and affection, in which Father
Mathew was held by the mass of the Irish people. The
speeches, the addresses, the poetic effusions of that day, partook of a character which would seem absurdly inflated and
exaggerated, if one did not make fair allowance for the circumstances of the hour, and the hopeful exultation of the
ardent and the eloquent —who perhaps had been themselves
rescued from danger or misery through the agency of Father
Mathew, and who thus spoke from the fervent gratitude of
the heart.
Comical, too, were many of the speeches delivered from
the platform, and at'festivals,' as tea-parties in the temperance rooms were usually termed. Here the members were
occasionally induced to narrate their own experiences, and
describe, for the advantage of the younger portion of the
audience, the miseries which drunkenness had entailed upon
themselves and their families, and the benefits, to mind and
body and worldly interests, which sobriety had conferred
upon them. Frequently, such addresses were full of homely
good sense, of heart-moving pathos, and also of genuine humour; and to a more favourable or sympathetic audience
than an assembly of Irish teetotallers, who had just enjoyed
a plentiful but simple meal of true temperance fare, it would
be almost impossible for an orator, practised or unpractised,
to address himself. They were always in good humour and
good temper; and neither a flash of wit, or fun, or humour,
nor a happy bit of description, nor a brilliant sentence, nor
an animated appeal, failed to elicit the appropriate response —
a hearty laugh, or a rousing cheer. But if the orator had
uo experience to narrate, no lesson to inculcate, or no moral.




212                  FATHER MATHEW.
to draw-in that case he had only to indulge in unlimited
praise of Father Mathew, and he was sure to succeed. That
name was never referred to without applause following its
mention; and with any assembly of teetotallers, praise of
Father Mathew would alone have been sufficient to impart
vivacity to dullness, or interest to the most rambling and
inconsequent nonsense.  The love of the people for their'moral leader,' as they so often heard him termed, was
intense, and manifested itself at every possible opportunity.
The more grandiose orators heaped upon him all kinds of
attributes, and ransacked history, both sacred and profane,
for names which they might befittingly apply to him. Moses
and Maccabmeus, Judith and Joshua, as well as Julius Caesar,
Brian Borhu, and the Great Napoleon, were not rarely impressed into the service of the ambitious orator; and the
innocent people applauded, and Father Mathew beamed with
benevolence, while the speaker proved, to his own satisfaction,
and most generally to that of his audience, the happy fitness
and appositeness of the most outrageous'parallel.'
The writer remembers an occasion on which a village
schoolmaster, of high repute for a style of eloquence lofty
and incomprehensible, but not the less prized on that account,
compared Father Mathew to a'solicitous mother holding up
her tender babe to her lacteal bosom.' Eloquence of that
sublime order required a somewhat specially cultivated audience to appreciate its merit; but a narrative like the following, delivered with appropriate gesture, and comical winks
and nods, was sure to bring down the house.
After such really clever and brilliant speeches as were
heard on these occasions from the accomplished and scholarly
lieutenants of the temperance leader, droll addresses had all
the effect of broad farce after genteel comedy. Tim --,
the orator whose speeches were at all times received with
delight, especially by the younger portion of the audience,
had an incorrigible propensity for pronouncing'this,''that'




TIM^S ORATION.                   213
or'the,' as if it were spelled'dis,''dat,' or'de,'-and this
tightening process was applied by him to every other word
that admitted of its application.
After much persuasion-for he, at first, affected the bashful-Tim was induced to step into the narrow space left for
the speakers.   Having bowed to Father Mathew, nodded
to the rest, and taking one or two prefatory scratches at his
red poll, Tim thus delivered himself:Yer reverence, ladies and gentlemen, de dickens a one of me
knows how to make a speech at all; so ye all must excuse me, if ye
plaze; but it would be a mane ting in me to be after denyin' de
goodness of God; an' shure't is I was de boy dat see de two sides of
de shillin'-de bad an' de good. I've nottin' to boast of in de way
of hoight; an' dough I say it that should n't say it, dere were few
boys ov my inches dat would bate me in hurley or football-dough
dat is n't neider here nor dere-but, small as I am, I could put a
gallon of porter out of sight wid de best ov'em; and as for whisky,
why't was like mudder's milk to me-I'd lap it as de cat laps
crame. Ov course, dere ar'nt people standin' in de middle ov de
road wid pints ov porter in dere hands, sayin',' Good man, will ye be
plazed to drink a drop dis hot day, or dis could mornin'!-for
wheder't is hot or could,'t is all de same-one drinks to be could,
and anoder drinks to be hot-an''t is mighty could it is in de end.
No, yer reverence, an' ladies and gentlemen, little ye gets for nottin'
in dis world-and fait''t is myself had such a druthe upon me, dat'twas just as if I swallowed a lime-burner's wig. I had n't aise or
pace so long as I was n't turnin' the bottom of a pint or a naggin' to
the ceilin'-an' so long as I had a fardin', I melted it in drink.
Dere are many here dat knows me, an' knows dat I was a good
hand at earnin' money; but if one tinks of nottin' but drinkin', de
divil a good't would be to him if he had de bank of Ireland to call
his own, an' de banker houldin' on be the raipin'-hook up in de
moon, like Daniel O'Rourke. So you see, ladies, de poor wife soon
had n't a fardin' to bless herself wid, and de childer, de craychers,
often went to bed could, and me blackguardin' and gladiateril' about
de town, drinkin' here an' drinkin' dere, until one'ud tink I'd
burst, savin' yer presence; for de dickens a one ov me knows where
I put it all-I was like a punchin on two legs. Yer reverence, I'm
puzzled entirely to understand why one doesn't take half nor




214                   FATHER MATHEW.
quarter de tay dat one does ov porter or punch; hut if de tay we had
here dis evenin' was punch, an' I in de ould times,'t is n't de tay
cap, but de big jug, dat'ud be my share dis blessed night. Well, ov
coorse, dis kind ov ting could n't go on widout bringin' me,'an de
poor wife and childer, to sup sorrow. I first drank my own clothes
into de pawn-den I drank my wife's cloak off ov her back-den
I drank her flannel petticoat and her gound-den I drank de cups
and de sawcers out ov de cupboard-den I drank de plates and dishes
off ov de dresser-den I drank the pot an' de kittle off ov de fire
-den I drank de bedclothes from de bed, and de bed from under
meself an' me wife,-until, de Lord bless us! dere was n't a mortial
haport dat was n't turned into gallons ov porter, an' glasses ov
whysky, an' dandies ov punch!   Well, what brought me to my
sinses at last was de could flure, and de empty belly, and de poor
childer cryin''Daddy, daddy, we're hungry.' I remimber de last
night ov my blackguardin', dere was n't a bit to ait, or a sup to taste,
for de poor little tings, an' I tould dem to go to bed, an' to hould
dere whisht, an' not bodder me.'Daddy, daddy, we're hungry,'
says de biggest fellow,' and our mudder did n't ait a bit all day, an'
she gave all she had to Katty and Billy!'' Daddy, daddy,' says de
littlest of the boys-dat's Billy-' I can't go to sleep, I'm so could.'' God forgive yer onnateral fader!' says I;' for't is he's the purty
boy intirely! wid his drinkin' and his blackguardin'.  Hould yer
whisht,' says I,' an' I'11 make ye comfortable;' an' wid dat, savin'
yer presence, ladies, I takes me breeches-'t is no laughin' matter, I
tell ye-an' I goes over to the craychers, an' I sticks one of de
childer into one of de legs, an' anoder of the childer into de oder
leg, an' I buttons the waistband round dere necks, an' I tould dem
for de life ov dem not to dare as much as sneeze for de rest ov de
night-an' dey did n't, poor childer. But be cockcrow in de mornin',
Billy, who was a mighty airly bird, cries out,'Daddy, daddy!''What's de matter?' says I.'I want to get up, daddy,' says he.' Well, get up, an' bad scran to ye,' says I.  I can't', says de young
shaver.'Why can't ye, ye kantankerous cur?' says I.'Me an'
Tommy is in de breeches,' says he.'Get out ov it,' says I.'Daddy,
we're buttoned up,' says de little fellow, as smart as you plaze. So
up I got, an' unbuttoned the craychures; an' I says to meself't was
a burnin' shame dat de children ov a Christian, lave'lone a haythin', should be buttoned up in a breeches, instead ov lying in a
dacent bed. So I slipped )n de breeches on my own shanks, and off I
goes to his reverence, an' I takes de pledge; anl' t was de crown-piece
dat yer reverence, God bless you! slipped into de heel ov my fist, dat




TIM'S ORATORICAL TRIUMPH.              215
set me up again in de-world. Ladies and gentlemen, me story is
tould; an' all I have to say is dis-dat I've lost de taste for whisky
an' porter, an' for dandies of punch too. An' dough I do n't be for
standin' trates or takin' trates, still, an' all, if a friend comes in de
way, he's welcome as de flowers ov May; and, glory be to de Lord,
and tanks to his reverence, dere's a clane place to resave him, an' a
good leg ov mutton an' trimmins on de table, and cead mille failtha
into de bargain. Dat is what I calls de two sides ov de shillin'-de
bad an' de good,
The reader may imagine the applause amid which Tim,
proud of his oratorical success, retired to his former corner,
where he was received by his blushing but happy wife, and
lstened with complacency to the congratulations of his friends.
Father Mathew heartily enjoyed Tim's description of the
novel use to which he applied his small clothes.




916
CHAPTER XV.
Father Mathew an Advocate of Law and Order-Warns the People
against Secret Societies-Denounces Blood-spilling-His Rage
for making' Converts'-The Victim  of Lemonade-The Deserters.
FTATHER      MATHEW       was not only the preacher of temperance, but also the most earnest advocate of law and
order. Those crimes which occasionally startled the public
mind, and brought odium and disgrace upon the country,
were denounced in unsparing terms by the good priest, to
whose kindly and generous nature cruelty and violence were
peculiarly abhorrent.  Against secret societies, those pestilent nurseries of outrage, he constantly raised his voice, oftentimes with the happiest result.   On several occasions, for
instance, in the year 1842, he availed himself of the occurrence of some remarkable outrage to address the most salutary warnings to masses of the peasantry throughout every
district of the country.
At Lucan, near Dublin, he thus referred to the machinations of the secret societies, and called upon his hearers to
beware of their villainous emissaries.   This was in June
1842:I am sorry to hear, from a respected c.fergyman, that emissaries are
in the habit of going into the coffee-rooms where teetotallers meet,
for the purpose of ensnaring them into becoming members of Ribbon
Societies. My dear friends, I caution you not to join them, whatever
name they bear.  If any of those emissaries address you, at once
disclose the matter to your clergyman, or to the next magistrate;
for these bloodthirsty wretches only seek to betraj you, and, having




DENOUNCES SECRET SOCIETIES.              217
effected their object, they would then go to a foreign land, there to
live on the blood-money.
In the following month, at a meeting held in the county
Tipperary, he again warns the people against the snares of
those wicked organisations:I have seen with the deepest regret, that it has been imputed to
the district of Newport that secret societies exist there. This I am
afflicted to hear-that any district where the temperance cause has
been established could harbour such societies.  I have always,
earnestly, perseveringly, emphatically, cautioned the people against
those societies, because they are filled with danger, with vice, with
iniquity-because they cut at the roots of social order-because they
are the blight and bane of social happiness. I hope most earnestly
that the people of Newport will use their best efforts to eradicate
such societies, if any of them yet remain, and that they will persevere
until every trace of them is obliterated. The authors and concoctors
of those societies have no good object in view; they only think how
they can ensnare the unsuspecting into their hellish toils, and then
they sell their victims to the offended laws of the country for the
wages of iniquity. Beware of these wolves in sheep's clothing-they
steal upon their intended victim under the disguise of assumed friendship; but they are only thinking of the blood-money at the time. My
venerable and respected friend, Dr. HIealy, who was the first of the
clergy of the Archdiocese to join the standard of temperance, has at
all times cautioned his people against those societies; and I trust,
most confidently, that the words of that exemplary priest will be
listened to with attention, and that his warning voice will be heard
amongst them.
In December of the same year, and in the presence of a
vast multitude assembled in the same county, Father Mathew
impressively enforced respect for the laws, and denounced, in
the strongest language, two atrocious murders perpetrated
but a short time before, at Kileacle and the Silver-mines.
The perpetrators of these red-handed murders (said he) cannot
escape the just anger of God.  Though the brand of Cain on their
brow may not be apparent to the eyes of mortals, to the eye of the
Eternal it is as plain as the sun at noon is to us. Let them hide in
the solitude of a cavern, or even in the bowels of the earth, or though




218                FATHER MATHEW.
the waves of the sea rolled over them, the eye of Heaven pierces
through every gloom, and marks out the wretch who has shed his
brother's blood-who, with impious hands, has taken away the life
of a fellow-creature.  The murderer may escape the arm of man's
justice; but so surely as he quits this world, and stands trembling
before the judgement seat of God, so surely will he have to account to
the Eternal Judge of the living and the dead, for the crime of which
he was guilty in this life.  Crimes such as these, my dear friends,
bring a curse on the land. Oh, in the name of God! hold fast to the
temperance pledge, and shun, as you would the plague, the company
of those who would seek to entrap you into secret and illegal associations, which are the authors of every wickedness. Listen to the voice
of your clergy, your faithful and devoted friends, and they will warn
you against the wretches who go about, like roaring lions, seeking
whom they may devour.
Father Mathew was too wise to condemn those who did not
join the temperance society, or who enjoyed the use of wine
and other stimulants in moderation.  He employed every art
to obtain followers and converts, but his advocacy was always
within the bounds of reason and good sense. He thus expressed his opinion upon what was then a vexed question with
the advocates of total abstinence:
While I laud temperance, and call on all to join its ranks, far be it
from me to pass censure on those who use strong liquors in a moderate
way. I no more condemn them than did St. Paul condemn the state
of honourable wedlock; but I say that every motive that could influence a Christian to adopt any line of conduct calls on us to warn
others to abstain. There is no gratification worthy of a Christian
that cannot be enjoyed without tasting intoxicating liquors.
But having thus defended himself from the imputation of
holding an opinion or advocating a doctrine which would
have a tendency rather to repel than to attract, he, in a few
vigorous words, described the consequences, both temporal
and eternal, which were brought about by habitual drunkenness:Oh! my friends, if our bridewell, our lunatic asylum, or our
prisons, or even Hell itself, were to trace on our adorned walls the




HIS RAGE FOR MAKING'CONVERTS.         219
history of the desolation, the agony, and the eternal ruin wrought by
drunkenness, as did the mysterious hand upon the wall of the Court
of the King, Balthazzar, the reading of it would cause our hearts to
die within us, and our spirits to faint away.
In his zeal for making'converts,' no man ever surpassed
Father Mathew. Neither age, nor sex, nor condition, was a
protection against his seductive arts. The venerable grandfather in his arm-chair, or the toddler drawing his'go-cart'the master or the man, the mistress or the maid-the porter,
the clerk, or the merchant-the policeman or the prisonerthe priest at the altar or the boy wearing the alb-the schoolmaster and the schoolmistress, or the scholar with the jacket
and the scholar with the frock- the nurse in the hospital or
the patient in the sick ward-the gentleman of wide estate or
the lodge-keeper at his gate —the editor of the newspaper or
the'devil' besmirched with ink-the nobleman or the sweepthe fine lady or the street-scavenger-all were alike to Father
Mathew, who never allowed slip an opportunity of adding a
new follower to his standard.'Did you see Father Mathew lately?' said one friend to
another, whom he happened to meet travelling in the South
of Ireland.'I did,' was the reply.'And I'11 engage he
made you take the pledge?'He did, indeed. But did you
see him lately?''To be sure, I did.''And did he make
you take it, too?''That he did.''There is no escaping
him; but I am not sorry for it.''No, nor I, neither.'
Many a young fellow, who had as much notion of taking
the pledge as he had of jumping over the moon, was caught,
snaffled, bound hand and foot, before he knew where he was.'My dear child, I know you wish to oblige me?' would be
murmured in the softest and most winning accents of the
practised entrapper of unsuspecting youth.  This was one
pf his most deadly hooks, and seldom failed in its effect.'Indeed, I would, Father Mathew —you know that, sir,' the
intended victim would incautiously reply.'Well, my dear, I




220                 FATHER MATHEW.
assure you, you would greatly oblige me if you would join
our society, and give me the benefit of your influence.''But,
Father Mathew, I assure you I have no occasion for it-I
was never drunk in my life.''Of course you were not, my
dear; and therefore it will be no sacrifice to you —you have
nothing to give up, as others have; and you will enjoy the
consciousness of having afforded a good example to others.
My dear child, do n't refuse me this favour.' And before the
victim knew where he was, he found himself on his knees,
repeating the words of the pledge; and on rising up, he was
a Mathewite, enrolled in the ranks of temperance, with a
silver medal hanging round his neck-the same medal which
his captor had worn a moment before. Meet him in a coach
or train; meet him in the street; visit him, or be visited by
him; it was all the same —there was no escape, even for
those who, to use their own words,'did not require the
pledge,' or'had no occasion for it.' In flight alone was there
protection from the wiles of one who was as well versed in
the arts of the recruiting sergeant as in the duties and responsibilities of a chief and leader. Numbers of innocent boys
and girls gladly did as he required of them, for the enjoyment
of a holiday, or the possession of a picture-book or a doll;
and if it were said that there was not much value in converts
of this class, Father Mathew would reply,'I prefer them to
all others.  Besides, they will be men and women one of
those days.  It is on the youth of the country I place my
chief dependence.' And thousands of silver medals, and hundreds of thousands of the ordinary medals, did these young
teetotallers cost him who valued their accession so highly.
For his young lady friends he had an appeal which was
generally irresistible:-' Surely, my dear child, you cannot
refuse to do glory to God? You know not what may be the
salutary influence of your example in preserving poor weak
creatures from misery and crime. To save others from temptation, is to do glory to God; and surely, my dear, you, who




THE VICTIM OF LEMONADE.             221
were so religiously brought up, cannot refuse to do that.
Down on her knees went the young girl thus appealed to,
And in this manner did the temperance leader swell the ranks
of his society, and extend its influence amongst the educated
and wealthy classes of the community.'Once a teetotaller, for ever a teetotaller,' was Father
Mathew's declaration and policy.  No miser ever clutched
his golden coin with a more eager grasp than did Father
Mathew his teetotallers.  It was with a positive sense of
pain that he became conscious of the desertion or backsliding of a single follower. He mourned over the loss of
a stray sheep, and never rested till he had followed it into
the wilderness of temptation, and brought it back, and placed
it safely in the fold.  There was one infallible mode by which
the good man's temper might at any moment be ruffled.
That was by returning him the card and medal, thereby formally seceding from the society, and renouncing the practice
of temperance. He could retain his composure against open
attack or malignant imputation, and no human being ever so
readily forgave his enemies as he did; but to lay down the
medal, and tell him that you no longer intended to adhere to' temperance'-which meant total abstinence-was an offence
for which he had no patience, and scarcely any forgiveness.
A gentleman called on him one day, at his house in Cove
Street, and no sooner did Father Mathew hear his well-known
voice than he hurried down stairs to welcome him.' My
dear sir, I am delighted and proud to meet you, and glad to
see you looking so well.''Indeed, Father Mathew, I am
not at all so well as I appear to be,' replied his friend, in
dolorous tones.'I am very sorry to hear it, my dear sir;
perhaps vou work too hard?''I do, sir, work pretty hard;
but it is not that that injures me; the fact is, Father
Mathew, it's the-lemonade.'' The lemonade, my dear!what lemonade?''TThe lemonade, sir, that I drink after din.
ner,-it does n't agree with my stomach'Well, my dear,




222                 FATHER MATHEW.
then do n't drink it. You can have coffee instead; and good
water is wholesomer than anything else.'  It then appeared
that the gentleman had come to resign his pledge; at which
intelligence the grief of Father Mathew was excessive, for he
dreaded the influence which this example might have on
others. He entreated and implored'his old and much-loved
friend, whom he had known from childhood,' to take back his
medal, and'not abandon the good and holy cause;' but the
much-loved friend was inexorable, explaining, at the same
time, his conscientious belief that, from the peculiarly delicate
nature of his constitution, and, in fact, intricate construction
of his stomachll, he required the mild stimulant of at least one
tumbler of punch in the twenty-four hours.'Then, sir, you
may go and drink a bucket-full of it every day of your life,'
said Father Mathew, losing all patience, and turning his back
upon the victim of lemonade.   For months after Father
Mathew could not afford a civil word to the backslider, for
his fall was as the fall of a tower; but the indignation died
away in time, and the deserted leader could even laugh pleasantly at the sad effects of erated beverages upon a delicate
constitution.
The writer had dined and spent the evening with Father
Mathew, and, at nine o'clock, was about leaving his house,
being escorted to the door by his polite host; but just as he
was bidding him adieu, there appeared in the door-way a
great strapping fellow, more than six feet in stature.'Let
me see who this is,' said Father Mathew.'Well, my dear,
what is it you want?' said he to the countryman;'perhaps
you desire to take the pledge.  If so, you will do a good
work, and God will bless you for avoiding temptation. No
good ever came from strong drink, my dear, either to body
or soul.' The poor countryman seemed terribly embarrassed,
and fumbled something between his fingers.'Kneel down,
my dear, and repeat the words of the pledge after me,' said
the priest. "Tis n't that I want, yer reverence-'tis to give




THE DESERTERS.                 223
it up.''Give it up! —you surely do n't mean to break your
solemn pledge, and to become a drunkard' thundered the
indignant temperance leader.'No, yer reverence; but I'm
not well in my health, and the docther says I'm better be
after giving up the pledge-and here's the kard and middle.
Saying this, the countryman flung them both on the table in
the little parlour, and made a rapid movement towards the
door; but before he had reached the door, Father Mathew
seized him by both shoulders, and treated him to a downright
hearty shake, saying,'Go away —go away-you great big
booly i What a shame to think that a man of your size
can't do without strong drink! Don't tell me of your doctors,-I know better,-you do n't want whisky or porter —I
do n't want them.  Go, sir! you will be one day sorry for
your foolishness.' And he shoved the recreant into the street,
down which the poor fellow fled, as if the dogs of remorse
were yelping at his heels.
There might sometimes be seen a flying pledge-breaker,
pursued by one of the clerks or by a volunteer, rushing down
Drinan Street,-which was immediately opposite the wellknown dwelling in Cove Street,-or down Cove Street, and
Father Mathew watching the chase from the window or the
street door.  It occasionally happened that a head was
popped inside the parlour door, and that a clink of some
hard substance on the floor followed the words,-' There't is
for ye-I'm done with it anyhow;' and a rush towards the
street door would bear witness to the fact that an audacious
deserter was about escaping, having, as it were, flung downr
his firelock before the face of his commander. Away the
brave Donnelly would rush in pursuit, aided, perhaps, by
some sturdy son of temperance who happened to be in the
parlour at the time; and if the culprit were overtaken and
captured, and Father Mathew in the way, speedy repentance
and prompt pardon were the result; but it as frequently
occurred that the plan of escape had been tco well matured,




224                  FATHER MATHEW.
and that means had been taken to baffle pursuit, and prevent
the possibility of capture. There was also a more simple and
less perilous mode of giving up the pledge, which was largely
availed of.  This was by slipping the card or the medal
under the hall door, or into the letter-box, or even sending
it through the post-office; and to this safer mode of abandon
ing the cause, and'taking to strong drink,' the dread of
meeting Father Mathew, and encountering his anger, induced
many to have recourse. But when, wretched and woe-begone,
with tattered clothes and pale faces, the deserters returned
after a week's debauch, there was no anger to dread,-they
knew that compassion and tenderness were always awaiting
the poor penitent prodigal.  Truly, there was more joy in
that parlour at the return of one drunkard than at the enrolment of ninety-nine sober, who had never fallen.
The original pledge did not contain a clause against'cordials;' and ere long, the evil of the omission was made
apparent in a very injurious manner. A new trade sprang
into existence, under the shadow and protection of the Temperance Society, and the practice of cordial drinking became
but too general.'Pat,' said a gentleman to his servant who was oscillating
on his legs in a strange manner,'you have been drinking.
Why, the man is drunk!''Me drunk, sir! and I temperate
these four years!' said Pat, in a wronged and reproachful
tone.'Well, if you ar n't drunk, I never saw a drunken man
in my life,-that's all.''Sir, I'm temperate,' said Pat, who
had at the same time to clutch the edge of the sideboard, to
save himself from an upset.'Tell me, Pat, my poor fellow,
what have you been taking that disagreed with you so?' enquired his master, with an air of intense solicitude.  Well,
then, sir, I'11 tell you no lie,'t is them cordials-the divil's
cure to them for cordials! —indeed, I'm sure and certain
there's poison in them, for I can't ketch a hoult of anything
that it does n't slip out of my hand; and it gives me enough




THE CORDIALS.                   225
to do to manage my legs, that's going under me, all the same
as if I was a cripple. Bad luck to you for cordials!'
Now, poor Pat was the type of many others, who —though
nothilg could induce them to break the pledge, by taking
the forbidden articles, whisky, porter, ale, or other'strong
drink'-freely indulged in what, after all, was much the same
thing; for whisky was the base and chief ingredient of these'cordials, fruit liquors, and the like,' against which Father
Matllew now protested with all his energy. At a meeting
near Blarney, in the year 1842, he referred to this too common practice of cordial drinking, and also to the medical
dispensation in the original pledge —which, as his own statement proves, was liberally availed of by not a few of his
followers: —
There is one subject which I must particularly call your attention
to, and I caution you against making use of those snares of Satan,
temperance cordials, for they cannot be manufactured or compounded
without the aid of whisky of the worst description; and, as Colonel
Titus said to Oliver Cromwell,' Shall we who fought the lion
(whisky and porter) allow ourselves to be devoured by the wolf?' I
would sooner a man would break his pledge openly, for he then
would be a base pledge-breaker; but a man who drinks those cordials
is not only a base pledge-breaker, but also a hypocrite. There was a
dispensation placed in the pledge, that the use of spirits would be
allowed for medical purposes. but when I introduced that clause I had
no idea that a man in perfect health would have a doctor's certificate
in his pocket, and then consider himself authorised to take wine and
punch at his dinner; but my intention was that he should bring his
prescription to an apothecary or druggist, and anything he wished to
give him he was perfectly welcome to take. I have now in my possession a -:ertificate from a doctor, not forty miles from where we are
at present, given to a pig-jobber, who could not do his business without a glass, and also another given to a carman, who wished to take a
glass in the morning and another in the evening every day he went
to Cork.
Thenceforward, Father Mathew might be heard announcing at the very top of his voice, and high above the heads
of kneeling crowds, that the pledge included'cider, cordials,




226                   FATHER MATHEW.
fruit liquors, and the like' —the latter comprehensive word
being rather sung than spoken, and pronounced as if it were
spelled' loike.'
Relapses and backslidings were among the trials to which
the temperance leader was subjected, and which, for the time,
had a most depressing effect on a mind that, always sensitive,
was occasionally sad. But he had his hours of consolation
as well. Thus his heart rejoiced within him as he received
accounts of the progress of temperance in distant parts of
the world-in America or in India-or when he received invitations from Scotland and England, and also from the
United States, expressed in the most flattering language, and
giving glowing evidence of the spread and triumph of his
beloved cause.  The following letter from the Right Rev. Dr.
Fennelly, Catholic Bishop of Madras, was one of that class
of communications which were sure to have a cheering effect
upon his mind:Catholic Cathedral, Madras:
November 22, 1842.
VERY REV. AND VERY DEAR FRIEND,-The little zeal I was supposed to entertain, while I was in the Island of Saints, for the
prosperity of that great society for which the Almighty has raised
you up as an Apostle, was wafted to the coast of Coromandel, by a
shorter and more expeditious way than the Cape of Good Hope, and
long before my arrival was noised abroad in Madras. I was not well
landed here, when a large party of Her Majesty's 57th Regiment,
with the Rev. Mr. Gorman at their head, fell upon their knees before
me, begging to be enrolled in Father Mathew's Society.  I was
pleased to find them fully acquainted with the nature and extent of
the pledge, particularly when they informed me, that their minds were
made up for several weeks to the perpetual abandonment of all intoxicating liquors. When I expressed a hope before sending them
away, that they would never dishonour Father Mathew, one of them
cried out,' Of course we will be as good as our countrymen at home.'
He was an Irishman.
The Catholic soldiers at Poonamalla and St. Thomas's Mount were
not behind their brethren of Fort St. George, when opportunity offered
to consecrate themselves to the same glorious cause of Temperance




TESTIMONIES.                    227
The good clergyman at St. Thomas's Mount, the Rev. C. Murphy (is
not that a Cork name?) profited of the good example which was
given him by the Rev. Mr. Gannon, and, to the great edification of
his flock, he took the pledge likewise.
Nor was Father Mathew, humble and modest as he was,
at all insensible to the eloquent praises of a well-written ad
dress, a gracefully-penned letter, or a happy speech.  It was
not his vanity that was flattered-it was his heart that was
touched.  Never was testimony so acceptable as when it did
justice to his motives-for there were, alas I too many who
questioned their purity and disinterestedness, notwithstanding
that he, with his own hand, had struck down the prosperity
of his own family.    Coming from those who differed from
him in religious faith, these testimonies were still more acceptable to his harassed mind, which naturally sympathised with
his jaded frame.  Thus, for instance, writes Sir Francis Le
Hunte, a Protestant gentleman:The body of Christians to which the revered father belongs may
well praise God for having raised up among them such a man; of
him Ireland may well be proud; but human love, quickened by love
divine, knows no bounds; properly speaking, our dear Friend belongs
not exclusively to any party, to any country; his sympathies are coextensive with human joy and woe. All the kindreds and nations of
the earth will claim Theobald Mathew as their own-all will equally
love and revere him, for his love extends over all.
The letter from which the above is quoted was followed by
an address, to both of which Father Mathew thus replies:
My dear Sir Francis, your kindness has caused the full measure of
obligation to overflow. I glory in being your fellow-labourer in this
fruitful vineyard of the Lord, though only hired at the ninth hour.
I would have sunk under the weight and heat of the day, were I not
cheered on and invigorated by the soul-stirring address forwarded to
me in the far south by you and my other generous Brother Teetotallers
f Wexford.
Thackeray, who certainly is no hero-worshipper, bore a
just and discriminating testimony to the character of Father




228                   FATHER MATHEW.
Mathew, whom he happily hit off in his'Irish Sketch-Book.'
The age of Father Mathew at the time he was sketched by
the authority of'Vanity Fair,' was not two-and-forty, as he
supposed it was, but two-and-fifty.  The differcnce was in the
reality, not in the appearance; for he did not look a day
older than the age then attributed to him.
On the day we arrived at Cork, and as the passengers descended
from  the'drag,  a stout, handsome, honest-looking man, of some
two-and-forty years, was passing by, and received a number of bows
from the crowd around. It was Theobald Mathew, with whose face
a thousand little print-shop windows had already rendered me familiar.
He shook hands with the master of the carriage very cordially, and
just as cordially with the master's coachman, a disciple of temperance,
as at least half Ireland is at present. There is nothing remarkable in
Mr. Mathew's manner, except that it is exceedingly simple, hearty,
and manly, and that he does not wear the downcast, demure look,
which, I know not why, certainly characterises the chief part of the
gentlemen of his profession.  He is almost the only man, too, that I
have met in Ireland, who, in speaking of public matters, did not talk
as a partisan. With the state of the country, of landlord, tenant, and
peasantry, he seemed to be most curiously and intimately acquainted;
speaking of their wants. differences, and the means of bettering them,
with the minutest practical knowledge. And it was impossible, in
hearing him, to know, but from previous acquaintance, whether he
was Whig or Tory, Catholic or Protestant.  His knowledge of the
people is prodigious, and their confidence in him as great; and what
a touching attachment that is which these poor fellows show to anyone who has their cause at heart, even to anyone who says he has!
Avoiding all political questions, no man seems more eager than he
for the practical improvement of this country.  Leases and rents,
farming improvements, reading societies, music societies, he was full
of these; and of his schemes of temperance above all. He never
misses a chance of making a convert, and has his hand ready and a
pledge in his pocket for sick or poor.  One of his disciples, in a
livery-coat, came into the room with a tray: Mr. Mathew recognised
him, and shook him by the hand directly; so he did with the strangers
who were presented to him; and not with a courtly popularity-hunting air, but, as it seemed, from sheer hearty kindness and a desire to
do everyone good. When breakfast was done (he took but one cup
of tea, and says, that, from having been a great consumer of tea and




SKETCHED BY THE AUTHOR OF'VANITY FAIR.?       229
refreshing liquids before, a small cup of tea, and one glass of water
at dinner, now serve him for his day's beverage) he took the ladies
of our party to see his burying-ground, a new and handsome cemetery, lying a little way out of the town, and where, thank God!
Protestants and Catholics may lie together without clergymen quarrelling over their coffins.
Invitations flowed in upon Father Mathew from various
places in England and Scotland-from Catholic bishops,
from  temperance societies belonging to all sects, and also
from private individuals of station and eminence.  Early in
the year 1842, he received a gratifying address from the
ladies of Edinburgh, signed by 2,000 fair petitioners, who
prayed him to commence his promised mission in Scotland in
its capital.  Invitations from many other places in Scotland
were received likewise about the same time; to one of
which —from Greenock —he replies:The only regret I feel is in consequence of the impossibility of my
fixing at present a period for my journey to Scotland. It would afford
me great pleasure to hasten the time; but I must first heal the deep
and festering wounds of the Irish people.




230
CHAPTER XVI.
Desires to keep free of Politics-O'Connell a Teetotaller-The Eastel
Procession of 1842-The Liberator and the Apostle-Tom
Blewitt's Speech-The Stranger's Evidence-Characteristic Incident-Father Mathew's Considerateness.
IO keep the temperance cause free from the slightest connection with the politics of the day, was one of Father
NIathew's most anxious desires; and we doubt if, among the:ianiy anxieties consequent upon his position, as the leader of
a great movement, there was one which pressed so heavily
upon him as that which he felt upon this head. To those
who remember the period, from 1840 to 1845, it is well known
that it was one of intense political excitement, when the public mind of Ireland was in a state of constant activity, and
during which were held, in almost every part of the island,
meetings and demonstrations unsurpassed in their magnitude
and significance. Father Mathew had, on a hundred differenit
occasions, proclaimed, and most truly, that his society was
unsectarian and unpolitical, and that temperance had nothing
whatever to do with polemics or politics; though he well
knew, at the same time, that nearly the nine-tenths of those
who had taken the pledge at his hands were Repealers, more
or less advanced in their opinions, and that there was another
man in Ireland who divided their admiration and affection with
himself-and that that man was Daniel O'Connell. If Father
Mathew were ever so much inclined to interfere with the political belief or action of his followers, he was too prudent to
think of carrying his inclination into practice; for he could




DESIRES TO KEEP FREE FROM POLITICS.      231
not fail to be conscious of the fact that, however great and
deserved was his influence, and however much he was loved
and venerated by the mass of his countrymen, still, if he ate
tempted to impose restraint or check upon their free action,
they would have burst the bonds of allegiance to his moral
leadership, and openly disregarded his admonitions, or even
his commands. What he could do, in a matter so full of delicacy, and indeed of peril, he did-namely, to induce the members of the temperance reading-rooms to refrain from turning
their rooms into political meeting places, and to withold their
bands, if possible, from being present at political gatherings.
In the former, he very much succeeded; but with the bands
his task was far more difficult, and much less successful.
Father Mathew never supposed that a man was to relinquish
his natural interest in politics merely because he relinquished
strong drink, or that the fact of his wearing a medal was to
change his whole nature. He was well aware that, in their
homes, in their workshops, and in their rooms, his followers
read other than temperance speeches; and that there were
few, among those who received him at all times with such
genuine demonstrations of respect and affection, whose blood
was not stirred by the fiery accents of that great Tribune,
whose voice was so often heard with delight by his countrymen.
Though taking no part whatever in politics, Father Mathew
was still proud to know that his influence was felt in the
political agitation of the day, and was thoroughly appreciated by O'Connell, for this reason-that enormous multitudes
of people, who assembled at the call of the political leader,
were held in perfect restraint by the controlling influence of
the moral leader; and that many thousands of the full-grown
population of Ireland met together, in various places and at
different times, in all seasons and under all circumstances,
and that no one instance of outrage or riot ever justified
the interference of the watchful and jealous authorities




232                 FATHER MATHEW.
Large bodies of men, young and old, came from long distances to the places of meeting, and returned to their homes
and occupations with a peaceableness and good order that
were among the most striking features of that wondrous
political agitation, which seemed to rouse the whole manhood
of at least three provinces of the kingdom.  If O'Connell
were enabled to keep in check an excitable and ardent people, whom he had inflamed to the highest point, by visions of
future prosperity and happiness, of glory and grandeur to
their country, as the result of that legislative independence
which he assured them, and which he no doubt at the time
believed, they could obtain-it was through the aid of Father
Mathew that he did so; for though O'Connell might have
successfully imposed total abstinence from all kinds of intoxicating drink upon his countrymen for a week, or for a month,
as was done during the Clare Election, on which Catholic
Emancipation mainly turned, it would have been impossible
for him to have imposed it upon them for any considerable
time. And lad he to deal with a people liable to drunkenness, and therefore rife for disorder and tumult, he never
could have guided his followers for so many years within the
narrow paths of obedience to the law, respect for the sacredness of property, and undeviating adherence to the doctrine
of'moral force.' It was to Father Mathew that O'Connell
was mainly indebted for the peace and good order which so
signally marked those great gatherings, that inspired the
apprehension of the Government of the day, and the wonder
of those who regarded them with the interest or the curiosity
of strangers.  Independently, then, of the good which temperance conferred on the people in their individual capacity,
and of the greater industry and higher morality which it
promoted, O'Connell cherished it as a means to his own
ends —the accomplishment of the object which required a
thoroughly obedient and docile people to lead. And only in
a country elevated and purified by Father Mathew's preach,




O'CONNELL A TEETOTALLER.             233
ing, could the political tribune have found that thoroughly
obedient and docile people.  Hence O'Connell aided, so fai
as he could, the moral movement of the day.
That O'Connell was impressed, even at an early period,
with the gravity of the movement, and the hold which temperance had taken upon the minds of his countrymen, we have
an interesting evidence in the fifth volume of Guizot's'History of My Times.' At a dinner party at the house of Mr.
and Mrs. Stanley (now Lord and Lady Stanley of Alderly) on
the 8th of April 1840, the French Statesman met the Irish
Tribune; whose conversation he thus records:He spoke much; he detailed the progress of temperance in Ireland;
the drunkards were disappearing by thousands-the taste for regular
habits and more refined manners advanced in proportion as inebriety
receded. No one expressed the slightest doubt. I asked him whether
this was a mere puff of popular humour, or a lasting reform! He
replied gravely,'It will last; we are a persevering race, as all are who
have suffered much.' He took pleasure in addressing himself to me
-in calling me to witness the improved fortune of his country, and
his personal triumph. I retired towards midnight, and was the first
to go, leaving Mr. O'Connell surrounded by four cabinet ministers
and five or six ladies of rank, who listened to him with a mixture,
somewhat comic, of curiosity and pride, of deference and disdain.
O'Connell was really sincere in his advocacy of temperance;
and the best proof of this sincerity is the fact that, for a considerable time, he gave up altogether the use of wine, which
he had enjoyed in moderation.  And it was not until he had
been ordered by his medical advisers to resume his former
practice of using wine, as a stimulant necessary in his case,
that he did so.
Perhaps O'Connell thought he was conferring a signal
favour on Father Mathew, when he publicly announced, at the
usual weekly meeting in Conciliation Hall, in Dublin, that on
the following Monday-Easter Monday, the 28th of March
1842-he was to join the temperance procession which was to
take place in Cork on that day.  But Father Mathew, though




234                 FATHER MATHEW.
he may have regarded the visit of the Lord Mayor of Dublin
as a compliment, certainly did not look on it in the light of a
favour; and if he could have prevented the announcement of
the visit by any sacrifice on his part, he would willingly have
made that sacrifice, and simply for this reason-that he was
honestly sincere in his desire to keep the temperance movement free from the least connection with politics, and that he
felt that O'Connell's presence on such an occasion, and in so
marked and conspicuous a manner, would seriously compromise
his personal reputation, and injure the cause in certain quarters from which he had received valuable countenance, and
even practical assistance. If Father Mathew could, by any
possibility, or on any pretence, have adjourned the procession,
or got rid of it altogether, he certainly would have done so;
but Easter Monday was the day specially devoted to such
demonstrations, and the temperance societies, throughout an
extensive district of the country, had already made their preparations for taking part in it. There was no help for it now,
and therefore the best thing to be done was to put a good
face on the matter; which he accordingly did.
Whatever the feelings with which Father Mathew received
the announcement of O'Connell's intended presence on Easter
Monday, the delight of the people was excessive: they thought
only of the pleasure of beholding their beloved'Liberator' on
an occasion so full of joy and exultation. The idea of seeing
the two men whom they most loved and admired walking
together in the same procession, gratified their attachment to
their political leader, who had emancipated their altars, and
to their moral leader, who had brought happiness to their
homes. Great then was the joy which the announcement of
O'Connell's intended visit spread through the now blended
ranks of Temperance and Repeal.
O'Connell arrived in Cork on Saturday the 26th of March,
and, on the following morning, he edified the congregatioc
of the church in which he performed his devotions, by his




THE LIBERATOR AND THE APOSTLE.            235
fervour and piety; for O'Connell was profoundly attached to
his faith, and complied with its solemn obligations with the
most devout reverence.
The great event of the following day was described tho
same evening in a local newspaper; and as the sketch was
written at the moment, it will now-twenty-one years afterafford the reader a more vivid picture of what a temperance
procession was in those days, than any description which
memory could supply.    We omit a long list of the different
societies, with local descriptions and allusions, which could
not be understood by the general reader; and it is only
necessary to say that the societies, 57 in number, were accompanied by 41 bands, and that the strength of -these societies
ranged from 50 members, the lowest, to 700 members, the
highest. The average number was from 150 to 200-making,
on the whole, about 10,000 persons actually walking in procession.  With this statement, we shall allow  the writer of
the following sketch * to describe one of the most remarkable,
and certainly one of the most memorable, of the temperance
demonstrations of that period:From an early hour in the morning, which was rather threatening
and inclined to rain, the city was thronged with numberless groups of
people, either anxious to behold the anticipated spectacle, or about to
fall in with the several societies that were to walk on the occasion.
Every road, street, lane, and avenue, leading into Cork, echoed to the
sound of music, as hundreds and thousands poured in from neighbouring towns and districts of the country, or even from places so far
distant as thirty or forty miles. Long before the time appointed for
starting, the vast area of the Corn Market was densely crowded with
various societies, each headed by its band of twenty or even thirty
musicians, the members dressed, with scarfs, blue, pink, or green, of
Irish manufacture, and holding a long white wand decorated with
coloured ribbons or laurel. Before the several societies was borne
a flag or banner, generally with the name of the particular room to
which they belonged; some having painted on them an appropriate
* From the Cork Examiner of the same day.




236                    FATHER MATHEW
device, or allegorical representation, and, in many cases, a full-length
figure of the Apostle himself.
At the hour of eleven, the procession began to move slowly fron
the Corn Market, over Anglesea bridge, down the South Mall, along
the Parade, and up Great George Street, the Western Road, and
so through the entire rout settled on some weeks pieviously. When
they had proceeded as far as the County Club-House, they were met
by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who came to join Father Mathew.
Their greeting was warm and affectionate.
The scene which followed, it might be possible to imagine, but is
certainly impossible to describe. Who could tell of the wild joyous
shout that rent the very air as the two great men of Ireland, the
political and the moral emancipators of her people, met together!
The eagerness-the exclamations of delight-the rushings forward to
snatch a look at both-the rapture and enthusiasm of that moment
-are beyond our poor powers of description. In a short time after,
Thomas Lyons, our own Mayor, accompanied by several respectable
gentlemen and merchants, joined the procession.  Another shout
welcomed his arrival. Father Mathew then walked, with the Lord
Mayor on one side, and the Mayor of Cork on the other. Every
window was crowded with brilliant groups of fashionably-dressed
ladies, who waved their handkerchiefs as the splendid array filed
before them. Every roof, hall-door, balcony, balustrade, wall, and
projection was literally covered with a mass of eager and delighted
beings, who cheered with all their might as the Liberator or Apostle
came in view. As the procession was passing the house of Dr. Bullen,
on the South Mall, in a window of which sat the Right Reverend
Doctor Murphy, the leaders halted, whereupon every man raised his
hat, in respect for our venerable and beloved Bishop, while loud and
continued cheers echoed from ten thousand voices. His lordship, who
seemed visibly affected at this testimony of affectionate respect, blessed the thousands before him, and bowed with an appearance of great
feeling. No language can at all do justice to the tremendous crowd
of people, who did not form part of the regular army, but who lined
the streets on both sides, and who required all the exertions of the
vigorous stewards to keep them fiom breaking the line of march. In
whatever street there was a temperance reading-room, there was
an arch of green boughs spanning its breadth from house to house.
Banners, emblems, garlands of flowers, paintings of various kinds,
busts of Father Mathew, and allegorical devices, decorated the
walls and windows of the several rooms before which the procession
passed.




TOM BLEWITT'S SPEECH.              237
The Lord Mayor separated from the procession at the end of Lantaster Quay, when he knelt down and received the blessing of Father
Mathew amidst the rapturous cheerings of the countless spectators.
His lordship then departed in company with the Mayor oi Cork.
Aftei marching through the various streets marked out by the
arranging committee, the vast body of people arrived at the terminus,
the Corn Market, about three o'clock, wLen, after having cheered
several times, they quietly separated with the most admirable order.
Thus terminated the demonstration which inspired Father
Mathew with so much anxiety; but his labours might be said
to have commenced with its termination-for during the remainder of the day, and until an advanced period of the night,
he was unceasingly at work, administering the pledge-vast
numbers of people, from the country as well as belonging to
the city, having been influenced to join the society, as much
through the excitement of the day, as by the practical lesson
taught in the good clothes, healthy appearance, and happy
countenances of those who walked in the procession.
The pride nid exultation of the teetotallers themselves will
be best expressed in the words of a working man, a prominent
member of one of the most famous temperance rooms of the
city. The excellent man who spoke these words at a meeting
held in the Globe Lane Room on the same night, is now no
more; but, so long as he lived, he continued to be a staunch
supporter of the cause, from which he derived much personal
benefit and no little fiame-for Tom Blewitt was a welcome
guest at every' festival' held in Cork.  On this occasion he
was dressed in the handsome uniform of the band of the
room of which he was a member. It may be mentioned that,
among the bands that accompanied the procession of the day,
there were several that wore really handsome uniforms-some,
rike that of the Globe Lane Room, purely military-others
fanciful, with national colours or devices.  Many a senator
in St. Stephen's would be happy to possess Tom Blewitt's
facility of speaking, and that, too, at a moment's notice, and
without the possibility of preparation.  It was thus that the




238                  FATHER MATHEW.
working shoemaker of Cork responded to the call of the
chairman:
My dear friends, I will not trespass on your time by making excuses about inability, but will at once say, that I never felt so proud
in my life as I do at this moment. I feel proud when I recollect the
splendid spectacle of this day-I feel proud of my present companions, and I feel proud when I think that I have been one of the
humblest instruments of raising my fallen country to that proud
position intended for her by nature and by nature's God. Is there
anyone, I ask. who possesses a spark of true feeling, who thinks
with the mind of an Irishman, or a Catholic, that will not lend his
every energy to advance this cause, until all Ireland shall stand up
in the ranks of regeneration? I hope that the pride which animates
me this evening, will continue to animate me until the close of my
earthly existence.  On the hill which overlooks the City Jail, a
trifling delay caused the procession to halt. I looked over the dark
and massive walls of that prison, and then gazed on the countless
thousands who filed beneath me in grand array, and I thought if it
had not been for Father Mathew, and the noble work of his hands,
how many of those whom I then saw before me in happiness, in
virtue, and independence, would be solitary mourners in the cells of
that period! I thought how many deserted wives and children would
crowd around its door, weeping in bitterness and despair. I reflected,
that were it not for temperance, how many would have been guilty
inmates of its dungeons-how many would have rattled the convict's
chain, or fallen bleeding victims to the offended laws of their country.
I thought this, and I asked myself-was there man, woman, or child,
who would put forth a hand to check this great work, that will
eventually lessen the inmates of the prison and the work-house, banish
the convict hulks, and close up our penal settlements? My friends, if
you see such a person, mark him as an enemy to his country and his
kind-one who, like a second Nero, would stab the womb that gave
him birth!
On the following evening an interesting meeting took place,
at which Father Mathew was present.     It was held in the
Church Street Room, on the occasion of a number of emigrants-240 in all-being entertained previous to their departure for New   Brunswick, in the ship'Clyde.' Father
Mathew was surrounded, as he frequently was, by manly of




A STRANGER'S EVIDENCE.              239
the leading citizens, and supported by his most zealous and
eloquent assistants.  Whether it was from weariness, or the
necessity for reserve, he appeared reluctant to speak; and in
answer to his own name, which was mentioned in glowing
terms, and received with more than ordinary enthusiasm, he
said but a few words, which are given principally to show
how he had been employed during the whole of that day:It was unnecessary for him to allude to the encomiums that had
been made; he knew that they had drawn them from their own
hearts, pure and unrestrained.  There were many there who had
witnessed the progress of the temperance cause, from the time he had
planted the grain of mustard seed, until it had grown into the mighty
tree under which so many thousands had found repose. But if he
alluded to the progress of the cause, he was so identified with it
that anything he might say might be considered egotism. He would
leave it then to other persons. He did not lay any claim to eloquence,
nor had he had time to write a speech, for since half-past six o'clock
that morning he had been occupied in administering the pledge, and
whatever pleasure they might have enjoyed from listening to a prepared speech from him, he was certain that they would be better
pleased to know that he had been so occupied.
William Martin came out with peculiar force on that occasion, and added the camel to his list of illustrious waterdrinkers, which already included the race-horse, the lion, and
the elephant.  He again alluded to the feeling of personal
relief which he experienced in April 1838, when he felt the
load of the temperance cause lifted from off his shoulders
and placed on those of'his friend the Apostle'-for William,
sober Quaker as he was, fell into the habit of the day,
and called Father Mathew'the Apostle,' just as others did.
William declared that there was not a circumstance which
happened on the previous day that could offend the most
fastidious.
As a matter of course, the health of Captain PENTREATH,
of the good ship'Clyde,' was pledged in flowing cups-of
tea; and his speech, short and sailor-like, is valuable as the
testimony of a disinterested and unprejudiced witness:



240                    FATHER MATHEW.
IHe could not (he said) allow himself to be seated without offering
his opinion on the temperance movement. He came to the port of
Cork, after being four years absent from it, and was not prepared to
meet the change that had taken place. On coming into the harbour,
he was boarded by a pilot, whom he invited to dinner; during the
dinner, he asked him to take a drink of ale, but he said,' he could
not, for he was a teetotal man, and one of Mr. Mathew's society.'
He (the captain) asked him was it possible that a Cork pilot could
be a Mathewite? and he was told by the pilot that he was one, and
for fifty guineas he would not drink ale. Next came the boatmen,
who said, they would take me in for such and such a sum; and how
different was their manner then, compared with when they used to
drink the calamity water! It was a pleasure to come into the port
of Cork under the present circumstances. On his landing he was not
prepared to witness the sight he did witness; for though he had been
in the five quarters of the world, he never witnessed anything of
such importance as the procession of the previous day.
That procession was a costly one to Father Mathew.   A
considerable number of the societies and bands had come
distances of 20, of 30, and even of 40 miles. As many as T00
people had walked in from Kinsale. Large numbers had also
come from Dunuanway, from Millstreet, and fiom Mitchelstown.   Now   these people were almost exclusively of the
class that lived by the labour of their hands; and the very
effort which they made to dress for such an occasion, and to
prepare for such a journey, was a severe drain upon their
scanty resources.  Humanity as well as policy would have
suggested to any one in Father Mathew's position, that some
consideration should be shown to these poor people; but the
prompting of his own generous and thoughtful nature impelled him to a liberality towards them which might be truly
termed munificent, but which, by those who did not thoroughly understand the man or appreciate his position, was designated as foolish and wanton extravagance.  The temperance
leader had in him much of the spirit of the knights of old.
To him, as to them, money was the least of the goods of life;
and no conqueror in the tournament ever scattered largess




CHARACTERISTIC INCIDENT.          241
so profusely among the applauding commonalty as Father
Mathew scattered silver and gold among his humble followers. Thus it was that these temperance demonstrations,
which indicated the progress and the triumph of the cause,
formed a serious item in his expenditure, and a heavy drain
upon his exchequer.
It was about this time that the following rather strange
incident occurred.  Father Mathew had been invited to
preach for some charity, and afterwards administer the
pledge, in a certain locality. A gentleman residing in the
neighbourhood, whose name has probably been since heard
of in the Court of Encumbered Estates, invited him to his
place, where he treated him with that hospitality and distinction which were alike honouring to the host and the
guest.  Father Mathew was to sleep at this gentleman's
house, and to be driven next day in his carriage to the place
of meeting.  At the appointed time, on the following day,
the carriage was at the door; and having taken his leave
of the ladies of the family, he set out, in company with his
host.  The two gentlemen passed the time agreeably, as
the well-appointed carriage rolled smoothly along, drawn
by a pair of fine and spirited horses.  They had arrived
within a mile or so of the appointed place, when there was
a sudden stop. Father Mathew at once looked out, and
saw two or three rather poor-looking men, one of them as
if holding the horses' heads, and the others at the side of
the carriage. Believing them to be enthusiastic followers,
who desired to anticipate his arrival by coming to meet
him on the road, or poor fellows who wished to take the
pledge thus early, in order perhaps to make no delay in the
village, he opened the door of the carriage, and leaned out
eagerly towards them, saying —' Good morrow, boys I Glad
to see you. I hope we shall have a fine meeting. You
wish to take the pledge?''No, yer reverence,' said a




242                 FATHER MATHEW.
cunning-looking little man, with a peculiarly sharp eye,
scratching the side of his head with an air of comical perplexity;'we arn't going to be after taking the pledge
now, an' I'm temperate myself these three year;'tis on
another little business we've come.''I am  delighted to
meet a faithful teetotaller like you, my dear. And can I
do anything for you or for your friends?''We're much
obligated to yer reverence, and a fine warrant you are
to be good an' kind; but'tis with the masther there we've
a word to say,'-and he indicated the owner of the hospitable mansion, and the occupant of the luxurious carriage, with a nod of his head, and a significant shrug of
the shoulders.'Oh! I beg your pardon, my dear sir,' said
Father Mathew, drawing back, so as not to prevent free
communication between his travelling companion and his
tenants, or workmen, as he supposed the three men to be.
But, to his horror, he found that the cunning-looking little
man was a bailiff, who had a writ to serve on his hospitable
friend, and who was then and there about taking possession
of his carriage and horses.  The dismay and confusion of
the unhappy gentleman, at this unlucky mischance, might
possibly be imagined, but certainly could not be described;
but the embarrassment and annoyance of Father Mathew,
at witnessing the humiliation of a friend, was still greater.
The amount, though not very large, was utterly beyond
the capability of the gentleman to meet, at least on that
occasion; but Father Mathew pressed his hand softly on
the arm of his companion, saying,'My dear sir, pardon
the liberty I am going to take with you. Do allow me the
gratification of relieving you from this annoyance.  And
having ascertained the amount, he at once settled the debt,
and added a douceur to the bailiff, such as, were he not
a staunch teetotaller,'for three year an' more,' would have
afforded him the means of enjoying a protracted'bat



HIS CONSIDERATENESS.             243
ther,' as the man of law technically termed a systematic
debauch, or drinking-bout. Away rolled the liberated carriage, while Father Matlew employed every kindly art to
soothe the feelings of his humiliated fiiend, and to distract
his mind from dwelling on a circumstance so peculiarly
unpleasant.




244
CHAPTER XVII.
His Charity extends itself abroad —He visits Glasgow-His Doings
in that City-Excitement in Cork-An Irish Ovation-Acknowledges the Welcome-His annual Holiday-The austere
Teetotaller-Found in the Fact-The Tins-No Whisky in
Father Mathew's Plum-Pudding.
H.AVING now fully done his work in Ireland, he consented to think of other portions of the United Kingdom. His charity, while properly commencing at home, was
now inclined to extend itself abroad. There were, besides,
his own societies and his own country people thickly scattered
over the manufacturing districts of England and Scotland;
and from the Irish and their clergy, the most pressing invitations had been constantly addressed to him for more than two
years, praying that he would visit them, even for a day, and
representing the great and lasting benefit which he would
thereby confer on the Irish populations of the Scotch and
English towns, and the service which he would thus render
to religion and to the country.  Father Mathew well knew
to what temptations the working populations of those great
towns vere of necessity exposed, and how habits of intemperance not only degraded the poor impulsive Irish, but altogether obscured those virtues which had full play whenever
they were rescued from a brutalising and debasing vice. Ho
longed, then, for the opportunity of coming to their rescue,
and liberating them from a bondage which destroyed the
individual, and dishonoured the country that gave them




HE VISITS GLASGOW.              245
birth. To Glasgow, where there was a vast Irish population,
he first turned his practical attention.
His brief visit to Glasgow was most successful, not alone
on account of the service which he rendered to many thousands of his own country people in that great city, but of the
influence which his presence and addresses had in breaking
down prejudices, and extending his popularity amongst those
of other communions. He had received many and pressing
invitations from various parts of Scotland, and from various
bodies; but that which he had formally accepted was from
his friend the Catholic Bishop of Glasgow.  He arrived in
Greenock on Saturday, the 13th of August, 1842, and
reached Glasgow the same evening. He was received with
affectionate reverence by the good bishop and his clergy, the
greater number of whom had come from Ireland, and who on
that account felt a deeper interest in their honoured guest.
On the next day, he preached in the new church of St.
Mary, to an immense and overflowing congregation, and commenced, as soon after as possible, to administer the pledge,
principally to those of his own country and faith.  During
the next day he was occupied for a considerable time in the
duties of his mission; and the following day, Tuesday, his
arrival in Scotland was formally celebrated by a public procession..
The staid and sober Glasgow papers of that day indulged
in glowing descriptions of the imposing splendour of this
demonstration; which descriptions were read in Ireland with
gratified pride, and tended, if possible, to elevate the illustrious leader of the temperance cause still higher in the
esteem of his own countrymen. When the carriage in which
Father Mathew had joined the procession reached the hustings on the Green, it was found, to th( disappointment of the
vast assemblage, that he was n6t in it; the fact being,
that, to accommodate the people from Edinburgh, who should
return by a certain train, he had slipped quietly away to the




246                  FATHER MATHEW.
Cattle Market, and was there hard at work, administering
the pledge to thousands.
At five o'clock, a banquet was given to him in the City
Hall, by the Committee of the Scottish Western Temperance
Association, which, as the Chairman of the evening stated,
embraced nearly all the teetotallers of the West of Scotland.
He added, that they were met from   the east and from the
west, from the north and from  the south, to do honour to
their guest, the most unwearied and devoted champion of
temperance.  An address, from the pen of Robert Kettle,
was read to him by its author, amid the plaudits of an assembly consisting chiefly of members of the National Church of
Scotland. It was highly eulogistic, but written with good
taste, and thus concluded:May you be long spared, sir, as a blessing to your country, and a
benefactor to our common humanity; and having already learned,
may you long enjoy,'the luxury of doing good!'
Father Mathew's reply, in which he, as it were, bares his
breast, and discloses the feelings of his heart to his new
friends, is too valuable to be omitted.  In acknowledging
the address, he said:He received with unbounded pleasure the address from the members of the Western Scottish Temperance Union. He felt very much
indebted to the writers of this address that they had spoken the truth,
and had not given him credit for qualities which he did not possess,
or for services which he had not performed. On this head he might
appropriately quote the words of sacred authority, and say that Providence always selected the foolish things and weak things of this
world to serve his purposes,' that no flesh should glory in his presence.'
He was convinced that, though differing in features, opinions, customs, or religion, they were the same people.  He had seen nothing
in Scotland to make him think that they were not natives of Ireland.
At all events, they were the children of one common father-born to
the same rights-releemed by the same Saviour-believers in the
same blessed gospel; and oh! that the sweet and beneficent spirit of




HIS LOINGS IN GLASGOW.                247
the gospel of Jesus were diffused from pole to pole, uniting and
making all happy, pure, and guileless. The world would then be a
pleasant habitation, and its children worthy of heaven. Though naturally timid and desponding, he felt new vigour arise within him tc
see so many of different religious professions-for it was not likely
that they could all have unity of faith, but they could all meet in
unity of affection-banded together in behalf of so great and good
a cause.  However, he thought he heard some one saying,'Now,
Father Mathew, this is making fine speeches to delude the people of
Glasgow: perhaps these are not your sentiments in your own country.' For five-and-twenty years he had entertained these views, and
if any man could say that his heart had been shut against his neigh
hour because of differences in religion-if any man could say that the
needy had been turned from his door in consequence of an opposite
belief-that the tenant had been dismissed from his holding, or the
servant from his place. because of a difference of religious belief-he
would allow them to say that his actions did not correspond with his
words. In that time he had done what lay in his power to reconcile
and harmonise the warring principles of factions-to sweeten the cup
of woe-to exalt the down-trodden and unfortunate, and if another
voice were required at his hands, still he would repeat,' A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another.' He ought, perhaps,
to apologise for thus alluding to himself, but Heaven forbid that he
should do so from a spirit of paltry egotism, but for the glorious cause
in which they all laboured.  It was for this purpose that he wished
to exhibit to them the inmost recesses of his heart, and to show it
glowing with love for the whole human family. This was a cause in
which they should all unite; it was the cause of their common humanity, the cause of their common country, and the cause of God.
The Argus thus describes his operations in the Cattle Market, the principal scene of his labours; and let it be remembered that, whether it were a city in Scotland or a village
in Irecland which was the scene of those labours, the amount
of exertion, of hardship, of physical and mental wear and
tear, was about the same in either instance:
On Monday, Father Mathew administered tue pledge to from 1,000
to 1,500; and on Tuesday, after the great procession was over, not
fewer than 10,000 to 12,000 people were enlisted in the teetotal cause.
Yesterday (Wednesday), however, the number of applicants was so




24 8                   FATHER MATHEW.
immense that all attempts at calculation must be set aside. In the
morning Father Mathew celebrated mass in the Catholic Chapel:
Clyde Street, and afterwards proceeded to the Cattle Market, where a
vast concourse of people were assembled. Indeed, the great square
of the market was at one period of the day so crowded that it was
scarcely possible for the most vigorous tr push their way through;
and many who ardently longed for an opportunity of kneeling before
the great Apostle of Temperance, and taking the pledge from his lips,
could not get even a sight of his tace. Late in the afternoon, we saw
females who had anxiously waited the whole day in the hope of being
able to get near his person, but were disappointed; and we understand
that great numbers were similarly circumstanced at the close of the
proceedings. From ten o'clock A. M. till six o'clock, Father Mathew
was laboriously employed in administering the pledge; and, as the
day was excessively hot, his exertions must have been attended with
great fatigue. Group after group was pledged during the whole of
the day, to the number of many thousands; but as, from the pressure,
it was impossible to keep any account, it is impossible, as we have
already remarked, even to guess at the gross number.  Such of the
people as were previously in possession of tickets or medals put them
into his hands, and he returned them, throwing the ribbons by which
they were suspended over the necks of the owners. In the Catholic
Chapel yesterday morning, he distinctly informed the audience that
he arrogated to himself no miraculous power of curing diseases, and
that anyone who approached him under such a delusion must be signally disappointed-the power of performing miracles belonging alone
to the Supreme Being.  He, however. stated that he was ready and
willing to bestow his blessing on all who chose to seek it. Notwithstanding these disclaimers, however, crowds of diseased persons were
taken to the Cattle Market. At the close of the proceedings yesterday, Father Mathew appeared to be quite exhausted by his labours.
The practical result of this visit, in the improvement of his
own countrymen, is thus indicated in the'Scottish Temperance Review,' of September 1848.    The testimony is the more
valuable, as coming fiom a clergyman of another creed:When distributing tracts after this on the Sabbath, amongst the
prisoners, we seldom met with a person from Ireland, either charged
with intemperance or theft. But the result of the good man's labours
was still more visibly seen in the lower parts of the city. In the dis
trict we visited, for example, as a city missionary, there was a close




EXCITEMENT IN CORK.               249
off High Street which contained about eighty families. the majority
of whom were Catholics. The people were so uproarious that they
almost required a policeman constantly amongst them.  On a Wednesday morning. however, most of the adults, and a number of the
juveniles, set off in a body to the Cattle Market, and took the pledge
from Father Mathew. From that day till may 1845, when we left th6
district, there was not a quieter close, considering the number of inhabitants, in the city. A number are still adhering to the pledge, and
their orderly demeanour is an agreeable contrast to several of theii
tippling Protestant neighbours.
Before quiting Glasgow, Father Mathew presented a costly
chalice to the Church of St. Mary.  In acknowledging this
act of thoughtful munificence, Dr. Murdoch said that that
chalice would remain in St. Mary's long after its donor had
gone to heaven, a memorial of his piety and generosity. But,
save in whispered thanks and fervent blessings, there were no
acknowledgments of the sums which he lavished on the many
objects of his compassion during those few days in that busy
and flourishing city.
The teetotallers of his own city were flung into a fever of
excitement by the account of his doings in Scotland; and
that being the season of enthusiasm, and the spirits of the
people being then high, it was determined, as if by an impulse, that the beloved leader should be received on his return
as a moral conqueror fresh from his field of glory, and surrounded with the spoils of his bloodless conquest.  It was
resolved to meet him in grand procession, and to testify, by
a suitable address, the exultation which his new achievements
had inspired in the breasts of his own special followers, amidst
whom the cause had had its first and perhaps greatest triumphs.   Tuesday, the 23rd of August, was the day which
Father Mathew had himself appointed for his return to Cork;
and that day was accordingly fixed upon for his public reception by his fellow-citizens.
A few years more, and sorrow, and suffering, and death,
too. were in the streets and highways of the same city which




250                    FATHER MATHEW.
now resounded with cries of joy and shouts of welcome; and
the population that now pressed on in happy crowds, confident in the present and thoughtless of the morrow, were soon
to learn the true meaning of the terrible words, Famine and
Plague.
The following sketch, written by one who was in the midst
of the people, and had a part in the proceedings of the day,
accurately represents this remarkable manifestation of popular
enthusiasm:Short as was the notice afforded for preparation, the spectacle was
really magnificent, not from decorations or trappings, but from the
mighty masses who poured forth at a nearly hour from the city towards the appointed place of meeting the Apostle, and hailing him on
his triumphant return from Scotland. The day was exceedingly beautiful, the air cooled by a gentle breeze, and the whole face of nature
brightened under a glowing sun that shone upon many a rich garden,.nd many a field of golden wheat ripe for the sickle of the reaper.
Every face looked happy, and every step was buoyant, as young and
old, men and women, parents and children, cheered on by the strains
of numberless bands, advanced to meet their best friend and benefactor. The road was literally alive with gay groups, with bands and
banners, with carriages, gingles, low cars laden with well-dressed
females, and with vehicles of every possible description. The members of the different Temperance Rooms wore either scarfs, sashes, or
rosettes, together with their medals. and nearly all bore wands decorated with white or pink ribbons. Mostly all the bands were dressed
in uniform, some remarkable for richness, others for lightness and
exceeding taste; and many. especially those who received the advantage of good instruction, played the finest pieces of music in a manner
which clearly evidenced the vast intellectual capability of the humbler and hitherto most neglected classes of the Irish people.  But
their gaiety, their good temper, and their excellent conduct were by
far more delightful to behold. Long before the arrival of the Limerick mail at the appointed place, the different societies, headed by
their bands, were formed into line of procession, and afo the private
and hired carriages, the cars, and other vehicles. As the time drew
near, the excitement became intense; and a stranger hearing the eaget
and longing exclamations of the multitude, and seeing them rushin.
forward to catch one glimpse of the Apostle, would be inclined eitbf h
to think Father Mathew was returning alter an absence of years, ii




AN IRISH OVATION.                  251
stead of days, or that he was one upon whose features and person
they had never looked before. At length, from man to man the cry
was passed-' He is coming!-he is coming!' And then there arose
one wild outburst of freling —one prolonged shout of joy, as the coach
drove up, and, passing through a living lane of human beings, stopped
at the usual place for changing horses for the last stage. Again and
again did the heavens echo with the shout, as the Apostle descended
from the coach, and, escorted by a number of gentlemen, entered
the carriage of his Worship the Mayor.  Mr. Mathew looked fresh,
healthy. and untired as ever, and as if he had never encountered the
wonderful fatigues to which his mission of charity and love so constantly exposes him. No sooner did the Mayor receive him into the
carriage, than the people pressed forward with eagerness to see him,
to touch him. or to hear his voice. The bands struck up with great
spirit, and again the multitude sent up their cry of welcome to the
noral emancipator of their country. After a few moments spent in
necessary arrangement, the word to march was given, and gradually
the several societies, with bands playing and banners waving, filed
past the carriage in which stood the hero of the day.'The address was read amidst fiequent bursts of applause,
as its sentiments and expressions were ratified and endorsed
by the approval of the mighty mass that thus took part in its
presentation.
The address, after expressing the warmest congratulation
and wel'come, briefly referred to his labours at home, and thus
proceeded:Having achieved so singular, so miraculous a change in five millions of th- Irish nation, you have shown the world that your exertions were not confined to any particular clime, country, or religionthat you were the friend of mankind-in every grade-in every land
-under every circumstance-that your mission was for the whole
human family; and that where good was to be done, there was your
station-every country being for you a field to sow the moral seed,
no matter under what aspect, or with what degree of intensity, the
bright and fostering light of Christianity shone upon it.
We were proud to witness your success amongst the religious and
ntellectual people of Scotland. It was gratifying to see one hundred
thousand of that gifted nation assembled around you, and pledging
themselves to you that they had the fortitude by restraining them
selves and abandoning long existing habits to elevate still more the




252                   FATHER MATHEW.
character of their country; and it has added to the interest of the
great scene at Glasgow, to witness the railways-those mightiest
achievements of art and science-employed to bring before you the
populations of Edinburgh and other more distant towns.
Henceforth we shall look upon the people of Scotland as bound to
us by other and peculiar ties. We cannot forget that both nations
sprang from one common ancestry, and it increases the interest we
have ever felt in that country to think, that as it was from Ireland the
Scots first came, so it was from Ireland they obtained, through the
Apostle of Temperance, a share in those lasting blessings which this
moral movement has produced.
In conclusion, very reverend and esteemed sir, let us entreat of you
to persevere and complete the glorious undertaking. You have always acted on the principle of considering nothing done while anything remained to be effected; and though many years of your less
conspicuous life had been spent in the exercise of good works-in
relieving the needy —in administering to the sick-in comforting the
unfortunate-in spreading the mantle of charity over the distressed
of every class. creed. and country-still an inward impulse prompted
you to even higher, because more enlarged efforts, and we now see in
you, our kind, mild, unostentatious fellow-citizen, the most remarkable man of the present day-whom no fatigues can tire-no opposition daunt-or no incense of praise, or human applause, change from
being the humblest and meekest amongst you.
That you may continue for many years in the enjoyment of health
and strength, perfecting your great work, and, in the fulness of time,
that you may obtain the reward which alone you desire, is the ardent
prayer of your sincere friends and devoted admirers,
THE TEETOTAILERS AND OTHERS,
INHABITANTS OF CORK.
Father Mathew's reply-which was brief, earnest, and
brimful of affection to his adopted people, and of modest
exultation at the success which had just crowned his labours
in a new sphere of action-is part of the history of that day;
and the manner in which his allusions were received represents
the tone and feeling of those whom he addressed.  The speech
is therefore given here as it was reported on the occasion of
its delivery:Mr. Mayor, brother teetotallers, and dearly beloved friends, citizens
of Cork, I feel my bosom swell with rapture at this moment (cheers).




ACKNOWLEDGES THE WELCOME.                 253
Feelings unutterable throb within my breast, not through the gratification of any personal vanity, but for the sake of the glorious cause
in which my feelings are wrapped up (loud cheers); and for whatever
toils (as this excellent address states) I might have undergone, or
labours endured for the last twenty-seven years, that I have lived
amongst you, as a humble minister of religion, I feel myself rewarded
at the present moment-(loud cheers)-a reward far superior to any
desert of mine (loud cries of'No, no.7 and renewed cheers that lasted
some minutes). The feelings that fill my bosom at this moment are
so great, that I cannot find language to convey them (cheers).  The
honour is so great and unexpected —for, until this very morning, I
had no idea that such a spectacle as this would be presented to my
eyes on my approach to the city, not of my birth. but of my adoption
(tremendous cheering and waving of handkerchiefs).  I should, had
I been aware that such an address as this would be presented to me,
be better prepared; however, you will receive the plain sentiments
of my heart instead of eloquent language (loud cheers).  I thank
you for this welcome (loud cheers). I assure you that whatever may
be my toil, my feelings are those of love for the whole human family
(loud cheers). I have come from Scotland with a far humbler opinion of myself. and of my feeble efforts in the great cause, but with
feelings far more exalted than before (loud cheering). I never witnessed such a sacrifice of self to the principles of true virtue, as was
displayed by the people of Scotland (great and continued cheering).
I felt proud, my friends, of the affection displayed (in my person) for
the people of Ireland (loud cheering). I was in Scotland the representative of the people of Ireland (cheers). and, as such, received
the great greeting of more than two hundred thousand persons on
the Green at Glasgow (renewed cheering). We had persons assembled there from the most distant parts-Edinburgh, Ayr, Stirling,
and distant Aberdeen, to swell the number on that great occasion
(loud cheers). It is unnecessary for me to allude to the great effects
that followed that day's proceedings-they speak for themselves
(cheers). And here, the vast assemblage, the presence of the high,
the moral, and the good of our city to grace this proceedingspeaks trumpet-tongued for our society (tremendous cheering). At
this late hour of the day I will not detain you longer, than to renew
my assurances of gratitude to you, and to tell you that I will devote
the remainder of my life to your service, and to that of the community at large (renewed and repeated cheering).  I have made it
the study of my life, without distinction of' creeds or politics, to do
good to all (hear, hear, and cheers); for I never conceived why we




254                  FATHER MATHEW.
should feel enmity to any man, no matter what his religion; I do
not say this from any miserable egotism, but rather from a desire
to bare the feelings of my heart before you, (hear, hear. hear). We
may differ on controversial points; but we should all value the lesson of the holy Gospel-' A new commandment I give unto you, that
you should love one another.' I trust that as temperance has made
us a great people, that it will also-and I have seen an instance of it
here this day-persons of all creeds and politics uniting-prove a
bright and golden chain, uniting all persons in one bond of union,
and by this means making all happy (loud cheers). Once more, I
beg to thank you sincerely (cheers).
During the whole evening the city was in a state of happy
commotion; and, to a late hour at night, thousands of people
filled the streets adjoining the humble residence of the great
man, who witnessed their innocent gaiety with delight, and
heard with gratified affection the enthusiastic cheers that
followed every mention of his name.
Which of us is there, from the schoolboy to the minister of
state, who does not long for and enjoy a holiday?  Father
Mathew also had his annual holiday, to which he eagerly
looked forward; but it was with him a holiday of the heart
and of the affections.  It was usually enjoyed in the midsummer, or early autumn, and always in his native Tipperary.
For three or four days, scarcely ever for a week, his eldest
brother John's house at Rathcloheen was his head-quarters;
and the announcement of his arrival was the signal for gladness and feasting to his nephews and nieces, the children of
his brothers and his sister.  Nor was Father Mathew forgetful of the commissariat, as many a hamper and parcel and jar
and box amply testified.  The dining-room  at Rathcloheen
was spacious enough to accommodate the whole of the Clan
Mathew, who presented a formidable number, as some fiveand-twenty of the seniors sat round the great table, and
some fifteen or more were disposed of at the side table.
Father Mathew's orders were that all should be summoned
to the feast; and all, save the infant in arms, were accordingly present. Good conduct, and capacity for managing a




rIS ANNUAL HOLIDAY.               255
spoon with decent independence,-these were the only condi
tions necessary for admission to one of those grand family
banquets, at which the Priest presided, as the acknowledged
and honoured head. And, for the time, there did not breathe
a happier man than the giver of that feast, as he sat at the
head of that well-provided board, and saw round him those
whom he loved most on earth, and in whose every glance he
met reciprocal affection; or as he listened to the innocent
prattle and the gay laughter of the merry occupants of that
side table.  In that delightful spectacle, in those joyous
sounds, he lived over again the days of his own boyhood;
and the ever-present image of his mother-his good and gentle and holy mother-rose more vividly upon his memory,
filling his eyes with tears, but tears of chastened happiness.
From his burdened shoulders and his weary spirit he flung his
heavy responsibility and his grievous anxieties, and for these
few brief days his spirits were the spirits of a boy.  He
played with the young people, entered eagerly into their
sports, ran with them, romped with them, and promoted all
kinds of novel and enchanting games.
The children were enthusiastic followers of their'Reverend
Uncle,' as they termed him, and cherished their silver medals
with commendable pride. But it was not at all certain that
the same enthusiasm was felt in the cause by some of the elder
members of the family; still, while the Priest was in Tipperary, water was the only beverage that sparkled in the glasses
on the dinner-tables of his brothers. John, the eldest brother,
preserved a marvellous gravity when the subject of temperance
was introduced, and was for some time held to be an austere
convert to the cause.
On one of these visits, John Mathew was thus complimented by his illustrious brother: —' My dear John, really I
must compliment you on your appearance. I never saw you
looking better; your complexion is clear and healthy, and
your colour is so youthful. Why, John, I could not have a




256                 FATHER MATHEW.
better proof than yourself of the virtues of temperance. You
have got a new lease of life.  It is well known, by your
appearance, that you drink nothing but water.' John made
some modest remark about his brother's kindness, but did not
seem inclined to prolong the conversation as to his own merits
as an abstainer, and turned it, as soon as he could, to the
weather and the state of the crops.'How good of John,'
Father Mathew, thought,'to give up his little indulgence to
please me.' Amiable delusion I Now, if there was a man
in all Tipperary who had a conscientious respect for whisky
punch,'of course in reason,' John Mathew was that man.
Like many others of the old school, he regarded it as a panacea for the cure of every ill to which the flesh is heir, from
the lightest depression of spirits to the fiercest attack of the
gout. Not finding it convenient to apply the elixir outwardly,
he persistently applied it inwardly, but'in moderation.'
The Priest invariably retired at an early hour, and silence
soon after reigned in the house; and then John, the austere
teetotaller, who had never taken the pledge, and who was
determined never,'with the blessing of the Lord,' to do so
if he could help it, quietly indemnified himself for his forced
abstemiousness at and after dinner. The polished brass kettle was placed upon the table, with the decanter, the glasses,
the sugar, and the lemon; and John mixed his tumbler, drank
the Priest's health, wished the whole world as happy as himself, and enjoyed his punch perhaps with the keener relish
because of the concealment which he was compelled to practise,' out of respect for poor Theobald's feelings.' It was on
an occasion of the kind, when the door had long closed upon
the retiring Priest, and when John, having finished his first
tumbler, had just artistically fabricated the second, with the
aid of water'screeching hot,' that a well known step was
heard upon the stairs.  Awfully that footstep sounded to
John's guilty soul in the stillness of that silent house. Nearer
and nearer it came, till it approached the door of the dining




FOUND IN THE FACT-THE FINS.          257
room, which now reeked with the unmistakable odour of
whisky punch.  What was to be dolne?-would the roof
obligingly fall upon poor John?-or, at least, would the
ground open and swallow the now repentant Sybarite x
Leaving on the table such damning evidences of his treason
as the decanter, the glasses, the sugar, the lemon, and the
kettle, John seized the hot tumbler, and, rushing from the
table, made several ineffectual attempts to hide it away somewhere, anywhere-all the time being compelled to shift the
glass from hand to hand. John was thus engaged, juggling
with his tell-tale tumbler, and madly rushing here and there
in the hope of concealing it, when the door opened, and the
Apostle of Temperance walked in! The appearance of the
Commander was not more astounding to Leporello than was
this unexpected vision of his reverend brother to poor John.
A desperate hope suggested itself to his mind, as he still
clutched the tumbler, and then suddenly passed it to the
other hand —perhaps the Priest walked in his sleep! But no,
John; the hearty burst of laughter that smote your ear was
a too convincing proof of the fact that the Apostle was wide
awake, and that his eyes were now thoroughly open. Father
Mathew made no remark, but quickly retired, having obtained
a book for which he had been in search. It is not certain as
to what manner John disposed of that luckless tumbler of
punch, or whether he soothed his ruffled spirit with a third;
but one thing is historically correct —that Father Mathew
never again quoted John's improved looks as a signal triumph
of total abstinence.
From his own house in Cove Street, the very temple of
temperance, the arch enemy was not wholly banished. Thus,
one day, at a dinner party in that most hospitable of abodes,
the flavour of the water was, to say the least, rather suspicious. The more rigid of the guests looked puzzled, while the
younger ones tittered, as they glanced at the little butler,
whose nose was more than usually red, and whose eyes shone




258                 FATHER MATHEW.
with a wild gleam.  At last, Father Mathew put his glass
to his lips, but at once placed it on the table, saying-' John,
what a strange taste and smell the water has I What's tht
matter with it? You must have had spirits in the jug.''Oh,
yes, sir, I had to polish the tins, and whisky is very good for
brightening them. Unfortunately, I put it into this jug.' The
younger guests audibly chuckled at the excuse; but Father
Mathew only remarked that it was'all right,' and that he
would not then trouble his butler by requiring a more elaborate explanation of the'accident.'
Father Mathew honestly believed that his plum-puddings
were made without the slightest admixture of whisky or wine;
and he was frequently heard to say,'Now there are some
people, and sensible people too, who assert that plum-puddings
cannot be made without alcohol; but that is as fine a pudding as I ever tasted, and there is not a drop of whisky in it.
Is there, John?''Oh, no, sir; not a drop,' was the invariable reply. But had there been a mirror in the room, by
which the little man's face could be reflected, as he turned to
the sideboard, a grin might be seen upon those puckered features, which would have cast some doubt upon the boastful
assertion of his unsuspecting master.




259
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Key to the Father's Heart-The greatest Miracles of all-Red
Denis-The Meeting in the Theatre Royal-The Man and the
Cause-O'Connell's Speech-A monster Tea-Party-He pays for
it-Death of his Brother Tom.
THE greater the success and the wider the triumph of
the temperance leader, the more earnest he became in
endeavouring to obtain new converts. The spectacle of the
happiness of the family of the sober man was as much an
incentive to increased exertion in spreading the cause of
happiness, as was that of the misery suffered by the family
of the drunken man an incentive to try, if possible, to banish
that source of misery from the land. His belief that there
was a key to every man's heart, if one could only find it,
was one day touchingly exemplified. A Cork workman of
the better class had fallen to a deplorable condition, in consequence of his drunken habits, and every day he seemed to
sink deeper and deeper in the Slough of Despond. To render
the calamity greater, he had a wife and a family of young
children; and the madness of the father stripped the clothes'from the back of his poor wife, and starved his wretched
infants. The wife did all that a good and virtuous woman
could do to reclaim the man she had not ceased to love; but
a kind of devil had taken possession of him, and he became
a savage as well as a confirmed drunkard. Twice, at her
urgent entreaty, Father Mathew called at their miserable
place, and used every effort to subdue the ferocity of the husband; but all in vain. He did not, however, despair, but




260                 FATHER MATHEW.
came a third time, and used every argument and tried every
mode of persuasion; but the man was sullen and dogged,
and even insolent. Nothing daunted, Father Mathew persevered-pointing out to him his sad degradation, the desolation by which he was surrounded, the misery of his wife,
the spectral appearance of his innocent children. But to no
purpose, save to inflame his anger.'Father Mathew,' sai 1
he,'you have no right to come to me. I am a Protestant,
and you are not my clergyman. Do n't dare interfere in my
affairs-I do n't want your advice-I can do without you or
it-and the sooner you leave this, the better.' The wife was
pale with apprehension, as the last plank of hope seemed to
fail her; and the half-frozen and starving children cowered
in a scared group, out of the way of their father. Seeing
that further attempt would do no good at that moment,
Father Mathew turned to leave; but as he was passing the
children, he took one of them in his arms and kissed it, and
patted its little head, and spoke kindly to it; and when he
placed it on the floor again, he slipped a piece of money into
its hand. This was done quietly, but the gleam of the silver
caught the eye of the hardened man, who was looking wickedly in that direction; and no sooner did he behold what had
been done, than a miracle was worked in him-his whole
being was changed in an instant; and flinging himself on his
knees, he cried out, amidst convulsive sobs,'Oh, my God,
pardon me I Here is this good man, who has acted more
like a father to my children than I have ever done: he would
feed them, and I have starved them. God forgive me! God
in His mercy forgive me!' He then humbly besought Father
Mathew to give him the pledge, the words of which he repeated with fervour. That man was saved, and his family
were rescued from the work-house; for the key had been
found to the father's heart.
A gentleman, speaking of Father Mathew, and referring
to the popular belief in his power of working cures-a power




THE GREATEST MIRACLES OF ALL.         261
which he took every means of repudiating-said,'If there
ever was a saint from heaven, he was one. But as to his
miracles, the most striking were the marvellous reforms he
accomplished in people's lives. Men who took their twenty,
and even their thirty glasses of whisky in the day, giving it
up at his request-these were miracles. And their keeping
the pledge was a greater miracle still.'
Miracles of this kind were worked every day, and in every
part of the country, to the amazement of those who had made
up their minds that such cases were hopelessly incurable.
One week, for instance, a tattered, dissolute-looking, and
dirty fellow might be seen reeling through the street, growling out curses at everyone he met, or venting his brutal wrath
on some poor child, or miserable dog, that crossed his path;
and the next week, a decent, well-dressed man might be seen
passing the same street, his manner quiet, and his bearing to
those he met kindly and considerate. This was but the exterior aspect of the transformation; but that worked within
doors was yet more marvellous. There, the furious brute,
more devilish than human, was changed into a lamb of gentleness-the desperate spendthrift, whose only object in life
appeared to be the indulgence of the one passion, became cautious, frugal, saving-the terror and curse of the neighbourhood was not recognised in the kindly and obliging man who
was now ready to do everyone a good turn. And the children-what a transformation in them! From sprawling in
the gutter in their scanty rags, and learning all manner of
evil in that worst of academies, the street, they might be seen
comfortably dressed for their station in life, and going to and
returning from school with unfailing punctuality; for if their
father were gentle instead of savage, and affectionate instead
of cruel, he was also resolute and vigilant, and not to be
deceived or'come round,' as of old. Now these were the
miracles which Father Mathew was working every day of his
temperance mission; and much did the world marvel thereat.




262                FATHER MATHEW.
There was a porter in the service of a merchant of Cork,
and the porter was both faithful and intelligent, but 8.
drunkard of the first water. His entire thought was how
to get money for whisky, and his sole enjoyment in life was
in drinking whisky. Morning, noon, and night he was at
his ruinous work. He was most necessary to his master,
for no dealing with the country people could be managed
without the aid of'Red Denis,' as he was called, from the
colour of his hair. Twice he was dismissed from his employment, and he was about being sent away a third time; but
his master reasoned with him, and asked him to go and see
Father Mathew. Matters were looking so serious with Red
Denis, that he at last made up his mind to try what the
Priest could do for him, and'what bargain he could strike
with him;' for total abstinence was altogether out of the
question-an indignity to which Red Denis was determined
never to submit. Father Mathew was delighted to see Red
Denis, on whom he had often cast a longing eye.'Thank
God, you are come to me, Denis, and of your own free will
too. A voluntary sacrifice is most acceptable to the good
God. Kneel down, my dear child,' continued Father Mathev
to the giant, who was scratching his red poll in great perplexity.'Well, sir, the truth of it is, you must make a
bargain with me,' said Denis.'Bargain, my dear!-what
bargain?'I'm thinking, your reverence, of giving up the
sperrets, but-''God will bless you for doing so, my dear
It never did any one good, and it has slain thousands and
thousands of immortal souls, too.'' What you say, your
reverence, is thru.e enough, and I'm going to give it upbut I must have a darby.''A darby, my dear I''Yes,
your reverence, one darby a day. I ll take the pledge if
your reverence will only give me one darby a day.''No,
no; you must give it up entirely, or I can't let you take the
pledge.''Why thin, Father Mathew, your reverence, I tell
you'tis n't in the power of God Almighty to make me do




'RED DENIS.'                  263
without whisky entirely.''Shame, sir, shame I to use such
language! You should not dare say what you have done.
The pcwer of God is omnipotent, and He can do much more
than change the heart of a miserable drunkard,' said Father
Mathew, with a severity not usual to him.'Well, your
reverence, I beg God's pardon and your pardon; but'tis
what I thought; for I never can do without the darby.'' Go now, my dear, and come back to me in a week, and
you may then be in a better state of mind.' When the week
had elapsed, Red Denis was again in the parlour at Cove
Street.'"Tis no good, your reverence, without you allow
me the darby of whisky-I'm afeard of myself entirely.''Denis,' said Father Mathew, in his most impressive manner,'kneel down this moment, and repeat the words of the
pledge after me, and I tell you that God will give you
strength to resist temptation for the future-I promise you
that He will give you strength and grace to do so-I promise
it to you in His name.' Denis was overpowered by the
solemnity of the priest's voice and manner, and he knelt and
took the pledge with great earnestness. He rose from his
knees a confirmed teetotaller, as, from that moment to the
last hour of his life, he never afterwards tasted whisky, or
strong drink of any kind. To use his own words,'a darby
would choke him.'
The world had been long convinced of the fact that the
Apostle of Temperance had gathered to himself the love and
veneration of the great mass of the Irish people of his own
faith; but it was now to be made aware of the no less important fact, that he commanded the respect and admiration of
those who were not of his Church, and who belonged to and
represented the very highest classes in the country. In every
movement, whether to compliment an individual, to found an
association, to promote a county ball, to get up a regatta, or
to organise a political party, there is some one who takes the
initiative, and is, in reality, the prime mover. In this case,




264                  FATHER MATHEW.
it was Mr. Peter Purcell, the mail contractor, who had on
more than one occasion exhibited a kindly feeling to Father
Mathew, for whose worth and whose character he entertained the greatest admiration. Mr. Purcell's motive and
object are best explained in his own words. Writing to the
public press on the 4th of November, 1842, he says:Having frequent occasion myself to witness the vast and beneficial
change which Mr. Mathew's exhortation and example have produced
among those employed throughout my own establishments, and deeply
alive to the importance of rendering that change progressive and
permanent among the people, I have, in conjunction with other gentlemen who entertain the same opinion as myself on this interesting
question, thought it most desirable to ascertain the feelings and views
of influential people connected with Ireland, as to the propriety and
expediency of affording to the country an opportunity of testifying
to the merits of the Rev. Father Mathew, in such a manner as would
be at once complimentary to that most estimable benefactor of mankind, and, by supplying an evidence of the deep sympathy in which
his exertions are held by the wise and the good, strengthen this noble
cause to which his life is devoted.
When the letter was published, Mr. Purcell was authorised to mention the names, among others, of sixteen noblemen, who approved of and concurred in his project. A requisition was shortly after published, convening a public meeting
in the Theatre Royal, Dublin, on the 26th of January, 1843.
The requisition was signed by two Dukes, four Marquises,
nineteen Earls, ten Viscounts and Barons, four Catholic Bishops, upwards of forty Baronets, thirty Members of Parliament, and an immense array of Clergymen of all persuasions,
Deputy-Lieutenants, Magistrates, and gentlemen from all parts
of the country. The meeting was in keeping with the requisition, the fine theatre presenting a splendid appearance, filled
as it was with the rank and fashion of the Irish metropolis.
The chair was taken by the Duke of Leinster, who, in a
few words, expressed the great pleasure he felt in presiding
on the occasion, and the desire he had'in every way in his




THE MEETING IN THE THEATRE ROYAL.            265
power to show the respect and esteem which he entertained
for the Very Rev. Theobald Mathew.'
Mr. Purcell was appointed secretary to the meeting, and,
in an interesting speech, explained its object.  In the course
of his address he read a number of letters, and among others,
the following from  Surgeon Carmichael, which is of itself a
testimonial to Father Mathew:
Rutland Square: Jan. 22, 1843.
MY DEAR SIR, — send you a brief memorandum of the facts I accidentally mentioned to you the other day, respecting the cases of admission into the Richmond Surgical Hospital, before Father Mathew's
happy influence converted the poor of this city from drunkenness to
sobriety.
The hospital contains 130 beds, chiefly appropriated to surgical
cases; and before the pledge was so generally taken by the poor of
the city. we were never without cases of wounds, and broken heads
and arms of women, the cruel inflictions of their drunken husbands;
when, at the same time, it usually contained cases of infants and
children half burned, or scalded to death, through the negligence of
their drunken mothers. The hospital, I may safely say, was never
without cases of delirium tremens, many of which ended fatally. Indeed, I know of no instance of any individual affected with this
malady, arising from the abuse of ardent spirits, that did not ultimately die of the disease.
Now, if we contrast these facts with the records of the hospital,
since Father Mathew has made us a sober people, we do not find a
SINGLE INSTANCE of wounds, burns, or scalds attributable to drunkenness! and seldom or never is any case of delirium tremens admitted
into the hospital.
The records of the hospital also prove that, since the great mass of
the population of this city have become sober, the rate of mortality
amongst all descriptions of patients is considerably reduced, a proof
of the increased strength and powers of the lower orders in this mode,
effectually resisting the influence of diseases, &c. &c.
My dear Sir, truly yours,
RICHARD CARMICHAEL.
It may be well to afford the reader an opportunity of learning in what manner the Apostle and the Cause were spoken
f on this gratifying occasion by the foremost men in the land.




266                    FATHER MATHEW.
The Marquis of Headfort, who took the lead, and gave
the tone to the meeting, thus spoke:My lord duke, I have attended many public meetings to promote
the honour, the liberties, and the interests of Ireland; but I know of
none which is more calculated to promote those interests than that
which I have now the honour to address. Were it possible for me, or
had I language at my command, sufficient to pronounce an eulogium,
most willingly and gladly should I do so: but, my lord, his merits
are beyond all praise, and the result of his labours beyond any reward
which the world can bestow. It is impossible not to look with pride
and gratification to the present moral, social, and political state of
Ireland. Twenty years ago, would the rev. gentleman have attempted
what he has now succeeded in effecting, when the energies of the
country were paralysed, and the people sunk in degradation? But
these days have passed away, never to return. None of us can
appreciate, my lord, the present state of amelioration in the condition
of our country; but for my own part, I look forward to future generations with exultation, when those who shall come after us will require
no pledge to persevere in the path of sobriety and industry, which
alone lead to happiness. My lord, I shall not detain you further,
but propose, with the greatest pleasure and gratification, the following
resolation:-' Resolved,-That the benefits resulting to society from the labours of the Rev.
Theobald Mathew entitle him, beyond all living men. to the immeasurable gratitude
and ardent admiration of all ranks and persuasions in the British Empire.'
The Marquis of Clanricarde concluded his speech, proposing the second resolution, in these words:No testimony of this meeting could discharge the debt of gratitude
which Ireland owes to Father Mathew; but I hope I may say, that
such a meeting as assembled here this day will evince a due sense of
our gratitude, although we know that no praise or homage of ours
can discharge that obligation. I know, and we all know, that the
pure and high motives of that great man cannot be affected by any
tribute of praise which his fellow creatures can bestow upon hin-; at
the same time, I think I may say, it is impossible for any man not to
feel some degree of self-satisfaction and consolation for the labours he
has undergone, when he knows that these labours are understood and
appreciated as they should be by the people of Ireland.' Resolved-That the friends and admirers of the Rev. Mr. Mathew will best evince
their sense of the utility of his labours, by a public and enduring testimonial;




THE MAN AND THE CAUSE.                   267
which, while serving to perpetuate the memory of the man, would not only conduce
to the continued triumph of the cause to which he las so usefully and energetically
devoted himself, but also aim at confirming the people in those habits of temperalice,
and, consequently, of industry and order, which have already made such amazing
progress in Ireland; and which, if rigidly adhered to, cannot fail to render the populatiou happy, prosperous, and contented.'
Mr. Wise, member for the city of Waterford, bore testimolly to   the wonderful reformatio      woworked   by   Father
Mathew: —
Here is a reformation not of words. but of deeds, through the regenerating influence of the Rev. Mr. Mathew. I speak not merely
from  the experience of those who hear me, but I can cite you from
the eulogiurn of strangers who have visited this country from Germany and France. They have viewed with astonishment the alteration in the habits of the people, as compared with the accounts of
former travellers. I have myself known one gentleman who visited
Ireland ten years ago, and so great was the change he witnessed, so
improved was the condition of the peasantry, that he could hardly
recognise the same country as that he had been formerly in. I have
also known cases where gentlemen came to Ireland, with the full conviction that the people were degraded; but who, on going home to
their own country, were astonished at the general improvement which
had taken place by one of the greatest moral revolutions ever witnessed in any part of the world. My lord, I came here to-day to
express my sympathy, my full desire, my most zealous wish to cooperate in the objects of this great meeting, and to place this important movement in that point of view where it not only may be
an incentive to persevere as we began, but may be an example
to England and Scotland, as well as Ireland, and every part of the
world.
Mr. Smith O'Brien, M P., said he came as the representative of the county which had been benefited more than any
other by the labours of Father Mathew, and thus referred to
the intended testimonial: —
Endeavour to ascertain what the amount of the funds may be; and
then proceed to determine whether it shall be a work of art, to speak
to all posterity, in the metropolis of Ireland, or some institution
founded for the benefit of the afflicted and distressed. Whatever it
shaii be, will be best determined by the committee; but of this he
was quite sure, that they could not erect any testimony so acceptable




268                  FATHER MATHEW.
to him, or so glorious in its results, as an inviolate fidelity to the
solemn engagement entered into, by the great mass of the nation, to
that good man.
Daniel O'Connell, who was then at the very height of his
popularity, came to bear his testimony to the merits and services of the man who divided with him the affections of the
Irish people. If previous speakers were authorised to speak
in the name of a class or a locality, no one was more entitled
to speak in the name of the country than the greatest political leader of the age. To hear O'Connell address a popular
assembly, was at any time an object of interest; but to hear
the'Liberator' with the'Apostle' for his theme, was a
matter not only of interest, but of some anxiety to the friends
of the latter. A few passages from the speech of the most
remarkable man of the day, on an occasion so remarkable
in itself, could not properly be omitted from these pages.
O'Connell's vindication of the character of the Irish people
anterior to the advent of Father Mathew, exactly represented the feeling of a very large class of the community,
who were offended by the natural and pardonable exaggeration occasionally indulged in by speakers at temperance meetings, when glorifying the achievements of their beloved leader,
or describing the temperance reformation from their own
point of view. After some preliminary observations, O'Connell thus proceeded:Now, though I am rather accustomed to public speaking, I have
yet not come here to make what is called a speech, nor have I the
presumptuous vanity to suppose that I am capable of making any
speech that could compensate you one moment for delaying the expression of veneration and approbation which you entertain for that
excellent man whose name has called us together here to-day. I
would be ashamed of myself if I were capable of thinking that I
could make any speech that would enhance his merits, or place his
virtues or his utility in a more striking point of view than the simple
enunciation of his name alone must command. The name of the
Rev. Theobald Mathew is, in fact, a spell-word. It proclaims in
itself the progress of temperance, morality, prudence, and every




O'CONNELL'S SPEECH.                 269
social virtue throughout the land. I have, as I already said, come
here not to make a speech, but to bear my testimony to his indescribable merits. I could not stay away from such an assemblage
as this; for though I felt how little importance my attendance here
could be, still I owed it to myself to share in the testimony of the
mighty moral miracle that has been performed, and to raise my
humble voice in the declaration of my sentiments of admiration at
his utility as a man, and his virtues as a clergyman, by joining in
this demonstration of the gratitude of his country towards him.......     Having said so much, I ought now to retire, for I
feel this-that it is not in language to describe, and that there is not
rapidity in human speech to follow, the brilliancy of his career.
There can be no wings given to words. to enable them to rise to his
moral exaltation. You might as well think of looking the noon-day
sun in face, without injuring the vision, as to place the merits of
Father Mathew in a clearer point of view than they at present exist.
No; and if witnesses are wanting of his utility, I call on four
millions of teetotallers to come forward with their testimony.
I have heard a great deal to-day-and I did
not hear it for the first time-of the intensity of the useful work he
has performed. I have heard of families reformed-of mothers and
children redeemed from ruin-of youth brought up in virtue, and
rising into manhood with honour, whose career would have been
blighted, and their hopes blasted for ever, if the temperance pledge
had not come to their rescue, and saved the individual from destruction, and society from a curse. I have heard much of eulogium on
the Irish people as they at present exist, and I only felt some cause
of regret that, in forming a contrast with their present state and that
from which they had been rescued, there was some appearance of
showing that they had been previously in a state of degradation, and
that, in praising what has been done, there was too heavy a censure
passed on the former condition of the country. Perhaps I am wrong,
and that my anxiety arises from the jealousy with which I regard
everything reflecting on the character of my country. It would
appear as if, prior to the temperance movement, the Irish were a
depraved people-emphatically a drunken population —and that it
required some mighty Apostle of the Living God to rescue them
from their depravity. Take notice that, in saying this, I do not mean
in the slightest degree to detract from the great merits of what has
been done by the Rev. Mr. Mathew. I admit that he has performed
a mighty moral miracle; but at the same time utterly deny that the
people of Ireland were at any time inferior to their neighbours, or to




270                   FATHER MATHEW.
the people of any foreign country, in any part of the globe. While
I have been speaking, a thought has just flashed across my mind. to
which I must give utterance-it is. that the parliamentary papers
furnish evidence on what I have been referring to. Do they show
that Ireland was a drunken country? Quite the contrary. Taking
the population of Scotland, with relation to the population of Ireland, what do we find? Now, Scotland is a country that everybody
praises. You do not blame Scotchmen for praising Scotland as they
always do; and it happens that Scotchmen always contrive to take
care of each other, wherever they meet. But the parliamentary
papers show that, after all, the Scotchmen are not really so good as
they are represented. What is the evidence? I take up the parliamentary papers, and they show me the consumption of ardent spirits
in Scotland and Ireland, before Father Mathew's mighty movement
commenced. Now, I hope you do not think that the Irish drank
more than the Scotch. But even that would be enough to rescue
them from the charge of depravity, as they are not worse than a
people who are so praised. But the fact is, they did not drink half so
much. I have it from the parliamentary document, that for every
pint Scotch that the Irish drank. the Scotchmen drank two pints,
and what is called a'tilla' into the bargain. And that occurred,
too. during a period when there was very little illicit distillation in
Ireland, and a great deal of it in Scotland; and if the illicit whisky
was taken into account, it would make the balance one-third more
against Scotland. I then say, that Father Mathew did not redeem a
drunken people; but he did redeem a people who were predisposed
to his mission.......        Whatever our politics may bewhatever our creeds may be-whatever our condition or avocation in
life may be, we are all here of one mind, and that is how Ireland
should express her sense of the merits and the viytues of Father
Mathew. We are come here to pledge all Ireland to the working out
of that measure, and to show that we are worthy of sharing in such
a plan by the enthusiasm which you have shown in listening to his
praises, and by the anxiety exhibited of trying who can praise him
most.
I thank you, my friends, I need not tell you, for the kindness with
which you have listened to me. I feel how inadequate I have been
to the subject, for words are nothing when such a topic comes before
the mind. There is no painting the rainbow, the ray that comes from
the sun, or the angelic plumes that flutter round the throne of the
Deity; and there is no angel more pure or worthy than the angel of
public morality, dignified in the person of Father Mathew.




A MONSTER TEA-PARTY.                271
At a meeting held in Cork on the 23rd of March followilg, under the presidency of Sir William   Wrixon Becher,
Bart., for the purpose of promoting the same object, Mr.
Fagan, M.P., referred to the fact of Father Mathew's embarrassments, the necessary consequence of his position, and
gave expression to the general common sense feeling as to
what form the testimonial ought to assume:At the commencement, great talk had been made about the Apostle's
making money by the sale of medals, and I felt it necessary to speak
to him about the matter; but I can assert that, instead of making
money, he is at the present moment embarrassed to some extent by
his too liberal donations of 20/., 30/., and 401. to different branches of
the society. With regard to the testimonial, I am not for erecting
hospitals, or laying out the money collected in any brick and mortar
work. I am of opinion that it ought to be funded, or placed in the
hands of trustees, to enable the Apostle to carry out to the fullest the
object of the movement, and bear him free of expense; for I know
that he is at this moment a poor and embarrassed man, by reason of
the temperance movement.
Perhaps the most imposing and useful demonstration made
by the followers of Father Mathew was that in Cork, on the
16th of February of this year, when he was publicly entertained in the Corn Market.   At this monster tea-party over
1,700 persons, including many of the first citizens, sat down
to tables well furnished with every requisite for an evening' banquet,' as it was termed by its promoters. All classes,
parties, and creeds were harmoniously blended on that occasion, which was one of unalloyed gratification to the good
man himself; for he then saw, as lie fondly believed, the
cause gathering round its standard the worth of the middle
and the influence of the higher classes of the community
His blended feelings of exultation and anxiety were expressed
in his address, from which one or two passages are given:Cold and unsusceptible must he be who would not catch a spark of
the etherial fire. I pity the man who could sit here without feeling
an attachment to our cause, and who would leave us with a hostile
beart.' Hostile heart!' I think I hear some person say,' who can




272                    FATHER MATHEW.
have a heart hostile to a cause whose object is the general good of
society at large' But with sorrow I confess that our cause has enemies, that there are many who would rejoice in the fall of our society,
and who would hail the return of intemperance. Prejudice, interest,
appetite, and drinking customs, and, in a few cases, political motives
and sectarian feelings, are arrayed against us; but strong in the
strength of the Almighty God, the cause is pursuing a right forward
career, and every difficulty is yielding before it. Five millions of
persons are enrolled under the banner! the mighty vice of intoxication
is yielding, and, with the blessing of God, we will cast the' pale horse
and his rider' into the sea. With heart-felt exultation we can survey
the present condition of the country, we can witness the happiness of
the people in the smiling faces that surround us; but let us not forget
that there are those amongst our fellow-citizens, thousands of whom
are suffering from the evil consequences of intoxicating drink. Oh!
if we could take in at one view the ravages occasioned by intemperance
ill this city, we would see the dissipated husband, the bereaved father,
the disconsolate mother, the pining orphan, and the youth of high
hope and fervent aspirations sinking into a shameful and premature
grave. It is to oppose the progress of this great evil, to arrest this
abomination, that the temperance movement has been established.
He concluded with the following earnest appeal to the
representatives of the wealthier and more influential classes,
for aid in his work:I call on the virtuous and temperate to assist us in this great work.
By saying this, I mean no censure; and if the labours of the present
humble workers of the cause have been so blessed by the Almighty
God as to be the means of conferring happiness and blessings on thousands, a richer, greater, and better harvest may be expected when
those persons who possess wealth. influence, and rank will cooperate
with us for the benefit of the holy cause of total abstinence. I call
upon all who love their species, their God. and their religion, to assist
us in the accomplishment of this glorious work. It is true we are not
commanded by any precept, human or divine, to abstain; but if the
great springs of human action, hope and fear, have not lost their influence on our hearts, you will all obey the call, and assist us in reviving
the era of Christian charity and love, and in making the world a glorious habitation, in which every man may sit down in peace, and in
the enjoyment of the blessings secured through Christ; temperance
binding all togethe r in the strictest and sweetest bonds of Christian
charity and brotherly love.




HE PAYS FOR IT-ANOTHER LOSS.         273
The expense incurred in getting up this monster tea-party
was considerable, leaving a balance of little short of 1001.
against the committee, who were about paying it out of their
own pockets, when Father Mathew heard of the fact. He
appeared amongst them one evening as they were settling
their accounts, and placing a bag full of silver on the table,
insisted that he alone should make good the deficiency. Remonstrance, and even refusal, were altogether unavailing;
for he was a man who, when he had made up his mind upon
any matter, would have things his owf way.
In May 1843, his brother Frank died, and for a short
time after Father Mathew was unable to prosecute his mission; but a sense of duty soon triumphed over the natural
tenderness of his heart, and saved him from indulging without restraint in grief which, if given way to, would have
impaired his usefulness, and prevented him from fulfilling
engagements to which he was pledged. He could not, nor
did he attempt, to stifle the sorrow which every recollection
of that beloved brother inspired; but he resolutely kept it
locked up within his breast, and pursued his mission with
unabated energy. Frequently, however, he would steal an
hour from his triumphant mission to.,weep and pray at that
tomb; and when the same sepulchre held the remains of his
brother Tom, who died shortly after, his visits were still
more frequent. The act soothed his feelings as a man, and
gratified his piety as a priest.




274
CHAPTER XIX.
]Ie determines to visit England-Inducements to do so-Earl Stanhope's Letter-The Quaker's' Hotell-Reception in York-In
Leeds-In London.
T  HE nexc great event of his life was his visit to England.
That he had gone through the length and breadth of
his own country previous to this visit to the sister country,
we have from  his own words.   Writing fiom Cork to a
friend in America, in February 1843, he says:'I have
now, with the Diviine assistance, hoisted the banner of temperance in almost every parish in Ireland, and, in every instance, by the pressing invitation of the parish priest, whose
guest I invariably was.'
Invitations to visit England had been pouring in upon
him since 1840; and had he not kept steadily in mind
the task which he had undertaken in Ireland, and the necessity of completing it, so far as it was humanly possible
for him to do so, he might have yielded to the pressing
entreaties addressed to him. These appeals were made alike
by Protestant and Catholic, by English and by Irish, by individuals as well as by societies.  The Christian concord
which his presence would be sure to promote among men of
different persuasions-the prejudices which he would break
down-the good which he would do his country through the
moral elevation of the poor Irish, who, from their poverty
and their social habits, were exposed to the worst temptation 
of large towns,-these inducements, and a hundred otbei




INDUCEMENTS TO VISIT ENGLAND.             275
likely to impress a man of his sensibility, were constantly
addressed to him; but whatever liis impulse might prompt him
to do, his strong sense of duty enabled him to resist these
solicitations, so long as his work.at home was not sufficiently
accomplished.   The announcement of his intention to visit
Eniland in the sunmmer of 1843 was hailed with satisfaction
by the friends of temperance, and with natural enthusiasm by
the Irisl populations of its-great towns.
A  letter from  the late Earl of Stanhope well expresses
the esteem in which Father Mathew     was held by those who
differed from  him  in religious belief, and the satisfaction
with which the amnuouncement of his intended visit was received:
Chevening, near Sevenoaks: Jan. 26, 1843.
MAY DEAI: SiR —I wXas inexpressibly rejoiced to learn by your letter
that you propose to visit London in May next, and I fervently hope
that nothing will occur to prevent your arrival, which will be hailed
with extreme and heart-felt satisfaction by the friends of temperance,
and will be of infinite importance to the cause; for I trust that
Divine Providence will continue to bless and prosper your benevolent
exertions in this country, as well as in your native land, and that
you may have the happiness of conferring their benefits on many of
those who in the metropolis have fallen through intemperance into
a state o' destitltion and of moral degradation. Your presence in
this country will to myself in particular afford the greatest happiness,
as I entertain for you the sincerest veneration, as I am most grateful
for your iiitstimiable services. and as I have long and ardently wished
to have opportunities of conversing with you, when you will find me
most anxious to profit by your instructions. But I am only a very
humble follower in the great cause. If your engagements should
allow it, you would oblige me extremely by honouring me with a visit
at this place, which at that time of the year is in great beauty.
Allow me again to assure you that I am, with the utmost regard
and esteem, my dear Sir,              Most faithfully yours,
STANHOPE.
To the Rev. Theobald Mathew.
The pressure of his many engagements in various parts of
the country did not admit of his leaving Ireland sooner than




27 6                FATHER MATHEW.
the 30th of June, when he left Cork to redeem his longstanding and oft-repeated promise.
It is not necessary that a detailed account should be given
of Father Mathew's visit to England, nor to enumerate the
towns through which he passed, the addresses he received, the
replies which he made, the speeches which he delivered, or the
numbers that he enrolled. It was a repetition of his visit
to Glasgow; the same enthusiasm and excitement, the same
processions and assemblages, the same respect evinced towards
him by those not of his own communion, the same wild exultation and delight manifested by his own country-people-the
same impression of the character of the man left upon the
minds of all who saw him, spoke with him, or were in any
way brought into contact with him.   By the bishops and
clergy of the Catholic Church he was received with affectionate reverence; and wherever he went, in his short but triumphant tour in England, he contrived to pay back the kindness of his reception by conferring, through his preaching,
some solid advantage on the Catholic mission of each locality
or district.
In Liverpool, in Manchester, in Salford, in Huddersfield,
in Wakefield, in Leeds, and in a number of other places, his
success was extraordinary, but not greater than ought to
have been the natural result of his extraordinary labours.
In Liverpool and Manchester, he preached and administered the pledge in all the Catholic churches and schools
of those great towns. There was not a day, during his stay
in either place,-in both of which there was then, as there
is now, an immense Irish population,-on which he did not
lecture on temperance, and administer the pledge for several
hours, frequently from an early hour in the morning to a late
hour in the evening. Then, on Sundays, he preached for
some special object, and also addressed crowded congregations
on the ever-present purpose of his visit to England. Vast
numbers of Protestants and members of the various dissent



THE QUAKER'S'HOTEL.2              277
ing bodies came to hear him preach in the different places
through which he passed; and the impression which was
made on their minds added to his reputation as a Christian
minister, and enhanced his popularity with the English people. The employers of labour, whether rude or skilled, soon
began to appreciate the benefits which his mission conferred
on themselves, through the improved habits of their workpeople; and few there were, indeed, save the interested or
the foolishly-bigoted, who did not wish God-speed to the good
work so modestly and unostentatiously performed. Wherever
he went, he received the most pressing invitations to take up
his residence in the houses of his friends and admirers; but,
to avoid giving trouble, and also to maintain, as much as possible, his personal freedom, he preferred remaining at hotels.
Writing to a friend in London of the invitation which he had
received to York, he says:The Right Rev. Dr. Briggs has condescended to invite me to be his
guest during mny stay in the archiepiscopal city. I prize the honour
he has conferred on me, but I have most respectfully declined it, as it
would not be compatible with the nature of my mission to be in a
private mansion. I must be free to see all persons, rich and poor, at
all hours.
This determination induced a respected member of the Society of Friends to resort to an ingenious device to obtain the
honour of Father Mathew's company during his stay in Wakefield. The Quaker invited him to stay at his house, and
received the usual reply, that he was to stop at the hotel, for
the convenience of those who required to see him at all hours.
The Friend would not be put off, but intimated that his house
was a hotel, whereon Father Mathew gladly consented to'put up' at it while in Wakefield. A board, with the word' Hotel,' was placed on the outside of tile mansion, and the
private residence became, for the time, a most comfortable
inn. Father Mathew was greatly pleased with the quiet and
order, the wonderful neatness and simple elegance, which




278                  FATHER MATHEW.
pervaded the entire establishment; while the agreeable manners
of its master, which conbinied the cordiality of a friend with
the politeness of the most gentlemanly host, filled him with
astonishment. The servants of the house were also different
from the usual class to be found in ordinary hotels: they
were kindly, attentive, and respectful; and though they seemed
to anticipate his every wish, they were neither fussy nor obtrusive. Then the bells of this Quaker hotel were singularly
quiet; so that the'boots,' and the chamber-maids, and the
waiters must have known by intuition when and where their
services were required. Truly, it was a model establishment,
which any visitor might leave with very natural regret. The
kindly device was not discovered until the time of his departure drew near, when the master of the house, no longer fearing the abrupt departure of his guest, appeared in his true
chalracter-as a generous and thoughtful host.
Father Mathew's reception in the fine old city of York was
not only most flattering, but most significant. A grand procession of the temperance societies from the surrounding districts, accompanied with banners and bands, received him on
his arrival, and escorted him through the city to his hotel.
The venerable Bishop Briggs-who, in a few years after, displayed such practical sympathy with the starving poor of
Ireland-Lord Stourton, Sir Edward Vavasour, and other
distinguished Catholics, witnessed from the windows of a private residence this public manifestation of respect for the Irish
Friar by that vast concourse of people, of various religious
creeds, and of strong prejudices-in a city, too, where, as
some of the party said, were a Catholic priest to have made a
similar entry some years before, he would have been rather
roughly treated.
In Leeds his reception was equally gratifying, and his success even more striking. Demonstrations of all kinds were
got up in his honour, such as processions, soirees, meetings,
and addresses. In one of his speeches in this important place




HIS RECEPTION IN LEEDS.                 279
he thus rather humorously vindicated the Temperance Society
of Ireland from the charge of being a political body:It is imagined in England that the teetotallers of Ireland, as such,
have mixed themselves up with the great agitation that at present
prevails in that country. Why, to be sure, when nearly all the population have taken the total abstinence pledge, it is not very likely
that 300,000 persons could assemble without a few teetotallers being
amongst them.
Father Mathew's appearance, and the impression which he
made upon the English people who beheld him for the first
time, were well described in the'Leeds Mercury' of that
date:That in which the attraction of the procession centered was the carriage in which stood erect, with uncovered bead, the great Apostle of
Temperance, Father Mathew-the object of ten thousand greetings
from the vast number of spectators who thronged the windows and
every spot of vantage ground in the streets through which the procession moved...... His manners are simple and unassuming;
and the kind and hearty reception which he gives to all who approach
him (whether brought into his presence through curiosity or respect)
is such as strikingly manifests him to be a true philanthropist, whose
love and affection for his fellow-men overstep the narrow sphere of
benevolence in which moves the mere kindred, party, or sectarian
benefactor. Hitherto his least-recognised excellence by Englishmen
has been as a public speaker; but his addresses at Leeds, York, and
other parts of England prove that in this capacity his merits have not
been duly understood or appreciated. His voice is mostly shrill and
feeble, and his speeches, in general, are simple as his attire; they are
always short, pointed, and harmonious,-often clothed in interesting
similes, drawn from surrounding or familiar objects, and invariably
appropriate and well selected. His addresses, however, are never distinguished by the gaudy ornaments of rhetoric; their elegance and
force are more consistent with the language natural to an enlarged,
fervid, and virtuous heart, than with a studied ni ty of arrangement,
or a lofty figurative style. Many public speakers are more eloquent,
-most more tedious; yet few were more sincere, pleasing, and effective, and fewer in all things more charitable. Such is Father Mathew,
the moral regenerator of Ireland.




280               FATHER MATHER MATHEW.
After having made a successful tour of most of the principal places in Lancashire and Yorkshire, Father Mathew
visited London, where his services were much required.. And
here, during several weeks, he underwent an amount of labour
which very few men could have gone through with impunity,
but for which his missionary labours of the previous three or
four years had well prepared him. He commenced his good
work in the poorest districts of the metropolis, in which the
Irish principally dwelt, and where he was received by his
country-people with all the enthusiasm which his character,
his sacred office, and his nationality excited in a warm-hearted
and affectionate race. His success was proportionately great,
as was soon evinced in localities which up to that time had
been the scene of constant brawl and confusion, of stupid
quarrel and of savage conflict.  Bishop Griffiths and the
Catholic clergy lent their willing aid to one who accomplished
so much for their flocks, and who, wherever he went, left after
him proofs and evidences of his good work in the improved
tone and habits of those who submitted to his influence. But
others of a different faith zealously assisted the efforts of the
Irish Priest to prosecute a mission which had the good of all
for its object.
Nor during his stay in London was Father Mathew to
be found only in the midst of the poor-appealing to the
wretched drunkard to abandon the cause of his misery, and
affectionately exhorting those of his own race and country to
allow fair play to the many virtues which distinguish them
when sober and self-respecting. IIe was also to be seen in
the mansions of the aristocracy, with whom he was a welcome
and an honoured guest. It was while London was yet'in
town,' and he was the lion of the hour.  His table was
covered with cards and notes of invitation to all kinds of
entertainments, including the fashionable breakfast and the
late dinner. Father Mathew was as much at home in the
gilded saloon of the noble as in the modest parlour of a




IN LONDON.                    281
brother priest; so that, if gaucherie or restraint were expected
firom the Irish Friar in the presence of the great, the mistake
was at once apparent; for in ease of manner, and quiet dignity of bearing, few surpassed Theobald Mathew. But there
was superadded, in his case, the charm which springs from
the purest benevolence and goodness of heart; and this, with
the prestige of his world-wide fame, and the thought of the
wonderful work which he had accomplished, invested him
with extraordinary attraction in the eyes of those who beheld
him for the first timo, and who were pleased to find in the
celebrated Apostle of Temperance a thorough gentleman.
By the members of the Catholic aristocracy, at whose houses
he visited, he was received with affectionate reverence, due
alike to his personal character and sacred profession. To
many he had been known before, either personally or as a
correspondent; but in every case his welcome was as cordial
and sincere as it was respectful.
The late breakfasts and the late dinners were very trying
to him, from the manner in which the hours of almost every
day were filled up. He rose, as usual, at an early hour, and
invariably celebrated Mass in one of the chapels of the city;
after which he was occupied with the poor until half-past ten,
the ordinary hour of his fashionable appointment for his first
meal. As soon as he could well leave the party that had
been invited to meet him, he proceeded to the place fixed for
the public meeting of that day, and there he remained, exhorting and administering the pledge, so long as there was a
chance of obtaining an additional disciple. He then returned
to his hotel, where he wrote letters or received visitors; and
at eight, or half-past eight, when the hour for dinner arrived,
he generally found a large party, that had been invited to do
him honour. His breakfast was invariably but a moderate
repast; so,hat the dinner, which he partook of at this, to
him, unseasonable hour, might be said to be his only meal
during the entire day. To those who were not aware of the




282                  FATHER MATIEW.
long fast to which he had been subjected, his vigorous appetite must have excited admiration, and probably it was attributed to the beneficial influence of total abstinence. At ten
o'clock he contrived to slip away from his grand party; and
in his bed-room at his Temperance hotel he concluded the
good work of the day, by the devotional exercises which his
office prescribed, or which his piety inspired.
If he received encouragement and support, he also o;et
with opposition and insult. In Ireland, from one end of the
kingdom to the other, the Apostle of Temperance never received insult or incivility in any instance, even from those
whom he injured most. With Protestant and Presbyterian,
as with Catholic, the parity of his motive and the benevolence
of his character protected him from every attempt at open
opposition or personal indignity; but, availing themselves of
the stupid prejudice against'the Popish priest,' which was
felt most strongly by the lowest class of their besotted customers, some crafty publicans in Bermondsey, in Westminster,
and in other parts of tie metropolis, who were afraid of losing
their unhappy slaves, organised several attempts to interrupt
the proceedings of his meetings, to upset the platform, or to
create disturbance and confusion.  In some instances, the
attempts were successful, and the proceedings were abruptly
terminated; in others, the assailants suffered for their folly,
having been soundly drubbed by the indignant Irish, who
resented the insult to their country and their religion in the
person of Father Mathew. The presence of the police at
other times kept the publicans, who came on the ground with
beer for sale, as well as their noisy and half-drunken myrmidons, in check, and prevented the rioting which had been
evidently intended; but on one occasion, where drink had
been distributed gratuitously and in abundance by the alarmed
sellers of the locality, a mob of drunken'roughs' was bearing
down on the platform with mischievous intent, and Father
Mathew was compelled to escape from the back of the plat.




INTENDED OPPOSITION,                  283
form, where there was a cab in readiness to receive him. A
scene of this disreputable character took place on his visit
to Bermondsey, which was thus described in the'Morning
Chronicle' of the following day:Father Mathew arrived about half-past twelve o'clocK, at which
time there were about 2.000 persons assembled, and on his appearance
on the platform he was met with shouts of disapprobation, mingled
with cheers. Finding this was the case. the reverend gentleman dispensed with making any address, and simply called on those who
wished to take the pledge to come forward. This call was met with
derisive laughter; and in order to frustrate the labours of the apostle,
a large body of fellows, chiefly dockmen and apparently labourers in
the tan-yards, took possession of the space within the barrier, and
refused to leave it. Mr. Hart, one of the temperance advocates, went
amongst them to remonstrate, and was shamefully treated, one of the
ruffians striking him in the face. Father Mathew proceeded to administer the pledge to a few persons who had got in front, and on the
platform. The greatest confusion and uproar continued to prevail,
and it was ultimately deemed necessary to send for a body of the M
division of police, who, on their arrival, endeavoured to clear the barrier, but were met with the greatest resistance, and in several instances they were violently struck in the execution of their duty. The
removal of the parties from within the barrier in no way tended to the
preservation of order without, for the yells and hootings continued
rather to increase than diminish, and whilst Father Mathew was administering the pledge to some females on the platform, stones were
thrown at him from the back of the crowd. One of them, which
struck a gentleman standing very near the apostle,' was shown to
him. It was a large-sized flint-stone, which evidently, from  its
shiny appearance, had been in a person's pocket some time. The
police, in order to prevent a recurrence of so disgraceful a proceeding,
and to deter the parties, distributed themselves among the crowd.
Shortly after, a gang of the dastardly ruffians were discovered in the
rear of the platform, making preparations to cut the ropes fastening
its cross supporters to the uprights; and, had this been effected, the
most serious consequences, if not a large amount of loss of human life,
must have resulted, the stage of the platform being unusually high,
and at the time crowded with people. Four or five of the delinquente
were. it is stated, secured, and given into custody.




284                   FATHER MATHEW.
An address was about to be presented to Father Mathew, from the
Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Total Abstinence Association, when one
of the most disgraceful and extraordinary scenes which can be imagined took place. A great noise was heard proceeding from one of
the arches of the railway, and immediately after a body of the antiteetotallers, who had left the spot a short time previously, made their
appearance in procession. They were about sixty or seventy in number, followed by three times the number of boys. Some of them had
staves, and were decorated from head to foot with hop-leaves. Each
of them bore a quart or pint pot in his hand, and in the centre the
men carried large cans, containing each at least four or five gallons of
beer. They were forcing their way to the hustings, evidently with a
determination to take possession of it, when they were met by the
police. A general conflict then took place, in which a considerable
quantity of the beer was upset. The' Malt and Hops' gentry were
compelled to retreat, but immediately after rallied, and mounted a
large pile of bricks in one corner of the field, where the most gross
language was indulged in, and from which the pots and cans were
held up in derision. An additional body of police having arrived, tne
rioters were driven from their position, but not before they had thrown
some of their beer into the faces of their assailants. The ground was
at last cleared of these gentry; and Father Mathew, in returning
thanks for the address, regretted that any men should be so lost as to
attempt to disturb proceedings of the kind they had met to carry out;
more especially when it was for the good of those very poor men who
had done so.
Opposition of this nature had the contrary effect to that
which its foolish authors intended; for it not only excited
the indignation of well-thinking people, but it made the Irish
residents of London more willing to take the pledge, and more
resolute in keeping it.
In the account given, in the'Times,' of one of his visits to
Westminster, is the following:After giving the pledge to the second batch, Father Mathew said
that while he was below he had heard one person say to his neighbour,' What a shame it was that a Protestant should receive a blessing
from a Catholic priest.' Now, since he had been in England, he had
everywhere received the blessings of the Protestants, and he was




NO EVIL IN A BLESSING.                285
proud of it If a blessing did them no good, surely it could do them
no harm. Since he had been in this country he had got half a million
of blessings from the Protestants. He was daily saluted with'God
bless you, Father Mathew!'' God speed you, Father Mathew! and
such like earnest expressions. There certainly could be no evil in a
blessing, come from whom it would.




286
CHAPTER XX.
A Rare Occurrence-A Noble Convert-The Press and the Peerage-Lord Brougham-Characteristic Incident-The Great Duke
and the Apostle of Temperance-Welcomed by the Bishop of
Norwich —The Bishop's noble Eulogium-Father Mathew's
Good Work in England.
IT was a rare circumstance with Father Mathew to hesitate
1  as to giving the pledge to any one, or to pause to ascertain from the postulant who knelt before him whether he had
fully made up his mind as to the step he was about to take.
Marvellous as the fact must have seemed to himself, when lie
thought of it afterwards, lie (id hesitate in one instanceperhaps the only one that could be recorded of him. It was
on the occasion of his holding a meeting in Golden Lane,
Barbican, which was attended by a great concourse of people,
chiefly Irish. He had been addressing himself specially to the
working classes, and earnestly impressing on them the necessity of renouncing the cause of so much misery; and when,
at the conclusion of his address, several hundreds knelt to
receive the pledge, Father Mathew, on looking round him,
found the future Duke of Norfolk, then Lord Arundel and
Surrey, also on his knees. Anxious as he was to obtain so
illustrious a' convert,' Father Mathew was of opinion that the
young nobleman had yielded to a sudden impulse, and was
about to take the pledge unreflectingly; and however ardently he desired to add him to the number of his followers, he
was apprehensive of the evil which would follow were lie to
abandon the cause whicll he impulsively joined.  So, before
admiuistering the pledge to the hundreds who were waiting




A NOBLE'CONVERT.'               287
to take it, he spoke privately to the earl, and asked him if
he had given the subject sufficient reflection.'Ah! Father
Mathew,' replied his noble convert,'do you not know that I
had the happiness to receive Holy Communion from you this
morning at the altar of Chelsea Chapel? I have reflected on
the promise I am about to make, and I thank God for the
resolution, trusting to the Divine goodness for grace to persevere.' Tears rolled down his cheeks as he uttered these
words, with every evidence of genuine emotion.  He then
repeated the formula of the pledge.  Father Mathew embraced him with delight, pronounced a solemn benediction'on him and his,' and invested him with the medal which he
took from his own neck. This scene was witnessed with the
most intense interest by the vast assemblage, by whom the
earl was hailed with cheers, as he rose from his knees a disciple of the Apostle of Temperance. The example thus given
had the effect of adding many hundreds to the ranks of the
society on that day. This act, publicly performed, was regarded by the good and pious nobleman as one of no ordinary
gravity; for he long continued faithful to the pledge thus
voluntarily taken; and it was not until many years after,
that, at the command of his medical advisers, he substituted
moderation for total abstinence.
Father Mathew's rare self-denial on this almost solitary
occasion was amply compensated by his zealous efforts to enlist recruits from the influential ranks or professions. It would
be difficult to say whether he prized more, as a convert, a
newspaper editor or a peer of the realm.'Oh,' exclaimed he
one day at a meeting in Chelsea, which was attended by
several members of the aristocracy and representatives of the
press,'if I could only induce some of my noble friends and
my young friends of the press to join, I should be most happy,
for I know how powerful their example and influence would
be.' The reporters of the daily papers were here placed in
the same category as the scions of nobility, and no man bet



288                  FATHER MATHEW.
ter knew than he did the service which the former could
render to his cause. But an editor of an influential journal
was a prize equal in value to a prime minister.  His estimate
of the value of the support which he received from the public
press was expressed on various occasions in Ireland; but
while in England he also proclaimed his obligation and gratitude to that powerful agent.   At one of his meetings in
London he said:I have often taken occasion to say that, next to God, to the support
I have met with from that most mighty moral power on this earth,
the public press, do I attribute the success which has attended the
great moral movement, total abstinence. In Ireland, with one solitary exception, the whole press has been in my favour; and in London you all know the support I have reeeived from the public press
of all shades of opinion; and I thus publicly tender my grateful
thanks to those who have the control of every metropolitan daily
journal, not so much for the kindness they have accorded to me personally, as for the good they have done for the cause of morality, by
sustaining my humble efforts to arrest a great evil.
During his stay in London, Father Mathew met the most
distinguished men of the day, who had been invited to meet
the great moral reformer. He created no small amusement
to a large party at the hospitable mansion of an Irish nobleman by his attempts, partly playful, but also partly serious,
to make a convert of Lord Brougham, who resisted, goodhumouredly but resolutely, the efforts of his dangerous neighbour.'I drink very little wine,' said Lord Brougham:'only
half a glass at luncheon, and two half glasses at dinner; and
though my medical advisers told me I should increase the
quantity, I refused to do so.''They are wrong, my lord, for
advising you to increase the quantity, and you are wrong in
taking the small quantity you do; but I have my hopes of
you.'  And so, after a pleasant resistance on the part of the
learned lord, Father Mathew invested his lordship with the
silver medal and ribbon, the insignia and collar of the new
Order of the Bath.'Then I will keep it,' said Lord




INCIDENTS.                   289
Brougham,'and take it to the House, where I shall be sure
to meet old Lord -      the worse of liquor, and I will put
it on him.' The announcement of this intention was received
with much laughter, for the noble lord referred' to was notorious as a persistent worshipper of Bacchus. Lord Brougham
was as good as his word; for, on meeting the veteran peer
who was so celebrated for his potations, he said:'Lord -,
I have a present from Father Mathew for you,' and passed
the ribbon rapidly over his neck.'Then I tell you what it is,
Broughain  by --     I will keep sober for this night,' said
his lordship, who kept his vow, to the great amazement of his
friends.
The Marquis of Clanricarde, who was the noble entertainer,
accompanied his distinguished guest to the hall, where he was
surprised by seeing him go eagerly towards one of the servants
in waiting, and shake him warmly by the hand. This was an
English servant, who, afraid of losing his situation, had taken
the pledge, some two or three years before, when Father
Mathew visited Portumna Castle, the seat of the noble marquis in Ireland.  Father Mathew, whose memory for persons
was extraordinary, at once recognised his follower, and, in the
presence of several members of the aristocracy-who were
not a little amazed at what the  witnessed-treated that
servant with manly respect.
Father Mathew and the'great Duke'-the two most distinguished conquerors of the age, though in widely-different
fields of glory-met on one of these occasions. The duke was
singularly gracious to his brother hero, for whose character
and services he entertained well-known respect.'I ought to
claim your Grace as one of ours,' said the priest to the sol
dier.'How can that be, Father Mathew? I am not a teetotaller, though I am a very moderate man,' replied the duke.'Oh, but you are a temperance man, your Grace; for if you
had not so cool a head, you would not have been the illustri-:
ous Duke of Wellington,' was the quick rejoinder.




290                  FATHER MATHEW.'Father Mathew,' said a gentleman one evening to the lion
of the party,'you must have felt rather embarrassed in your
visits to the north of Ireland; the people are so much colder
than your warm-hearted countrymen of the south, and so
prejudiced against your Church.''Far from   it,' replied
Father Mathew;'I felt quite at home among them from
the first, and they were most kind and hospitable. In Fermanagh, I was nobly received and entertained in the mansion
of Captain Archdall, one of the leading Orangemen of that
county.' Even if Father Mathew had any other story to tell,
he would have remained silent, rather than say a word disparaging to the character and good feeling of his countrymen.
Perhaps the most gratifying circumstance connected with
his visit to England was the manner of his reception by the
late Dr. Stanley, then Bishop of Norwich. The bishop had
been invited to Cambridge, to meet Father Mathew in that
city; to which invitation he sent the following reply, addressed to Mr. E. Walker:Palace, Norwich: August 18, 1844.
SIR,-I regret that I cannot comply with your request that I should
attend at Cambridge on the occasion of the Rev. T. Mathews's visit.
If, however, he comes to Norwich, I shall think it my duty to sanction
a meeting, and pay every respect to an individual to whose zealous
exertions, in recovering so large a portion of the community from the
degrading and ruinous effects of intemperance, men of all religious
persuasions and parties owe a debt of gratitude.
I remain, yours faithfully,
E. NORWICH.
The friends of temperance in Norwich were much gratified
at the publication of this testimony to the merit of the apostle
of the cause; and his lordship was soon made acquainted with
the fact that Father Mathew had accepted an invitation to
visit Norwich on the 7th of September. The English Protestant bishop then addressed the following letter to the Irish
priest: -




WELCOMED BY THE BISHOP OF NORWICH.           291
Palace. Norwich: Sept. 2, 1844.
REVEREND SIR,-I have just been informed that it is your intention to visit Norwich on Thursday next, Sept. 7, on which occasion I
shall feel it my duty as well as my incliuation to give you the cordial
welcome due to one who has so zealously and so effectually devoted
himself to a cause in which Christians of all denominations may cooperate. I purpose therefore attending an evening meeting, which I
understand will he held in St. Andrew's Hall on the day of your arrival, and I take the earliest opportunity of expressing my earnest hope
that you will favor me with your company either to dinner or breakfast, at any hour that you may name most convenient to yourself. I
should be obliged by a line in reply.
I remain, yours faithfully,
E. NoRwicH.
The Rev. Theobald Matlew,
Hart's Temperance Hotel, 159 Aldersgate Street.
Father Mathew received the bishop's letter with feelings
which may be well imagined, when it is considered that one
of the objects of his life was to cultivate the kindliest intercourse with his Christian bretlren of every denomination, and
to reciprocate that fraternal charity which ought to exist
among ministers of the Gospel, notwithstanding differences
of doctrine.  That letter, written in a fine bold hand, was
preserved by Father Mathew to the hour of his death; and
it is from  that letter, now nearly twenty years written, that
the above has been transcribed by his biographer. The bishop
fully redeemed his promise of a cordial welcome, not only by
his elegant hospitality, but by a noble eulogium, which was
honourable alike to the speaker and to its grateful object.
In the face of a crowded assembly, the bishop thus addressed
the man whom    those thousands had met to honour and to
hear:
And now, Reverend Sir (addressing Father Mathew), you, my
friend and brother from another island, I meet you not here as a
Roman Catholic priest; I differ from your creed-I will candidly tell
you I am even hostile to it; but I meet you here in a nobler, in a
more comprehensive character than that of a priest,-I meet you as
a man like myself, as a Christian brother, as a Christian brother on
neutral ground, where Christians of all denominations delight to meet




292                   FATHER MATHEW.
and congregate together.  Sir, I have watched your proceed;ngs for
many and many a year.   I remember, many years ago, that I censured you in public; nay more, may I not add, abused you. I believed those public reports spread, I scarcely know how, save by malign and foolish misrepresentation; nevertheless, I thought it my duty,
as a man of candour, to apply to you as a gentleman, a Christian, and
a man of honour, to tell me how the case really stood.  You answered me in a manner that did you credit, and I turned over a new
leaf-I abused you no more; and now I rejoice to meet you here as a
friend. I am not one of those who will not believe a Catholic on his
oath; I acted more courteously; I believed you on your candid and
honest affirmationl; and I am satisfied that you did not deceive me. I
have watched over your character; I have had every resource in my
possession, and I have endeavoured to ascertain precisely what it was.
I will say, and I think it my duty to say, it is embodied and written
in print. I will read you the character which I believe Mr. Mathew
entitled to, and which describes that character and estimation in which
he is held by those who know him better than I do. Here his lordship
read the following eulogium:' He is a gentleman by birth; for 24
years he has devoted his energies to the service of the poor; and so
far from being actuated by sordid or pecuniary motives, he has applied
his private property to religious and benevolent purposes. As to politics, notwithstanding insinuations to the contrary, it is a fact that he
has never, during his whole life, attended one political meeting, or
mixed with any political agitation; and though entitled to the franchise, he has never voted.' My friends, I believe it; and I may say
that the good sense and the good feeling of the aristocracy of London
have borne me out in the opinion I entertain of this worthy man.
When in London, he was visited and most hospitably received by men
of high rank, high character, and high station; they knew his worth,
and they bade him go on and prosper, knowing well that they should
receive the advantages, if not directly, indirectly, of his invaluable
exertions. But, sir, your cause was not an easy one; it was not altogether over a Macadamised road you had to pass; but you had thorns
and brakes and briars in the way. You were assailed in turn by those
who, while their disapprobation and censure was eulogy, sunk them
in deeper degradation.... Men of Norwich! citizens of this ancient
city I I appeal to you, and I trust that my appeal shall not be in vain
-receive this wanderer on a sacred mission from a distant countryreceive him and give him a Christian welcome, for he has come on a
Christian mission.




HIS GOOD WORK IN ENGLAND.              29S
This was the crowning triumph of a visit which had done
so much, not alone for the cause of temperance, but for the
promotion of Christian charity amongst men of different creeds
and churches.
It was computed that 600,000 persons had taken the pledge
during this brief but successful campaign, which added much
to the popularity and prestige of the apostle.  It is a matter
of little difficulty to compute the numbers who knelt before
Father Mathew and received the pledge at his hands; but it
would be a difficult task indeed to tell the good which he
accomplished, the fallen whom he raised, the erring whom he
brought back to virtue, the despairing whom he comforted,
the hungry and the naked whom he fed and clad.  For many
years after, the blessed traces of that mission of peace and
good will to England were not erased; and to this daynearly a quarter of a century after the Apostle of Temperance preached in the highways of its great towns and famous
cities-there are many sober and self-respecting men, and
many families too, who treasure in their hearts the remembrance of that auspicious visit.  It is true there are very
many more who have reason to mourn in bitterness over the
folly which induced forgetfulness of his advice; but even to
this hour the broad foot-prints left by the Apostle of Temperance on the soil of England are not altogether obliterated.
A writer in the'Globe' of that date thus accounted for
the admitted success of his English mission:The secret of his success consists chiefly in the fact that he has
wholly abstained from doing what his opponents have accused him of.
He has avoided making his labours subservient either to religious or
political objects; and it is by this singleness of purpose-this determination to make temperance his chief and only object-that he has
been able to achieve so muchl for the cause he has undertaken.




294
CHAPTER XXI.
Return to Cork-The Mathew Tower-Mr. O'Connor's Motives for
its Erection-Again in Harness-His Visitors-Midnight Labour
-His Correspondents-Strange Epistles.
REAT        was the joy in Cork at the return of Father
Mathew    from   Enlgland.    It was his first prolonged
absence from his own country, and the deepest interest had
been excited and kept alive, in the minds of his friends* and
followers, by the varied     events of his triumphant English
tour.   For a week     after his arrival the parlour in Cove
Street was crammed       almost to suffocation, from      morning
* To the impression made upon the mind of his personal friend, the late
Mr. William O'Connor, merchant tailor, of Cork, by the reception given to
Father Mathew in London, are the lovers of the picturesque indebted for the
erection of the Mathew Tower, which forms so striking an object, from its
lofty sight on the hill-side, on the Glanmire bank of the Lee. The foundation-stone was laid on the 30th of October, 1843; and at the fete with which
its completion was celebrated, its spirited founder explained the motives
which impelled him to an act of such signal munificence. He said:-' I have not the least regret for the motives which actuated me in building
this edifice; for though many said it was an expensive undertaking, yet with
the same views I then and still entertain, I would not consider ten times the
expense misapplied for such a purpose; and if I could raise the tower to ten
times its present height, it would still be unequal to the dignity and moral
grandeur of the services of him of whose labours it is commemorative. A
greater impression was never made on an individual than upon me, at witnessing the kindly reception Father Mathew met with from all classes of
society in London, and I resolved, on my return to Ireland, to commemorate
it in some manner; and soon afterwards, when walking over the grounds
you are now on, it struck me that the site would be a most eligible one to
build a tower on, which would perpetuate Father Mathew's fame, and, at
the same time, signify my gratitude for the reception he had met with in
London: and I feel assured that it is only necessary that the people of both
countries should know each other better and more intimately, to create
more kindly feelings between both.'




AGAIN IN HARNESS.               295
to night. There were straying sheep to be taken back into
the fold, prodigals to be welcomed and forgiven, backsliders
to be pardoned; there were petitions to be presented, disputes to be settled, difficulties to be smoothed down; there
were deputations to be received, and applications to be
answered; there were whispered communications to be made
in the corner of the little room, by some poor creature who
had counted, with trembling eagerness, every day and hour
till the good man's return; and there were interviews to be
held at the foot of the stairs, or in the sitting-room. And
amidst all this bustle and excitement, Father Mathew was
in his element, having a word for every one, and an ear for
all. He would break through the recital of some complicated tale of a misunderstanding between the leading members of a favourite reading-room, to receive a tattered drunkard, in whose tangled locks, pale cheeks, blood-shot eyes,
and trembling limbs, a useful lesson might be read. Others
might have shrunk from contact with that poor degraded
human being, but not Father Mathew, who would exclaim,
in a cheery voice,'Welcome, my dear I —welcome!-it is
never too late to do a good work. We never should despair
of the mercy of the Lord. God help you, my poor child;
you have been too long the slave of strong drink-it is time
for you to rise up against your greatest enemy. Kneel
down, my dear, and pray of God to give you grace and
strength to keep the promise you are about to make.' No
sooner was the poor fellow sent away happy, perhaps with
half-a-crown slipped into his hand, than Father Mathew
would again plunge into the complicated perplexity of the
misunderstanding. Arriving rapidly at the real merits of
the question, he would offer a few words of earnest advice,
or, if necessary, interpose his authority; but his usual plan,
when the statement was ex parte, was to appoint a time when
both sides were to be heard   He would then turn to a'batch,' which had been forming in tle interval; and after




290                 FATHER MATHEW.
having administered the pledge, spoken a kind word to each,
heard the whispered tale of some who were more wretchedlooking than the others, and ordered medals to be given
to the children, he would receive an address from a local
society, and reply to its splendid hyperbole and magnificent
metaphors in a manner which would flush the earnest faces
of his followers with proud happiness-which reply was certain to be repeated to the assembled members, on the same
evening, by the deputation, without the loss of a single word.
Then would come an appeal for a personal interview of'only
half a minute.' This would be acceded to unfailingly, and
soon Father Mathew's hand might be seen to dive into that
deep pocket of his, and then brought into contact with the
hand of the person to whom he was speaking; and then
there might be heard a deep murmur of thanks, mingled
with prayers, as the person retired rapidly, and with a much
relieved air. Father Mathew would then go to the hall
door-which, as a matter of course, was always open-to
see and speak with some peculiarly cherished beggar, whom,
perhaps, the rest of the community regarded as a confirmed
impostor; and having made that fellow-creature happy for
the day, he would return to the parlour, to receive another
deputation, patch up a difference, accept an invitation, or
give or promise aid towards the formation of a new temperance band, which, according to the solemn assurance of the
spokesman, was essential to the social and moral salvation
of the district.
Just as the salvation of the district had been satisfactorily
secured, at the expense of Father Mathew's pocket, a strange
voice might be heard at the door, enquiring,'Is it here Mr.
Mathew resides?' and a more familiar voice replying,'If
ye mane does his reverence Father Mathew live here, this
is his house, sure enough, and God bless him every day he
rises.' This was an English or Amercan stranger whio had
come to pay a passing visit to the Apostle of.Ten,.erw.we;




HIS VISITORS-MIDNIGHT LABOURS.        297
"but whether the stranger came with or without an introduction, he was always certain of receiving a cordial welcome
from Father Mathew, whom the world's applause had not
robbed of his genial and unaffected manner. The stranger
would perhaps venture into the parlour, glance curiously at
the groups around, examine the pages of the register, read
over the last name recorded, with its corresponding number,
and remain for a short time, till he had witnessed the administration of the pledge; then he would accompany the master
of the mansion to his grand reception room, which was as
simple in its appointments as the cell of a monk. The interview, however brief, would be sufficient to impress the
stranger with the shrewdness, sagacity, and worldly knowledge of a man whom he had most probably regarded as
an enthusiast-something between a Howard and a Peter
the Hermit.
But just as some new topic had been started, Father
Mathew, who, from   the window, which commanded the
opposite street, had seen a critical case approaching, would
apologise for his momentary absence, and, rushing down
stairs, arrive at the door in time to hail the arrival, and
secure the prize before there was an opportunity or possibility of escape.
There were visits to be paid, cases to be hunted up, obdurate sinners to be pounced upon unexpectedly; there were
friends and strangers to be entertained at dinner; there were
temperance rooms to be called in upon; there were leaders
in the cause to be consulted or advised with.
But with these various engagements the duties and labours
of the day did not terminate. There was the heaviest task
of all to be still undertaken-there was the correspondence
to be read, and to be replied to. And what a pile of letters
had accumulated during his absence in England! Why here
was work for half a dozen active secretaries. Letters from
India —letters from  America-letters from  England and




298                 FATHER MATHEW.
Scotland-letters from all parts of Ireland —leters from
every class of society, and on almost every imaginable subject. Here was a communication concerning the interests
of his order, from the superior of an Irish house, or a high
official in Rome; next, was a document with an enclosurethe document, a letter giving sundry cogent reasons why the
writer relapsed to whisky-punch —the enclosure, the surrendered temperance card of the logical seceder. Next came
an anonymous production, in which Father Mathew was
affectionately besought to abandon his sinful Church, and
to lead a new Reformation. Then a letter full of praise
and congratulation from some English nobleman, who expressed his regret that the illustrious Apostle of Temperance had not honoured his house by his presence. Then a
letter from a female writer, imploring his prayers for the
object which she specified; and one from a more impetuous
and imperative correspondent, who insisted on obtaining his
blessing'by return of post.' Here was a land agent, soliciting his influence with an overholding tenant, to induce him
to give up a dwelling peaceably; and here a coaxing missive
from a poor fellow, who found the temperance martingale too
tight for his virtue, and who was satisfied to remain a devoted
and enthusiastic follower of the cause till the day of his death,
if he would only be allowed an occasional'dandy' for the
sake of his delicate stomach, and a moderate allowance of
ale or porter wherewith to supply exhausted nature.
That the reader may see there is no exaggeration in this
description, or rather indication, of the varied character of
the correspondence to which, spent and wearied by a long
day of incessant exertion, Father Mathew had to devote his
attention during the hours of night, when all around him
were enjoying their natural repose, a few extracts and letters
are given, as a sample of the rest.
Here, for instance, was a letter that clearly admitted of
no delay in reply. It bore a number of signatures, and was




HIS CORRESPONDENTS.                299
written in a style at once grand and forcible.  It complained
of some individual who had'the avaricious audacity' to withhlold, and still retain,' the 101. given by your reverence for
instruments for our band;' and it thus concluded:But the motto of Horace suits this person, we think, admirablythat is-semper avarus eget. The question now is, shall we get our
instruments, or shall we not? shall we continue a Temperance Band,
or shall we not? shall we. must we (after all) be driven to give up
our pledges. or shall we continue Temperate, oI NOT? On your reply
in the affirmative we still have reliance.
The reader may not clearly comprehend the connection
between the 101. and the pledge, or between the band and
sobriety, but Father Matliew did; and the answer was of
course a second donation, but not forwarded through the
nledium of the party whose'avaricious audacity' was the
occasion of the correspondence.
His immediate attention was called, in the next, to a tremlndous feud raging between two societies, which preferred
equal claims to his acceptance of an invitation to their respective rooms.  But, ulnhappily for the innocent advocate of one
of the rivals, and for the cause he pleaded, ie added this
fatal postscript, which he believed to be a clincher:-' And,
your reverence, the Society must not omit to tell you, that
tleir band amuse the people by their music on every occasion, and played 2Mr. O'Conlell into town when he had his
Repeal meetilng here.'
Here is tlhe joint production of man and wife, two servants,
who evidently had a desire to fall into temptation with a free
conscience, and whose plea for release is plausibly urged. It
is given exactly as it was written:Dublin July 23.
REvn SIR-I beg leave to inform you that this is the second time i
have wrote to you on this occasion an has Got no answer which makes
my mind very aneasey it is in consequence of me and me wife taking
the pledge from your Reverence for a few monthE Mereley to induce




300                   FATHER MATHEW.
two friends of ours to take it as the were living a very anhappy life
all from drink an as the would not take the pledge unless we did we
a greed to do so but neither Me or me wife never had any occasion
to do so only on their account as we always lived very temperate an
never took any drink to injure us Eather soul or body and as our
friends is living a very hapy life Ever since Both me an me wife is
determined to give up our pledge but would not wish to do so till we
would acquaint your Reverence and as I mentioned in the other letter
that I sent to your Rev about a month agoe that it is not in Regard
of drink  But we feel a dread on our minds that we never felt before
which makes us very aneasy an as we are both Servants an going
from one place to another to earn our bread there is Great temtations
Every where we goe it is for me wife she has confined herself to the
house Ever since afraid of Going into any society lest any thing might
attempt her She is not near so well in health as She was before an
whether it is that is the occasion of it or not we cannot say but she
thinks it is as her mind is very aneasey But if we thought that it
would make such an Impression on our minds as it has done or that
there was any diffecuty in Giving it up D'e would never have taken it
but as your Rev Said in the Royal Ecchange that any person after
two or three months was at their own free will to Give it up if the
wished So on them terms we took it for our friends Sake it is now
better than three months an as we have made up our minds to give it
up we beg of you in honor of God to leave us your Blessing we
Remain Most Revd Sir your very obt an humble Servants Mary an
Abiaham * * * *
atMr * * * *
Carlisle Buildings dublin
we wait most anxeious for your Revnce answer before we Give it up
The following is thus comprehensively addressed:To
The very revd. theobald
town
Mathew of Cork or elsewhere.
The writer is evidently bent on the recovery of his freedom,
and resolves to be free, whether Father Mathew should give
him permission or not; still a liberative line from his reverence would be a triumph over the less formal deserters, who




HIS CORRESPONDENTS.                  301
turned their back upon their flag, and did not lay down their
arms and surrender their commission with dignity, as this
Wexford man desired to do:
April 20th.
REVEREND SIR-I write thise few lines to you hopeing to find you
in good As this leaves me at present thanks be to god for it, Dear Sir
I Wrote thise few lines to you hopeing that your reverence Would be
so kind as to take the pledge from me, As i Would wish to give it up,
Dear Sir it is not to become a Drunkard that i am going to give it up
but as temtation is so great and that the greater part of people that
has taken the pledge is after brak throug it and i Would Not Wish to
break the pledge that way Without geting liberty to do so and i
hope that your reverence Will be so kind as to take the pledge from
me, and if you dont i Will break it, for my part I did Not want a
pledge at all for i never was a drunkard at all Nor i Wont take any
more glass of Sperrits or a pint of beer, so reverend sir i hope you will
be So Kind as to grant me my request.
Dear Sir I Would be very glad that you Would Write me a few
lines to let me know What you would do about it if it was not to much
trouble for, and if you write derict your letter to James * * * *
Taghmon Co Wexford
So i remain your most obegant and humble Servant James * *  * 
Here is a very different kind of letter, which painfully
illustrates those unhappy cases in which the husband or the
wife, the father or the mother, implored the interference of
Father Mathew:
ViRY REV. DEAR SrR-With grief and sorrow I address you. My
poor wife has ruined herself and me, and nearly brought disgrace on
our darling children by the unfortunate habit of drinking. It has gone
on for a long time, and shame compelled me to keep it secret; but it
would be a crime to let it rest longer. She promised me this morning
she would take the total abstinence pledge, but would not be induced
to go over to you; in fact, she is not able, she has brought herself to
death's door with it. She has not been out of bed since Saturday
last till this morning. You never did a greater act of charily than to
call on her. She promised me she would tell you all.
Very respectfully and gratefully,




302                   FATHER MATHEW.
The prescription in the   following  claboralte appeal to
Father Mathew's finer feelings is too valuable to be lost.
It will be seen, however, that the patient who may be
inclined to adopt the prescription should take his medicine
in a pious state of mind, as otherwise its efficacy might
possibly be neutralised:Ballyhooly, May ye 2nd.
VERY REVD. FATHER-Its with much pleasure I have to announce to
you. that I am a Loyal member of Yr. Society, now, nearly Six Years.
And Durilg that time I not only kept from any kind Spirituous liquors,
but in one of the Visits yr. Very Revd. person, paid one of my Neighbouring Villages, I renewed my Pledge Against Any of the other Stuffs
that I frequently Saw teetotallers make use of, Such as Soda, Peppermt. Ginger ale, cordial, lemonade, &c. &c., and all such things. I
Entirely avoided them one, and all. I happened last winter, through
Excessive labour, to Get a very heavy fit of Sickness, which both
Emaciated, And Debilitated me, Very much. I had as good Nourishmt.
as Any Poor man in my Sphere of life, could have, And all was not
serving me. I was ordered by a friendly Neighbour of mine, to Drink,
a large tumbler of Punch, that would be hot, Strong, and Sweet, with
a large lump of Butter melted on it, and take it sitting in my bed,
before I'd Settle myself to Sleep, this was, in order to remove the Pains
out of my bones, which at the Same time. I was very bad with, then,
tho bad I was, I did not do it until I'd See more about it. I got a
Stick. And walked with its help, down to my Priests House, (for I
considered leave was very light,) and told him all as I have here
stated, And what he told me, was, to drink Some whey, that it was
Very Good; and that I, at that hour of the Night, or Even Season of
the Year, had no more Getting of whey, nor anything to make whey
of, than I had of Spanish wine, in the miserable Street of Ballyhb'oly,
or its Vicinity. I then returned home, Not pleased at my Disappointmt. he feared, I suppose, that I'd return to drink again at my
Six Years end, like a Dog to his Vomit, but I do assure both him and
You, that I'd do no such thing, but Sir, when I came back from my
Priest, I acted my own Physician, I sent for a Noggin of Spirits,
made punch of it, mixed my butter with it, And Drank it off. in
God's name. And whether it was occasioned by I being in the
latter end of my fit, or the Drinking of the punch I know not, but
thank God, I slept that night very sound, perspirld much, and was
relieved next morning, And Since, this is a clear and true confession.




HTS CORRESPONDENTS.                 303
Now Sir, I took my pledge, July 19th 1839, And at that time, the
No. was 14,449. And my name is John O' * * * *. All this
you'll find in yr. Book. Now, in consequence of age, hard labour,
& fatigue and Dejection of Spirits, I'd want Some additional nourishmt.
and I trust on this application yr. revce. will be pleased to allow me
Some two or three. Pints Glasses, tumblers, or Dandies, (not Cider)
And I'll continue temperate, but not a teetotaller, otherwise if you
dont comply with this request, I'll Decently convey the tokens to
Cork, but I'll never Drink, without your Permission, while I have
them, I Expect an Affirmative answrr. to this, by return of Post, I
remain with Every Possible mark of respect, And with all the ceremony of complemti. yr rev-. Very Obedt. Humble Servt., a teetotaller
yet,
JohnO'    * * *
The following is a strange epistle, and is given literally as
it was written:REEVD SIR,-I beg you will Look on a Foolish and Almost insane
young Man the only thing I Reqeire from yoor Revde is a an Enterview
for 10 Minutes as I dred Suciede and that I shall Get yoor blessing to
Protect or if not I Fear I will Full Fill the words of the Scriptuer
that is to Say that I Shall Die as I have Lived For the Last 3
Months
I am obed yoors
Veery Humble Patrick  * * * 
Here is a joint resignation, most formally worded:Wexford, August 10.
REVD. STR,-As our business requires us to take a little spirits occasionally we have come to the resolution of giving up the pledgeyours most respectfully
Nicholas * * * * and
Pat * * * 
PS Please send an answer by return of Post to Mr. * * * * at
Mr *    *   *                                Corn Market
Wexford
An anonymous correspondent thus invites him to cover
himself with glory in a new mission:Dublin: Nov. 19th.
SIR,-I beg to be excused for sending you the letters of Ronge,
which have been lately published in this city. You ought seriously




304                   FATHER MATHEW.
to inquire in your closet, where you are not so likely to be led away
by the breath of popular applause, whether if you can in your
conscience support the corruptions denounced by Ronge, or whether
you can in silence look on while others practise such delusions on the
people.  The movement of Ronge has penetrated the whole of
Germany-the Papal power is shaken to its centre, and if you look
to the first article in the last Quarterly Review, you will perceive
that France is ready for a similar movement, and that it will shortly
break out in an open way, as it has done in Germany.
*      *     *      *      *     *      *      *
Take a bold step, follow the noble example of Ronge and disabuse
the people's minds of their false notions, you would be followed by
so large a party that in one year Ireland would become as beautiful
and prosperous as any other part of the empire. instead of being pointed
at as the land of blood and murder. If you delay, there is no doubt
that in a year or two the work will be done without you; but it may
fall into the hands of those who may teach infidelity instead of
religion.
I am with great respect
a Sincere Well-wisher to my Country.
And a Scotch philosopher benevolently suggests a mode
of settling for ever the question of Irish distress:Edinr.
FATHER MATHEW,-I feel quite at a loss to address an Eminent
Stranger.
I have been reading a Travelers account of your great work, to
soften, the misery to the populace of Ireland. He very naturally
questions, can, it, continue? Few mortals are so gifted, for such
an undertaking, either in Body, or mind. I have speculated, to find,
a plan if possible, to prevent the cause of it, too incident only, to
Ireland, of the Early Marriges. If some patriot, or wealthy Gentleman, on, promising, a gift, to those who would bring a Certificate of
the Man's Age, above 25, and the woman turned of 20 years, (I would
suppose furniture to their little dwelling) it would be a worthy use
of Riches in the cause of virtue, and humanity-To bring a Family
into Life, to suffer as now, is worse than Cattle. A Cow, has its
grass cooked to eat a warm Coat. and a Comfortable Bed to lie on. —
perhaps,-Dr Sir, as, you have done more, you may be able to persuade some kindred Heart, and Head, to try the Experiment The
good fashion might spread, as, great events often arise, from small
beginings &c.




HIS DOMESTIC TYRANT.              305
I avoid being Tedious and hope you will excuse my Letter. I have
only ventured to write these few lines, relying on your belief it is a
frail chance of Doing good.
By the post mark you will see it is from Scotland, but it is of no
value to give my Name.    With much Esteem
Decema 1845                      Your wellwisher 
no address, I, presume is necessary.
The lana agent of a well-known gentleman writes an
urgent letter, imploring Father Mathew to use his influence
with an overholding tenant, to give up a dwelling-house
belonging to the agent,'without, as the writer continues,'putting me to the cost, trouble, and inconvenience of seeking the possession from a court of law.'
One would be inclined to say, from the samples given, that
Father Mathew's correspondents occupied no small portion
of his time and attention.
From necessity, he was compelled to devote to hard work
those hours which, in justice to himself, ought to be more
properly devoted to sleep; but he also availed himself of any
favourable moment, during the day, to pay off some instalment of his accumulated debt to his correspond(lents.  He
was fiee from interruption during the silent hours of night,
whereas during the day he was liable to be interfered with
by his domestic tyrant —his servant John. The attachment
of this austere servitor, however gratifying to his master's
self-love, assumed, very frequently, most inconvenient opportunities for its manifestation.  Thus, while Father Mathew
was at work at his ink-spattered desk, the floor covered with
the results of his precious labours, John would take a fit of
troublesome cleanliness; and, after elaborately flapping the
more prominent features of Lord Morpeth's bust with a
duster, proceed to remove ideal specks and'maginary stains
from the sideboard or the table; and after he had satisfactorily performed this important task, he would then direct
his best energies to the picture frames, reserving his special




306                 FATHER MATHEW.
solicitude for the work of high art in worsted, for the merits
of which he entertained an exalted opinion.  Gradually
would John invade the neighbourhood of the desk, and even
crumple beneath his feet the leaves of manuscript which,
after having hastily dashed them off, his master had thrown
upon the ground. If he dared do it, John would have submitted the ink bottle to a general cleansing, and given the
desk itself a comprehensive wipe of his duster; but his audacity was usually limited to abortive efforts at opening a
conversation respecting the habits and customs of the English
aristocracy, and the innovations lately adopted in the science
of laying the dinner cloth in grand houses. Now Father
Mathew was a man of exemplary patience, and could, without murmur, endure as much as most men; but to be thus
interrupted, perhaps in the middle of a subject of great
moment, and to feel your coat subjected to an elaborate
dusting process as you were commencing a new paragraph,
or rounding a sentence with grace, was something beyond
the limit of mortal endurance.  And just as John had
reached this point, his master would start from his chair,
and, looking down at the startled culprit, who now feared
he had been pushing matters too far, would hurl this awful
threat at his domestic, —'John, if you continue to go on in
this dreadful way, I declare I must leave the house!' This
tremendous threat never failed in its effect; and John invariably hid himself for a time in the darkest iecess of his
pantry.




307
CHAPTER XXII.
Father Mathew's pecuniary Liabilities-His Unhappiness-The Medal
Delusion-His Arrest-Items of Expenditure-Vindicatory State.
ment-How the Money went-Silver Medals-The enduring
Memorial-An edifying Balance-sheet-Valuable TestimoniesThe Soldier's Gratitude.
THERE was, however, a trouble far less difficult to bear
than the pressure of hard work, or the intrusion of a
favourite and indulged domestic; that trouble arose from
the daily increasing amount of his pecuniary liabilities. At
times, the shadow of debt darkened the very sunlight, and
haunted him like a spectre in his solitude. There was a
period, yet to come, when the tyranny of the.ever present idea
of his obligations became insupportable, and crushed him to
the earth; but, though in his fifty-third year in the year
1854, he still possessed the physical energy and vigour of
ordinary men of thirty-five or forty, and the tone and strength
of his mind were yet unimpaired. He could, therefore, resist
a painful impression, at this period of his life, better than in
half a dozen years after, when his constitution had received
many severe shocks. Still the slavery of debt could not but
have been keenly felt, at any time, or under any circumstances, by a man of his extreme sensibility and high notions
of personal honour. There was also an additional bitterness
imparted to this sufficiently bitter feeling-this arose from
imputations as unjust as they were galling.
At the very moment when his liabilities amounted to a
sum of 7,0001. it was asserted that he was in the possession




308                 FATHER MATHEW.
of enormous wealth, and that he had enriched the very family
whom his mission had almost impoverished. If the writers
of these stupid calumnies could have known how they were
wounding that sensitive heart-how they were rendering his
nights wakeful and his days unhappy, by their monstrous
accusations, it is only fair to believe they never  ould have
made them.
At a festive meeting in Cork, held on the evening of St.
Stephen's day, the bitterness of his soul found vent in these
mournful words:-' Although your excellent chairman has
wished me the enjoyment of many happy days, I must say I
enjoy very few moments of happiness. MIy heart is eaten up
by care and solicitude of every kind.' These words fell upon
that joyous assembly, consisting mostly of the young and the
light-learted, with an inexpressibly saddening effect, and a
murmur of sympathy evinced the feeling which they had
awakened in every breast.
The caluniny against him was based upon the wildest assumption.  Because Father Mathew had administered the
pledge to so many millions of persons, therefore he had sold
so many millions of medals, and therefore he had received
50,0001. for every million of followers; and further, that if he
had given the pledge to only three millions of persons, he had
sold three millions of medals, and received 150,0001. If he
had given the pledge to four millions of persons, of course he
had received 200,0001.! This was actually put forward in
one of the most influential of the Irish newspapers; and
the writer even went the length of asserting, that if this number of medals were not sold, and this amount of money not
received, the alleged number of followers was a gross delusion.
The whole thing was based upon the utterly groundless supposition, that everyone who took the pledge also purchased a
medal; whereas not more than one zn ten, if so many, of those
who did the one also did the other. Even if they had the
inclination to purchase the medal, they were too poor to do so.




THE MEDAL DELUSION-HIS ARREST.         309
Father Mathew's chief success was amongst the humblest
classes in the community; and at the very time when this imputation was made, it was admitted, on official authority, that
there were two millions and a half of people in Ireland little
above the condition of absolute destitution.  Few medals
were purchased by this class; and yet, happily to a large extent, they had taken the pledge, and thereby preserved themselves from deeper misery.
Father Mathew's arrest, while publicly administering the
pledge in Dublin, rudely dissipated the belief entertained by
those who accused him of the possession of fabulous wealth.
lHe was arrested for the balance of an account due to a medal
manufacturer; and the bailiff to whom the duty was entrusted
knelt down among the crowd, asked his blessing, and then
quietly showed him the writ! It may be mentioned, as an
instance of Father Mathew's presence of mind, that he did not
falter even for an instant, but continued to administer the
pledge, as if nothing lhad happened. This self-possession was
fortunate for the bailiff, whom not even he could have saved,
had that treachery been made known at the moment. This
painful circumstance dissipated calumny and slander into thin
air; but it also aroused the liveliest sympathy throughout the
country, and galvanised into activity those who had been talking of a colossal bust, or some such other'testimonial,' as a
fitting type of the nation's gratitude to its great benefactor.
People then began to consider that it was far more wise to
free Father Mathew from his embarrassments than to carve
his effigy in stone or marble, and to enable him to prosecute
his work rather than erect some benevolent institution in his
name. And the more the question of how to act, and what
to do, came to be discussed, the more honouring was the result
to the character of one of the most disinterested and generous of men. How his liabilities grew upon him was now a
matter of easy explanation. The readers of these pages
have already seen sufficient to satisfy their minds upon the




310                  FATHER MATHEW.
subject; but a few additional particulars may not be here out
of place.
This fact should be distinctly borne in mind,-namely, that
upon one man, and one man alone, rested the responsibility
of one of the most remarkable movements, and the support
of one of the most extensive organisations, of modern times.
Father Mathew was the centre of all, the one on whom the
success or failure of the movement, and the stability of the
entire structure, depended.  Without Father Mathew, the
movement would never have been what it was; deprived of
his exertions, his labours, his zeal, his self-sacrifice, his munificent liberality, it could not have progressed as it did. We
may see a department of state exclusively engaged in undertakings less onerous, and with details less complicated or extended, than were involved in the mission to which Father
Mathew voluntarily devoted his energies. What we witness
every day done by large and well-endowed associations, with
numerous and highly-paid officials, and a thoroughly efficient
staff, Fatler Mathew  undertook and accomplished singlehanded. He had to provide and pay a sufficient staff; to
print and disseminate handbills, tracts, and placards; to aid
in the establishing of temperance reading-rooms, and the formation of bands; to prevent local societies from falling into
decay, and to supply funds towards their revival; to defray the principal expenses attendant on those demonstrations
which were considered necessary as an example or an incentive; to meet the heavy charges for travelling with one or
more attendants, and for hotels; to contribute the most generously to the very charities whose claims he came to advocate,-in fine, to satisfy the demands hourly made upon his
compassion or his generosity, and which were of necessity
multiplied in consequence of the very nature of his mission and
the prominence of the position it entailed.
Thus, for instance, he was in debt to the amount of 1,5001.
before he made a single visit to any part of the country, or




ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE.             311
before he quitted the city of Cork, the first scene of his mission. As has been described in the appropriate place, poor
people came daily to him in great numbers, not merely from
the surrounding country or the adjoining counties, but even
from remote districts of Ireland, to receive the pledge at his
hands; and he would as soon have thought of turning away
a penitent unshriven from his confessional as of not relieving
the wants of a weary and foot-sore pilgrim, who had walked
thirty or fifty miles with an intention that excited his gratitude almost as much as it did his sympathy. The amount of
his debt at that time-in the year 1839-does not in any way
represent the sums so distributed; for Father Mathew was
then in the receipt of a considerable income, the result of his
popularity as a clergyman; and this income he dispensed
wholly in charity of one form or another.
His printing account, from the commencement of the movement in April 1838, to the summer of 1844, amounted to
3,0001. The average charge for this indispensable outlay was
from 81. to 101. a week. It is scarcely necessary to defend the
good policy of this item of expenditure, which has its like in
every movement, association, and organisation, of whatever
nature or character. If a remarkable testimony were borne
to the value of temperance, either by speech or by letter, it
was immediately published by Father Mathew. In the evidence which he gave for Charles Gavan Duffy, in the early
part of 1849, he mentioned that he had struck off 30,000
copies of a speech which Mr. Duffy had made in Newry in the
year 1841; a fact which shows the importance attached by
Father Mathew to whatever tended to promote the cause of
temperance.
It is not necessary to go through the other items of expenditure, to prove how inevitably they arose out of the circumstances in which he was placed. The idea of the sale of
medals did not originate with Father Mathew. The practice
was introduced into Ireland by a temperance lecturer from




312                   FATHER MATHEW.
Engiand-John Hockins, known popularly as'the Birmingham Blacksmith.' This person brought a quantity of medals
with him from Birmingham, and profitably disposed of them
to the Irish teetotallers.  His example was followed, on his
own account, by James McKenna, the first secretary to the
society, who was subsequently taken into Father Mathew's
service in the same capacity.
At a meeting held in Westminster, in August 1843, Father
Mathew referred to the origin of his sale of medals:It has again been asked, what becomes of the money paid for
medals? I have answered such questions over and over again, and
am sorry that I feel it to be an act of justice to myself to repeat it.
For a long while after I commenced administering the pledge of total
abstinence, I did not sell medals at all, but presented them gratuitously
to every one who took the pledge. At length my secretary informed
me that I was 5,0001. in debt, and most earnestly requested permission to sell the medals. After a little consideration I acceded to that
request; but I can assure the meeting, that since I have been in this
country, the amount I have received for medals has not half paid the
expenses attendant on my mission. I have never received money
from any one for my own benefit, and never will. Only this day a
lady at Hammersmith begged of me to accept a considerable sum towards my expenses, but I have declined its acceptance, and sent it
back. It is painful to me thus to be obliged to vindicate myself, and
I hope I shall not again be called upon to do so.
The absurd notion that every person who took the pledge
also purchased a medal is thus disposed of in Father Mathew's
words, spoken in Dublin in June 1842, and frequently repeated
in subsequent years:I deny, in the strongest terms, that I am, as it is alleged by certain
parties, making money of cards and medals, and I declare that I am a
poorer man this day than the first day I gave the pledge, for out of
several thousands who take the pledge, not as many hundreds take
a card or medal, so that the allegation is totally false. This is a fact
well known in Cork and elsewhere; for, if I have any money, I give
it to feed the hungry, and clothe the naked.
Not only was it the fact that not more than one in every




VINDICATORY STATEMENT.             313
ten-if so many-purchased a card and medal, but that
Father Mathew distributed the medals with a profusion which
his secretaries regarded as reckless. Thus, up to the time
when his difficulties became publicly known, he had given
upwards of 100,000 medals to the children of the schools
throughout the country. From policemen, soldiers, and emigrants, he never received payment for them; and no poor
person ever asked for a medal in vain. Nay, he has been
frequently known to arrest the hand even of a comfortable
farmer, when he was about to pay the person who had the
sale of the medals, and say-' No, my dear, you shall not pay
-it is not your money I want, it is yourself. Take the medals
for yourself, and your wife and daughter; all I ask you is to
be faithful to the cause.'
The accusation of his making money of this traffic was a
source of constant bitterness to a man of his proud and sensitive nature. He writhed under it as under a lash. To be
accused of interested and selfish motives in the promotion of a
cause which, while it benefited many, injured not a few, was
torture to his mind; and the very disregard of money which
he constantly exhibited might, in many instances, have been
influenced by the sting of the taunts levelled against him either
in ignorance or in malice.
These accusations were likewise a source of pain to his
friends, by whom his character was thoroughly understood,
and to whom his fair fame was as dear as their own.
An important meeting was held in Cork, in November 1844,
with the view to organise some effective means of relieving
Father Mathew from the pressure of his embarrassments, and
at that meeting the writer of this biography, who from his boyhood had enjoyed the advantage of the good man's friendship,
was personally authorised by him to make a statement of the
causes of his embarrassments, and in vindication of the charge of
having realised a fortune by the sale of medals. A passage from
tbht statement. made with the sanction of Father Mathew, and




814                   FATHER MATHEW.
upon information principally derived from the same source, may
tend to throw further light on this medal delusion:Permit me to tell you a few more facts about medals, and prove to
you that, even when there was sale, there was no corresponding return, and therefore no profit. When the desire to obtain medals was
most general, Father Mathew received orders from various parts of
the country for thousands and thousands of medals; which medals
were sent, and sold or distributed, but for which medals Father
Mathew never received a single shilling. This I have from the lips
of Father Mathew. I impute nothing to the secretaries or patrons
of the societies from whom no return was given; it may have been
from neglect, apathy, or forgetfulness, that all the medals ordered
were not sold, or that the persons who received them were not themselves paid for them; but it is certain, that hundreds of thousands of
medals have not been accounted for. I give you one fact, which may
in some measure account for this non-return. A few days ago, Father
Mathew received back two boxes, containing 1,400 of the ordinary
medals, and 20 of the silver. They had been ordered, but forgotten;
and it was not until the present excitement had awakened the recollection of the party who had ordered them, that they were thought
of. How many such 1,400 medals, how many such 20 silver medals,
may we not suppose are now lying forgotten, without recompense or
benefit to Father Mathew? It is also a notorious fact, that in many
Darts of the country Father Mathew could not sell his medals, even to
the smallest amount, and for this sufficient reason-that the patrons
of societies in those districts had themselves ordered medals, exactly
similar to those issued by Father Mathew, from the manufacturer in
Birmingham, and had, of course, disposed of them for the advantage
of their peculiar society.
A few evenings since, I, with other gentlemen whom I now see
around me, attended a meeting in a small room in Market Street. I
there alluded to the fact that Father Mathew had presented silver
medals, to a large amount, to persons who belonged to his society,
and I said that the large medal which I exhibited had cost the sum of
fourteen shillings. Its real value is not more than six shillings; but
at first the sum charged by the manufacturers was fourteen shillings.
What will you think when I tell you that in that small room, not
more than fifteen or sixteen feet square, and where there were not
above thirty or forty persons assembled, there were as many as
twenty persons present who had received similar medals of silver
from Father Mathew?




HOW THE MONEY WENT-SILVER MEDALS.           315
Extracts might be multiplied to disprove the charge of
money making, and to exhibit the manner in which whatever
profit was received was afterwards expended. A very few
will suffice as an illustration.  In the'Belfast Vindicator' of
February 1842 we find this paragraph:An error prevails respecting the amount of money received for
medals. Of the thousands enrolled many had been previously supplied with medals, and were satisfied to receive them from the hands of
Father Mathew. To all who intimated, in the most distant manner,
their inability to purchase (and the numbers were very considerable), he instantly gave gratis the requisite quantity. He not only
gave 401. to the Rev. D. Murphy, P.P., Moira, and 151. to Mr. Duffy,
for the teetotal library, but appeared to many inconsiderate in the
extent of charity to mendicants, who uniformly resort to such scenes
-some true objects of relief, some practised impostors.
In the same paper it was stated that a number of children
of the National Schools took the pledge, and that Father
Mathew gave 100 medals to the teachers for them.
The same month, a correspondent of the'Limerick Chronicle,' writing from Kilrush, adds this postscript to his letter:-'Although Father Mathew gave an immense sum before, he
now gave 51. for the poor of the town, and 21. to compliment
the little band.'
Another paper mentions, in the same year, a munificent contribution of 20/. to the Catholic church at Miltown Malbay,
and of various sums of money distributed in the surrounding
parishes.
Father Mathew's outlay for silver medals was something
considerable, and without any return worth noticing.  As a
rule, these medals were presented, not purchased.   In his
memorable visit to Maynooth, in 1840, he distributed medals
of this material to the value of 2001.; and at the date of the
appeal made for him in 1844 he had presented to his followers in the United Kingdol   silver medals for which he had
paid the sum of 1,5001 The amount paid by him for this class
of medals up to the year 1851 was more than double that sum.




316                   FATHER MATHEW.
The reader, who remembers the great meeting held in the
Theatre in Dublin in January 1843, may be curious to know
what became of the fund raised on that occasion. Mr. Purcell, in a letter published on October 1844, makes this extraordinary statement:-' Not one twentieth of the grand folks
who signed the requisition paid a farthing.' This is not ovet
creditable to the'grand folks,' but it may be fairly assumed
that many of them atoned for their forgetfulness by contributing to the fund raised subsequently with a more practical
object. But as for the'public and enduring testimonial' itself,
it eventuated  in something very much approaching to a
job. If public opinion had not coerced even a tardy winding
up of this grand result of a grand demonstration, which had
been sanctioned and assisted by the highest aristocracy in the
land, the balance in hand would have been small indeed. As
it was, the difference between expenditure and balance was
rather fractional in its amount, as the following edifying and
instructive balance-sheet will fully display:~    s. d.
Sum Collected... 2,118 8 0
EXPENDITURE.
1844. Dec. 5.-By Postage...   93 8 0
Advertisements..   397  1 2
Printing... 56 13 0
Clerks...   114 6 0
Rent...   104 12 0
Hire of Furniture..    15 15 0
Servant's Wages.     6 2 0
Secretary...   125 2 0
Coals and Candles..     2 1 5
Sundry small YArticles.     0  8 0
Use of Theatre..    50 0 0
Ironmongery.           1 16 5
Stationery...     1 4 10
968 8 0
Balance.              1,150 0 0
~2,118  0 0




ENDURING MEMORIAL I-VALUABLE TESTIMONIES.     317
That a man of sanguine temperament should have expected
much from a movement commenced under such auspices, and
with such parade, was only natural. Father Mathew imagined that the sum to be then raised would have been so great
as, after erecting a statue or other memorial, to have left a
large balance, which he could apply to the further promotion
as well as permanence of the cause. But the balance-sheel
now given will suggest how grievous must have been his dis
appointment at the reality, which was indeed a most lame and
impotent conclusion to so grand a beginning.
The meeting in Cork was held on the 11th of November
1844, and in a few days after the statements there made,
Father Mathew was gratified at receiving, both in the public
press and through private communications, expressions of
sympathy and respect, together with the liberal offers of
assistance.'Punch' had the following characteristic bit in its racy
pages:Now, Mathew the martyr brought his fortune into the market to
buy up vice; to bribe wretchedness into comfort; to purchase, with
ready money, crime and passion, that he might destroy them. He
has laid out all his means, that he might make temperance alluring
to an impulsive whisky-loving people; he counts his tens of thousands
of proselytes, and then, taking his purse, he counts nothing. He has
triumphed, but he is a beggar. Taught by his temperance lessons,
the peasant and artificer-aye, thousands of them-have made their
homes more worthy of human creatures, and the teacher himself is
shown the way to a gaol. Mathew is arrested for the price of the
medals with which he decorated his army of converts-we know few
orders, home or foreign, more honourable, if sincerely worn-and,
unless Ireland arise as one man, the reward of the great preacher is
the county prison.
From the numerous letters addressed to Father Mathew
at this time-November 1844-two or three may be selected.
They are valuable as testimonies, but in a different way  The
first is from Dr. Lyon Playfair:



318                   FATHER MATHEW.
Royal Institution, Manchester: Nov. 16, 1844.
VERY REV. SIR,-I beg to enclose a small sum towards the subscription for defraying the expenses which you have incurred in promotion of the Temperance Movement. I am not a member of a
Temperance Association; but I have had so many opportunities, as
one of her Majesty's Health of Town Commissioners, of seeing the
great moral, as well as sanitary effects which appear in certain districts after your visits. that I cannot refrain from offering my mite, as
an indication of my respect for your character, hoping at the same
time that you will not measure my esteem for you by the small value
of the gift.
I have the honour to be, Very Rev. Sir, your very faithful servant,
LYON PLAYFAIR.
The second is from a priest who is long since numbered
with the dead, but who was one of the most distinguished
ornaments of the Catholic Church of Ireland. As handsome
in person as he was dignified in manner, Father Justin
M'Namara combined in a singular manner talents of the
highest order with strong good sense and practical wisdom.
He was as remarkable for his eloquence as a preacher as for
the indomitable energy with which he discharged the duties of
his ministry.  His testimony is the more valuable, as for the
greater part of his life he had performed the duties of a working curate in the parish of SS. Peter and Paul, in the city of
Cork, and had been brought into daily contact with his friend
Father Mathew.    Father Justin had been for some years
parish priest of Kinsale, and one of the vicars of the diocese
of Cork. The letter bears date November 28:I always considered it cruel and unjust that you, dear Sir, should
have been burthened with the enormous expense necessarily attendant on an undertaking of such vast extent and magnitude, for its machinery should have been worked out from the beginning by benevolent funds, not by your individual resources. I long anticipated that
you could not continue to sustain such an immense, unequal pressure,
and I therefore regard our present interference in your affairs as an
honest repayment of a debt you incurred on the part of the public,
obviously for the beneficial interest of all, and also, I may say, as the




THE SOLDIER'S GRATITUDE.              319
recognised agent of every man that loves his country, and feels a
concern for the moral and social improvement of her people.
One happy result from the unavoidable exposure of your circum
stances is the decisive evidence it affords to all, even to your captious
enemies, that you never trafficked in temperance, or engaged in such
a glorious cause for any selfish, lucrative, or unworthy motive. I trust
you will be placed, by the gratitude of the empire, in an independent
position, not for any advantage to yourself, but that being freed from
pecuniary difficulties you may be enabled in future to consecrate all
your undivided energies to the great apostleship to which you have
been so providentially deputed. Kinsale is a locality that, equally
with a thousand others, owes you many obligations, which its parish
priest and people will hold in lasting and grateful remembrance.
I remain, dear Sir, yours very sincerely and respectfully,
JUSTIN F. M'NAMARA.
To the Very Rev. Theobald Mathew
The third letter is from a poor soldier, whose heart is
afflicted at the picture which he conjures up-of his benefactor lying in a prison, the companion of the vilest criminals.
Father Mathew cherished the honest fellow's letter, which is
worth preserving:Parkhurst Barracks, November 8th, 1844 A.D.
REVD AND DEAR SIR,-your Reverence will Excuse Me for thus
addressing your Reverence but Sir it is one that has Partook of
your Bounty in Glasgow in 1842.
and Dear Sir-it was with Pain That I saw in the Publick Prints
that your Reverence was arested for giving all you had in the World
for our Benefit, and to Say we that Shared of your Goodness would
not do sumthing for you When in Bondage. Yes, Revd. Father, I
will not, for one, Stand alone and See you Draged to Preson for
doing all of us Poor Creatures-all the good in the World-yes, Dear
Sir, I am Proud to acknowledge you as the Second Moses in these our
days- - -
Wee, Sir, Would be Liken unto the Wicked People of Pharo who
was all swallowed up in the Red Sea. Wee would be all Drowned in
the Gulph of intemprence, only you was chosen to be a Moses in our
behalf, and Worthy did you do your Duty boath for God and Man,
and it would be ill My Part not to Come forward at the Present Time
when you are in Dangers and in the Hands of the Enemy but you
Shall not be Suffred to be Cast into Preson Like a Common Fellon,
no you Shall not be in the same Den with ThefeI and Robers-Deal




320                   FATHER MATHEW.
Sir, I am Most Happy to be one to Put My Mite into the Box-and I
Beg you will Except this small Token of my Reguard towards one
has done Me Good-to Harm they self. no Dear Father I will never
suffer such a Stain on My Name.
I am Dear Father on the Eve of Embarkcation for India, and Perhaps I would not have the opportunity of Tesfying My Respects to
your Good Services to Me.
I Shall Ever Remember you as Longe as theirs Life in My BodyMay I beg of your Reverence to Enclose Me your Blessing before I
out to India. I go in a fuw days, so I beg Most Respectfully you will
send me your Blessing.
I am with Great Respect
Your Reverence Humble and Obt Servant
James Murray
Corporal Depot
71st Regt
Isle of Wight.
A most gratifying and important testimony was borne to
Father Mathew, by Lord John, now Earl, Russell, at a meeting held in Exeter Hall on the 19th December in the same
year. This speech was in the highest degree creditable to the
noble lord, who spoke as follows:To make a great impression upon a whole nation-to bring them
at once from a habit in which they were too apt to indulge, to the
practice of those virtues by whieh their domestic happiness may be
increased, and their moral and religious conduct improved, must, I
say, have called for no ordinary diligence; no common exertions
would have sufficed for such an object. But we all know the extraordinary eloquence, the untiring energy, the disinterested forgetfulness of all selfish objects, which did enable Mr. Mathew to accomplish
this moral miracle, and, by his exertions, to effect a change in Ireland
which was surprising to the whole civilised world. But, gentlemen,
although Mr. Mathew was endowed with this zeal and energy, and
although he felt it as a great reward to be able to effect such a change
in the conduct of his countrymen, unhappily he did not accompany his
course with that prudence which a person whose soul and heart were
less engaged in the cause might have been able to follow. Hence his
difficulties; and let me assure you, that from all the inquiries which I
have made, the stories that have been circulated as to any wealth
amassed by Mr. Mathew, or any one belonging to him, of immense
sums being poured into his hands, are entirely without foundation.




LORIJ RUSSELL'S SIEECH.              321
In numbers of cases-when I say numbers, I believe that in hundreds
and thousands of instances-the medals obtained by persons who
took the pledge were given gratuitously by Mr. Mathew to those
who received it. In many other instances nothing was received whatever, and no medal was carried by those who took the pledge. Mr.
Mathew also became involved in expense by the journeys which he
made in promoting the cause which he had so much at heart, and by
the career in which he engaged with a zeal and enthusiasm with
which worldly prudence was not compatible. What, then. should be
the conduct of that country to which he belongs, and of this country
which is closely, and, I trust, perpetually united with it? What
should be our conduct, but that, if we have not shared in this meritif we have not undergone the fatigues which he has endured-if we
have not achieved that great moral victory which Father Mathew
has obtained, we should at least have the satisfaction of contributing
something to his success by relieving him from some of his present
difficulties, and enabling him to start afresh in his most glorious
career. The fact is, a man oppressed by pecuniary difficulties and
embarrassments cannot persevere in such a career with that vigour
and that disregard of worldly considerations which he would be able
to evince if relieved from his incumbrances, first by the generosity of
the people of Ireland, and afterwards by his countrymen in England.
I say, therefore, let us embrace this opportunity of being sharers in
the glory of Father Mathew, by contributing in this country, and in
the sister country, to promote the cause of temperance; and let us
have the satisfaction of thinking that we have done something that
will be grateful in the eyes both of God and of man.
At the special request of the Cork Committee, the authorised
statement made by the writer of these pages, at the meeting
of the Ilth of November, was published for circulation in
a pamphlet form: and as the preface, which was appended
to it, expressed what the friends of Father Mathew felt as to
the disposal of the funds which were certain to be raised in
response to the appeal originating in the Cork meeting, it may
not be out of place to quote the following extract therefrom:The Cork Committee are in possesssion of Mr. Mathew's entire confidence, and are actuated only by two grand motives-a wish to
relieve him from his present difficulties, and an earnest desire to
advance and render permanent the temperance reform.




322                   FATHER MATHEW.
To effect the first object, in the best manner, they wish that all
persons who are anxious to subscribe towards the present fund,
SHOULD FORWARD THEIR SUBSCRIPTIONS DIRECT TO CORK, either to their
Treasurers-the Mayor, and Alderman Thomas Lyons; or, if persons
should prefer it, to Father Mathew himself. Every sum received by
either party, shall be acknowledged in the public prints; and, h
received by one or other of the Treasurers, immediately handed ovel
to Father Mathew, who, the Committee rightly think, is the only one
who should have the disposal of the funds for an object so peculiar
and so delicate.
Then, as to the surplus-the large surplus-which they confidently
hope may remain after discharging all the pecuniary obligations of
Father Mathew, they are also of opinion that, as no man is so well
acquainted with the working of the temperance movement as its
successful leader, he alone should be entrusted with the funds placed
at his disposal by the gratitude and wisdom of the Nation.
The Committee are well aware that no movement, and more particularly a vast one, can be carried on without a liberal command
of money upon the part of him who leads or directs it; and while
they are anxious to place the pecuniary means of carrying on the
temperance reformation in the hands of its illustrious Apostle, they
would jealously guard him from even the semblance of controlwhich the entrusting of the funds to other hands, in trusteeship or
otherwise, would undoubtedly be. They have unlimited confidence
in the wisdom and prudence of Father Mathew, being satisfied that
whatever funds are placed at his disposal by the nation, will be
expended for the benefit of the nation. They, above all things, repudiate the notion of any body of men attempting to fetter the movements, or control the disbursements, of one who must be free to be
powerful, and liberal to be useful.
Father Mathew, though not caring for the possession of
money on his own account, appreciated its value as a means
of prosecuting his great work; and he was naturally disappointed at not having been left by Lady Elizabeth the large
legacy which, on several occasions, she had expressed her intention of bequeathing to him. Between Lady Elizabeth and
the priest the most affectionate relations subsisted through
life. The love which she lavished on her little protege, the
engaging child, she never withdrew from the man.    She was
proud of his fame, and of the veneration in which he was held




LADY ELIZABETH MATHEW.              323
by all classes of his countrymen; and so far as she could
promote the cause by personal encouragement, and the influ.
ence of her position, she cheerfully did, as much, indeed, to
afford pleasure to her'good Toby,' as to assist a great and
useful work. Lady Elizabeth was not eminent as a letter
writer, though she continued to keep up a rather extensive
correspondence with her friends.  Several of her letters,
yellow  with age, lie before me.  Some are addressed to
Father Mathew himself, and others, though written to third
persons, are full of allusions to him. The few extracts given
are only valuable as indications of the interest which the early
protectress of'little Toby,' took in the great work of the
moral reformer of the age, and of the affection which nearly
half a century had not power to weaken or alter. Thus her
ladyship writes to a fiiend:The dear Viscount* leaves me to-morrow. Mr. E —     stays
some time longer. I gave a great teetotal party on St. Stephen's
day, to three hundred teetotallers. They danced until seven in the
morning, and I gave them plenty of beef, cakes, apples, tea, coffee,
lemonade, &c. &c.
I had yesterday, three priests to dine with me-Dr. -, Mr.
-, and Father Mathew.
I went to Tipperary to hear Father Mathew preach. He preached
most beautifully, and he gave the pledge to 14,000 persons.
Her ladyship, who was a kind-hearted woman, and indulgent to her domestics, adds-' I gave the upper servants a
Ball, and they danced till morning.  C —-      danced Jim
Crow.'
Alluding to a subsequent visit from Father Mathew, Lady
Elizabeth announces that'Toby Mathew is to dine with me
on that day.'
While in Dublin, she writes,' The good Father Toby is to
dine with me this week.' And subsequently,'Toby Mathew,as been here, and has promised to get C   -     to be a
teacher in a school in Dublin.'
* Viscount de Chabot, the present possessor of the Llandaff property.




324                 FATHER MATHEW.
Her ladyship could evidently do a little speech-making on
her own account, for she tells her friend,'I am going on St.
Patrick's day to give a great tea party to the teetotallers,
and I am going to give them a fine speech. I expect the
great man (Father Mathew) here in a few days.'
The mode of designating her distinguished namesake was,
as may be seen, rather varied. Thus, she says,'Lord Glengall gave a great party in compliment to Father Toby, who
dined at the castle;' and she winds up another letter with,'we expect our good Toby in a few days here.'
There is a letter addressed to him, commencing with'My
good friend Toby,' and terminating with,'I remain, my good
Toby.'  Another commences and ends with'My dearest
friend.'
Lady Elizabeth had always given Father Mathew to understand that she would provide for him in her will; and this
assurance she repeated within a day of her death, which was
quite unexpected.  She thought she had time enough to
carry her intention into effect, but it was fated to be otherwise. The very day before her sudden death, which occurred
in Dublin, she was accompanied by her beloved friend to have
her likeness taken, and it was he who selected the bonnet in
which she was to sit for her picture.'You will see, Toby,'
said she to him that day,'that I have not forgotten you, and
that I have kept my word.' But the friends never saw each
other again in this world. To each of Father Mathew's
sisters-Mrs Dunbar and Mrs. Hackett-to whom she was
much devoted, she left the sum of 1,2001.; but the as many
thousands which she had allowed their brother to believe was
to be his share, never came to him or his family. The disappointment which he naturally felt was in no way on his own
account. He had no reason to suspect that the oft-repeated
promise was not to be realised; and when incurring debts,
solely with a view to promote the temperance cause, he, not
unfairly, had in his mind the certainty of receiving a large




DISAPPOINTED IN THE LEGACY.          325
legacy, at one time or other. Referring to this disappointment, in many years after, he said,'If I had to begin life
over again, and to go through what I have done, I never
would depend on the promise or expectation of a legacy.'
Father Mathew's embarrassments were now for the moment
wiped out; but, as the reader will see, new and more pressing
claims were created, and in a great measure by a calamity, in
the presence of which prudence and calculation would have
been, at least in his eyes, a crime against humanity. We
must not, however, anticipate. The sad story of the Irish
Famine is yet to be touched upon, not told, in these pages.
The pen of the historian is required to picture for posterity
the awful horrors of that period, which indeed tried the souls
of men, but out of which the fame of Theobald Mathew came
purer and brighter, glowing, as it were, with a holier lustre.




326
CHAPTER      XXIII.
The Parish rriest of Blarney-The Water-party at Blarney-Fathel
Mat's ingenious Device —The Antiquaries-The Ogham Valentine-The enchanted Streamn-Death busy with the Antiquaries
-Killarney-Fidelity of the Boatmen.
pHE -two most remarkable meetings attended by Father
Mathew during the year 1844, were held in the parish
of Blarney, and amidst the matchless beauty of Killarney.
To mention Blarney, and not to refer to its famous parish
priest, the Rev. Mathew Horgon, or'Father Mat,' as he
delighted to be styled, would be a treason to friendship; for
the writer knew and loved the simple-minded priest, and stood
by his grave in the humble parish chapel while his coffin was
covered with the sacred mould.
Father Mat, whose name was known to every Irish scholar
of the three kingdoms, was as homely in his appearance as
he was simple and kindly in his manner. Innocent as a child
in the ways and wiles of the world, he was also as credulous
in his guileless vanity. He regarded himself as the highest
authority on all questions appertaining to the science of agriculture; and, without disparagement of any other man, he
held himself to be possessed of a more thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of architecture, sacred
as well as secular, ancient as well as modern, than any architect of any age or country. He was as conversant with the
Cyclopean as with the Phoenician style-with the fire-pillars
o' the Persian, as with the cavern temples of the Egyptians.




THE PARISH PRIEST OF BLARNEY.          327
From various styles, he derived a new style of his own,
which might be termed Horgonian.    Father Mat was not
content with being a theorist; he was a practical propagandist as well.  As ready to superintend the erection of a
cathedral as the building of a school-house, he was ever on
the look out for the opportunity of undertaking one of those
great works, through which the name and fame of the erudite and accomplished Pastor of Blarney were to be transmitted to future ages. I cannot pretend to say how many
are the now existing proofs of the architectural genius of
Father Mat; but there is, still extant,* a church which he
was permitted to adorn externally, by the addition of an
excrescence, partly of the nature of a tower, and partly of
the nature of a spire, which has scarcely its equal in the
world for elaborate incongruity and perplexing novelty.  It
is one of those marvellous works which bewilder the mind.
Of this sublime effort of his inventive genius Father Mat
would speak with intense enthusiasm; but it was on another work-his Round Tower-that he proudly rested his
claim to the imperishable gratitude of posterity. This was
his darling work, the very apple of his eye. The enraptured
tourist may behold it as the train passes the village of Blarney. This rival of the fire-pillars of the Persians was partly
erected with his own hands; for Father Mat would lay
aside the eloquent pen, with which he had encountered Vallencey, Petrie, or O'Brien, in refutation or in defence of some
hated or cherished theory, respecting the origin and use of
the Round Towers of Ireland, in order to don the apron
and assume the trowel of a mason. As this hideous structure rose, course above course, so did Father Mat's exultation swell in proportion. This monster of stone and mortar
was his child-the offspring alike of his reverence and his
enthusiasm-which was to refute false theories, convince the
* Happily, the entire structure is doomed. Ere long, a noble church will be
erected its on site.




328                 FATHER MATHEW.
sceptic, and confound the scoffer. This'celestial index' was
to endure for ages, as the most splendid evidence of the
antiquarian faith and erudition of the priest of Blarney. It
has been irreverently, but not inaptly, described, no doubt
by people without faith, as'an architectural churn;' and
really, if the great people with whom Gulliver was made
acquainted in his travels, could have seen it, they might
possibly have appropriated it to the humble use which the
name implies. The shallowest impostor could wind Father
Mat round his little finger, were he to speak of the IIorgonian Spire of Queenstown, or the Round Tower of Blarney, with becoming admiration.
Father Mat was the soul and essence of hospitality. To
behold the'little boys and girls'-meaning  thereby fullgrown men and women-enjoying themselves, either at dinner or dance, was to him  an indescrilable pleasure.  In
his esteem, money was but dross.'What good is it for
money?' said Father Mat.     What good, indeed, but in
giving it away to those who want it, and spending it in
entertainments to one's friends.  When his exchequer was
at the lowest ebb, then his state of mind was most serene;
but when a'fat wedding,' or a good christening suddenly
swelled his coffers, Father Mat began at once to suffer from
a state of extreme excitement.  The pound notes burned
his pocket; they lay on his breast at night like a nightmare; in the day they assumed all manner of fantastic
shapes, and danced before him as he walked abroad; they
robbed his hand of his cunning, as he assisted his masons
on the immortal'index;' and they spluttered his pen, and
confused his ideas, as he toiled at one of those tomes, which
he truly believed were to find an honoured place in the
public libraries of all civilised countries.  The money was
a disturbing demon; and the way in which it could be exorcised most effectually, and its evil influence got rid of, was
by its speedy transmutation into rounds of beef, legs of mut



THE WATER-PARTY AT BLARNEY.             329
ton, plump turkeys, loaves of sugar, and jars of the best
Cork whisky.  When that process had been gone through,
the fever left Father Mat, and he was at peace with al,
mankind. Summonses were then sent out to town and country, to gentle and to simple. The barn-his brother's barn
— was converted into a spacious banqueting-hall; and the
tables, which were borrowed or knocked together for the
occasion, were arranged in mathematical symmetry, under
Father Mat's superintendence.
Resolving to do special honour to his dear friend the
Apostle of Temperance, the Parish Priest of Blarney invited him to administer the pledge to his people, and to a
grand banquet, with which the proceedings were to be fittingly concluded.  The dinner was to be on strictly temperance principles.  Not the faintest odour of Wise or Murphy, Hewitt or Daly,* was to offend his guest. Water, and
nothing but water, was to be the order of the day; and, as
will be seen, care was taken that there should be no lack
of that pure and wholesome element.    Now Father Mat's
own ideas on teetotalism, personal and in the abstract, may
be gathered from the speech which he delivered at the meeting, and which was marked by his characteristic quaintness
of style:
I always patronise temperance wherever I am; and it is no matter
at all whether poor old Father Mat is a Teetotaller or not, but he is
a sincere friend to the cause. Oh, I am never so happy as when I
have a score of the fellows about me, they are so religious, and so
loyal. There are a thousand blessings in this temperance. There is
one thing I cannot help being proud of, and that is, that no matter
what character strangers may have given our country, still no one
ever asserted that the females of Ireland were ever guilty of excess.
How could it be!-for if they were guilty of excess, how could they
be such good mothers, such good wives, and such good daughters?
Let all girls be teetotallers, and then the men will be so happy
(laughter). I am delighted that you all laugh at my speech, for I
am then certain that you like it greatly;'for wherever the people
* Eminent Cork distillers.




330                  FATHER MATHEW.
look like so many philosophers when a body is talking, you may be
sure that he is making but a poor hand of it. I also recommend my
people to stick to the honest, decent industry, and always to wear
the work of their own hands.
The welcome hour of dinner arrived, when the proud
host conducted the great man to the banquet hall, whose
rude walls were shrouded beneath a verdant drapery of
laurel, to which the demesnes of the neighbouring gentry
had contributed. A goodly company followed in the wake.
Town and country had about equally supplied the guests;
and sects and parties were fully represented, as well as harmoniously blended, at the hospitable board.  The majority
present patronised teetotalism somewhat in the fashion of
their host, and were rather dismayed at the formidable
array of huge   water-jugs with which   the tables were
adorned.  Father Mathew was in his glory.     It was the
kind of public entertainment he had so longed to seeabundant, substantial, and no description of strong drink
whatever.
The first chill of disappointment got over, the guests did
full justice to the good things so lavishly provided. During
the repast, the ears of the fastidious citizens were regaled
with the most vigorous efforts of a local band, whose merits, at that period of their existence, were entirely of intention.  The host was naturally proud of his accomplished
parishioners; and the Temperance Leader, who, as we already know, had'no ear,' was quite enchanted with this
performance; but the greater number of the strangers would
have preferred that the musicians were ten miles off. In
the mean time, the great jugs were in constant requisition,
and soon the cry of'more water' was heard on every side,
to Father Mathew's inexpressible satisfaction.  Every precaution had been taken by the considerate host to supply
this want; for, along the side of the wall, might be seen a
row of churns, tubs, and crocks, which, before dinner, were




FATHER MAT'S INGENIOUS 1EVICE.        331
full to the brim. Those who never in their lives drank more
than one glass of water in the four and twenty hours, nov
consumed several-' out of the mere habit of drinking some.
tlling,' as they afterwards apologetically explained, when
talking of this innocent debauch.  Of course there was
abundant speech-making, in which strong drink was vehemently denounced, and nature's wine, which had been so
profusely supplied from the well, was lauded with corresponding enthusiasm.  In sheer desperation, the non-teetotallers called lustily for additional jugs of the pure element,
which Tim, and Biddy, and Norry, supplied from the now
failing churns.  Some of the speeches were delivered under
circumstances of extreme difficulty; for the cocks crowed,
and the ducks quacked, and the geese gobbled, and the
cows lowed-and one calf, gifted with a fearful contralto,
stationed itself on the grassy roof of a neighbouring shed,
and indulged in a series of performances which were terribly embarrassing to the orator, utterly destructive to flights
of fancy, and absolute death to every attempt at poetry or
pathos. A mournful and disconsolate animal was that calf,
and most persistent in its lamentations. When the guests
rose from the tables, the water vessels had been drained to
the bottom; it being computed that no fewer than nine
churns of the refreshing beverage had been consumed by a
company, the majority of whom best liked the fluid when
it was used as a mild dilutent of a stronger liquid.
The temperance party was at an end.  But, having done
all possible honour to his illustrious guest, the hospitable
host was determined to indemnify his more select friends for
their long abstinence and compulsory libations.  It was
rather too delicate a matter for him to say roundly-' Come,
boys, let us have a little drop of good whisky punch,' so soon
after the departure of the Temperance Leader; therefore, as
a little tact was necessary in introducing the subject, Father
Mat had recourse to an ingenious expedient, which saved him




332                 FATHER MATHEW.
from the grave inconsistency of asking any one to take punch
and thereby desecrating the close of a day which had been
specially dedicated by himself to the honour of the great
Apostle, and the promotion of the sacred cause. Turning
suddenly to his dearest friend, the learned and accomplished
Windele, the chosen companion of many an antiquarian ram.
ble, and the one who treated his theories on the Round
Towers with the greatest tenderness, Father Mat enquired
-' John, what are you looking at me so hard for?''Looking at you, Father Mat I-I assure you I am not looking
at you at all,' replied his friend.'I know you are, John,'
rejoined Father Mat.'I assure you I am not, Father Mat.''I tell you, John, I know better; and, more than that, I
know what your look means, too,' persisted Father Mat.'Well, Fatlher Mat, I can't help you, if you do n't believe
me; but'-' Oh don't tell me, man; sure I know what's in
your mind as well as you do yourself.''Then if that be so,
what did that look of mine mean? —-as you will have it that
I was looking at you.''I tell you what it meant. It meant
to say-" Father Mat, there is a little key in your left-hand
breeches pocket, and that key opens the door of the sideboard, and there is a jar of the finest Cork whisky in that
side-board; and if you would only tell the little girl, she'd
get the glasses and the kettle, and we could have a decent
tumbler of punch, after all that cold water, and their long
speeches in praise of it."''Oh I I see,' said the now fully
convinced friend-' that is what I must have meant; and as
so ardent a promoter of temperance as you are, would never
think of offering us a glass of punch, why Father Mat, we
must rob you of that key, and get the materials for ourselves.'
Father Mat submitted to the larceny of the key with the
cheerful composure of a philosopher.
Surrounding the erudite Parish Priest of Blarney, was a
group of zealous antiquaries, who devoted many a leisure
hour to pleasant excursions-to the exploration and inspec



THE ANTIQUARIES.                333
tion of ruined abbeys, Danish Forts, Round Towers, cairns,
Ogham inscriptions, and matters of similar interest. TheiI
more serious labours were diversified by social intercourse of
the most agreeable kind, in which were drawn forth the convivial talents and harmless peculiarities of the learned brotherhood.
Amongst them was Windele, the author of more than one
work of merit, and one of the safest authorities on all subjects connected with the laws, customs, literature and history
of ancient Ireland.
Then there was Kclleher, the Librarian of the Cork Library, whose chief interest in antiquities lay in the amusement which the enthusiasm of his friends afforded him, and
the opportunities for ridicule, and fun, and practical joke, of
which their discoveries and speculations were the constant
occasion. The'fort,' which the other members of this society approached with interest, and penetrated with awe, was,
according to him, an abandoned fox hole; those mysterious
writings on slabs or blocks of stone, through which Father
Mat or Windele, or other illustrious pundits, read the epitaph
of a hero or a bard, or the record of some striking event in
the annals of a royal race, were, with the irreverent Librarian, nothing more wonderful than milk-scores; and those
upright stones of great size, which were pronounced to have
been'Druidical altars' by the most famous Celtic scholars
of the day, were, in the esteem of the unbelieving Kelleher,
conveniences considerately erected for the gratification of
cattle, to enable them to enjoy the luxury of a good scratch.
But there was one member of the body, whose good
lature, gaiety, and childlike simplicity, rendered him the
delight of his learned brethren.  This was Abraham Abel,
a Quaker of literary tastes and antiquarian tendencies.
Abraham was far advanced in years, but as lively and agile
as a boy. His neat dapper little figure, and his vivacious
temperament, gave one the idea of a mercurial gentleman




334                 FATHER MATHEW.
of thirty; but Abraham  had approached his sixtieth year.
In the matchless simplicity and the marvellous credulity of
this guileless human being, his waggish associates possessed
a never-failing source of enjoyment. The wonderful discoveries to which Abraham  stood godfather, would, if proved
authentic, have upset the theories and speculations of all the
great writers on Irish antiquities; but such discoveries were
invariably the result of some well laid plan of his friends, to
whom his exultation at these fortunate elucidations of long
existing causes of perplexity, was a delicious treat, of which
they never tired. Abraham Abel once received a Valentine
written in Oglham (oum) characters; at which his wonder
was very great.  He immediately brought the prize to his
friend the Librarian, for the benefit of his translation of
characters which, to the object of the epistle, were a profound mystery.'My dear William,' said Abraham, in a
whistling voice, and wagging his little chin, on which grew
a small pointed beard,'1 never received a Valentine in all
my life before. And is it not most strange that the first
should be written in Ogham!' The document was gravely
investigated by the Librarian, while his little friend stood by,
in a fever of expectation.'You are a happy man, Abel,'
began the learned decipherer; and thereupon he favoured
him with a free translation of the Valentine, which disclosed
a burning, long-concealed, and unrequited passion, expressed
in language of so intense a character as to suffuse the face
of the venerable bachelor with blushes, and even make him
question his identity.'Dear me, dear me I Poor creature,
poor creature I' was the sole commentary of the commiserating Abel; but it was almost enough to give the translator
an attack of apoplexy, from his efforts to control his laughter;
for, of course, the precious document was the result of a deliberate conspiracy. It might be added that the translator
knew as much of Ogllha  as he did of Sanscrit
A more amusing hoax was practised on the little man's




THE ENCHANTED STREAM.              335
credulity, and with the aid and co-operation of an innocent
looking countryman. This artless peasant, to whom Abraham Abel was well-known from his frequent excursions to
Kilcrea Abbey, which was periodically visited by the brotherhood, came to Cork to see the Quaker on special business
-to tell him something of the most extraordinary nature.'Faith, sir, I declare I do n't know if your honour will believe me, but'tis the quarest thing that ever come across
me.''What is it Daniel?-is it a new discovery?'Discovery, sir, indeed! —Faith then, it's a discovery entirely,
such as you and me never heard of before.''Dear me, Daniel, what can it be?'' Well sir, here is the way of it. You
know the little strame that runs through my farm?''Of
course I do, Daniel —I saw you jump across it the other
day.''True for you, sir. But what would your honour say
if you could'nt hear a person spakeing at the other side
of it?''You don't say so, Daniel I Why it is not above
eight or nine feet broad.''There's where all the wondher
is, sir. To make a long story short, I must tell your honour,
I went down a few days ago-by the same token, it was a
Friday, of all the days in the year-to call the boys into
their dinner, for the praties were biled. Well, sir, I come
down within a couple of spades of the little strame, and I
says-" Jerry, the dinner is ready-tell Paddy and Mick."
But, saving your honour's presence, the divil a one of Jerry
appeared to notice me, though he's a fine warrant for the
"pink eyes." I thin come nearer to the brink of the wather,
and I says, "Jerry I do you hear me, ye omadaun?"  But it
was the same as if Jerry hadn't an ear in his head. "Bad
cess to ye, ye bosthoon," says I, " I'll make ye hear me;"
and with that, I takes a running jump, and I clears the
strame.  "Jerry," says I, "what the dickens ails ye?"
"Me, masther?" says he. "Oh you can hear me now, can
you? but how come you not to hear me before? " says I.
"Sorra a wan of me ever heard ye, sir," says Jerry  " What




836                  FATHER MATHEW.
do you mane," says I, "saying ye couldn't hear me, and I
standing on the other side of the little river?"  Then out it
come that the man was telling the born truth, and that a
body can't be heard across it.''Daniel, you literally amaze
me. Can this be true? said the philosopher.'True, sir;
I wish I was sure of having a hundred pounds in my fist tomorrow next day,' said Daniel, with an air of great sincerity.'It is very marvellous, indeed. But, Daniel, have you told any
one of this phenomenon?''Phee what, sir?'This strange
occurrence, Daniel?''No sir, not to mortial man.'' Well,
then, Daniel, keep it a strict secret, and I will go with you
early to-morrow morning to the place, and we can then severely test the thing ourselves.''Nothing better, sir,' said Daniel.
On the following morning early, Abraham and the farmer
were on the ground, each standing on the opposite side of
the rivulet.  The farmer opened and shut his mouth, and
gesticulated and waved his hands wildly, and, as Abraham
was convinced, made the most desperate efforts to render
himself heard; but not a sound crossed the stream!' Most
wonderful!-most astonishing I' said the philosopher.  The
farmer continued to make mouths and gesticulate, until, overpowered by his unavailing efforts to render himself audible,
he at last sank exhausted on the bank I Abraham was in an
ecstacy of amazement. Here was a discovery I Here was
something to communicate to his friends!-to Father. Mat
and the scoffing librarian. Here was matter for the Gentleman's ilagazine!''Daniel, can you at all account for it?
what do you think of it?' enquired the enraptured savant.'Well, faix, if the ould monks of the Abbey hav' n't something to do with it, it would go hard with a poor man like
me to tell a scholard like your honour, who knows everything.''The monks, Daniel?' said Abel with a look of
enquiry.'Why, sir, I've heard tell that the monks used be
taking their walks up and down the banks at both sides, and
repeatin' their prayers to themselves —and they dar'nt as




THE ENCHANTED STREAM.             33T
much as say "Good morrow, Father Bernard," or "God
save you, Father Pat."'Tis the pennince the holy men
would be doing, sir.'  Singularly enlightened by this attempt at an explanation, off rushed the delighted Quaker;
and as soon as he reached Cork he proceeded to the house
of a friend, who had often characterised Abraham's discoveries in rather strong language, and who, indeed, was an infidel on all matters connected with Irish antiquities.'Well,
Joseph, now you will be convinced,' began Abraham, who
then told his tale of wonder. His friend looked at him in
amazement, believing him to have suddenly gone mad. But
no; Abraham    was perfectly collected, and undoubtedly
sober.'Joseph,'said he,'if I did not see it with my own eyes,
perhaps I would not believe it.''Faith, you would, Abraham.''Well, Joseph; but I saw the man speaking, and I
could not hear the slightest sound.' As a personal favour,
Abraham besought his friend to accompany him to the
charmed stream; and as a pleasant drive of nine or ten
miles on a fine day was a thing rather agreeable than otherwise, Joseph consented to accompany the philosopher,'in
order to be convinced.'  Joseph took his position on one
side, and Abraham on the other.'Now for it I' thought
Abel, as, lifting himself on tiptoe, and raising his voice to the
highest pitch, he cried out,'Joseph? do you hear me?''To
be sure, I do, you goose. I tell you what it is, Abraham
Abel, you are a downright fool. Do you hear that?7' Indeed, I do, Joseph,' meekly replied the little man, who was
rather crestfallen at the failure of the experiment, but who
got out of the difficulty on two suppositions-either that
there was something peculiar in the atmosphere on that particular day; or that it not being Friday, the day on which,
according to Daniel, the monks were enjoined to silence, the
charm would not work. As to any notion to the prejudice
of his'trusty and honest friend' the farmer, no such thing
ever entered the head of Abraham Abel.




838                 FATHER MATHEW.
For a time, Abraham stoutly maintained the theory that
at an early period of the world man went on all-fours; and
on one occasion he displayed remarkable agility in illustrating his theory by practical experiment. A field near Blarney was the scene of this illustrated lecture on the antediluvian
mode of human progression.
It was upon this innocent and guileless little man that
Father Mathew fixed his hungry eye, determined to have
him as his own. Not that Abraham had, to use the phrase
of the day, any occasion to take the pledge, for, had the
rest of the world been like him, there would have been no
necessity for total abstinence; but Father Mathew liked and
respected the amiable and kindly Quaker, and longed to invest him with a silver medal. Father Mathew took every
opportunity of working on Abraham's susceptible feelings,
and Abraham   was much inclined to yield; but when this
alarming state of things became known to his friends,
through casual observations which he let fall, as to' people
being bound to afford an example to their weaker brethren,' and'to make a sacrifice of their own inclinations for
the public good,' they took him resolutely into their own
hands, and watched over him, as one would over a pet pigeon
when a hawk was on the wing. On the day of the Water
Party at Blarney, Father Mathew was several times seen in
dangerous propinquity to Abraham, who was much impressed
by the proceedings of the open air meeting; but his vigilant
friends were constantly on the watch, and ready to interpose
and effect a diversion, when strategy became necessary. Indeed, at one moment things had gone to such a length, that
Abraham was within a hair's breadth of enrolment, when
one of his guards, rendered desperate by the prospect of
losing the very life and soul of their pleasant society, boldly
dashed in between the moral mesmeriser and his victim, say
ing,'No, Father Mathew, Abraham Abel does not require
the pledge: there is not a more temperate man living. You




DEATH BUSY WITH THE ANTIQUARIES.         339
have sufficient in your society, and you will have many more;
but we can't let you have our Abraham.'    Poor Abraham
fluttered back to" the protection of the Antiquaries.  But
Father Mathew turned away in high dudgeon, and it was not
for many months after that he quite forgave the' uncalled-for
interference' which robbed him of one who would have followed such a leader with the most devoted enthusiasm.
Few, indeed, of that cheerful band are now left.   The
Quaker, the Librarian, and the Parish Priest of Blarney,
have all passed away, as well as the Apostle of Temperance;
and those who survive are advancing far into the vale of
years. Father Mat died on the 1st of March, 1849, in the
seventy-third year of his age, and the forty-sixth of his ministry, thirty-four of which he devoted to the duties of parish
priest of Blarney and Whitechurch.  At his death a sum of
three shillings was found after him, as his sole earthly possession. It was his wish to be buried in his beloved Round
Tower, and he left elaborate directions for this ceremonial;
but the wish was disregarded, and he reposes at the foot of
the altar at which he long and faithfully ministered.  His
friend Mr. Windele, when lately editing a metrical legend
written by Father Mat in Irish, and translated by Edward
Kenealy, thus truly describes the good old man:Although humble and unpretending, with a character of great
simplicity and naivete, he was no ordinary man, and whilst he lived
filled a great space in the affectionate regards of a large and discriminating public; truly was he'a man to all the country dear.' One
more racy of the soil and more singularly lovable seldom existed; a
warm and sincere patriot, an enlightened friend of civil and religious
liberty, he was an advocate of whatever tended to advance and benefit his country and promote the welfare of the people. He was foremost in every movement calculated to better their condition. Although no teetotaller, for his genial and hospitable nature would not
suffer him to shackle his social tendencies, yet no man advocate4 the
cause of temperance more earnestly. He preceded his flock in every
procession, lectured the people in their places of assembly, and was
foremost in their soir6es and r6unions, addressing and encouraging




340                  FATHER MATHEW.
them. In all their innocent gaieties and amusements he participated.
No man better knew or understood the'dulce est desipere in loco.'
His hospitality was unbounded and almost indiscriminate. His doors
were ever open to his friends without distinction of sect or party, and
his reputation procured him the visits of many of the celebrities who
from time to time visited his world-renowned neighbourhood of Blarney.
In the same pages Mr. Windele touches off with quiet
humour the character and habits of his lost friend Abrahawr
Abel, who died on the 12th of February 1851, in the sixtyeighth year of his age.  The following, however, will suffice
to exhibit some of the harmless peculiarities of the innocent
mortal whom Father Mathew so earnestly desired to secure
as a follower:His toilet was peculiar. He commenced by cleaning his own boots
and shoes, performing the operation in a condition of entire nudity.
Then he sponged and brushed his body, after which, ascending an
isolated stool, he threw in as much electricity, by the friction of a
silk handkerchief on the heels, as sufficed for the day.
Occasionally he fasted the whole twenty-four hours to keep down
corpulency, to which he had no tendency; but his father had been a
remarkably obese man. On one occasion his left arm vexed him by
evincing rheumatic symptoms, and he determined to chastise the insubordinate limb.  He said the fellow was a sinecurist and waxed
wanton, whereupon he made him work, imposing the duties of brushing clothes, shoes, &c., until he found the beneficial consequences.
When in business he sometimes sat at his desk with a cat at either
side of him, and frequently with a favourite tom-cat on his back; their
friendly purring, he would say, made a cheerful music to soothe him
in his labours.
Beautiful is Killarney at all times, under all circumstances,
and at all seasons of the year. Beautiful, when the glittering peaks of the snow-clad mountains rise above the brown
woods that clothe their rugged sides. Beautiful, when the
tender green of early summer softens the stern aspect of those
guardian giants, beneath whose shadow sleep the lovely lakes.
Beautiful, when autumn flings its varied hues over the foliage
of that favoured clime. Beautiful, when not a breath of air




KILLARNEY.                  341
stirs the leaf, and the water resembles an unbroken mirror, in
which every charm is doubled by reflection. Beautiful, when
the surface of the Lower Lake reminds one of an inland sea,
and the waves roll and pitch, and the white-horse exhibits
its angry crest; for then the wind-driven clouds fling their
changing shadows over land and water, mountain and lake,
tree and shrub, thus producing a succession of effects such as
delight the eye of the beholder, but baffle the utmost art of
the painter to reproduce on canvas.  Even when the rain
descends in torrents-which it often does in Killarney-and
volumes of mist shroud the lofty Toomies or the jagged
Reeks, and float along like mighty spectres,-even then this
region of beauty is not divested of charms. But it is when
the storm has passed, and the blue sky looks out fiom the
riven clouds, and the sun flings a slanting beam over the
mountain side, lighting up the moistened leaves till they glisten like emeralds, and the waters catch a stray sparkle, that
the witchery of Killarney is most potent; for then the torrent dashes and foams over its stony bed, the cascade springs
from its rocky ledge in mightier strength and with bolder
leap, and every hill-side is musical with the murmur and the
gush of tiny rivulets.  Killarney is then as a beautiful but
passionate woman after the storm of emotion has passed over
her fair brow, and tears still glisten in her eyes, veiling the
brightness of her glance.
Such was the day, in June 1844, when a giand excursion
on the lakes was given in honour of Father Mathew, who,
amongst his other miracles, had worked a complete moral
reformation in Paddy Blake's Echo.   Fortunate was the
tourist who beheld the gay flotilla leave the pier at Ross
Castle, and shoot out into the waters of the Lower Lake,
amidst joyous shouts and strains of music. Banners of silk
floated from bow and stern of each of the boats of the little
fleet which accompanied the stately eight-oared barge of the
Church Street Society, in the stern-sheets of which Father




842                 FATHER MATHEW.
Mathew was seated. There were gentlemen with the Apos
tie, who, residents of the locality, could fittingly introduce
him to every fairy islet and enchanting bay, and pour into
his ear the legends with which each spot was deathlessly
associated. The fleet first steered for'Sweet Innisfallen,'
the loveliest isle that gems the Lower Lake; and, landing,
the party roamed over its velvet turf, and enjoyed fiom various points unrivalled glimpses of the glorious panorama. Embarking again, the joyous company were borne across the
lake to Glena Bay; where, when the waters are at rest,
they sleep most calmly, and where the arbutus assumes its
brightest tint. Round by Dinis' Island steered the flotilla,
which then entered Tore Lake, deemed by many the loveliest
of the sister lakes. The band was unusually good; but no
language could give an idea of the magical effect of its music,
as the boats slowly glided by those spots consecrated to Echo.
The sounds were caught up by the spirit of the mountain,
and were given back upon the enchanted ear from different
points, in murmurs faint and more faint, until melody expired
in the sweetest sigh that ever reached the ear of mortal.
And what thunders the peals of the drum awakened amid
the mountains! From hill to hill, from peak to peak, the
sounds crushed like volleys of artillery, as if a hundred guns
had been hurling their iron rain upon an enemy. After paying a visit to'O'Donoghue's Wine Vaults,' and casting a
pitying glance at the wave-washed semblance of the enchanted
butler, the party quitted Tore Lake, and again rowed out
on the island-studded bosom of the Lower Lake.  It had
rained occasionally during the day, with sufficient intervals
of bright weather to allow of Father Mathew visiting many
places storied in wild legend, or charming for their intrinsic
beauty. But just as the boats were well out of Glena Bay,
the rain burst from the clouds which had been gradually
enveloping the mountains as in a shroud, and poured down
in a glorious deluge.  Fortunately, however, the capricious



FIDELITY OF THE BOATMEN.            343
ness of the spirit of the mountain and lake had been cal.
culated upon, and precautions had been abundantly taken;
otherwise the excursion might have partaken too much of
the character of a genuine water party. About six o'clock,
the boats reached Castle Loch, a ruin-crowned promontory,
the extreme point of the demesne of Denis Shine Lalor,
who then resided in a mansion which has since been converted into the Castle Loch Hotel, and who was on this
occasion the hospitable entertainer of Father Mathew and a
numerous company.
At another time a grand entertainment was given to
Father Mathew on the Island of Innisfallen.   Iere, indeed, the Apostle of Temperance might be supposed to
have enough of water; it surrounded him   on every side,
and no other beverage sparkled on the board save that
wlhich sprang from its home in the mountain. A stag-hunt
was also arranged for his gratification; but, though the
music of the hounds, as it swelled in sublime chorus, or was
faintly heard from the depth of a lone valley, was a glorious treat for those who heard it for the first time, Father
Mathew was not happy so long as the chase lasted, and
only enjoyed real pleasure when the gallant stag plunged
into the lake, and was saved from the fangs of the hounds.
Th'e stag was not the first, as William Martin might have
remarked, that saved himself by'taking to the cold water.'
In no part of Ireland was the triumph of the temperance
leader more complete, than in this region of lake and mountain, as many a tourist has had good reason to appreciate
since then.'I was pleased,' said an Englisl- lady, speaking
of a visit to Killarney, in 1862,'to find that our boatmen
and our guides were all teetotallers, and to learn from them,
that the greater number of their class practically remembered
their great benefactor.'
It was at Waterford that Father Mathew gave the following popular definition of the term'gentleman'-one which




844                   FATHER MATHEW.
was certainly justified by the conduct and bearing of those
who had made a practice of sobriety:The spectacle this evening should be, indeed, gratifying to every
human mind. All parts of society are here represented, the high and
the low; the chasm which used to separate the classes is filled up;
the poor are made worthy to sit among the princes of the people.
Now when the intoxicating cup is dashed away, every man is fit to
associate one with another. EVERY FAITHFUL TEETOTALLER IS A GENTLEMAN.




345
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Riots in Philadelphia-Promises to visit America-The Temperance Institute-The oratorical Catastrophe-' Old Dan Tucker'
The Mesmerist-' Boo-boo-boo!'-The Tipperary men-The
crowning Indignity-His Reception of the Fugitive Slave.
N the following letter, Father Mathew gave expression to
the horror with which he read the account of the terrible riots in Philadelphia, of which his fellow countrymen
and co-religionists were the principal victims:Cork; June 4, 1844.
MY DEAR FRIEND.-Your very kind letter found me reading, my
eyes suffused with tears, the fearful accounts from Philadelphia.
The name of that polluted city should be Aceldama. Blessed
Jesus! whose dying legacy was peace, peace-whose darling precept
was'my dear little children, love one another,' can such deeds of
horror be perpetrated by Thy followers, Thy eternal Gospel in their
hands?   Horror congeals my blood, my heart dies within me, at the
fearful details from blood-stained Philadelphia.'By this,' says our
Divine Redeemer,'shall all men know you are my disciples, that you
love one another.' Delightful words! Though repeated a thousand
and a thousand times, they must still charm every humane, every
Christian breast. We may apply the words of holy Job, to the day
and night, when the cry of brother's blood, and the smoke of the
burning temple of the living God, ascended to Heaven:'Let that
day be turned into darkness; let a darksome whirlwind seize upon
that night; let them not be numbered in the months.' If fraternal
charity, if civil and religious liberty have resting-places upon earth,
these should be the breasts of the citizens of America. Well may
the mighty population of the States exclaim'that there was never
such a thing done in Israel, from the days that our fathers came up
out of Egypt, until this day;' and all your Israel, from Dan even to
Beersheba, should gather together as one man, and vindicate your




346                   FATHER MATHEW.
selves before the nations of the earth, and solemnly covenant, to
secure for evermore, within the boundless extent of your once envied
Union, the rights, property, and lives of men. O Philadelphia, thou
city of brotherly love, how art thou fallen!
Under existing circumstances, I must postpone for a few months
my intended visit to the States, and I feel confident that you will
approve of my resolution. To you and the proprietors of the'Ashburton,' I feel deeply indebted for your great kindness, of which
I shall ever cherish the remembrance. I have looked forward with
anxious expectation to the happiness of making a Temperance Tour
through the States, and of being privileged to be instrumental in
diffusing more widely the blessings of Total Abstinence from intoxicating drinks.
The disapointment is indeed a bitter one; but it would be uncandid of me, were I to attribute it solely to the dismal doings at
Philadelphia. The claims of my own poor country to another year
of my labour, had partly determined me to remain in Ireland for that
period. I am now firmly resolved to devote the ensuing twelve
months to the consolidation of our glorious society in my dear native
island, and then, God permitting, the United States will be my destination, where I confidently hope for a continuance of the Divine
Blessing.
I am, with high respect, my dear Sir, yours sincerely and devotedly
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Thurlow Weed, Esq., Albany.
Father Mathew had always contended, that he sought rather
to multiply and enhance the pleasures and enjoyments of his
followers, than to lessen or diminish them.  He encouraged
innocent amusements and harmless recreation of every kind,
and promoted whatever had a tendency to improve and
elevate his followers, especially his young friends of the
middle classes of his own city. With this object in view,
he established the Temperance Institute; an institution at
cnce social and intellectual-in which tea-parties were given,
meetings were held, music was studied, books were read,
and debates on literary and other subjects were encouraged.
The rooms were elegantly and tastefully embellished; and
the library, presented by Father Matlew, was well stocked
with books suited to all capacities. In the principal apart.




THE TEMPERANCE INSTITUTE.            341
ment of the Institute were frequently given the most agreeable parties, to which many of the leading citizens were
invited; and very few of those who so readily availed themselves of these invitations, that did not enjoy the entertainment provided for them  on such occasions.  The speeches
were short, and few in number; but the music, both vocal
and instrumental, was really excellent, and the proceedings
were invariably wound tip with the pleasant dance, into which
the young people entered with never-failing spirit. The nominally responsible committee were at times rather troubled
to know liow to make the receipts meet the expenditure;
but difficulties of the kind were dispelled by Father Mathew's
thoughtfulness and liberality.'It is all right, my dear,' he
would say to the perplexed Chancellor of the Exchequer,
as that functionary was bewildered in his unavailing attempts
to strike a satisfactory balance in favour of the Institute,
after some more than usually brilliant and successful soirde.'It is all ri(ght, my dear —you must not be responsible in any
way; you did your best, and I am more than satisfied. And
the creditors would at once be settled with, and all liabilities
wiped off.
A flourishing debating society arose in the Institute, under
Father Mathew's auspices; and there are now at the press
and in the professions, many who were then members of that
Institute, and of that society.  Others are scattered over
every region of the globe; and not a few, like their loving
and beloved President, sleep the sleep that knows no waking.
Tlis Institute was, in Father Mathew's esteem, the apex that
crowned the pyramid erected by his hands. In the improved
material comforts of the mass of the people, he recognised
the practical advantage of sobriety; but here were elegant
accomplishments and intellectual pursuits grafted upon the
t.oral training of the youth of the middle and higher classes
-and those who saw     his work, congratulated him  upon
its success




348                 FATHER MATHEW.
A little incident that occurred at a very critical stage in
the existence of the debating society, comical as it may ap
pear, is mentioned as a proof of the good sense and tact fbr
which no man was more remarkable than the Apostle of
Temperance. It was on the night of a grand debate, when
a subject of special interest was to be stoutly contested by
the crack speakers of the Institute.  Great things were
expected from the encounter of the rival orators, whose
admirers and backers had assembled in full force, to support
and cheer their respective leaders.  Nor were grace and
beauty wanting to crown the conqueror in the intellectual
tournament. In the chair sat Father Mathew, his handsome
face beaming with pleasure, as he glanced around his young
followers, the parents of most of whom had been his earliest
friends. The debate was opened with marked success by the
appointed member, amidst the applause of his exulting partisans. Then rose his oponent, who proceeded to show how
utterly deficient in historical information, and how destitute
of the slightest claim to common sense, was the honourable
and learned gentleman who opened the debate. The spirits
of the orator's partisans exhibited a marked improvement
as the hits told on the opposite party, who seemed to stagger
under their weight and rapidity. But as the speaker was
delivering a trenchant blow, his memory suddenly failed
him, and though the sword was held aloft to strike, he
could not strike. Was it an oratorical artifice? —was the
blow suspended for a while only to descend with deadlier
force on the casque of his oponent?  Alas I no, it was an
intellectual paralysis of the most hopeless kind. A mocking
cheer greeted the speechless one, and his dismayed partisans;
and a decided titter was heard from the ladies' gallery.
Then followed a dead pause.    The torture of the poor
bewildered orator was at its height, when Father Mathew
interposed, to the relief of the vanquished party, by sating,
in a cheering voice-'Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps our




OLD DAN TUCKER'-THE MESMERIST.         349
young friend Mr. James Traynor would favour us with a song,
as an agreeable variety, after those admirable speeches?'
The suggestion meant a command, to which Mr. James
Traynor promptly responded; and very soon both sides of
the house were united in harmonious efforts to do full justice
to the lively chorus of'Old Dan Tucker.' It was, no doubt,
a somewhat incongruous feature in a grand historical debate; but it solved the difficulty of the moment, and saved
a young fellow from poignant humiliation-which was quite
sufficient justification, in Father Mathew's opinion, for even
a more daring innovation than the refrain of'Clar de
Kitchen I'
Detesting anger and bitterness, and suppressing every
attempt at a sneer or a sarcasm, which he termed a'gibe,'
he appreciated wit and humour with the keenest relish, and
enjoyed honest fun with the delight of a child. And no
scoool-boy relished a practical joke more thoroughly than he
did, always provided that no one was injured or seriously
pained thereby. The writer was present when an instance
of this kind occurred.  Some dozen of his young friends
dined with Father Mathew one day in 1845, on which occasion John's soup and coffee merited and elicited the highest
encomiums, which that grim individual received with lofty
satisfaction. The dinner was excellent, the sweets were from
the first artiste in the city, and the dessert was choice and
abundant. The guests enjoyed the good things, to the intense
gratification of the host, who also enjoyed their'good things;'
for wit, and jest, and pleasant anecdote, and sallies of humour,
lent a charm to a repast which did not require the stimulus
of wine to heighten its pleasures. The youthful spirits of the
party were quite sufficient for that. The coffee was being
discussed, when the conversation happened to turn on mes
merism, and much discussion arose as to its claim to scientific
recognition. One of the party stoutly asserted his full and
entire belief in the truth of the science, and the extraordi




350                 FATH E  MATIHW.
nary nature of its phenomena; and he concluded by saying,
that he had himself performed wondrous feats as a mesmeriser.'Try what you can do with me, then' said another
of the party.'Bravo, bravo " cried the delighted youths,
who, so they could elicit some amusement out of the experiment, little cared whether it succeeded or failed. The chal
lenge was accepted. The subject of the intended operation
seated himself in a chair, which was surrounded by the entire
party-Father Mathew among the most interested of all.
The operator proceeded to go through the usual process,
making'passes according to the established rule, and doing
everything with all the gravity and solemnity of a regular
professor.'Faith, you have him, my boy! There he goes
off!' said one of the youngest and most impulsive of the
group.'Hush!' remonstrated the mesmeriser in a solemn
whisper, as he multiplied the passes, and, as he thought, overwhelmed the patient with the mesmeric fluid. The patient
did certainly seem to be overcome-his eyes became heavy,
and as if sightless, and the muscles of his face assumed a
strange rigidity.'Didn't I tell you, sir! exclaimed the
mesmeriser, addressing himself with triumphant disdain to
a confirmed sceptic.'I don't believe a word of it. Let
me stick a pin in the fellow,' said the sceptic.'No, my dear,'
said Father Mathew,'we must not try experiments of that
kind.' The patient now appeared to have fallen into a state
of coma, and to be no longer conscious of anything passing
around.'Now I shall raise his arm, and stiffen it like a bar
of iron,' announced the operator, who did what he said-the
limb being stretched out, like a pump-handle or a finger-post.'God forgive us!' cried John, who firmly belived that the
watchful enemy of mankind had an active share in tlhe
enchantment. The spectators became really impressed with
the conviction that there was truth in the science, that it
was wrong to doubt the evidence of one's senses, and that
the operator knew his business thoroughly.'Observe me I'




'BOO-BOO —-BOO!' —THE TIPPERARY ME;     351
said the operator,'while 1 relieve him from the overpowering
influence of the fluid.'  The profoundest interest was now
felt by the hushed and awe-struck spectators, who followed
every movement of the great magician with breathless attention.  But just as the interest was at its height, and the
silence became almost painful, the patient winked several
times with extraordinary rapidity, screwed his mouth to a
most unnatural shape, and cried'Boo-boo-boo!' in the
very face of the mesmeriser, and finished his performance by
jumping from the chair of operation, and dancing the first
bar of the Sailor's Hornpipe.  The company roared with
delight at the amazement and confusion of the discomfited
operator; but not one of the young people enjoyed the joke
with greater relish than Father Mathew, who sank on a chair
literally exhausted with laughter. The mesmeriser had a capital voice, of which he was not a little proud; and in the
hearty plaudits with which his best song —for which his host
specially asked-was received, he was fully compensated for
his failure as an operator.
Father Mathew was not always as successful in satisfying
his guests as when he thus entertained his chosen followers,
as an instance will prove. Two old friends from his beloved
Tipperary having business in Cork, paid him a visit, and
readily accepted his warm invitation to dinner. These worthy
gentlemen admired temperance in the abstract, and were
proud of the fame of their illustrious countryman. But at
this point they stopped.'Temperance,' according to their
opinion,'was a fine thing for people who could not control
themselves; but so long as a man could enjoy himself in
moderation, and take his five or six tumblers of whisky-punch
without turning a hair, surely no one would be fool enough
to say that such a man required to take the pledge.' That
was their doctrine, and they did not care who knew it. These
respectable individuals were received with the utmost warmth
by their host, with whom they had a pleasant talk about




352                 FATHER MATHEW.
Tipperary and their mutual friends.  There were but fou?
at the table-the two strangers, one of the lieutenants of
the temperance leader, and the host. The dinner was excellent, as usual, and the gentlemen from Tipperary enjoyed it
thoroughly, having been much about the Utown during the
day.  But they thought it rather strange that they were
not asked by the servant if they preferred porter or ale to
water, which they conscientiously detested. They were however too polite to make a remark, or to ask for their favourite-indeed their invariable-dinner beverage; and they sipped the'Lady's Well' water with as decent a show of relish
as they could possibly affect.  It was also strange, they
thought, that there was no wine on the table; but they
supposed it was reserved until the cloth should be removed.'Here it comes now,' thought they, as a fine dessert replaced the dinner, and the host desired John to'bring in the
tray.' In Tipperary, in the hospitable homes of the two
gentlemen, to bring in the tray at such a moment meant the
advent of'materials;' but their disgust was unbounded when
they found that coffee was the substitute for'honest whiskypunch.' They looked at the sideboard, to discover if any
hope lay in that quarter, but in vain. They glanced at John,
who returned the glance with a vicious gleam from his bright
little eyes, and then they looked at each other in blank despair. In vain their host helped them to the most delicious
fruits of the season; in vain they were urged to try another
cup of the fragrant coffee-in vain were old friends referred
to, and early associations conjured up by their kindly host.
There was but one indignity remaining which could be inflicted upon the martyrs, nor was that long wanting; for, seeing
that his guests did not relish the coffee, their host suggested
in the most persuasive manner-'Perhaps, my dear sir, you
would prefer tea?''No, no 1-many thanks to you, Father
Mathew,' replied his friend, with a look of horror.'Then,
perhaps, gentlemen, you would like a little lemonade after




THE CROWNING INDIGNITY,            353
your dinrer?'  Lemonade I  That was the crushing blow,
the crowning indignity.  The Tipperary men rose, as if by
an impulse, and muttering some kind of apology, in which
the words'pressing engagement,' and'lawyer,' were alone
audible, they literally rushed from the room; and betakilng
themselves to the nearest public-house, they amply indemnified themselves for the outrage done to their palates by the
coffee, and to their nationality by the hateful suggestion of
lemonade.  Five tumblers formed the lowest standard of
their notions of rigid moderation; but after such a trial as
they had just passed through, eight or ten they considered
to be a fair and reasonable allowance. When these worthy
men had occasion to visit Cork again, they, to employ their
own expressive words,'gave Father Mathew and his house
in Cove Street a wide berth.'
As a host, and as the temperance leader, it afforded Father
Mathew a double gratification to know that his guests enjoyed his abundant but simple fare, and did not feel the want
of the customary wine and the orthodox whisky-punch to
be found either on their own tables, or the tables of their
friends. His gratification was still greater when he elicited
the admission from one who thoroughly enjoyed'the good
things of this life,' that the dinner was all the better without
the stimulant.'Now, B —,' said he, one evening, to a
jovial friend, whom the pledge would have robbed of half his
jollity,'do'nt you feel much more comfortable without your
usual tumbler of punch than if you were taking it?' This
was asked in the most persuasive tone of voice, and with the
most benevolent expression, as he laid his hand softly on
B-'s shoulder.'Then, indeed, Father Mathew, to be
candid with you, I do not; for I have a most extraordinary
feeling without it,' was B's honest reply, which, as was
invariably the case, was wound up by a pleasant laugh.'Oh,
B-, you are incorrigible; I can make no hand of you,




.54                  FATHER MATHEW.
was all that Father Mathew could say to his good-humoured
fi-end.
The advocates of social reforms and humane ameliorations
of the law found a ready and influential supporter in Father
Mathew, who sympathised in whatever tended to render
their hard lot in this life more tolerable to the poor and the
afflicted. In like manner did he hold in abhorrence the idea
that one man could possess property in his fellow-man; and
the expression of this feeling, which he did not conceal, was
to him, as the reader will see in time, the source of much
anxiety, and no small embarrassment, during his tour in the
United States.
Frederick Douglas, known as the'Fugitive Slave,' describes in a letter to the'Boston Liberator' his reception by
Father Mathew, whom he visited in Cork, in October 1845.
Men of the highest rank and greatest eminence constantly
visited at that humble house in Cove Street; but neither
to noble nor to statesman, to poet nor to orator, to painter
nor to sculptor, did Father Mathew offer a heartier welcome than to tlle Fugitive Slave, who thus records his impressions of that reception:On the 21st inst., Father Mathew, the living saviour of Ireland
from the curse of intemperance, gave a splendid soiree as a token of
his sympathy and regard for friend Buffum and myself. There were
250 persons present. It was decidedly the brightest and happiest
company, I think, I ever saw anywhere.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying himself in the fullest mannner. It
was enought to delight any heart not totally bereft of feeling, to look
upon such a company of happy faces. Among them all, I saw no
one that seemed to be shocked or disturbed at my dark presence. No
one seemed to feel himself contaminated by contact with me. I
think it would be difficult to get the same number of persons together
in any one of our New England cities without some Democratic nose
growing deformed at my approach.
On the morning after the soir6e, Father Mathew invited us to
breakfast with him at his own house-an honour quite unexpected,
and one for which I felt myself unprepared. I however accepted his




HIS RECEPTION OF THE'FUGITIVE SLAVE.'        355
kind invitation, and went. I found him living in a very humble
dwelling, and in an obscure street. As I approached he came out of
his house, and met me about thirty yards from his door, and with
uplifted hands, in a manner altogether peculiar to himself, and with
a face beaming with benevolent expressions, he exclaimed,' Welcome!
welcome! my dear sir, to my humble abode;' at the same time
taking me cordially by the hand, conducted me through a rough
uncarpeted passage, to a green door leading to an uncarpeted stairway; on ascending one flight of which, I found myself abruptly ushered into what appeared to be both drawing and dining-room. There
was no carpet on the floor, and very little furniture of any kind in the
room; an old-fashioned sideboard, a few chairs, three or four pictures
hung carlessly around the walls, comprising nearly the whole furniture of the room. The breakfast was set when I went in. A large
urn stood in the middle, surrounded by cups, saucers, plates, knives
and forks, spoons. &c. &c., all of a very plain order-rather too plain,
I thought, for so great a man. His greatness, however, was not
dependent on outward show; nor was it obscured from me by his
plainness. It showed that he could be great without the ordinary
attractions, with which men of his rank and means are generally
anxious to surround themselves.
Upon entering the room, Father Mathew introduced me to Mr.
William O'Connor, an invited guest; though not a teetotaller, an
ardent admirer of Father Mathew.*
This gentleman complained a little of his severity towards the
distillers of Cork, who had a large amount invested in distilleries,
and who could not be expected to give their business up to their ruin.
To which Father Mathew replied, in the natural way, that such men
had no right to prosper by the ruin of others. He said he was once
met by a very rich distiller, who asked him, rather imploringly, how
he could deliberately plot the ruin of so many unoffending people,
who had their all invested in distilleries?  In reply, Father Mathew
then told, with good spirit. the following excellent anecdote:' A very
fat old duck went out early one morning in pursuit of worms. and
after being out all day. she succeeded in filling her crop, and on her
return home at night with her crop full of worms, she had the misfortune to be met by a fox, who at once proposed to take her life to
satisfy his hunger. The old duck appealed, argued, implored, and
remonstrated. She said to the fox-You cannot be so wicked and hard* The merchant-tailor who erected the Mathew Tower in commemoration of his
reverend friend's reception in London in 1843.




356                   FATHER MATHEW.
hearted as to take the life of a harmless duck, merely to satisfy youf
hunger. She exhorted him against the commission of so great a -sin,
and begged him not to stain his soul with her innocent blood. When
the fox could stand her cant no longer, he said-Out upon you,
madam, with all your fine feathers; you are a pretty thing to lecture
me about taking life to satisfy my hunger-is not your own crop now
full of worms? You destroy more lives in one day, to satisfy your
hunger, than I do in a whole month! 




CHAPTER XXV.
His Speech on Capital Punishment-The Oriental's Question —His
distinguished Visitors-Innocent Festivities-Protestant Sympathy-Sacredness of the Pledge.
A  T a meeting held in Cork, in 1845, Father Mathew expressed his views on the question of Capital Punishment, which the promoters of the meeting sought to abolish.
It will be seen that he availed himself of the opportunity thus
afforded him to urge upon his fellow-citizens the wisdom and
humanity of arresting crime by the protection and reformation of the young. In proposing the resolution which he had
been solicited to propose, he said:I deemed it my duty to take part in your proceedings this day; and
if my humble advocacy can in any way tend to ameliorate the condition of the most degraded member of the human family, I consider
the violence which I offer to my feelings in thus presenting myself
before you to be amply compensated. The resolution handed to me
requires no preface; it is simply the eunciation of a great principle,
agreed to by all persons-that the prevention of crime and the reformation of the criminal, not vindictive justice, should be the object
of all governments. The ministry to which I have been called, and to
which I have devoted myself so many years, has given me great
knowledge and experience of human nature. I have been for nearly
thirty years a calm observer of passing events. Guilt in all its
various gradations has appeared before me; and I have very seldom
found a case where, by kindness and winning his confidence, I did
not succeed in the reformation of the criminal, by holding out to him
a pardon through Christ.
Indeed such were the numbers of persons of that description that
came to me, that often the finger of scorn was pointed at me, as the




358                    FATHER MATHEW.
sinners' reproach. But I was proud to be calumniated in such a way,
for my Divine Master was similarly reproached. I speak not for the
purpose of magnifying myself, but to prove that I came not here for
the purpose of propounding a beautiful theory, but to give you the
result of my own experience. I have seen vindictive justice grasping
the lash, and exhibiting the gibbet, in vain. Such exhibition may
tend to make juvenile culprits more cautious, but the old offender
smiles at the threats of the law; and I have found such to be the case
invariably. Threats of vengeance and punishment I ever have found
to be most inefficient; nothing but a religious education can be an
effective remedy. The law may hold back the ruffian's hand, but it
is religion alone that can heal the cankered heart. It is my conviction, and I have long studied the subject, that even the crime of
murder should not be punished with death. I do not now wish to
enter into the discussion of the permission given by the Almighty
in the words that'he who sheds man's blood by man shall his
blood be shed;' but from the consequences that have followed the
punishment of murder by death, I am convinced that the amount of
crime is increased, because the public mind becomes brutalised by the
frequent repetition of executions; and I am further convinced that if
the punishment of death were done away with, we would have no
murders at all. I never found that the apprehension of punishment
by death held back the murderer's hand; and it has often occurred
that the person punished was considered the person murdered, and
his punishment therefore produced the contrary effect to that intended.
I have strayed from the subject of the resolution, to implore your
sympathy and compassion for the juvenile offenders of this city. I
do it with all my heart, for I mourn over them; and I should say
that it is your own neglect of the youthful culprits that is the unhappy cause of the frequency of the perpretration of such crime. They
are wretched beings, the offspring of poverty, who learned nothing
save the low artifices of thieves: they are sent to jail and confined;
but so far from being reformed, they become worse, and as they grow
up they advance from the petty thief to the blood-stained murderer.
I would therefore suggest the necessity of having moral and spiritual
training for the juvenile classes, instead of jails and prisons. It is
not my wish that murderers should escape with impunity. I think
they should be confined, and brought up to useful trades, and kept in
prison until, by their labour, they paid not alone for their own maintenance, but also repaid those to the last farthing whom they robbed
or injured. I would not give the culprit a bonus, and send him back
upon the world; I would make him pay the penalty to the lasi




THE ORIENTAL'S QUESTION.              359
farthing. I call on the mayor, and those present, to turn their attention to the number of poor creatures I see daily about the streets, and
crowding the quays and markets, led on by their wretched parents,
serving, as I might say, an apprenticeship to robbery. These are the
parties that should be looked to, as they are likely to become inmates
of a prison, or to fill the harlot's shameful grave. There should be
something done to compel the parents to give them instruction and
education; and if they have not parents, the law should interfere to
protect them. I am aware that the whole subject is encompassed with
difficulty. I have never been able to bring myself to the fill conviction, nor could I discover, that the Almighty has given any power
aver the life of man. He has reserved vengeance for himself, forVengeance is mine,' said the Lord. From all I have observed
and read, I am convinced that the infliction of capital punishment
has been a fatal source of the frequent murders that disgrace and
stain the land. It is a difficult subject; but the object you have in
view is a glorious one-the good of society, and the amelioration of
the condition of the people. Stopping the shedding of human blood
is an object worth contending for, no matter what the difficulties are.
We have the good fortune to be born in a glorious era; floods of
light and life are pouring on us; and I am sanguine that I shall live
to see the day when capital punishment will be done away with, and
abolished from the code of these realms.
Among the visitors attracted to Cove Street by the fame
of the Apostle of Temperance, was a genuine oriental, rejoicing in the name of Meer Shamet Alli, a descendant of
the original Mogul race. He was a grand-looking Mussulman, highly accomplished, and spoke more than one European
language with facility.  Father Mathew, to whom he had
a letter of introduction, invited him to breakfast, and-that
the stranger might have the pleasure of hearing his own
language spoken in a place so far from his own country, he
also asked his friend Captain (now Colonel) Gamble to join
the party.  Father Mathew took the illustrious stranger to
various places, and showed him several institutions-among
others, the Ursuline Convent at Blackrock, within some two
miles of Cork. The institution is a very noble one, and
eminent for its success as a school for young ladies of the




360                  FATHER MATHEW.
middle and higher classes.   Meer Alli was received with
distinction by the ladies of the community, and shown every.
thing of interest.  Father Mathew's presence acted as an
open sesame,' and every door flew open before the approach
of the stranger, who examined and admired with a quiet
gravity peculiar to his race. While Father Mathew's attention was otherwise engaged, the Meer asked confidentially of
a gentleman near him, who formed one of the party-'Are
all these ladies his wives?'  The rather Eastern idea had
arisen in his mind, chiefly from the air of mingled respect and
affection with which the good nuns treated their Spiritual
Superior, which office Father Mathew   then held.   When
Father Mathew was afterwards told of the oriental's query,
he was considerably amused at its strange proposition.
Meer Shamet Alli was not the only distinguished oriental
who made the acquaintance of the Apostle of Temperance.
Dwarkanauth Tagore, the great Calcutta Merchant, express.
ed in the following letter the admiration and esteem in which
he held him:Brighton.
MY DEAR FATHER MATHEW.-DO not think, from my silence, that I
for one moment forget my promise of writing to you. But on my arrival here I had so many visitors, to give them an account of my travels,
and afterwards obliged to go to Southampton and the Isle of Wight,
on a visit to some friends, that I have had no time until now to write.
I avail myself of a leisure moment, free from all interruptions from
visitors, to dictate this from Brighton; in the first place, to thank you
for all the kindness and attention I received from you during our too
short acquaintance, and which I shall never forget as long as I live;
secondly, to express my congratulations in having fallen into your
society, which has enabled me to judge of the real character of the
lower classes of Irish, and to remove those prejudices which I formerly held; and through your efforts this wonderful improvement in their
morals must be attributed. So you have done and are doing more
good to Ireland than all the political excitement of others. I have
not only expressed this to the First Minister in England, and to others,
but have written the same to my friends in India. I only wish that
could have remained a few more days in your company, or that I




HIS DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.           861
can at some fiture period meet with you somewhere. I have in my
possession the valuable present you bestowed on me, which has been
seen and admired by everybody. Think that I went to pass a few
days with the Lord Chancellor at his country house, and Lady Lyndhurst wanted me to give up your medal; as she only lives upon water,
and never touches wine, she said she had a greater right to it than
mn self. So you see how much I am envied in having such a gift. I
can only say it will go as an heirloom to my family as a remembrance, and remain in my possession as long as I live. If I am not so
fortunate as to meet you somewhere in England, you may depend that,
if I am alive, I will some day next year do so in your own country.
My Irish friends insist that your portrait must be painted in Dublin,
though I had wished it to be done here, for two reasons; first, that I
should have the gratification of meeting you, and second, it would
have been painted by a first-rate artist. However, if I am to agree to
my Irish friends, Mr. Gresham will arrange everything; it must be a
full length, and in the position of giving your blessing to the people,
whilst giving the pledge. If the artist could introduce a Hindoo with
his turban, standing by your side, it would increase the interest as
commemorative of an event which can never be obliterated from my
mind. With great respect,
I remain,
My dear Father Mathew,
Yours very sincerely,
DWARKANAUTH TAGORE.
Father Mathew did not altogether confine his attentions
to his visitors and strangers of the male sex; he occasionally
displayed great courtesy to the gentler sex, and even afforded
them  hospitality, either at his own house, or at Lehenagh
-arranging, of course, in case his own house was the scene
of the entertainment, that members of his family should join
the party.  The Countess Ida Hahn-Hahn thus acknowledges
the kindness and hospitality which she had received at his
hands:london, Octbr, 17, 1846.
DEAR SIR,-I am about to leave England, and feel compelled, before
doing so, to express to you my best thanks for your kindness and hospitality. The hours which I did spend with you shall not be forgotten.
I was prevented from accepting your invitation at Killarney by a want
of full-dress, and I thought myself not fit to appear in an evening party,




362                  FATHER MATHEW.
and amongst ladies, in my travelling dress; so I lost the opportunity
of seeing you once more. But I saw you in moments of higher importance to my feelings, and they are perhaps the most gratifying in my
whole journey.
God bless you, dear sir, in the grand and noble work you carry on,
and God bless your people with wisdom in the stormy trials hovering
just now over them.
Yours with true and warm admiration,
IDA CTSS. HAHN-HAHN.
Mrs. Asenath Nicholson, a. lady from New York, made a
pedestrian tour through Ireland in 1844-45, for the purpose
of becoming personally acquainted with the condition and
character of its people.  She generally lodged in the cabins
of the peasantry, and distributed tracts among them as she
went on.   In a work which she published on her return,
entitled'Welcome to the Stranger,' Mrs. Nicholson gave a
description of her interesting tour. Her impressions of Father
Mathew-whom she first saw at Roscrea, and whom         she
afterwards visited at Cork-are admirably given in the book,
and are the more valuable from the writer being of another
faith.  A  single extract from  its pages will be read with
interest, as the testimony of a clever and appreciative stranger. Her sketches are also true pictures of the extraordinary
movement of the day.   She thus describes her first impressions of its leader:
At 8 o'clock the next morning, Father Mathew gave a stirring
scriptural discourse on the importance of temperance, proving from
Scripture, as well as from facts, the sin of using ardent spirits. The
concourse was immense, so that'they trod upon one another.' At
12 o'clock he gave another address. His simple unaffected manner
carries that evidence of sincerity and integrity with it, that no one
can doubt but he who loves to doubt. His unabating zeal is beyond
all praise; yet, at this late hour, do I hear his name traduced by his
countrymen, who are ascribing his object to a political one. Yet
among all his traducers not one can be found who is an abstainer,
whether he took the pledge from him or some other one; and I should
not hesitate to say that in Ireland, he has no enemies among the teetotallers, few among the drunkards, but many, many among the
moderate drinkers.




INNOCENT FESTIVITIES —PROTESTANT SYMPATHY.  363
Father Mathew's visits to the Blackrock and other convents, both in Cork and Dublin, were the occasion of much
rejoicing to the young ladies, who generally enjoyed a holiday
and a feast in consequence. He delighted in witnessing their
innocent merriment, and received their graceful tributes of
affection-usually in the form of a pretty poem, descriptive
of his triumph as the great moral regenerator of his country-with the utmost gratificati(l. He treasured up these
poetical effusions with care; and many a mildewed poem,
written carefully, and in the neatest hand, on embossed
card or satin paper, were found in the recesses of his inkspattered desk. But a little drama, in which the mission
of the Apostle was illustrated by its influence upon the life
and fortune of a family, and which was admirably played by
the pupils of the Convent of Loretto, Dublin, was a testimony
of which he was especially proud. It was written by one
of the nuns, and was assisted in its general effect by the
introduction of national music and graceful dances, in which
the younger children took a conspicuous part. No one could
appreciate better than Father Mathew the efforts of these
innocent young people to please and do him honour; and
they, in their turn, were proud of his praise.
Between Father Mathew and several dignitaries of the
Established Church a strong feeling of friendship existed.
Even where prejudice was entertained against his creed, it
was disarmed by the charm of his manner, and the conviction
of his real goodness of heart; but where genuine liberality
took the place of prejudice, and he became known to a man
of his own stamp in the Protestant Church, the acquaintance
soon ripened into friendship, and esteem invariably warmed
into enduring affection.  That this sentiment was felt totowards him by the late Venerable Tighe Gregory, Rector
of Kilmore, the words of that liberal-minded man will
attest:




364                   FATHER MATHEW.
Paget Priory, Post Town, Kilcock:
June 6, 1846.
MY VERY REVD. FRIEND,- -By the merest accident I have this mo
ment heard that you are to be in Maynootlt to-morrow. An additional
weight of duty, consequent upon the day, renders me unable to drive
over and wait on you; but I trust your arrangements will not clash
with your favouring me by naming a day, before your return to the
south, on which I shall have the pleasure of welcoming you to Paget
Priory, where there cannot, I assure you, be a more valued or welcome guest.
I have had a note from my right revd. friend Bishop Cantwell, promising to partake the humble hospitalities of my poor parsonage, on
his approaching visitation of this district, as his lordship kindly did
on his last progress.
I would that you could meet on the occasion. Polemics and politics are forgotten in the good ship Harmony, as she placidly sails in
the bay of Concord;'tis the vessel which Jesus pilots-may it never
be wrecked.
It would, I well know, have given my son great delight had you
been induced, when in Norfolk, to extend your progress towards
Lyme Regis, and paid him a visit at his glebe in Hunstonton, eighteen
miles east of it, from the pulpit of which his heart warmed towards
his'dear, his native land,' as he fearlessly advocated the claims of
the Apostle of Temperance; and as the worthy and enthusiastic Mr.
Hansard observed, it was cheering to recognise father and son, separated by seas, and unknowing of each other's intent, embarked in the
same cause. It is, indeed, a cause which presents a neutral ground
on which all should and could cooperate. Every day gives evidence
of the blessings of temperance, and I never saw it more fully exemplified that last Easter Monday in my own churchyard, where an illconducted terrorist of the Clarendon Lodge found his safety (and
impunity too) in the exemplary sobriety which caused the meritorious forbearance of the numerous Roman Catholics present, whom,
in drunken bigotry, he audaciously stigmatised and insulted, in spite
of his pastor's stern reproof.
They talk of panaceas for Ireland's ills, and say'all attempts to
find one are utopian.' I deny it. Temperance is the panacea-on it
domestic peace, public order, morality, industry, meakness, mildness,
and Christian charity are reared; and family broils, riot, tumult,
violence, dissipation, idleness, intolerance, and bigotry are crushed
beneath it.
The instance I have just recounted-almost at the time, and but six




SACREDNESS OF THE PLEDGE.              365
miles from the place where you will probably be administering the
pledge when you receive this-forms a great and striking proof that
in temperance this panacea is to be found; and with heart and hand
ALL should therefore promote its growth. I was charmed to find my
son, and my friend the Bi shop of Norwich, acting the noble part they
did, in presenting you at the Shire Hall. Persevere and prosper.
Accept, very reverend and dear friend, the assurance of the enduring esteem of,
Yours faithfully and truly,
E. TIGHE GREGORY, D.D. and LL.D.
Rector and Vicar of Kilmore.
The Very Revd. Theobald Mathew, &c.
It has been seen that Father Mathew, in the belief that
he was acting most wisely with a religious people, imparted
as much as possible a sacred character to the pledge. This
practice was the occasion of considerable controversy, even
between members of his own Church; those who objected
to it contending that, when the pledge was violated, after
having been so taken, its violation inflicted the additional
injury of degrading the person in his own esteem, making
him feel as if he had been guilty of perjury. On the other
hand, it was urged that the more solemnly the pledge was
administered, the more binding was it rendered, and that
the introduction of the religious element was wise and beneficial.  Of this latter opinion was the Vicar of Yardley, who
thus expressed it in a letter to Father Mathew:Vicarage, Yardley, Birmingham:
Nov. 27, 1845.
MY DEAR SIR-I hear, with gratitude to God, of your doings in
Ireland bo promote total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks as a
beverage. I rejoice in your abundant and successful labours, and wish
you' God's speed' with all my heart.
I find, and probably you do so too, that when true piety attends or
follows the temperance pledge, there is stability, and there hope and
almost confidence may be entertained; but that, when this is not the
case, the fairest promises are often broken, and the brightest prospects
blasted.
I admire, in your pledge, the acknowledgement of the need of
Divine assistance, and, in your blessing, a prayer for grace and
strength to keep the promise.




366                   FATHER MATHEW.
This is your rock of strength. Go on, my brother, and prosper, till
Ireland and the whole earth be converted to your holy principle of
temperance. I am glad that I have a spark of the temperance fire
that glows in your heart; and may I have your prayers and your
blessing, and you shall continue to have that of, my dear sir,
Your faithful but unworthy
Brother and fellow-labourer,
HENRY GWYTHER,
Vicar of Yardley




sal
CHAPTER XXVI.
The Famine-Its Effects and its Causes-Ireland before the FamineThe Blights of 1845 and 1846-Father Mathew's Correspondence
with the Government-Timely Appeal-The Famine setting in.
q00 soon, alas! arose a state of things which, while ma-! terially influencing the Temperance movement, brought
about a social revolution of the greatest magnitude, and the
gravest resutlts. The history of the Irish Famine is yet to
be written; and no event of modern times more requires an
able and impartial pen than that terrible calamity, which
filled the land with horrors for which a parallel can only be
found in the pages of Boccaccio or De Foe-which counted
its victims by hundreds of thousands-which originated an
emigration that has not yet exhausted the strength of its
fatal current-which caused twenty-three millions' worth of
property to change hands, called into existence a new race
of proprietors, and swept into poverty, banishment, and
oblivion, many a once opulent family, and erased from the
bead-roll of the Irish gentry many a proud and distinguished
name. That history is yet to be written, and will be best
written when time shall have brought with it a more impartial spirit and a cooler judgement than exist at this moment,
while the memory is still too vivid, and the sympathy too
keen, for a task so grave and so important. Fortunately for
the writer of this biography, his duty compels him to treat
that terrible event mnrely as an episode in the history of
Father Mathew's career, and as a means of exhibiting, in a
more striking manner, a character which the misfortunes of




368                  FATHER MATHRW.
the country, and the sufferings of its people, developed into
a still brighter and purer radiance.
To understand properly the condition of Ireland immediately preceding the famine, one has but to turn to the Report
of the Devon Commission, which was appointed in December
1843, and prosecuted its enquiries in every part of the country
during the subsequent year; and in its pages will be seen more
than sufficient evidence to prove to what extent misery and
wretchedness had prepared the way for the ravages of blight
and plague.  A single passage, descriptive of the condition of
the labouring class, will suffice for the present purpose:A reference to the evidence of most of the witnesses, will show that
the agricultural labourer of Ireland continues to suffer the greatest
privations and hardships; that he continues to depend upon casual
and precarious employment for subsistence; that he is still badly
housed, badly fed, badly clothed, and badly paid for his labour. Our
personal experience and observation, during our inquiry, has afforded
us a melancholy confirmation of these statements; and we cannot
forbear expressing our strong sense of the patient endurance which the
labouring classes have generally exhibited, under sufferings greater, we
believe, than the people of any other country in Europe have to sustain.
Upon the ill-paid labour of his hands, and the produce of a
patch of potato ground, which he rented at a high rate, or
for which he mortgaged a considerable portion of his working
days, the Irish labourer exclusively existed. This patch of
ground was either let to him manured and planted, by the
farmer, at an enormous rent; or, out of the proceeds of his
own labour, he prepared and planted it himself. If the crop
turned out abundant, everything went well with the poor
labourer: it fed himself and his family, and it fed his pig
and his poultry; it freed him from debt and liability, and it
enabled him to purchase, in the nearest town or village, those
necessaries which were required by his condition in life. But
if the crop-the one and only crop-failed him, then misery,
and debt, and hunger, and sickness, were the lot of the Irish
agricultural labourer.




IRELAND BEFORE THE FAMINE.          369
The class above the labourer-namely, the small farmers,
holding a few acres of land on a tenancy at will-were but
little better off than those who were'badly housed, badly
fed, and badly clothed.' This class had no capital other than
their own labour, or that of a miserable dependent, to whom
they let out a patch of ground in con-acre, for a potato garden; and having neither lease, nor security of any kind, to
protect the fruits of their industry, the small farmers were
generally satisfied with raising a scanty crop from the soil,
and content with the poorest fare, and the meanest dwelling
— the principal result of their hard toil being absorbed in the
rent, which was too often exorbitant in amount.  A large
proportion of this class of small farmers held, not directly
from the landlord of the estate, but under middlemen, who,
having obtained long leases at easy rents, lived as gentlemen
upon the toil of the wretched serfs whom they called their
tenants, and among whom the land was cut up into small
holdings.
The landlords of Ireland where then-just preceding the
famine-suffering as well for the sins of their predecessors
as from their own extravagance.  As a rule, the landed
property of Ireland was crushed under an accumulated load
of debt and encumbrance; and many of the finest estates
in the country were well-nigh ruined, and almost laid waste,
by the destructive litigation and still more destructive management of the Court of Chancery.
Thus there was an embarrassed gentry, a harassed or discouraged tenantry, and a labouring population whose very
existence depended upon the chances of the seasons, and the
success or failure of a delicate and susceptible tubor. Manufacturing industry was limited to a few counties, and a few
large towns in these; and commerce did not extend its bene.
ficial influence beyond the sea-board, principally that facing
the western shores of England. No country, in fact, could
be worse prepared to meet the coming danger, or ride out




370                  FATHER MATHRW.
the storm which so soon darkened the heavens. And when
the storm  broke forth in its fury, helplessly the poor ship
laboured in the trough of the angry sea, no vigorous hand at
the helm, and water entering at every yawning seam.
From 1817 to 1839, there had been repeated failures of
the potato crop in Ireland, some partial, and some more general in their destruction; and each failure was attended with
the invariable results-famine and pestilence. Those whom
the hunger spared the typhus smote, and the red hue of the
rural graveyard gave fatal evidence of the consequences of a
potato blight. In 1822, an abundant harvest was gathered
in and stored; but the potato rotted in the pits, on account
of the wetness of the growing season, and it was not until an
advanced period of the year that the unhappy people were
conscious of the calamity that had befallen them. The most
energetic efforts were made to mitigate the distress, which
was felt in its worst form in the provinces of Munster and
Connaught. Large subscriptions were raised, and local committees formed, throughout Ireland; and the people of
England, whose liveliest sympathy was excited by the sufferings of their Irish brethren, raised a sum of nearly 200,
0001. for their relief.  Of the 44,0001. then raised in Ireland,
41,0001. were subscribed in the distressed provinces of Munswer and Connaught, and but 3,0001. in Ulster and Leinster,
which had escaped the calamity. The entire amount, either
voted by Parliament, for public works or other modes of
relief, or raised by individual subscription, was somewhat over
600,0001.
In 1832, severe distress was felt in Galway, Mayo, and
Donegal, from a partial failure of the potato the year before,
the result of violent storms and heavy rains. In this instance,
private benevolence, partly assisted by government aid, was
sufficient to meet the necessity; and a plentiful harvest soon
obliterated the traces of local suffering. England contributed'74,4101. to the relief of Ireland on this occasion: and Ireland




THE BLIGHT OF 1845.               371
raised, by voluntary effort, the sum of 30,0001. The Gov.
ermnent advanced 40,0001., which was partly expended in
public works, and partly in the purchase and distribution of
food.
On occasions subsequent to 1831, and previous to 1845,
the potato partially failed, but not to any extent requiring
notice.
Trhe blight, which was the precursor, but not the actual
cause, of the famine, first appeared in 1845, in the autumn
of that year.  It had appeared the previous year in North
America, and again in 1845 and 1846-its second appearance being the most destructive to the plant. The disease
man.ifested itself in Ireland in the late crop, the early crop
having been comparatively untouched. Late in the autumn,
it was found tlat the potato was rotting; and among the
first to apprise the Government of the fact was Father
Matliew, whose frequent journeys through all parts of the
country rendered him thoroughly acquainted with its condition. Mr. Richard Pennefather, the then Under Secretary
in Dublin Castle, giatefiully thanked him for the information
which he afforded, and  the su-ggestions which he made.
The announcement of this cal;aity excited considerable apprehension, and the Governmnent appointed a Commission to
enquire into and report upon the causes and extent of the
disease. Dr. Playfair and Mr. Lindley specially reported,
on the 15th of November 1845,'on the present scarcity of
the potato crop, and on the prospect of the approaching
soarcity.' They say:We can come to no other conclusion than that one half of the
actual potato crop of Ireland is either destroyed, or remains in a
state unfit for the food of man. We moreover feel it our duty to
apprise you, that we fear this to be a low estimate.
The Commissioners of Enquiry, in their Report, dated the
20th of January 1846, fully corroborate this statement.




3T2                  FATHER MATHEW.
It appears (they say), from undoubted authority, that of thirty-two
counties, not one has escaped failure in the potato crop; of 130 Poor
Law Unions, not one is exempt.....
The poor-houses will, without doubt, be found a most important
means of relief, and we consider it. most providential circumstance,
that such an extensive resource is available against a calamity more
widely extended, and more serious in its nature, than any that has
affected the Irish people since the year 1817.
In the end of November 1845, the ovens in the naval dockyards were set at work, making biscuit for storing, to be used
in case of necessity; and in the following month the Government arranged with Messrs. Baring for a supply of Indian
corn and meal, to the extent of 100,0001., to be shipped from
the United States, and transmitted to Cork, there to be kept,
as in a central dep6t.  The fact of this order having been
given was kept secret from the trade as long as possible.
Father Mathew was met, in the course of his mission, by
an officer.of the Government, who obtained from him much
valuable information, as the following extract from   that
official letter will show:
COMMISSARY GENERAL HEWETSON TO MR. TREVELYAN.
Cork: Jan. 10, 1846
I have passed through several counties, and travelled with some
intelligent men, both landlords and farmers, and with Father Mathew
from Clonmel; they estimate the loss by disease as one-third of the
potato crop. Father Mathew, who has been travelling through the
country for the last four months, said he hoped the majority of the
people would yet be able to hold a sufficient number of good potatoes
for seed; but it is impossible to judge, at present, how far they will
turn out in the pits.... Father Mathew, who is well acquainted with
the country and the habits of the lower orders, gave me a good deal
of interesting information, and among other things, touching the
working of the Poor Law Unions.... The father looked upon me
as a gentleman travelling on his own affairs, seeking, at the same time,
information as a stranger.
Commissary Hewetson was stationed in Cork, and was
thenceforward in frequent communication with Father
Mathew. Writing on the 24th of February, 1846, he says:



THE BLIGHT OF 1.846.               373
Father Mathew has been with me to-day. I gave him your letter to
read; of course he felt gratified by your remarks. He fully agrees
with me, that the meal, once ground, with the light corn sifted,
according to a sample I sent you, is the proper meal for the classes
who need it.
Fortunately, the grain crop of 1845 was unusually abundant; and though a considerable proportion of the potato
crop was destroyed, there still remained enough to last the
people for some time. So that, although the distress was
severe in many localities, it in no instance assumed the dreadful features which were soon to be almost universal throughout the country.  A  blight, however partial in its character,
was far from  being a fortunate preparation for the entire
destruction of the principal food of a nation.
The Irish are a sanguine and a devout people; and implicit
trust in the mercy of Providence is one of the beautiful forms
in which their piety is manifested. Not that they, in this
irstance, blindly relied upon Providence, without adopting
every human means of endeavouring to secure success in their
industry; for the partial failure of 1845 only incited the
people of Ireland to make greater efforts to till, and sow,
and plant, for the harvest of 1846. How terribly their hopes
were disappointed, we may best describe in the affecting
words of Father Mathew, who thus writes to the Secretary
of the Treasury, Mr. (now Sir Charles) Trevelyan:REV. THEOBALD MATHEW TO MR. TREVELYAN.
Cork: August 7, 1846.
I am well aware of the deep solicitude you felt for our destitute
people, and your arduous exertions to preserve them from the calamitous effects of the destruction of the potato crop last season. Complete success has crowned your efforts. Famine would have desolated
the unhappy country were it not for your wise precautions.
Divine Providence, in its inscrutable ways, has again poured out
upon us the vial of its wrath. A blast more destructive than the
simoom of the desert, has passed over the land, and the hopes of the
poor potato cultivators are totally blighted, and the food of a whole
nation has perished. On the 27th of last mouth I passed from Cork




* 4                  FATHER MATHEW.
to Dublin, and this doomed plant bloomed in all the luxuriance of
an abundant harvest. Returning on the 3rd instant, I beheld, with
sorrow, one wide waste of putrefying vegetation. In many places
the wretched people were seated on the fences of their decaying gardens, wringing their hands, and wailing bitterly the destruction that
had left them foodless.
It is not to harrow your feelings, dear Mr. Trevelyan, I tell this tale
of woe. No, but to excite your sympathy in behalf of our miserable
peasantry. It is rumoured that the capitalists in the corn and flour
tiade are endeavouring to induce Government not to protect the
people from famine, but to leave them at their mercy. I consider
this a cruel and unjustifiable interference. The gentlemen of the
trade have nothing to do with Indian corn; it is, I may say, a.creation of the Government, a new article of food wisely introduced for
the preservation and amelioration of the people of Ireland. Insidious
efforts were even made to prejudice the people against this new food.
Thank God, they were in vain, and it is now a favourite diet; and
ten thousand blessings are hourly invoked on the heads of the benefactors who saved the miserable from perishing.
I am well aware of the vast expenditure incurred in providing
Indian meal as a substitute for the potato, but I humbly suggest a
cheaper and more simple plan. I have already laid it before Mr. Reddington, our excellent Under Secretary. If Gov-rnment would pur-:hase in America, and lay up in stores in the several sea-ports of
Ireland, a supply of Indian corn, unground, and sell it at first cost to
all who will purchase it, it would be soon bought up by the country
millers and farmers, and the unholy hopes of the corn speculators
and flour factors would be completely frustrated..... I am so
unhappy at the prospect before us, and so horror-struck by the
apprehension of our destitute people falling into the ruthless hands
of the corn and flour traders, that I risk becoming troublesome rather
than not lay my humble opinions before you.
I earnestly entreat of you to look with compassion on the poor of
this country, and to exert your justly powerful influence to save them
from unutterable wretchedness.
Not only was the potato crop utterly destroyed, but oats
and barley were deficient, and wheat was a barely average
crop.
In subsequent letters, during the same month, Father
Mathew urged his views upon the Government, and pleaded




HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE GOVERNME.          315
in moving accents for his myriad clients, who knew not that
the good man who had devoted so many years of his life to
rescue them from the evils of intemperance, was now employing his well-earned influence to try and save them from the
horrors of impending famine. The letters, of which the following are extracts, were addressed to the same official:Cork: August 22, 1846..... I unqualifiedly assent to your opinions, and hope they will
become the rule of action. In defiance of the sophistry with which
it is attempted to lull the Government into a false security, I
would not entrust our-soon to be foodless-millions to affected
sympathy. Desperate cases demand desperate remedies. More than
2,000,000 acres of potatoes, valued on the average at 20/. the acre,
are irrevocably lost; besides, the unhappy cultivators are all in debt
to the small country usurers, the loan funds, or the cruel sellers on
time of seed potatoes and seed corn, at a profit of cent. per cent. I
hail with delight the humane, the admirable measures for relief
announced by my Lord John Russell; they have given universal
satisfaction. But of what avail will all this be, unless the wise precautions of Government will enable the toiling workman, after exhausting his vigour during a long day to earn a shilling, to purchase
with that shilling a sufficiency of daily food for his generally large
and helpless family? The bonds of blood and affinity, dissoluble by
death alone, associate in the cabins of the Irish peasantry, not only
the husband, wife, and children, but the aged parents of the married
couple, and their destitute relatives, even to the third and fourth
degree of kindred. God forbid that political economists should dissolve these ties! should violate these beautiful charities of nature
and the Gospel. I have often found my heart throb with delight
when I beheld three or four generations seated around the humble
board and blazing hearth; and I offered a silent prayer to the great
Father of all, that the gloomy gates of the workhouse should never
separate those whom such tender social chains so fondly linked
together.
Cork: August 25, 1846.
This country is in an awful position, and no one can tell what the
result will be. For the sake of our common humanity, I anxiously
hope that Her Most Gracious Majesty's Government will adopt the
wise precaution of providing as large a supply as possible of Indian




876                   FATHER MATHEW.
corn, to protect the wretched people against famine and pestilence.
With Indian meal at a penny per pound, we could, with the Divine
blessing, set both the one and the other at defiance. At the present
price of Indian corn, the Government loss would be trifling.
In a letter of the 30th of September, Father Mathew justly
takes credit for the effect which the spread of temperance
had in maintaining order and tranquillity under circumstances
most likely to lead to disturbance and outrage:Cork: September 30, 1846.
The measures of Government to provide remunerative employment
are above all praise, yet have not been accepted with gratitude. The
treasury minute directing that the rate of wages should be lower
than that paid by the farmers, has afforded a pretext for much discontent. But no rate of wages will save the people from extreme
distress, unless the price of provisions be kept down. A shilling a
day, or even one and sixpence, is nothing to a poor man with a large
family, if he is obliged to pay twopence per pound for Indian meal.
At present it nearly averages that price in the country districts. If I
may presume to give an opinion, it appears to me to be of more
importance to keep down the price of Indian or other meal, than to
provide labour. There are so many opinions as to the amount of
blighted potatoes, and consequently of the required quantity of corn
as a substitute, it would be of advantage to ascertain the number of
acres that were under that crop throughout Ireland. In one week
the constabulary force could supply the most accurate information on
that important subject.
It is a fact, and you are not to attribute my alluding to it to vanity,
that the late provision riots have occurred in the districts in which
the temperance movement has not been encouraged. Our people are
as harmless in their meetings as flocks of sheep, unless when inflamed
and maddened by intoxicating drink. If I were at liberty to exert
myself, as heretofore, no part of Ireland would remain unvisited; but
the unavoidable expenses of such a mighty reformation are now an
insurmountable obstacle. Were it not for the temperate habits of
the greater portion of the people of Ireland, our unhappy country
would be before now one wide scene of tumult and bloodshed. Thank
God, temperance is now based on such a firm foundation, nothing can
weaken its stability! Intemperance, with the Divine assistance, will
never again be the national sin of the Irish people.




TIMELY APPEAL.                   37 
If possible, dear Mr. Trevelyan, have the markets kept down, and
thus save from woe unutterable our destitute population.
In the following timely appeal, Father Mathew appears
more in his character of the temperance leader, interposing
to protect the most helpless of his followers from a snare of
the worst description:REV. THEOBALD MATHEW TO MR. TREVELYAN.
Cork: November 20, 1846.
Concluding that you now enjoy a little relaxation of your excessive
labour, I presume to address you on a subject of, in my estimation,
the highest importance. I am not called upon to give an opinion as
to the utility of the public works now in progress; necessity gave
them birth, and they must be executed. But it afflicted me deeply
to find the benevolent intentions of Government frustrated, and the
money so abundantly distributed made a source of demoralisation and
intemperance. Wherever these benevolent works are commenced,
public-houses are immediately opened, the magistrates, with a culpable facility, granting licences.
The overseers and pay clerks generally hold their offices in these
pestiferous erections; even some of these officers have a pecuniary
interest in those establishments.
It often happens that the entire body of labourers, after receiving
payment, instead of buying provisions for their famishing families,
consume the greater part in the purchase of intoxicating drink.
The same deplorable abuse takes place on the different railway
lines.
As I have the honour to address you, I feel pleasure in stating that
the non-interference of Government in the purchase of corn, though
productive of much suffering, has eventuated in an abundant supply
of grain. Prices are rapidly declining; and I confidently hope that
our population will enjoy a comfortable and a comparatively happy
Christmas.
If Indian meal can be had by the poor for a penny a pound, all
danger of famine would be at an end.
We still follow Father Mathew, whose letters, assuming
darker colours as he proceeds, will afford the reader an idea
of the deepening horrors of the famine, which had now really
set in. In the next month he thus writes:



878                   FATHER MATHEW.
THE REV. T. MATHEW TO MR. TREVELYAN.
Cork: December 16,1846.
Since last I had the honour to address you, I have been in several
parts of this wretched country, remote from and near to Cork. I am
grieved to be obliged to inform you that the distress is universal,
though the people are more destitute in some districts than in others.
Where the rural population is dense, and was accustomed to emigrate
during the harvest to other parts of the empire, to reap corn and dig
potatoes, no understanding can conceive, no tongue express, the
misery that prevails. The money earned during the autumn enabled
these'spalpeens,' as they are called, to pay the rent of their potato
gardens, and supply themselves and families with clothes and other
necessaries. This resource has utterly failed, as well as their own
stock of provisions, and they are now wholly dependent for their
means of existence on Public Works.
The amount of loss sustained by the peasant whose acre of potatoes
has been blighted, has not been sufficiently estimated. Bread stuffs
to the value of 301. would not supply the loss...
The present exorbitant price of bread stuffs, especially Indian corn,
places sufficient food beyond the great bulk of the population. MJen,
women, and children, are gradually wasting away. They fill their
stomachs with cabbage leaves, turnip-tops, &c. &c., to appease the
cravings of hunger. There are at this moment more than five thousand half-starved wretched beings, from the country, begging in the
streets of Cork.  When utterly exhausted, they crawl to the workhouse to die. The average of deaths in this Union is over a hundred
a week.... I deeply regret the total abandonment of the people to
corn and flour dealers. They charge 50 to 100 per cent. profit. Cargoes of maize are purchased before their arrival, and are sold like
railway shares, passing through different hands before they are ground
and sold to the poor.
We are establishing soup shops in all parts of the city, to supply
the poor with nutritious and cheap cooked food.
After this long and painful detail, allow me, honoured dear sir,
to thank you for your successful interference with respect to the
bmptations held out to the labourers on the public works. When I
%ssure you that the few lines you addressed to the Board of Works
accomplished more good than if I had written volumes on the subject,
vou will pardon me for having added to your multitudinous and most
laborious duties.
Towards the close of the year 1846, the condition of the




THE FAMINE SETTING IN.            379
people throughout the country was becoming frightful. and
no doubt could be any longer entertained, even by the most
sceptical, that a calamity unparalleled in its magnitude had
befallen the people. Death was already striking down its
victims in every direction, and masses of the wretched peasantry were flinging themselves into the cities and large
towns, in the desperate hope that there food was to be
found. And as they fled from their desolate homes, they
carried with them, in their miserable clothing, if such it
might be called, the infection of disease and the seeds of
death. A few instances of the state of things in the more
remote districts of the county Cork, in the beginning of December 1846, will prepare the reader for the appalling horrors of 1847.
In the neighbourhood of Beerhaven, a gentleman visited
several cabins, in which he saw their famishing and despairing occupants stretched on beds of damp and broken
straw, abandoned by all hope, and bereft of all energy.
Their eyes were closed, and their voices feeble and tremulous. He besought them to rise, offered them money, spoke
to them cheerily, and endeavoured to rouse them to some
exertion; but in vain.  Theirs was a mental and bodily
prostration beyond human aid, and they continued to lie
still and apathetic, evidently welcoming the death whose
shadows were fast closing around them.
In Crookhaven, the daily average of deaths was from ten
to twelve; and as early as the first Sunday in December, a
collection was made to purchase a public bier, on which to
take the coffinless dead to the grave-the means to provide
coffins having been utterly exhausted in that locality.
In Skibbereen numerous cases occurred, in November and
December 1846, of the dead being kept for several days over
ground, on account of the want of coffins; and even at so
early a period, there were instances of the dead being consigned to the grave in the rags in which they died. Ere




3g0                 FATHER MATHEW.
long, the name of Skibbereen became the representative of
the worst horrors of the Famine. That desolate district was
one of the longest to suffer, and the slowest to recover, for in
none other was there a greater destruction of human life.
Throughout the entire west of the county Cork, it was a
common occurrence to see from ten to a dozen funerals in
the course of the day, during the close of 1846.




381
CHAPTER XXVI1I.
The Society of Friends-Their Reports on the Condition of the
Country and State of the People-Frightful Mortality.
HE Society of Friends in Ireland commenced their beneficent labours in December, 1846, and sought the
cooperation of their brethren in Great Britain and throughout the United States. Their appeal was attended with the
best results in both cases, but with extraordinary success in
the United   States.  The account of their operations is
recorded in a most interesting volume, published in 1852,
the Report being from the able pen of Mr. Jonathan Pim.
From the Appendix, which contains a number of highly
valuable documents, I shall select some extracts, which will
exhibit, in simple and unexaggerated language, the sad condition to which the mass of the population was reduced.
The Friends in London deputed certain members of their
body to visit the distressed districts of Ireland, and to report
upon the actual state of things in that country.   Joseph
Crosfield, writing from Roscommon on the 3rd of December,
1846, says:* * * The total number receiving pay from Government in the
county of Roscommon is not less than 40,000. Many of these people
rent land from one to five or six acres each; but from their crops of
potatoes having failed, they are in no better condition than the common labourers. The price of provisions is extremely high in this
part of the country, the poor paying 2s. 9d. per stone of 14 lbs. for
meal, and, when they buy it in smaller quantities, 3s. 4d. per stone for
it; so that a man who has a wife and family of five or six children to
support out of 8d. per day, is scarcely removed from starvation.
From Boyle he writes on the 5th of the same month:



382                    FATHER YATHEW.
The condition of the poor previously to their obtaining admission
into the workhouse is one of great distress; many of them declare
that they have not tasted food of any kind for forty-eight hours; and
numbers of them have eaten nothing but cabbage or turnips for days
and weeks. This statement is corroborated by the dreadfully reduced
state in which they present themselves, the children especially being
in a condition of starvation, and ravenous with hunger.
From Carrick-on-Shannon, he writes on the 6th:Our first visit was to the Poor-house; and as the Board of Guardians
were then sitting for the admission of applicants, a most painful and
heart-rending scene presented itself; poor wretches in the last stage
of famine imploring to be admitted into the house; women, who had
six or seven children, begging that even two or three of them might
be taken in. as their husbands were earning but 8d. per day; which,
at the present high price of provisions, was totally inadequate to feed
them. Some of these children were worn to skeletons, their features
sharpened with hunger, and their limbs wasted almost to the bone.
From a number of painful cases, the two following may be selected.
A widow with two children, who for a week had subsisted on one
meal of cabbage each day; these were admitted, but in so reduced a
state, that a guardian observed to the master, that the youngest child
would trouble them but a very short time. Another woman with two
children, and near her confinement again, whose husband had left her
a month before to seek for work, stated that they had lived for the
whole of this week upon two quarts of meal and two heads of cabbage. Famine was written in the faces of this woman and her children.... A great number were necessarily refused admittance, as
there were but thirty vacancies in the house.....
Throughout this journey, it was William Forster's observation, that
the children exhibit the effects of famine in a remarkable degree, their
faces looking wan and haggard with hunger, and seeming like old men
and women. Their sprightliness is entirely gone, and they may be
seen sitting in groups by the cabin doors, making no attempt to play,
or to run after the carriages....... To do the people justice, they
are bearing their privations with a remarkable degree of patience and
fortitude; and very little clamorous begging is to be met with upon
the roads.
William Edward Forster thus describes the town of Westport, and other places, as he saw them on the 18th, 19th,
and 20th of Januaary, 184:



CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.               383
The town of'estport was in itself a strange and fearful sight, like
what we read of in beleaguered cities, its streets crowded with gaunt
wanderers sauntering to and fro with hopeless air and hunger-struck
look; a mob of starved, almost naked women, around the poor-house,
clamouring for soup-tickets; our inn, the head-quarters of the roadengineer and pay-clerks, beset by a crowd of applicants for work.
Early next morning we proceeded to the small village of Leenane,
where we found a large body of men engaged in making a pier under
the Labour-rate Act.  This village appeared to me, comparatively
speaking, well off, having had in it public work for some weeks, and
the wages at pier-making being rather better than those earned on
the roads. Still, even here, the men were weak, evidently wasting
away for want of sufficient food.
Bundorragha, the village of which we had heard so bad an account
the previous evening, being on the other side of the harbour, I took a
boat to it, and was much struck by the pale, spiritless look and air
of the boatmen, so different from their wild Irish fun, when I made
the same excursion before.
Out of a population of 240, Ifound 13 already dead from want.
The survivors were like walking skeletons; the men stamped with
the livid mark of huager; the children crying with pain; the women
in some of the cabins too weak to stand.  When there before, I had
seen cows at almost every cabin, and there were, besides, many sheep
and pigs owned in the village. But now all the sheep were gone, all
the cows, all the poultry killed; only one pig left; the very dogs
which barked at me before had disappeared; no potatoes, no oats.
We ordered a ton of meal to be sent there from Westport, but it could
not arrive for some time.  I tried to get some immediate help for
those who were actually starving; there was hardly enough of meal
in the village to fill my pockets, and I was compelled to send a boat
four miles to Leenane, to buy a small quantity there.
I met here with a striking instance of the patience of these sufferers.
The Bundorragha men had been at work for three weeks on the roads,
and the men at the neighbouring village for five weeks; owing to the
negligence or mistake of some officers of the works, with the exception of two of the gangsmen, who had gone themselves to Westport
the end of the previous week, no wages had until this morning been
received. While I was there, the pay-clerk sent a messenger over,
but still only with wages for a few; and it was wonderful, but yet
most touching, ta see the patient, quiet look of despair with which
the others received the news that they were still left unpaid. I doubt
whether it would have been easy to find a man who would have dared
to bear the like announcement to starving Englishmen..




384                   FATHER MATHEW.
We learned that their wages did not average, taking one week with
another, and allowing for broken days, more than 4s. 6d. per week;
in fact, for the most distressed localities of Mayo and Galway, I should
consider this too high an average. To get to their work, many of the
men had to walk five, or even seven Irish miles! Four and sixpence
per week thus earned, the sole resource of a family of six, with Indian
meal, their cheapest food, at 2s. 10d. to 4s. per stone! What is this
but slow death-a mere enabling the patient to endure for a little
longer time the disease of hunger? Yet even this was the state of
those who were considered well off-provided for; and for this provision the people were everywhere begging as for their lives. In
some districts there were no public works; and even where they
were, we found that though the aim was to find employment for one
man to every five or six souls, it really was not given to more than
one man in nine or twelve.
Writing from Clifden, on the 20th of January, Mr. Forster
says:
On arriving at the small town of Clifden, we heard of four cases of
death there from want, within the last three or four days. One woman, who had crawled the previous night into an out-house, had been
found next morning partly eaten by dogs. Another corpse had been
carried up the street in a wheelbarrow; and had it not been that a
gentleman, accidently passing by, had given money for a coffin, it
would have been thrown into the ground merely covered with a sheet.
Of burials without coffins we heard many instances; and to those who
know the almost superstitious reverence of the Irish for funeral rites,
they tell a fearful story.
Of the village of Cleggan, a near point of Clifden, he
says:The distress was appalling, far beyond my power of description. I
was quickly surrounded by a mob of men and women, more like
famished dogs than fellow-creatures, whose figures, looks, and cries
all showed that they were suffering the ravening agony of hunger... I went into two or three of the cabins. In one there were two
emaciated men lying at full length on the damp floor, in their ragged
clothes, too weak to move-actually worn down to skin and bone. In
another, a young man lying ill of dysentery; his mother had pawned
everything, even his shoes, to keep him alive; and I shall never forget
the resigned uncomplaining tone with which he told her that the only
medicine he wanted was food.




CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY.             385
Writing from Galway on the 25th of January, Mr. Forster
says,'It was comforting to observe how cordially Roman
Catholics and Protestants both lay and clerical, were uniting
together in common efforts to save their poor neighbours.'
In the Claddagh, a district of the city of Galway exclusively inhabited by the fishermen and their families, he witnessed the following example of the charity of the poor to the
poor, the destitute to the destitute:In one small wretched hovel, in which were huddled together three
families, I saw a young mother, whose rags were really no covering,
much less a protection against the weather; but even here I found an
instance of charity that would shame many a wealthy home. A poor
blind woman was crouching upon the floor; and my companion told
me she was no relation to the other inmates, but that they supported
her and gave her house-room out of kindness. Even the very nets
and tackling of the poor fishermen were pawned.
Writing of the general impressions of his melancholy tour,
Mr. F6rster says:
When we entered a village, our first question was, how many
deaths?' The hunger is upon us,' was everywhere the cry, and involuntarily we found ourselves regarding this hunger as we should
an epidemic; looking upon starvation as a disease. In fact, as we
went along, our wonder was not that the people died, but that they
lived; and I have no doubt whatever that in any other country the
mortality would have been far greater; that many lives have been
prolonged, perhaps saved, by the long apprenticeship to want in which
the Irish peasant has been trained, and by that lovely, touching charity which prompts him to share his scanty meal with his starving
neighbour....
Like a scourge of locusts,' the hunger sweeps over fresh districts,
eating up all before it. One class after another is falling into the
same abyss of ruin.
From  Burncourt, near Clogheen, county of Tipperary, the
Friends are informed that deaths from starvation were of
daily occurrence, and that corpses were buried at night without coffins.  From  Cork county the reports are even worse.
The report of the Cork Auxiliary Committee, written from
the city of Cork, and addressed to the Central Relief Cam



386                  FATHER MATHEW.
mittee in Dublin, dated February the 20th, 1847, has this
true picture of the effects which the general starvation, and
the terrible familiarity with death, produced upon a people
who, above all others, are most remarkable for their reverence
for the dead:
History records some affecting instances of the disruption of social
relations, and the severance of domestic ties, in the depth of a nation's
extremity; and it is truly humiliating to witness, in one day, the
blighting effects of this calamitous visitation in the character and
habits of our afflicted peasantry; no mourning for the dead, and in
many instances but little attention paid to the dying; whilst funerals
-once the noted occasions of their humble display-but rarely attract
the interest of surviving relatives and friends.
Skibbereen is described as'one mass of famine, disease, and
death,' the poor rapidly sinking under fever, dysentery, and
starvation. Here, so early as the first week in February,
1847, there was constant use for a coffin with movable sides,
in which the dead were borne to the grave, and there dropped
into their last resting-place.  But as weeks and months rolled
on, the mortality was multiplied.  Skibbereen, which had sent
large quantities of agricultural produce to other markets, in
the year before the fatal blight, now depended altogether on
foreign food for the daily support of its inhabitants.
A gentleman writing from the county of Armagh on the
23rd of February, shows that things in that county were as
bad as in other parts of Ireland. In the parish of Tartaraghan, he saw'the living lying on straw by the side of the
unburied dead, who had died three days before.'
From Ballyjamesduff in the county of Cavan, this terrible
statement is made:The report of one dispensary doctor this day (February 28) is, that
200 persons in this district are dying of destitution, and that fifty of
them are so far gone that little hope remains of their recovery. Many
deaths from destitution have already occurred. At first, this sad fact
was verified by the verdict of the coroner; but now he is seldom sent
for, as it would entail unnecessary expense on the county.




STATE OF THE COUNTRY.                 387
Richard D. Webb, of Dublin, addressed a series of interesting letters to the Central Relief Committee whilst on a
visit of inspection to Erris.  Writing from Belmullet, Co.
Mayo, on the 28th of May, he says:Many who saved money for no other purpose, were careful to preserve a hoard to defray their funeral expenses. Few of the popular
customs appeared more firmly rooted than this; but it has been swept
away like chaff before the wind... Funerals are now rarely attended
by more than three or four relatives or friends; they excite little attention, and apparently less feeling. Whole families are exterminated
by dysentery, fever, and starvation; and this catastrophe has been so
common in the west of Connaught, that it excites no more notice than
would have been occasioned two years ago by the death of an individual.
On a retrospect of the misery I have witnessed among thousands of
our fellow-creatures, who at this time never enjoy a full meal, and cannot tell to-day where to turn for sustenance to-morrow, I am surprised
at the absence of outrages amongst them. Between to-day and yesterday, I saw the corpses of a girl, a man, and an old woman, who
died of hunger. This day I saw a woman sinking into a faint, while
I was giving out relief to some peculiarly wretched families. I saw
thousands to-day of the most miserable people I have ever seen.
In Erris whole families were swept away by starvation, or fever, or
both. In one cabin I saw six children lying heads and points on their
miserable beds on each side of the turf fire, while the father and
mother, wasted and emaciated, sat crouching over the embers. In
another cabin I saw the father lying near the point of death on one
side of the fire-place; over the ashes sat a wretched little boy wholly
naked-and on the opposite side of the hut, beneath a ragged quilt,
lay the body of an old woman, who had taken shelter there and died.
As she belonged to nobody, there was nobody to bury her; and there
had been many instances of bodies lying five or six days unburied,
before anyone could be induced by threats or rewards to bury them.
I saw many graves made within a few yards of the cabin door. In
some places, bodies have been interred under the floors on which they
died; and in others they have been covered by the ruins of the cabins
they occupied; this mode of burial being resorted to as the least hazardous, troublesome, and expensive.
The following extracts from the correspondence of Father
Mathew with Government officials, while indicating the deplorable state of things in his adopted city, evince his cease




388                    FATHER MATHEW.
less efforts to mitigate the horrors of the famine, and protect
the lives of the people:To MR. TREVELYAN.
Cork: February 4, 1847.
The soup kitchens are affording very great relief, and have lightened
in an unexpected degree the pressure upon the corn and flour markets.
We are in a deplorable state in Cork from the influx into the city
of more than 10,000 foodless, homeless people, young and old, from
several counties around us. I am in a horror whilst I walk the streets.
and I return to my besieged dwelling in sadness and hopelessness.
The workhouse has been closed, and there is no refuge for these miserable creatures....
As I have been much through the country latterly, I can assure you,
and with great pleasure, that agriculture has not been neglected. The
quantity of wheat sown is as large as usual..... In the fond hope
of preserving a supply for seed, the poor con-acre peasants allowed
the potato gardens to remain undug...... I would gratefully
accept from you one of your improved querns, as a model for the instruction of our mechanics...... It should be incumbent on soup
committees to introduce flesh-meat, fish, or milk, into their soup;
otherwise it will not be fit food.  The multitudinous deaths in the
workhouses, especially amongst children, are to be attributed to the
want of animal food.
I fervently pray that the Lord may grant you every spiritual and
temporal blessing.
To SIR R. RouTH.
Cork: February 5, 1847.
For the last six months I have been distributing soup to the des
titute, having proved its permanent utility during former periods of
partial scarcity. We find beans, peas, and biscuit the best ingredients
to add to thel iquor of flesh-meat. Occasionally, and always on
Friday, we use salt fish. If this latter were given twice a week to the
inmates of the different workhouses, it would be a great advantage to
our, I may term them, infant fisheries.
I am delighted with Lord John's measures, and I shall have no
apprehension about the future fate of the Irish people when once they
come into operation. Independent of the beneficial effect the distillery
laws will produce, by promoting temperance, I rejoice in it for the
make of humanity, on account of the immense quantity of grain it will
save from destruction.




FRIGHTFUL MORTALITY.               389
To MR. TkEVELYAN.
Cork: March 4, 1847.
To encourage our soup committees to give gratuitous food to be
consumed on the premises, now that our workhouse is closed against
admissions, I have presumed to give to them the three boilers you se
considerately presented to me. Mr. Bishop has promised to give me
a very fine copper cooking apparatus. with which I expect to be able
to rival M. Soyer. My great anxiety is, to teach our unhappy simple
people to manage to advantage their scanty means.  The potato
deluge, if I may so term it, during the last twenty years, swept away
all other food from amongst our cottagers, and sank in oblivion their
knowledge of cookery.
Last week I travelled to Limerick, and returned yesterday; and
you will be gratified to hear, that in all directions the plough is at
work, and oats, barley, and potatoes, are being sown in large quantities.... I am full of hope, and rely with unbounded confidence
in the mercy of God. We are in His Almighty hands, and not in the
hands of men. He will in due season reward, with abundance, the
resignation to His Divine will of the most patient and religious people
on the face of the earth.
The famine now raged in every part of the afflicted country,
and starving multitudes crowded the thoroughfares of the
cities and large towns.  Deatl was everywhere-in the cabin,
on the highway, in the garret, in the cellar, and even on the
flags or side-paths of the most public streets of the city.  In
the workhouses, to which the pressure of absolute starvation
alone drove the destitute, the carnage was frightful.  It was
now increasing at a prodigious pace. The number of deaths
in the Cork workhouse, in the last week of January 1847, was
104. It increased to 128 in the first week of February, and
in the second week of that month it reached to 164-or 396
in three weeks! During the month of April, as many as 36
bodies were interred in one day, in that portion of Father
Mathew's cemetery reserved for the free burial of the poor;
and this mortality was entirely independent of the slaughter
in the workhouse.   During the same month, there were 300
coffins sold in a single street in the course of a fortnight, and




890                 FATHER MATHEW.
these were chiefly required for the supply of a single parish
From the 27th of December 1846, to the middle of April
1847, the number of human beings that died in the Cork
workhouse was 2,130 1 And in the third week of the follow-.
ing month the free interments in the Mathew Cemetery had
risen to 277-as many as 67 having been buried in one day.
The destruction of human life in other workhouses of Ireland kept pace with the appalling mortality in the Cork workhouse. According to official returns, it had reached in April
the weekly average of 25 per 1,000 inmates; the actual number of deaths being 2,706 for the week ending the 3rd of
April, and 2,613 in the following week. Yet the number of
inmates in the Irish workhouses was but 104,455 on the 10th
of April-the entire number of houses not having then been
completed.
More than 100 workhouse officers fell victims during this
fatal year to the Famine Fever, which also decimated the
ranks of the Catholic clergy of the country. Mr. Trevelyan
gives the names of 30 English and Scotch priests who sacrificed their lives to their zealous attendance on the immigrant
Irish, who carried the pestilence with them in their flight to
other portions of the United Kingdom.
The pestilence likewise slew its victims in the fetid hold of
the emigrant ship, and, following them across the ocean, immolated them in thousands in the, lazar-houses, that fringed
the shores of Canada and the United States.
In meal, and coffins, and passenger ships, wcs the principal
business of the time. A fact may be mentioned which renders further description of the state of the country needless.
The Cork Patent Saw Mills had been at full work from December 1846 to May 1847, with twenty pairs of saws constantly going from morning till night, cutting planks for
coffins, and planks and scantlings for fever sheds, and for the
framework of berths for emigrant ships.




191
CHAPTER XXIX.
The People rush from the Country into the Towns-Instances of the
Destruction of Life amongst them-An awful Spectacle-Father
Mathew in his Element-He warns the People against Intemperance —America sends Food to Ireland-The public Measures of
Relief-An honourable Testimony.
T-HE destruction of life amongst those who rushed into
the towns, scared by the naked horrors of the starved
country districts, was almost beyond belief. A single instance
will afford an idea of this frightful carnage.
In a small house in one of the lanes off Clarence Street,
a crowded thoroughfare of Cork, some two or three families
from the country had sought refuge. The writer was in the
company of another gentleman of the city, when his attention
was directed to this wretched abode of famine and pestilence.
A tall man, of once powerful frame, stood leaning against the
door-post, and apparently indifferent to everything in this
world-even to the moans and cries which proceeded from a
kind of closet, a few feet from where he stood. Every trace
of expression, save that of blank apathy, l.td been banished
from his face; and the skin of his face, neck, and breast-for
his discoloured shirt was open in front-was more of the hue
of a negro than of a white man. It was the dark colour of
the famine. In the front room, lay, stark and stiff, stretched
on the bare floor, the dead bodies of two of his children-one
a girl of thirteen, the other a boy of seven; and in the closet,
on a heap of infected straw, raving and writhing in fever, lay




392                 FATHER MATHEW.
the dying mother of the dead children, and wife of the dying
father and husband who was leaning against the door-post.
Sixteen human beings sought an asylum in that dwelling, and
in less than a week eleven were taken out dead I
One or two other facts, witnessed by the writer during the
month of April 1847-not in the midst of some wild mountain
district, but in the heart of a populous city —will afford a
further idea of the reality of the famine. The writer, accompanied by a friend, as in the preceding instance, entered a
wretched house in the same district, a room of which was
occupied by a destitute family, who had also come in from
the country. On opening the door of the apartment, a miserable sight presented itself. On the floor was the dead body
of an infant; on a kind of bed-a bundle of straw, on which
was thrown a man's coat-lay the mother of the child, tossing
and moaning in the delirium of fever, with another infant, in
the last stage of the disease, lying collapsed by her side; and,
crouching over the scanty embers of an almost empty grate,
were a great gaunt man, and a little girl, her head resting
upon his lap. The man, on whose shoulders was some kind
of female garment, was nearly speechless, and could with
difficulty articulate a word, or indeed be induced to notice
that he was spoken to. The air of the apartment was thick
and deadly, and the odour intolerable.  Fever —the true
Famine Fever-was here in all its malignity. The mother
was removed to the nearest hospital, whose wards were then
crowded with the victims of the terrible typhus, and relief
was administered to the other members of that afflicted
family. When the door of that chamber was opened a few
days after, the consummation of the tragedy was then beheld.
In the middle of the floor, his face turned to the boards, the
father was stretched-a corpse. He had evidently fallen in
that position, and died where he fell. On the straw which
had been recently occupied by the poor mother, lay one of
the children, also dead; and crouched up under the grate,




AN AWFUL SPECTACLE.               393
with its little arms crossed on its bosom, was another dead
child.  Of that family of seventy-five children and their
parents-there was but a single survivor.
If it were thus that the Famine and the Famine Fever slew
its victims in the very midst of large populations, one may
imagine, though faintly, the awful horrors of the country
districts.
Among many others who suffered the penalty of their devotion to the relief of suffering humanity, was a respectable gentleman of the city,* a member of the Society of St. Vincent
de Paul-a society which, having its origin in Ireland with
the Famine, has since then become the most important charitable organisation in the south of Ireland. The funeral, from
the character and position of the deceased, assumed somewhat
of a public nature, and was attended by the local bodies and
the society of which he had been a member. Father Mathew
was among the clergymen who marked their respect for the
virtues of this martyr to charity.  As the procession reached
the church of St. Anne Shandon, a cry of horror was raised
at the spectacle which was there beheld. Under a kind of
open shed, attached to a guard-house which has since been
removed, lay, huddled up in their filthy fetid rags, thirty-eight
or forty human creatures-men, women, children, and infants
of the tenderest age-starving and fever-stricken-most of
them in a dying state-some dead-and all gaunt, yellow,
hideous, from the combined effects of famine and disease.
Under this open shed they had remained during the night,
and until that hour-about ten in the morning-when the
funeral procession was passing by, and their indescribable
misery was beheld by the leading citizens of Cork, including
the Mayor, and several members of the Board of Guardians.
The odour which proceeded from that huddled-up heap of
human beings was of itself enough to generate a plague. On
their return from paying the last mark of respect to the
* Mr. John Lynch.




394                 FATHER MATHEW.
deceased member of the Society of St. Vincent, the authorities sent for carts to convey the unfortunates to the workhouse; but before they were placed, carefully and tenderly,
on the straw with which the carts were supplied, the necessary precaution was taken of sprinkling their clothes plentifully with chloride of lime, which was also profusely distributed over the place on which they had lain during the night.
It was a sad sight to behold those helpless and unconscious
creatures borne off to almost certain death; for, in all probability, by the end of the week, there were not five out of the
entire number that had not found a shallow grave in the
choked cemetery of the Union.
The public mind became familiarised with the horrors which
were of daily occurrence. A little group clustered round some
object in the street: you enquired what was the cause of the
apparent interest, and you found it was some one who had
just'dropped from the hunger;' or, perhaps, it was an emaciated human being who was actually drawing his last breath
on the public highway of a populous city. I have myself
witnessed more than one awful occurrence of the kind. I
have beheld women, in scanty rags, that did not reach much
below the knee, whose legs had no more flesh on them than
there is on the leg of a crane. From knee to ankle, there
was nothing but bone and shrivelled skin-not the faintest
indication of the ordinary calf. Literally, the streets swarmed
with walking skeletons. In every face was care; on every
brow was gloom; in every heart was sorrow and depression.
The healthy hue seemed to have been banished from the countenance even of youth; the brightness of the eye was dimmed,
and the once gay laugh of a light-hearted people was hushed.
The very atmosphere was charged with sorrow and suffer.
ing and death. It was indeed a sad time for that stricken
people.
But although there was no class in society that did not feel
the terrible pressure of the hour, either through positive loss




FATHER MATHEW IN HIS ELEMENT.          895
of income or the multiplied burden of taxation, there existed
a noble feeling of charity pervading the whole community.
Few indeed were there hard-hearted enough to refuse the
application of a suffering neighbour, or to turn the wandering
beggar fiom the door, notwithstanding that infection was disseminated by the starving beings who had rushed in from the
country, and that in every fold of their wretched rags and
filthy blankets the deadly typhus lurked.
It was a time truly in which to try the souls of men; and at
no period of his career did the character of Theobald Mathew
shine out with a purer and holier lustre, as in this terrible
crisis. He was the life and soul of every useful and charitable
undertaking; and there were many such at a moment which
called into activity the best feelings of our common nature,
and united those who had been previously opposed, in fraternal antl Christian concord.  Industrial schools, clothing societies, relief associations, visiting committees-these and similar
efforts sprang' fri'o  the necessity of the time and the compassion of' the good; and there were few of these that did not
derive aid and strength from the cooperation or countenance
of Father Mathew.    Wlhat influence he could employ, he
brought to bear upon those whose interest it was to make a
Iprofit of the great necessary of life, upon every ounce of which
depended the safety of a fellow-creature; and by his lavish
and unbounded charity-for the excess of which he was afterwards to endure many a moment of mental torture-he supplemented the public relief, and thereby rescued thousands from
an untimely grave.
Between Father Mathew and the Irish people no ordinary
bond of sympathy and affection existed. He was their leader
in a movement such as the world scarcely ever before witnessed, and they were his obedient and devoted followers.
If no such link had united them to him, they would have
equally claimed his best services in their behalf, and he would
have spared no effort or sacrifice for their relief; but as their




396                   FATHER MATHEW.
leader, who had shared with them the joy and exultation of
happy days, he felt bound, in a hundred-fold degree, to stand
by them in their hour of mortal peril.  In a letter addressed
to an American corespondent, we find this feeling strongly
expressed:Cork: January 30, 1847.
DEAR MR. ALLEN,-There is no desire more ardent in my breast
than to visit the United States, that great and glorious Republic.
Obstacles, not of great magnitude, impeded my wishes heretofore.
Now, there is an insurmountable impediment in the Famine that
desolates our stricken land. It would be inhuman-it would be a
flagrant act of baseness, to abandon, in their hour of sorrow, my
dear, my dying countrymen-men who, in the pride and joy of their
hearts, enrolled themselves, at my word, under the banner of Temperance, and who now, though tempted to violate the pledge, to
drown their agonies in drink and die, cling to their sacred engagements with desperate fidelity, braving every temptation. A brighter
day is dawning. Our Government and the benevolent people of England are liberally contributing to save us from destruction. Your
happy land, through its length and breadth, sympathises in our sufferings, and is making mighty efforts for our relief. Ten fold more
effectual would American aid be, if, out of your abundance, breadstuffs were shipped for Ireland, instead of money. We are in the
deadly grasp of corn monopolists, who compel starving creatures to
pay 191. a ton for what could be purchased in your country for little
more than one-third of that famine price.
When it will please a Merciful Providence to stay the hand of the
Destroying Angel, and bless with plenty old Ireland, I shall gladly
avail myself of the opportunity, and gratify the dearest wish of my
heart.
Again thanking you for your great kindness, I am, with high
respect, dear Mr. Allen, your devoted friend,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Not only did Father Mathew expend his last shilling, and
involve himself in new difficulties, to relieve the starving, but
he availed himself of every opportunity to warn the people
against the sin and madness of intemperance at such a
moment. Thus he continued to accept invitations to preach
for local charities in many parts of the country, because, ilde



WARNS THE PEOPLE AGAINST INTEMPERANCE.        397
pendently of his desire to assist his brother clergymen in pro;
moting works of charity or advancing the cause of religion, it
afforded him the occasion of addressing their flocks upon his
great theme. One of the happiest of his addresses was delivered in the commencement of the Famine, at Lisgoold, a village some miles' from Cork. It was spoken from the altar of
the Catholic Church, and produced a profound impression
upon a congregation whose faces wore a sad and anxious
expression; for'the hunger' was already in many a home iu
the parish. An extract or two from that admirable address
will be found appropriate in this place:Thousands upon thousands now pine in want and woe, because
they did not take my advice; to them the horrors of famine and the
evils of blight are aggravated, while tens of thousands of those who
listened to me and adopted my advice, are now safe from hunger and
privation, because they had the virtue to surrender a filthy sensual
gratification, and the wisdom to store up for the coming of the evil
day. Thousands are now perishing, who, if they had not the folly to
spend their hard-earned money in drink, in riot, and in debauchery,
would now be safe from danger, and enabled to assist, by their
charity, creatures who are now without a friend to comfort or assist
them. The prison and the poor-house are opening wide their doors
for many who have wilfully brought ruin on themselves and their
families, and who, had they only sense, would now be among the
wealthy of the land. I will not upbraid such victims for the past, I
would rather cheer and console; I would rather tell them that it is
not yet too late, that no one should despair, that there is still balm in
Gilead, still a physician there. I would assure them that the oldest
and most inveterate habit can be overcome by a simple effort of moral
courage, by one virtuous resolution. Habit and custom tyrannise over
men, because they want courage to face and oppose their tyrants; but
the strongest chain of passsion that ever fettered the soul, and led
man's senses captive, can be broken by a bold, a virtuous effort. The
pledge which I ask you and others to take, does not enslave, it makes
free-free from vice, free from passion, free from an enslaving habit.
The fewer passions that rule us, the freer we are; and no man is so
free as the man who places himself beyond and out of the reach of
temptation; for, as the Scripture says, those who court danger shall
perish therein. The freedom which I advocate is one you can obtain




398                   FATHER MATHEW.
without any sacrifice of health, of pleasure, of money, or of comfort.
On the contrary, it will add to your health, your wealth, your pleasare, and your comfort. Temperance brings blessings in both hands;
blessings for time, and blessings for eternity, Let the drinker of
strong drink examine his past life, and he cannot fail to see that the
darkest moments of his life have borrowed their murky hue from
intemperance. I never knew a young man or young woman to go
astray. and walk in the way of lewdness, whose departure from the
path of virtue was not chiefly from the influence of strong drink.
There is no difficulty in taking the pledge. No man performs his
duty better than a teetotaller; no man is better able to brave the
vicissitudes of the season. I am now in the habit of travelling constantly during the last nine years, in heat and cold, in rain and snow,
by day and night; and I have never suffered any serious inconvenience from it, because I was a teetotaller; and now, thank God, I am as
active and as full of energy as ever, and its determined now as I was
nine years ago, to devote myself to the great cause of reformation,
and moral as well as social advancement. I never knew what true
happiness was until I became a teetotaller; for until I became so, I
could never feel that I was free or out of danger, or could say to
myself, with confidence, that I would not at one time or another be
that most degraded thing, a drunkard. Let no man tell me that he
is safe enough, that he has no occasion to take the pledge, that he is
above temptation. There is no one strong enough or firm enough to
resist temptation; no one so strong or firm that he may not fall. I
have seen the stars of the heavens all, and the cedars of Lebanon
laid low. I have seen the proudest boasters humbled to the dust,
steeped to the very lips in poverty, and sunk in dishonoured graves.
I am here in the name of the Lord. I am here for your good. This
is a time to try men's souls; and that man or that woman must be
a monster who would drink while a fellow-creature was dying for
want of food. I don't blame the brewers or the distillers-I blame
those who make them so. If they could make more money in any
other way, they would; but so long as the people are mad enough to
buy and drink their odious manufacture, they will continue in the
trade. Is it not a terrible thing to think that so much wholesome
grain, that God intended for the support of human life, should be
converted into a maddening poison, for the destruction of man's body
and soul? By a calculation recently made. it is clearly proved that
if all the grain now converted into poison, were devoted to its natural




AMERICA SENDS FOOD TO IRELAND.         399
and legitimate use, it would afford a meal a day to every man, woman,
and child in the land! The man or woman who drinks, drinks the
food of the starving; and is not that man or woman a monster who
drinks the food of the starving?
It would be difficult to say in what country or among what
people the most active sympathy was displayed towards the
suffering people of Ireland. The generosity of the people of
England of all classes was most munificent; but the practical
benevolence of America was in a special degree cheering and
timely. In the great cities of the United States, meetings
were held in the early part of 1847, to raise money for the
relief of Ireland, and these meetings were attended by the
most influential men of the country. Thus, in Philadelphia,
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presided over a meeting held in that city on the 28th of January 1847; and the
noble charity displayed on that occasion wiped out the last
trace of the blood shed in the riots of 1844. The Vice-President of the United States presided over a meeting held in
Washington. In New York and Boston the same sympathy
was felt, and the most active exertions were made to afford
the description of relief then most required by Ireland. Providence had vouchsafed that to America which it had, for wise
reasons, denied to Ireland-an abundant supply of food for
man; and America, in giving from her abundance to her distressed sister, proved how beautiful and holy is that bond of
humanity which links nations, the most remote, in one great
family, sympathising with each other's joy and sorrow.
On Monday the 13th of April, a noble sight might be witnessed in Cork Harbour; the sun shining its welcome on
the entrance of the unarmed war-ship'Jamestown,' sailing in
under a cloud of snowy canvass, her great hold laden with
bread-stuffs for the starving people of Ireland. It was a
sight that brought tears to many an eye, and prayers of
gratitude to many a heart.  It was one of those things which
a nation remembers of another long after the day of sorrow




400                  FATHER MATHEW.
has passed. Upon the warm and generous people, to whom
America literally broke bread, and sent life, this act of fraternal charity, so gracefully and impressively offered, naturally
produced a profound and lasting impression, the influence of
which is felt to this moment.
The captain of that unarmed war-ship was thus favourably
introduced to Father Mathew:Boston, U. S. A.: March 27, 1847.
DEAR SIR,-This will introduce to you the commander of the United
States unarmed ship, the'Jamestown,' Robert B. Forbes, Esq., who
has nobly volunteered his services to convey to your shores a cargo
of provisions for the relief of the destitute.
It affords me great pleasure to make this philanthropic countryman
of ours known-to one who is personally known to me, and to millions
in both hemispheres. as one of the greatest benefactors of his race.
In Mr. Forbes you will find one of nature's nobles, who, leaving the
endearments of home at this boisterous season, crosses the ocean to
imitate His and our SAvIouR, to feed the hungry and raise the desponding. To you, my excellent friend, I cordially commend him,
hoping at no distant day to grasp your hand, and welcome you on our
shores, and then assure you that our sympathies and hearts are one,
though separated by the ocean and a different faith.
With high esteem, your friend,
JOHN TAPPAN.
The Very Rev. Theobold Mathew.
Father Mathew    lost no time in paying his respects to
Captain Forbes, who expressed in the strongest terms the
pleasure he felt in meeting and knowing the nan with whose
name he had been so long familiar, and spoke of the impatience of the American people to receive him among them.
Captain Forbes concluded by offering Father Mathew a passage in the'Jamestown;' which offer was gratefully declined,
on the ground that the state of the country required the best
exertions of everyone who could in any way assist her, and
that it would be an unpardonable crime to desert her in the
hour of her direst necessity.




THE PUBLIC MEASURES OF RELIEF.          401
The commander of the United States frigate'Macedonian,'
another bread-laden ship of war, also desired to have the
honour of taking Father Mathew to the States in his ship:United States Frigate' Macedonian.'
New York: May 15, 1847.
REVEREND AND RESPEcrED FATHER,-This frigate will leave for Ireland and Scotland some time during the present month; and having
understood that it was the intention of your reverence to visit this
country during the summer, I take the liberty of respectfully offering
to your consideration the propriety of returning with me.
It would give me great pleasure to have the honour of your company on my homeward voyage; and I can only assure you, that
should you determine to accompany me, no pains shall be spared to
make your voyage as pleasant to yourself as it is hoped it will be
profitable to my fellow-citizens of the United States.
Accept the assurance of high regard, consideration, and respect
from
GEORGE C. DE KAY,
Commander of-U. S. F.' Macedonian.'
To the Very Rev. Father Mathew, Cork.
It is not within the scope of this biography to enter into a
detail of the measures adopted by Parliament and the Government for the relief of Irish distress, or within the province of
the writer to attempt a criticism, much less to pass judgement,
upon the merits or the shortcomings of those measures, or the
manner of their administration. This properly belongs to the
historian who writes the history of the Irish Famine.  But it
is much to be deplored that the works undertaken at that
time, with a view to provide employment, were not in most
instances of a remunerative character, and that some such
scheme as that proposed by Lord George Bentinck-to lend
fifteen millions of money for the construction of the earthworks of railways-was not even partially adopted. For,
while it would be untrue to state that considerable good was
not accomplished by the works then executed, especially in
opening up, and rendering accessible to traffic, remote or hilly
districts of the country; it would be equally untrue to state




402                    FATHER MATHEW.
that many most useless and unprofitable works were not
undertaken. Allowance must, however, be made for a time
of panic, which is always fruitful of measures of precipitation,
as of blunders and disasters.*  The delay in granting work to
a parish or district was fatal to life, and the work itself was,
in fearfully numerous instances, almost equally fatal. When
the work was obtained, the physical energy of the workman
was gone; and the very effort to use the spade, the wheelbarrow, or even the hammer, accomplished the destruction of
a life which hunger and dysentery had undermined.
In the month of March 1847, there were employed on the
public works the enormous number of 734,000 persons, representing, says Mr. Trevelyan,'at a moderate estimate of the
average of each family, upwards of three millions of persons.'
It being apprehended that the drawing away of such an enormous amount of labour from the ordinary agricultural operations of the country would dangerously interfere with the
harvest of 1847, and thus bring about a renewal of the
famine which then afflicted Ireland, it was determined to substitute for those works gratuitous distributions of food; and
on the 20th of March a reduction of 20 per cent. of the numbers employed on the works was carried out, and the same
plan of reduction was persevered in until the new system of
gratuitous relief was brought into full operation. Even the
partial diminution of the numbers so employed was attended
with the most serious consequences, as it tended to aggravate
the distress, which was at its height in the months of April,
May, and June. The Temporary Relief Act was brought
into effective operation in July, during which month over
* In a note to his article in the Edinburgh Review, Mr. Trevelyan has the
following-'A Member of the Board of Works, writing to a friend, observed as follows:"' I hope never to see such a winter and spring again. I can truly say, in looking back upon it, even now, that it appears to me, not a succession of weeks and
days, but one long continuous day, with occasional intervals of nightmare sleep
Rest one could never have, when one felt that in every minute lost a score of men
migfid die.'"




AN HONOURABLE TESTIMONY             403
8,000,000 of persons received daily rations. The machinery
by which this gigantic system of relief was administered, con.
sisted of Relief Committees in each electoral division, with a
Finance Committee and a Government Inspector in each
union, the entire being under the control or direction of a
Board of Commissioners in Dublin.
This system of relief, which Sir John Burgoyne exultingly
described as'the gra.ndest attempt ever made to grapple with
famine over a whole country,' was administered through more
than 2,000 local committees, to whose honour and trustworthiness Mr. Trevelyan thus bore testimony:-' It is a fact very
honourable to Ireland, that among upwards of 2,000 local
bodies to whom advances were made under this Act (the
Temporary Relief Act), there is not one to which, so far as
the Government is informed, any suspicion of embezzlement
attaches.'*
The estimated cost of this relief in food was 3,000,0001.;
but the amount actually expended was 1,557,2121., being
nearly 500,0001. less than what had been allowed by Parlia.
ment to be raised under the Act.
* Art.i A on the' Irish Crisis' in the Edinburgh Review, Jan. 184&




404
CHAPTER XXX.
The Bishopric of Cork-Father Mathew is nominated by the ClergyLetter from Father Prout-The Capuchin's Beard-Decision of
the Holy See adverse to Father Mathew-Addresses from the
Clergy and Laity-He beais the Disappointment bravely-His
Friends the Rathbones.
THE Right Reverend Dr. Murphy, Catholic Bishop of
Cork, one of the most learned prelates of his Church,
died on the 7th of April 1847; and at the customary timea month after-the parochial clergy of the diocese met for
the purpose of nominating his successor. The clergy nominate
by election; and, as a general rule, the candidate who stands'dignissimus' is appointed Bishop by the Holy See.  It is
usual that the clergyman who stands first of the three who
are nominated by the Parish Priests of the diocese, is raised
to the dignity of the Episcopate; but it occasionally happens
that the Holy See, for reasons which it deems sufficient, selects
the second, or even the third on the list, or goes out of the
list and beyond the diocese, and appoints a priest who has
no connection with the diocese, and who probably never
dreamed of the mitre. The election is presided over by the
Archbishop of the Province and his Suffragans; and the
report forwarded by those prelates to Rome materially influences its decision. The result of the election-which was
held in Cork in the month of May-was, that Father Mathew
was placed highest on the list; and as there were but rare
instances of the election of the clergy being overruled, and
the first on the list not being appointed by the Holy See, it
was taken for granted, by the public generally, that Theobald
Mathew was in reality the future Bishop of Cork.




FATHER PROUT S LETTER-THE CAPUCHIN S BEARD.    405
The election by his brother priests was the crowning honour of his life.  It was the most emphatic testimony that
could be borne to his public and private virtues. The delight
of his fellow-citizens was unbounded; and whenever he ap.
peared in the streets, he was met with congratulations as
sincere as they were enthusiastic.
Father Mathew himself looked with much confidence to
his receiving the briefs from Rome in due course, and accepted
the congratulations of his friends as upon a matter of which
there was no doubt whatever. He believed that the cause
which he had so deeply at heart would be served by his
elevation to the mitre; and if he had any apprehension as
to the result, it was lest the cause might suffer through his
failure. In the General of his order, in Rome, he knew he
had an influential supporter; and an extract from a letter
lie received from a distinguished townsman and attached
friend, the Rev. Francis Mahony, better known to the world
of literature as the witty and erudite'Father Prout,' will
show how strong was the interest which the venerable Cardinal Micara, felt in his career.  The letter was written from
London, on the 20th of May 1847:I left Rome as above stated, but had previously ordered a bust of
the Irish Capuchin, robed in the cowl and habit of his order, to be
executed by Hogan; and although Cardinal Micara was laid up in
bed with the gout when the present arrived in the Barberini Convent,
I had the satisfaction, in calling next day, to find it placed conspicuously in his reception room, with the inscription as follows:
FRATER THEOBALDUS MATHEW,
ORDINIS CAPUCCINORUM; TEMPERANTILE
IN HIBERNIA ET UBIQUE TERRARUM
PROPUGNATOR.
The Cardinal several times mentioned to me his displeasure'that
you had never visited Rome,' which I fully explained by the nature
of your labours, and the impossibility of interrupting them, save at
the sacrifice of so many lives that depended upon your incessant toils.
I mentioned that I hoped to induce you to visit him next October,
after the harvest.




406                   FATHER MATHEW.
When the donor of the bust next visited the Cardinal,
the latter asked-'Where is the beard of the Capuchin?'' Beards are not worn il Ireland, your eminence,' replied Mr.
Mahony.'Then is Father Mathew, the Capuchin, ashamed
of his order?' demanded the Cardinal, whose silver beard
fell low on his breast. The bust was taken back to the Irish
sculptor; and when it reappeared in the state room of the
Cardinal, it was enriched with a beard, at once orthodox
and picturesque.
There were many, however, who, while joining in the
universal satisfaction at this signal mark of respect and confidenct which had been paid to him by his brother priests,
dreaded that his elevation to the responsible position of the
spiritual head of an extensive diocese would have the effect
of taking him from his great work of moral reformation.
Though the Church would gain a popular bishop, the cause
might loose its powerful, because trusted leader.
Immediately upon the result of the election being made
known, an address was presented to Father Mathew by the
Catholic clergy (secular and regular) of the city of Cork.
It bore the signatures of twenty-three clergymen, none of
whom-inasmuch as they were not parish priests-could have
taken part in the election. They not unnaturally desired to
show how thoroughly they agreed in the decision arrived at
by their reverend brethren, who, possessing the right to vote,
had so fully represented the feelings of the general body of
the clergy. The address and answer form a fitting portion
of this biography.
ADDRESS
FROM THE CATHOLIC CLERGY OF THE CITY OF CORK TO THE VERY
REV. T. MATHEW, MINISTER PROVINCIAL OF THE CAPUCHIN ORDER IN
IRELAND.
VERY REV. DEAR SIR,-We, the Undersigned Clergymen of the City
of Cork, hasten to convey to you our warmest congratulation upon
the high position in which you have been placed by the choice of the




ADDRESS FROM THE CLERGY.                  407
Parish Priests of this Diocese. In so placing you, we had not, and,
from circumstances, could not have, any part. The decision, however, arrived at by the majority of those with whom the choice
rested, merits and obtains our entire approval. This we deem it right
to convey to you in the present form.
You, Very Reverend dear Sir, have been associated in the Ministry
with some amongst us for many years; to others you are endeared by
ties of affection formed in childhood, and strengthened by the experience of a riper age; and you are known and esteemed by all as a
most laborious Priest, a consistent and ever-active friend of the Poor,
and a truly zealous promoter of every measure which has for its
object the interests and honour of God's church and the welfare of
God's people.
Should the decision of The Supreme Pontiff confide to your care
the charge of this diocese, the attainment of the high objects of the
Episcopal office will, in your person, be greatly facilitated by the extensive and well-deserved influence over all classes which your many
and exalted virtues, during a long career of unexampled usefulness,
have already secured to you.
Accept, Very Reverend and dear Sir, the assurance of warm regard
and sincere respect with which we remain your Faithful Friends and
Brethren.
Cork, May 8, 1847.
To which address, so honouring alike to its authors and its
object, Father Mathew returned the following grateful reply:
VERY REV. AND REV. BRETHREN, MY VERY DEAR FRIENDS,-I receive
with the deepest respect and gratitude the expression of your regard
for myself, and of your concurrence in the vote by which the Venerable Parish Priests of this Diocese have conferred on my humble sell
the highest honour in their power to bestow.
I cannot deem myself worthy of so high and responsible a position,
neither am I influenced by any feelings of personal ambition-but I
feel deeply at receiving such a testimony from a body of Clergymen
in talent and virtues distinguished in the Irish Church, and endeared
to me by the closest ties of the friendship of many years.
Whatever may be the decision of the Holy See, I shall during my
life treasure up the remembrance of this day; and in any sphere in
which it may please God to place me, I trust I shall never forget how
much I owe to the kindness and affection of my Brethren in the
Ministry.
THEOBALD MATHEW.




408                 FATHER MATHEW.
The decision of Rome was adverse to Father Mathew, and
was also undoubtedly opposed to the wishes of the Catholic
community, not only of the city of Cork, but of the country
generally. However, after the first burst of disappointment
passed away, it became apparent that Rome had decided for
the best, and that the wise and learned prelate who had been
placed over the affairs of one of the most important dioceses
of Ireland was in reality the one who was best suited for
the discharge of its duties. It did not require the lapse of
many years to deepen this belief into a conviction; and it is
due to the Right Rev. Dr. Delany to say, that no bishop of
the Catholic Church of Ireland more thoroughly deserves the
confidence and affection of his own flock, or the respect of
those who differ from him in faith.
In the month of June, the decision of the Holy See in
favour of Dr. Delany was announced; and on the 2nd of
July there appeared, in the public press of the city, aln address from the inhabitants of the City and County of Cork,
with one thousand names attached thereto.
From feelings of delicacy, and out of deference to the
Holy See, this address was not made public until after it
was known that Father Mathew was not to be the Bishop
of Cork. It originated with laymen, and every signature of
the thousand which it bore was that of a layman; and
had an address of the kind been published while the matter was yet undecided, it might have been taken as an
attempt to bring pressure to bear upon Rome by a demonstration of lay opinion-a course which would not have been
altogether respectful.  But the decision being adverse to
those who signed the address, it would have appeared cowardly and unworthy, on their part, if they then shrank from
the public expression of the feelings which they entertained
for their illustrious fellow-citizen. Therefore the address was
published. It was in the following terms:



ADDRESS FROM THE LAITY.                409
TO THE
VERY REV. THEOBALD MATHEW.
THE ADDRESS OF THE UNDERSIGNED ROMAN CATHOLIC INHABITANTS
OF THE COUNTY AND CITY OF CORK.
VERY REV. DEAR SIR, —We, the undersigned Roman Catholic inhabf.ants of the County and City of Cork, encouraged by the example of
cur beloved Clergy, venture thus publicly to embody in an address of
congratulation the sentiments of heartfelt delight which, in common
with the whole nation, animate every class-nay, almost every individual of this great community-at the high tribute paid by the
venerated Parish Priests of this Diocese, at the late election for bishop,
to your eminent virtues as a Catholic Pastor, and to your enduring
services in behalf of a grateful country.
These venerable and venerated men deserve well of Ireland. Forgetting self, and the natural partiality which would suggest no appointment but one from amongst the pious and exemplary members
of their own order, they, in the first election for Diocesan ever held
here, placed prominently in their list one of the regular clergy-because of his high merits, his great charities, his unaffected piety, his
unceasing labours as a minister of God; and because, too, of the unbounded respect and veneration entertained for him by all classes
and creeds in the British Empire; thus exhibiting to the world the
cordial union existing within the bosom of the Church, and the high
religious sentiment which influenced the election.
As humble members of that Church, we may be permitted to rejoice
at the prospect of having as our future bishop the man who so triumphantly achieved the moral regeneration of his country, who
taught Irishmen the value of self-respect, and-an evident instrument
in the hands of Providence-rooted out those degrading habits that
weakened the influence of religion, and. while rendering our countrymen the victims of bad passions, brutalised their intellects, and made
the name of Irishman a byeword and a shame.
We can well imagine the gratification with which the Supreme
Pontiff will receive the selection which has been made. In his
Holiness the Christian world recognises one distinguished for those
high intellectual qualities that are so eminently adapted for his exalted station-an enlarged mind, a discerning judgement, great firmness of purpose, and an untiring determination to advance the interests of religion. Having constantly in view this, his one great object,




410                  FATHER MATHEW.
we may well conjecture how gratified his Holiness will feel at the
opportunity afforded him to obtain for the Church, in a higher sphere
of action, the energy, the wisdom and the influence of our venerated'Apostle;' for amongst the many acts which will illustrate the Pontificate of Pius IX. none, we feel confident, will shed more real lustre
on his reign than the appointment of you, Very Rev. dear Sir, to the
Irish Episcopacy.
That such may be your destiny is our earnest prayer, not for our
own sake, for no rank can give elevation to you-not for your own
sake, for we well know how, even now, you would shrink from the
eminence into which you have been forced, and how you would delight
to pursue your Herculean labours with an humbleness and modesty
as characteristic as your zeal-but for the sake of the religion we
profess, of the hierarchy we respect, of the country we love, we pray
it may be your destiny to be associated in the Episcopacy with the
venerated prelates who now shed so bright and enduring a lustre on
the Irish Church.
[Here follow the signatures.]
It has been intimated, in an early portion of this work,
that Father Mathew was not a theologian-that he lacked
that professional knowledge so essentially necessary to the
head and ruler of a diocese; besides, it was too notorious
that he was reckless in his charities, and crippled in his
resources.  Had he been elevated to the mitre before he had
become embarrassed in his pecuniary affairs, or before his
habit of scattering money profusely had been confirmed, he
would, no doubt, have managed to confine his charities, within something like moderate bounds; and though he would
have stripped himself of the last shilling which he could call
his own, and denied himself every personal comfort, to relieve
the distress of his fellow-creatures, still the responsibility of
his position, and the obligation of affording an example to
his clergy, would have saved him from the pain and humiliation of pecuniary embarrassment. But he had gone too far
to retrace his steps; and the horrors of the famine, which
he hourly endeavoured to mitigate by his exhaustless generosity, was plunging him into new difficulties, and into deeper
entanglements, from which he was never afterwards emanci



HE BEARS THE DISAPPOINTMENT BRAVELY.                  411
pated.* Therefore, on this ground alone, and putting strictly
professional considerations aside, the       decision   of the Holy
See, though adverse to the wish and feeling of the moment,
was soon acquiesced in, as being not only wise and just, but
most for the advantage and interest of the Church.
However Father Mathew may have felt the blow-and he
did feel it acutely-he never in the slightest degree manifested either soreness or disappointment. If the wound bled, it
was internally.      Indeed, it must be added, there was no
cause whatever for bitterness of feeling, for no human being
triumphed over him, or sought to mortify him on account of
his disappointment; on the contrary, the reverence of the public assumed a character at once deeper and more affectionate, and in every countenance he could read the expression of
that respect which was universally entertained towards him.
To the work of charity, then, he devoted himself with renewed energy; and in the knowledge that he was assisting
to do good, to save life, and mitigate the sufferings of the
destitute who besieged his door, he experienced a satisfaction and consolation which no dignity, however exalted, could
ever bestow.
In this season of national calamity he made many friendships, which lasted during the remaining years of his life;
* Among his other causes of pecuniary embarrassment was his Church of the
Holy Trinity. That a church, to replace the wretched crib in Blackamoor Lane, had
been felt to be necessary, not only by its congregation, who constantly overflowed
into the lane in front of its entrance, but by the citizens generally, was proved by
the eagerness with which it was undertaken.  It was unfortunate for Father
MIathew's future peace of mind that he did not consent to accept one of the finest
sites in the city-on Sullivan's Quay, opposite the Grand Parade-for his new church.
At times, he was impetuous, and not a little self-willed; and in hastily obtaining another site (in an impulse of irritation at what he conceived to be an unfair demand),
he made a fatal mistake, and acted in opposition to the wishes of his committee. A fatal mistake, indeed; for not only was the site which he adopted a bad
one, but a foundation had to be constructed at immense cost. Then, the design was
too elaborate in external ornament, and had to be, to a considerable extent, abanioned, as may be seen to this day. Out of a gross sum of 14,0001. expended on this
building, Father Mathew supplied about half that amount out of his own resources.
The state of the country from 1846 seriously interfered with his ccllectiona, thereby
throwing upon him additional personal responsibility.




412                 FATHER MATHEW.
and no friends whom he had known at any period of his
career were truer, more generous, or more unwearying and
unselfish in their kindness towards him, than the Rathbone
family. Their fiiendship never wavered or failed during his
life, and it still blooms, fresh and bright, upon his tomb.
William Rathbone, the eminent Liverpool merchant, had
large quantities of breadstuffs consigned to him from America, for distribution in Ireland; and believing that he could
most fully carry out the intentions of the benevolent donors
of this welcome relief by a personal visit to Ireland, he went
there with his wife and son. On his arrival in Cork, he consulted with his friend Miss Jennings-a lady well known as
the most devoted enthusiast in the cause of negro emancipation-as to the best person to whom he could entrust a considerable portion of his consignment.'I will introduce you
to the right man,' said Miss Jennings, who, having effected
the promised introduction, was thus the means of originating
a friendship to which every successive year but added new
strength.'Father Mathew,' said Mr. Rathbone,'would
you have any objection to let us see, with our own.eyes,
what your plans are, and how you work out your relief
systematically-in fact, what practical steps you have taken
to relieve the distress of which you complain?'  Father
Mathew assured him that, not only had he no objection to
show him everything, but that nothing could be more to his
wish than that Mr. Rathbone should see everything for himself. Accordingly, next morning, Father Mathew conducted
the party-consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone, Mr. Robert
Rathbone, and the captain of the American vessel which
had brought the cargo of corn, meal, and flour-to poor.
schools, in which several hundred children were at breakfast; to work-rooms, in which young girls were provided
with a substantial meal; and to food depots and soup kitchens.  The party were greatly impressed with the misery
which they witnessed, and the practical relief so wisely ad



HIS FRIENDS THE RATHBONES.           413
ministered.'Al' well,' said Mr. Rathbone;'no d6ubt you
relieve the poor, and that the distress is very great; but
we should like to see some particulars, some individual instances, of this distress.''Then,' replied Father Mathew,'we
have only to enter the first house in the first lane we come
to.' Arriving at the first house of the first lane to be met
with, Father Mathew entered it, leaving the party before
the door. He returned in a moment, saying-'This house
contains ten occupants, six of whom are in typhus fever at
this moment. Come and see them, if you have no objection.'
Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone naturally hesitated at accepting so
startling an offer; but their son at once volunteered to enter.'No,' said the captain,'you must not go in there, in the
midst of contagion. I have neither wife nor child belonging
to me, and I need not care.' The captain then went in,
entered the different rooms, looked about him, and made
various enquiries; and when he returned into the street he
declared that the misery he had witnessed was beyond description, and that he could not have imagined anything more
appalling. The party did not require further proof of the
reality of the misery which they desired to relieve.
From that moment Theobald Mathew obtained the confidence of William Rathbone, who soon thoroughly appreciated the nature of the man-its weakness as well as its
strength.  Merchant and man of business as he was, he
could well understand how Father Mathew, who could as
soon fly in the air as keep accounts on commercial principles,
must of necessity plunge himself in embarrassment, in his
eagerness to relieve the distress that surrounded him on
every side. He well knew how the first tale of misery whispered in his ear, in the little parlour in Cove Street, would
have proved fatal to a balance on the credit side. Writing
to the author, in January 1863, of his recollection of Father
Mathew in 1847, Mr. Rathbone says:



14                    FATHER MATHEW.
Of our first meeting I remember little; but the pleasing impression
of his frank, genial bearing, his clear open countenance-the general
impression of goodness and power which his whole appearance and
manner conveyed-was very strong. As we saw more of him, we were
much struck with his practical efficiency, which was not remarkable
in some of the committees. One day the soup of one of the relief
committees was bad. The committee were at a loss for the cause.
Father Mathew was empowered to examine. He saw the oatmeal,
tested it, and found it unsound. He himself examined the boilers, at
six o clock in the morning, and found a crust an inch thick left from
former boilings. This was the right way to come at the cause, and
Father Mathew adopted it..... His house had, at that time, little
furniture; no carpets, but remains of straw, for at night it was filled
with poor creatures who had no other home.
When he afterwards visited Liverpool, after his first attack, the
impression of goodness was the same, but the power was gone.




415
CHAPTER XXXI.
O'Connell's Death -Sorrow of the Nation —Alleged Causes of
his Death-Father Mathew's respect for O'Connell-Roughly
Treated-Successful Remonstrance-His Famine Sermon.
A MEMORABLE        year for Ireland was the year 1847.
The death of O'Connell added no little to the gloom
in which the famine had enveloped every home in the land.
Whatever the opinions which were held of the great tribune
by persons of opposing politics and adverse parties, it was
conceded on all hands that no one loved his country more
earnestly and passionately than he did.  They may have
rel)robated his policy, and denounced his agitation, but they
could not deny him the merit of patriotic attachment to his
country. Perhaps those who most vehemently opposed O'Connell were some of the more extreme of the national party,
whose warlike doctrines he had strenuously resisted; but, as
time rolled on, the feeling of opposition died out, and gave
place to a juster appreciation of the man who had achieved
the greatest triumph by the most blameless means, and with
whom love of Ireland was ever the uppermost thought of his
mind and feeling of his heart. But to the great mass of his
countrymen-the Catholic population of Ireland-his death
was a heavy blow. They mourned in unaffected sorrow the
loss, not only of the Emancipator of his fellow Catholics
throughout the British Empire, but the leader to whom for
many years they had been accustomed to look for advice and
guidance on all public questions. The deep feeling of sorrow
with which the sad intelligence from Genoa-in which city he




416                 FATHER MATHEW.
died, on the 15th of May, in the 72nd year of his age, on his
way to the Holy City, where he hoped to have breathed his
last-was received in Ireland, was as creditable to his fellowcountrymen as it was honouring to the fame and memory of
O'Connell.
The death of that great man was attributed to various
causes; among others, to the effect which his imprisonment
in 1844 had upon him, mentally and physically; and also to
the influence which the disasters of his country produced upon
a man of a highly impressionable nature, and one who so
thoroughly identified himself with its fortunes.  Then there
was the sudden break up which usually takes place in men of
gigantic frame and prodigious strength of intellect and body,
the moment the first symptoms of decay are manifested. The
consciousness of his having been worsted-even though temr
porarily-in his struggle with the Government of the day,
must have had a depressing effect upon the successful leader,
who had so long and so justly boasted that he could'drive
a coach and six through any Act of Parliament;' but the
deprivation of his healthful mountain exercise, enjoyed amidst
the wild and romantic scenery of his native Iveragh, must
also have told terribly on his health. O'Connell delighted in
the music of his dogs, as it echoed amid the hills, and he
loved the grand roar of the Atlantic, as its waves broke in
thunder upon the rocky headlands that girt his home of Der.
rynane; and not all the flattering addresses which he received
from every parish in Ireland, not all the sympathy which was
felt fiom one end of the country to the other for the imp
prisoned chief, could compensate him for those fresh breezes
of the hill and the sea-shore, which made his blood dance in
his veins, and his heart feel young again. Then came the
failure of 1845, and the crushing disaster of 1846, to say
nothing of the struggles and contentions in which the Apostle
of Moral Force was continuously engaged with the advocates
of the Sword. With the sorrows and the misfortunes of his




HIS RESPECT FOR O'CONNELL.            417
country, a man like O'Connell could not but sympathise heart
and soul; and the contemplation of the ruin which no effort
of his could either arrest or prevent, must have tended to
bow his spirit and depress his vital energy. The grand old
tree was struck by the lightning, and it fell with a crush to
the earth, causing a shudder through the land.
From  the sorrowing son of the illustrious dead, Father
Mathew received the following:Gowan Hill, Dalkey: May 31, 1847.
VERY REV. DEAR SIR,-Of your charity, I pray humbly for your
prayers for the eternal repose of my dear, dear father.
His beloved remains may be in Ireland in about three weeks, to
rest in Glasnevin Cemetery, as there most accessible to the people he
laboured for.
Most respectfully,
Your faithful humble servant,
JOHN O'CONNELL.
The Very Rev. Theobald Mathew.
Father Mathew at once responded to the filial appeal of
O'Connell's best beloved son, by a letter full of the tenderest
sympathy. Dreading the influence of the Repeal agitation on
the temperance movement, he was ever on the watch to save
his cause from the risk of being compromised by the taint of
politics; but he never ceased to admire and feel grateful to
the man who was the champion of his Church, and the liberator of its people, its priests, and its altars.  An extract from
his letter to John O'Connell will sufficiently exhibit this feeling, which was shared in by the priests of the Catholic Church
throughout the world:-.... Few have known longer or more intimately, or have more
honoured and loved your great and good father. In the Holy Sacrifice
I daily present him before the throne of the Most High; and on thousands of altars, from the rising to the setting sun, the tremendous mysteries are celebrated by priests of our holy Church, for the eternal
repose of the soul of him who is wept by the whole world. In common with all the inhabitants of the south of Ireland, I regret being




418                  FATHER MATHEW.
deprived of the melancholy consolation of paying my tribute of re
spectful sorrow to the remains of the illustrious dead. Yet I must
acquiesce in the propriety of selecting for the honoured resting-place
of O'Connell the metropolis of Ireland.  I fervently pray that the
Lord may grant to you and your beloved family every spiritual and
temporal blessing.
Your faithful and devoted friend,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
John O'Connell, Esq., M. P.
The following from John O'Connell is an evidence of the
gratitude with which the kind and consolatory letter of Father
Mathew was received in the house of mourning:Gowan Hill: June 6. 1847
VERY REV. DEAR SIR,-(Thank God! it will soon be'My Lord.')
God bless you for your kind, consoling, affectionate letter. It is a
consolation, and a great one to us, in the house of our heavy affliction.
I do assure you, Very Rev. dear sir, he reciprocated your kind sentiments, while he deeply, truly, and so deservedly reverenced you.
Ever your most respectfully attached and deeply grateful (DEEPLY
AND DOUBLY),
JOHN O'CONNELL.
Very Rev. Theobald Mathew.
The mortality in the city of Cork had now reached to such
an extent, that Father Mathew was compelled to close his
cemetery against any further interments, or at least until such
sanitary precautions had been taken as would prevent injury
to the public health.  From the 1st of September 1846, to
the 1st of June 1847-a period of nine months —10,000
bodies had been buried in this cemetery! This number did
not include the burials from the workhouse, for which a separate graveyard had been provided. If it be considered that
there were other burial places in the city, and in the neighbourhood of the city, in all of which interments were frequent,
some idea may be formed of the mortality of the Famine Years.
Towards the end of May, the Cork District Relief Commit.
tee suspended its operations.  The food depbts of the city
were supported by and under the management of this body,




HIS RELIANCE ON PROVIDENCE.         419
and, as a necessary consequence, were closed when its func.
tions terminated.  Father Mathew, apprehending the vast
misery which would ensue from their being closed at such a
period of distress, took upon himself the entire responsibility
of mainintining the Southern dep6t-that nearest to his own
house; and this he kept open for a considerable time, partly
at his personal cost, and partly by the charitable contributions
of the benevolent.  In addition to the three large boilers
belonging to this depbt. Father Mathew erected three new
boilers; by which he was enabled, at an expense of 1301. per
week, to feed between 5,000 and 6,000 famishing human
beings..The daily average consumption of Indian meal
amounted to one ton and a quarter; and this was made into
a wholesome and nutritious stirabout, for which ravening
hunger supplied an unfailing appetite.  The doors were
thrown open at an early hour in the morning, and kept open
till one o'clock in the day, and everyone that entered was
supplied with a sufficiency of this food.
An undertaking of this nature involved great risk. At the
rate specified, the expenditure amounted to nearly 6001. a
month; and where there were so many other claims upon the
public, the difficulty of meeting this large outlay was necessairily increased. Impressed with the serious nature of the
responsibility which he had assumed, his brother Charles
ventured to remonstrate with him, saying-' It is all very well
so long as you have funds to provide for the daily wants of
those people.  So long as you feed them, they will bless you,
and regard you as their benefactor. But suppose your means
fail, and you can no longer supply the multitude with their
expected food, what will happen then? Why they will turn
upon you and revile you, as the author of their misery. For
God's sake! think of what you are doing.''My dear
Charles, I do think of what I am doing, and I trust in the
goodness of God.  In Him I put my trust, and He will not
desert me.' Nor did He; for at the very moment these words




420                 FATHER MATHEW.
were being uttered, a letter was handed to Father Mathew
by the servant-and this letter brought intelligence of the
arrival in the harbour of a vessel with a cargo of breadstuffs
from America, part of which was consigned to him.'Now,
Charles, was I not right in saying that I had no fear, because I trusted in the goodness of God? Glory and honour
be to His blessed name I'
The door of the yard of the depot was shut at one o'clock;
but if any poor person had not received the customary dole
of food, it was the practice, as a matter of course, for them
to turn to the house in Cove Street, from which food was
distributed at all hours of the day. On one occasion, some
dozen poor people were lingering in the yard of the dep6t,
having arrived too late, the daily supply having been exhausted at an earlier hour than usual. The appearance of
these poor creatures was deplorable; and Donnelly, a member of Father Mathew's staff, now performing the functions
of a Relieving officer of the Mathew Commission, desired
them to follow him to'the house.'  As Donnelly left the
dep6t, the number of his followers did not exceed twenty,
but they soon swelled to hundreds, and by the time he
reached the door of the house in Cove Street, there were
not less than a thousand persons massed in front of the weliknown dwelling. The bread was at hand, and Donnelly did
his best to distribute it impartially.  Father Mathew stood
meanwhile in the window of his room-for the term diningroom, or drawing-room, would be out of place in this instance —watching the proceedings.  Suddenly he rushed
down stairs, and, to Donnelly's great amazement, charged
him with being a wicked and unfeeling man, and, in fact, a
disgrace to humanity.'Good law! your reverence, what
did I do?''What did you do? You passed over a poor
cripple-a poor helpless creature-who is over there, leaning
against the wall.  I am ashamed of you, sir.''I declare,
your reverence, I did my best; but the crowd shoved me




ROUGHLY TREATED.               421
about so, that I did n't know what I was doing,' said poor
Donnelly.'Well, sir, I will show you how you ought to
manage, so that there will be no confusion in future, and
that everyone will have a fair share. Go and divide the people into two rows, one on each side of the street, and I will
bring out a basket of bread, you will bring another, and
then you will see how easily I can distribute it.' Donnelly
did as he was desired, and arranged the crowd into two lines,
with a wide space in the centre. Out Father Mathew came,
with a large basket of bread in one hand; and Donnelly and
another member of the staff followed with similar supplies.'Now,' said Father Mathew,'observe what I amdoing.'
Things went on well for a minute or so, while the priest was
imparting his valuable lesson to his follower; but soon the
two sides of the living wall closed upon the instructor, and,
blocking up the passage, held him a prisoner. He remonstrated and implored, but in vain; their eagerness to clutch
at the bread rendered them insensible to all considerations of
delicacy; and when he did at length free himself from the
tremendous crush, it was at the sacrifice of his best coat,
which was slit up from the waist to the collar I For a moment, the good man was in- a towering rage, and he vowed'never to have anything more to do with such nasty and ill'
behaved people,' and that they should never receive any further
relief at his hands.'But, sir, said Donnelly to the author,'there he was at it again next morning, as fresh as ever, and
as if nothing had happened, and he kissing the poor little
dirty children, and calling them all the tender names in the
world. Oh, sir, he was a good man.'
Feeling apprehensive of the future safety of the potato
crop, in which the people so blindly trusted, Father Mathew
used every possible effort to dispel the prejudice which existed
amongst the poor against that wholesome and substantial
food, Indian meal, or the'yal/ow male,' as it was termed
He might frequently be seen standing at his hall-door, with a




422                 FATHER MATHEW.
bright fragment of a well-made cake in his hand, and affect.
ing to eat pieces from it with intense relish. By word, by
example, as well as by presents of nice-looking and palatable
loaves of this valuable food, he did more than any other man
in Ireland to render it not only acceptable to, but comparatively popular with the people, who at first regarded it with
aversion.
Father Mathew's influence upon the wealthier classes was
most valuable at this trying moment, and he did not fail to
exercise it freely in the cause of his clients, the poor. An
instance will happily exemplify the value of this influence, and
the miner in which it was exercised.
Among the industrial schools and work-rooms to which the
famine gave birth, was one to which a number of charitable
ladies attached themselves. Besides providing employment
for the destitute girls who worked in its classes, the patronesses of the school supplied their pupils with breakfast, thus
ensuring to them the certainty of one meal in the day-no
light boon at such a time.  This breakfast was continued to
be given for several months, and with the best results; but
the funds falling somewhat low, the ladies became alarmed,
and, seeing no immediate prospect of their being replenished,
they determined at least to take into consideration the expediency of not giving it beyond a certain period. A day was
appointed for the consideration of the proposal; and the subject being one of very grave importance, a large attendance
was the consequence. The lady who first expressed her opinion as to the necessity of discontinuing the breakfast now
brought the matter forward, and the other ladies felt that its
continuance beyond the time specified would involve the institution in debt, and perhaps destroy its usefulness; and the
question was about to be decided according to that view,
when Father Mathew entered.    On being told what had
occurred, he seemed greatly moved; and turning to the
assembled ladies, many of whom were his most intimate




SUCCESSFUL REMONSTRANCE.            423
friends, he said that'the proposal of discontinuing the
breakfast surprised and indeed shocked him beyond measure.
When he was entering the building, he saw a number of
handsome equipages drawn up outside the door, and when
he entered he saw the room crowded with ladies elegantly
and even sumptuously dressed.   Seeing this, he naturally
wondered how any such proposal could find support among
persons surrounded by such appearances of wealth; and he
especially wondered how ladies of their position and circumstances could think of refusing a solitary meal to their poor
starving sisters, the virtuous daughters of decent parents,
whom   God, for His own wise ends, had afflicted with an
unexpected calamity.''Why,' said he,'the very ornaments
that adorn your persons would provide an abundant breakfast for these innocent young girls for a considerable time.''Oh, Father Mathew,' said the lady by whom the proposal
had been brought forward,'forgive me! It was I who
made the proposal, and I am sorry for it. I know I did
wrong.   But there is a friend who will give me 401. tomorrow, and I shall send it to the treasurer. We must not
give up the breakfast.' The effect was irresistible, and such
arrangements were at once entered into as ensured the continuance of the much-required meal so long as relief of the
kind was necessary.  The 401. from the'friend' was from
the pocket of the lady herself, who was as generous as she
was impulsive. Father Mathew was not without having a
personal interview on his own account with the treasurer
of the charity.
At no period of his ministry was his preaching more effective than in the very midst of the terrible famine, with
misery and sorrow and death on every side.   Little time
had he to compose an artificial discourse at that moment,
when every energy was strained in devising and administering relief. I remember a charity sermon at which I was
present, and how the congregation testified, by their emotion




424                  FATHER MATHEW.
as well as by their liberal response to his appeal, their belief
in the truth of his descriptions of the horrors which then
abounded.   The passages quoted are not certainly models
of style; but such was the earnestness and pathos of the
preacher, and the belief in the truth of the pictures which
he drew from his daily and hourly experiences, that the
eloquence of Massillon or Bourdaloue could not have produced a more thrilling or touching effect. They are given
here, not only as being characteristic of the man, and descriptive of the time, but also as they represent the sublime
charity which was exhibited by the poor to those more
wretched than themselves-the latter being a theme on
which, because of his admiration of that marvellous charity,
and because of the salutary influence which it produced upon
the rich, he loved to dwell.  The plaintive tones, the wailing
voice, the impassioned earnestness of the orator-rather,
indeed, of this apostle of charity-more than atoned for
any defects of style in passages such as these:Were I permitted to rouse the men of wealth from their dream of
avarice, the ladies of fashion from their silken lethargy, would they
permit me to conduct them for one day, where they ought to go every
day, and where they should esteem it a high privilege to be allowed
to go-to the abodes of pain and sorrow, to the squalid receptacles
ot the agonised and the dying-I would answer for their hearts. They
are surely of flesh and blood; but were they hard as adamant, they
would not resist the cries of the famishing little creatures tortured by
extreme want, and wrung with tormenting pain. There, amidst the
chilling damp of a dismal hovel, see yon famine-stricken fellowcreature; see him extended on his scanty bed of rotten straw; see
his once manly frame, that labour had strengthened with vigour,
shrunk to a skeleton; see his once ruddy complexion, the gift cf
temperance, changed by hunger and concomitant disease to a sallow
ghastly hue. See him extend his yellow withering arm for assistance I
hear how he cries out in agony for food, for since yesterday he has
not even moistened his lips! See his affictionate wife, though involved in the same distress, tenderly endeavouring to lighten his
sufferings, and during the long and sorrowful night supporting his
drooping head. See his little children pressing round him with their




HIS FAMINE SERMON.                  425
wants. He fixes upon them his piercing dying looks. Oh! who can
conceive the anguish, the exquisite anguish, that now rends the
father's heaving breast!  Turning his gaze from the killing scene,
he lifts his hollow eyes to heaven, and lays before his God his intense grief. O Christians, Christians! is not this wretched man your
brother? Is not the Great God of all that wretched being's Father?
Can you, men of wealth-can you, my female auditors-contemplate
such a dismal spectacle, without feeling the warm tide of sensibility
rushing to your bosoms? That abject, that degraded being is not
amongst you, who is not now resolved to subtract from costly
ornaments, jewellery, and dress, to sacrifice some favourite folly, to
retrench even the ordinary expenses of your families, and be content
with the simple necessaries of life, and give this day into benevolent
hands the honourable savings, that they may buy bread that the poor
may eat. The triumph, the pure feast of soul, which this action would
afford, would leave at an infinite distance behind, the selfish indulgence of vanity, or the sordid gratification of sense.
She is scarcely sixteen. She was once the only darling child of
fond indulgent parents. Her father, in early manhood, was cut off
by fever, and the mother was left alone to provide for her orphan
daughter. Disappointed in every struggle for bread, pressed down
by the iron hand of adversity, worn out in the remembrance of the
friends of former days, she is obliged to hide herself from the light
of day in the gloom and damp of a dark cellar. She soon dies of a
broken heart, and leaves her child to the cold charity of a pitiless
world. This poor forlorn child being left to herself, she soon fell
the prey of the foul seducer. Her black career of sin is soon ended.
See her now extended on that scanty bed of straw, pale, emaciated,
abandoned by all; no friendly hand to wash away her bloody tears,
no pious lips to pour into her broken heart the balm of religious consolation. Shall she be left a prey to despair, to perish for ever? O
no, O no! your charity this day, like a summer's sun, will penetrate
and cheer her dreary habitation. Your plenteous charity this day,
like dew from heaven, will descend upon her, and this faded flower
will bloom again. This poor prodigal will again return, and find
here, through Christ, the way to repentance and to heaven.
The rich, comparatively speaking, give nothing. That is, there is
no proportion between their wealth and their charity. But the poor
support the poor; and if there were not an universal destitution
amongst the operatives of our city, we would not be branded with




426                   FATHER MATHEW.
the burning shame of being obliged to avow, that in the midst 5i
the blaze of affluence which our city presents, hundreds of our fell w.
creatures have perished for want at the very rich man's gate?. I
could recount instances of heroic charity, amongst the poorest ol the
poor, at this very period, that would do honour-that are worflyof the apostolic era. A desolate widow in my immediate neigl'ourhood, whose sole support is a bed for lodgers, has under hei foof,
for the last six weeks, an aged stranger, whom nobody knows. She
tends him, and feeds him, as tenderly as if he were her brother. There
is a lonely plain-work woman advanced in years, who resi les in
Chamberlain's Alley, in the parish of St. Nicholas, who has fo many
months supported, out of her scanty earnings, a helpless feme e; and
if she were her mother, she could not love her more. An( on last
Monday, an interesting child was abandoned in the stre s by it.
unnatural parent; and when it was about to be sent to he workhouse, a poor man, a scavenger, with his broom in his t And, who,
with tearful eye, was looking on, came and solicited the f hild; and
when it was given to him, his countenance beamed v th joy, ho
clasped the helpless innocent in his arms, and brought it ejoicing to
his humble dwelling. There are, to my own certain kt Dwledge, at
this moment, cherished by the very poor in the poorest p )rtion of this
city, the parishes of SS. Nicholas and Fin Barr, mri e than thirty
children, whose unhappy parents perished during th'. famine.  On
beholding such charity as this, well may I apply 1i these blessed
poor the words of the Saviour to the widow and t1 r mite-' Amen,
I say unto you, she has given more than all.' 0 y rich! how your
merit fades before charity like this. Oh, that I c i ld anticipate the
glorious welcome that awaits these merci'al?f Ings on the great
accounting day. Oh, may my death be  e' i th of the righteous,
and may my end be like to theirs I...




427
CHAPTER XXXII.
Be receives a Royal Pension -Important Explanation — Invading
John's Pantry-John's Refuge-Father Mathew's Pets-Letters
to Mrs. Rathbone-His deserved Popularity.
T had been for some time the intention of the more influential friends of Father Mathew to raise such a sum of
money as would provide him with an annuity sufficient to
maintain him independently, and thus enable him to prosecute his mission free from the embarrassment of pecuniary
cares. His devoted friend Mr. S. C. Hall was one of the
most active and untiring on this occasion. The principal
result, however, of this organisation was, that the claims of
the Moral Reformer of the age were brought directly under
the attention of the Government, many members of which
were friendly to him, and favourable to the object sought
to be attained; and that the services rendered by Father
Mathew to the interests of the public peace and the cause
of humanity were formally recognised. The fact that Her
Majesty had granted him a pension of 3001. a year, was thus
conveyed to Father Mathew by Lord John Russell, who had
acted towards him in a kindly and generous manner on former
occasions:Chesham Place: June 22, 1847.
REVEREND SIR,-It is with much pleasure I inform you that the
Queen has been pleased to direct me that an annual pension of 3001.
should be settled upon you out of Her Majesty's Civil List, as a mark
of her approbation of your meritorious exertions in combating the
intemperance which in so many instances obscured and rendered
fruitless the virtues of your countrymen.




428                  FATHER MATHEW.
It gives me great satisfaction to be charged with the duty of
making this announcement.
I am, reverend sir, your obedient servant,
J. RUSSELL.
Rev. Theobald Mathew.
The bestowal of this pension was creditable to the Govern,
ment on whose responsibility it was proposed to Her Majesty,
and met with the universal approval of the country. Moderate as it was in amount, it established a sound principlethat the State should thenceforth recognise other victories
than those won in the field of battle or on the quarter-deck,
and should honour other conquerors than those whose hands
were crimsoned with human blood. The approbation of his
services by the Sovereign set the royal seal upon that moral
reformation which had already earned the applause, not alone
of the British Empire, but of the world. Father Mathew
was really grateful for this act of kindness, though an occurrence, which took place two years after in America, and in
which his feelings were not fairly represented, led many people to hold a different opinion at the time. As there will be
no further necessity to refer again to the pension, it may be
as well to set at rest this misrepresentation, intentional or
unintentional, of his feelings with respect to it, though in
doing so we must anticipate the course of events by at least
two years.  In a letter to his good friend Mrs. Rathbone, he
thus explains the occurrence:Boston: August 28. 1849.
MY DEAR MRS. RATHBONE,-My object in now writing, after first
expressing an earnest hope that every member of your beloved family
continues well, is to satisfy your mind on the subject of the reply
made by me to the Temperance Society in New York. The fact is,
I never give written answers to addresses. My time is so much
occupied, now more than ever, I must content myself with a verbal
expression of my feelings. Party feeling runs high amongst the Irish
in America; and the person who took on himself the publication of
the address and my reply, used expressions whiich I never uttered.
It would be ungrateful of me, were I to attack the British Govern'




IMPOR!ANT EXPLANATION.              429
ment; for though moderate the amount of the pension is, yet it
answers the purpose for which it has been appropriated, and I am
not unmindful of the exertions made by the Ministry during the recent
scenes of destitution and famine.....
With most respectful remembrance to Mr. Rathbone, and to all
the family, I am,
Dearest Madam,
Your ever grateful and devoted friend,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
To his friend Miss Jennings, of Cork, he wrote at the same
time on the same subject.  He says:Allow me again to address you on the subject of my reply to the
Temperance Society in New York. I find that it has been the subject of remarks from some of the newspapers in England and Ireland.
Not having time to give written answers to addresses, I content
myself with verbal ones; and the individual who, on behalf of the
Society, took on himself to publish both, made me use expressions
which I did not utter.
After the publication of the reply, I was unwilling to correct it,
for various reasons, especially as party feeling runs high amongst the
Irish in America.
Aware of your desire to serve me, of which I have had so many
proofs, I leave it to your prudence to defend me, if necessary.
Father Mathew, as he says, had'various reasons' for not
publicly repudiating the words attributed to him; but the
principal reason was, that the person who so compromised
him was one whom he had known in Ireland, and for whom
he entertained a personal friendship; and he, besides, made
allowance for the strong anti-English feelings under which his
young friend wrote the reply, in which the writer's own prepossessions against England were, perhaps unconsciously,
attributed to one who entertained quite different feelings
with respect both to that country and its Government. This
is the explanation of a matter which caused considerable discussion at the time, and which, with many, was the occasion
of a prejudice against Father Mathew, whom they accused
-we now see how unjustly-of ingratitude,-a vice odious




430                 FATHER MATHEW.
in anyone, but the one most opposed to the character and
disposition of Theobald Mathew.
Of the pension it is only necessary to say that it was appropriated to the payment of the interest of the insurance on his
life, by which he guaranteed his creditors against loss, and
secured them the amount of their debts.
For a few days in the summer, he paid his accustomed
visit to the old house at Rathcloheen; but the great table
was not now so full as in other days, for death had cut down
the stoutest members of the family. Tom Mathew had followed Frank Mathew to the grave; and it was by the widowed mothers of their orphan children that the'Reverend
Uncle,' as he was styled, was now welcomed to'his beloved
Tipperary. He soon surrounded himself with the poor of
the neighbourhood, to whom he distributed food with profuse liberality; and he took special pains to associate the
young people with himself in the good work, in which he
taught them  to feel an interest and a pleasure. Here he
adopted an ingenious mode of assisting the cottiers and small
farmers, without at the same time hurting their pride or
lowering their self-respect.  He had it circulated abroad
that he was in want of all kinds of poultry, which would be
very useful at the house. The poor people, who would have
made any sacrifice in order to afford him pleasure, or to pay
him a compliment, brought to Rathcloheen chickens, ducks,
geese, turkeys, and eggs, which they freely offered as presents,
but which he insisted on purchasing at his own price, and on
his own terms, and much to their advantage.
The reverence of the children for their uncle was proof
against the familiarity which he encouraged, the innocent
games which he promoted, and the romps in which he did
not hesitate to take part. Butler's Lives of the Saints is a
standard book in the libraries of Catholic families; and
when, a few years before the time now referred to, chapters
were read for the yuing people, in which the life of some




INVADING JOHN'S PANTRY.            431
illustrious servant of God -was depicted, it was a common
remark for the children to make-' Oh, how like our reverend
uncle I' The criticism was just and discriminating.
Short was the rest which Father Mathew allowed himself,
and brief was his sojourn at Rathcloheen. In a few days
after his arrival in Tipperary, he was addressing a temperance meeting in Dublin; after which he returned to Cork,
to superintend the distribution of bread to the poor.
His man John felt personally wronged by the famine,
which drove so many people to the house in Cove Street.
The poor were at all times obnoxious to John; and when
they came, in their rags and their misery, pestering and
importuning that aristocratic worthy, whose temper and
humanity were about equal, he positively detested them.
It was a pleasant sight to see Father Mathew invading
John's pantry, and rummaging in his hiding-places, in search
of a piece of cold beef or mutton, or a bone of ham, with
which to thicken and flavour the soup that simmered on the
range, and which soup was one of John's special aversions.
There was Father Mathew, eager in his search after John's
concealed treasures, and John following him, in despair, but
at a respectful distance; and as his master made a grand
discovery-perhaps of a leg of mutton, of which but a single
cut had been taken-and with his own hands popped his
prize into the huge cauldron, John would groan as if he were
the victim of some atrocious burglar, who had broken into
the house and robbed the larder before his eyes. Occasionally, John would stretch forth his hands, to save the
morrow's dinner from confiscation; but the priest would turn
on him, and crush him with the tremendous threat, before
which he ever recoiled in mortal terror-'John I if you go
on in this way, I must certainly leave the house.' John
would thereupon abandon the morrow's dinner to its fate,
and either conceal himself in his pantry, or seek refuge in
bed.




432                 FATHER AATHEW.
It was no unicommon thing for John to betake himself to
his couch at unnatural hours, and even at times when his
presence in any other part of the house save his sleeping
apartment was much required.   John generally contrived
to keep a little whisky in the house-for the'tins' stood
frequently in want of brightening, and he had always found
that whisky was a grand specific for producing a lustre that
made those useful articles shine like silver. It did happen,
in some moment of abstraction, that John mistook the right
application of the polishing fluid, and used a little of it internally, and tbat his bed became the most convenient and
indeed necessary asylum after such unconscious mistakes.
Over Jobn's weakness, the Apostle of Temperance flung his
large cloak of charity and affection.'Poor John is not well
to-day, my dear,' would Father Mathew say to his nephew,
after a visit to John's attic; but although not a word ever
dropped from the master which could indicate the failing of
the servant, the sharp eyes and keen observation of inquisitive youth were not to be baffled-and John, on his reappearance in public, sourer and more morose than ever, would
have to endure sly hints at the real cause of his retirement
John would also occasionally rebel against an order to pre.
pare dinner for a compal:y more than usually numerous, and
rushing to his attic, would plunge into his bed, and there
entrench himself. Many a pilgrimage to that attic would
the master make, in the hope of softening the obduracy cf
his domestic tyrant, and bringing him to terms. Even when
defeated and driven back by the inexorable despot of the
Dantry, the priest would still say-' Poor John I really he is
not at all well.' He loved the little cross-grained fellow, and
petted and spoiled him, and would not hear a word said to his
disparagement; and so the little imp played upon his master's
affection for his worthless self, and bullied and worried him
to his heart's content.
The priest had his pets as well as his torment; and in




HIS PETS'PETER  AND'SOBER.'         433
the caresses of his dog'Sober,' or the milder demonstrations
of Madam Pinky, his cat, he sought consolation when John
was unusually obdurate. He would often tell of the untimely
fate of a dearly cherished pet, a sparrow, that answered to
the name of Peter. The sparrow, generally an early bird,
was caught napping on one fatal occasion; for while in that
unguarded state, he was sat upon by a huge friar, a man of
exemplary piety but colossal dimensions.'My dear, when
the friar rose from the chair, there was my poor Peter, quite
flat!' said his master, who, after the lapse of more than
twenty years, remembered with regret the sad story of his
pet sparrow. Sober's fate was more ignominious. Sober,
though a model teetotaller, was a dog of morose disposition,
and appeared to take a fiendish pleasure in grabbing unwary
sinners by the legs. Father Mathew made ineffectual attempts to represent Sober as an animal of a naturally amiable character, whose occasional misconduct arose from innate
playfulness of disposition and exhilaration of spirits. But
this explanation not having proved satisfactory to a poor
woman, in the calf of whose leg Sober had made a severe
incision, that much misunderstood animal was consigned to a
premature death. Father Mathew did all he could to save
the brute; but the injured woman was not to be appeased,
and justice was done on Sober, to the sorrow and indignation
of his afflicted master.
The following letters to Mrs. Rathbone exhibit his ceaseless exertions in behalf of his clients, the destitute. They
also depict the terrible condition to which the unhappy beings
that flocked in from the country were reduced. The utmost
alarm was felt by the hard-pressed citizens at the daily
increasing influx of country paupers, who not only interfered with the stronger claims of their own poor, and drained
the resources of the local community, but brought infection and death to many a home. This explanation is neces



434                   FATHER MATHEW.
sary to qualify the statement in this letter of the 23rd of
July:Cork: July 23, 1847.
MY DEAR MRS. RATHBONE,-Your esteemed letter reached me this
morning, and it is now late in the evening, and I have not yet
recovered from the agitation of mind caused by Mr. Rathbone's
letter. The Government Relief Committees, at best, are giving only
partial relief, and many of them have not yet commenced, though
the period for their operations will expire the 15th of next month.
Thousands and thousands would have perished, were it not for the
supply of food furnished by the various benevolent associations.
Should the charity of our great benefactors in the United States fail,
it is horrible to anticipate the consequences of the stoppage of
Government relief. The remonstrances of the Board of Health have
had no effect on the Relief Commissioners. Even milk, though to be
had in abundance at less than one penny per quart, is considered too
expensive a luxury for the destitute on the relief lists, and in the
Union Workhouses. We are still in fear and trembling for the
harvest; but let it be most prosperous, money cannot be procured
by the poor to purchase the necessaries of life, unless remunerative
employment can be given by the landed proprietors. The New Poor
Law Bill, with the cooperation of the party I have named, will effect
much good. Self-interest has a powerful influence on the human
heart, and, blinded by it, too many of the wealthy allow their wretched
dependents to starve, lest the rates should become too heavy. If
there was a fund to defray the expense of sending destitute strangers
from Cork to their native parishes, it would prevent unutterable
calamities. Many hundreds of these wretched creatures are to be
seen in the dismal lanes and poor suburbs of our city, craving a
morsel of food from beings almost as miserable as they are; and
during the night, they lay themselves down to sleep upon the earth,
exposed to wet and cold. These doomed beings are called vagrants,
and sturdy beggars, and under that appellation are seized upon, should
they appear in the public streets, confined like malefactors, without
food until next morning, and then placed in carts, and, with two pennyworth of bread each, are driven four or five miles from the city, and
eft there to perish. Many of them die in the fields, and many find
their way back again to Cork. No compassion, no helping hand for
these miscalled vagrants-every heart steeled against them. The
Relief Commissioners are too ready to listen to reports of frauds
upon the committees; but they have no ears for the complaints of




LETTERS TO THE RATHBONES.               435
the poor against their cruel oppressors. I feel so strongly on this
painful subject, I am unwilling to write more, lest I should harrow
your feelings.
With kindest compliments to every member of your family, I am,
With profound respect,
Dear Mrs. Rathbone,
Yours affectionately,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Cork: July 30. 1847.
MY DEAR MR;. RATHBONE,-I regret having caused you and Mr.
Rathbone so much pain and trouble. If the'Macedonian' had put
into any other harbour in Ireland, I should not have suffered so
much from disappointment. As the'Reliance' is now in our port,
I hope some arrangement, satisfactory to all, will be made. I feel as
intensely for the destitute in Galway, Kerry, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, and
Donegal, as I do for the perishing poor of Cork. It was the expectations raised, and about to be blighted, that made me so unhappy.
Believe me,
With highest esteem,
Dear Madam,
Your devoted and affectionate
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Cork: August 26, 1847.
MY DEAR MRS. RATHBONE,-Ten thousand thanks for your welcome intelligence, and the charitable interference by which you
accomplished so desirable an object. To Mr. Rathbone I am also
deeply grateful.
The 300 barrels I shall carefully husband, dispensing their valuable
contents like a precious treasure. The lamented death of the benevolent Mr. Beale has prevented me from applying for the flour. I cannot express the delight I felt at meeting my dear friend Samuel at
Buncrana. It was so unexpected, and yet so timely, to see him
amidst the wilds of Innishowen. I am about to start for Dublin, and
have only time to assure you and Mr. Rathbone of the enduring
gratitude of,
With profound respect,
Dearest Mrs. Rathbone,
Your devoted and affectionate
THEOBALD MATHEW.
On meeting a friend in the street about this time, Father
Mathew, with whom the removal or expulsion of the country




436                 FATHER MATHEW.
paupers, referred to in his letter to Mrs. Rathbone, was
uppermost in his mind, at once enquired if his friend had
anything to do with those proceedings.'No, indeed, Father Mathew, I have not; I do n't approve
of'them.''I am delighted, my dear sir, to hear that you have not
joined in such a movement. You know, as a Christian man,
you are bound to relieve, as far as your means will admit,
the distress of every human creature, no matter if he comes
from the centre of Africa.'
He did good himself, and encouraged others to do good.
A young gentleman of the city, over whose youth he had
watched like a father, came to him one day during the very
height of the famine, to ask his advice as to what he was to
do with a miserable half-starved female infant, that he had
discovered, while passing through a field, lying asleep in the
arms of its dead mother.'I came to you, sir, to know what
I am to do with the child.'' God sent you that child, my
dear; you can't do better than rear it,' was Father Mathew's
reply. No proposal could have been more startling to the
young man, who was not yet of age; but the influence of
Father Mathew was so great over his friends, that the advice-embarrassing as it must have been-was adopted, and
the poor child of the famine was carefully reared by her
young preserver.
The ranks of the clergy were decimated in many districts
of the country, and the death of an active member of a relief
committee was a matter of the most ordinary occurrence.
Neither wealth nor luxury could keep the Famine Fever at
bay. Born in the hovel, of want and squalor, it was carried
about in rags from house to house; and often when the members of a family had to leave or return to their home, they
had to struggle through a clamorous group clustered round
their door, and to pass through an atmosphere heavy with
evil odours. But Father Mathew seemed insensible to every,




HIS DESERVED POPULARITY.            437
thing save the misery he sought to relieve. The famino
odour was in his parlour in Cove Street, and at his door,
and in the dwellings of the poor whom he daily visited.
Nothing, however, could intimidate him. Neither was he
disgusted by the most abject or even loathsome squalor.
Beneath fetid rags, and accumulated filth, and swarming
vermin, he recognised his fellow-creature, made in the image
and likeness of his Divine Master. With the courage of the
hero, he united the spirit of the Samaritan.
Indeed at no period of his career had Father Mathew a
stronger claim upon the admiration of mankind, or the love
and veneration of his country. Il his own city the feeling
in his favour was intense. He was the guardian angel of
the poor, their surest and best resource. This feeling found
public expression in the month of July 1847, at an entertainment to Captain De Kay (Commander of the'Macedonian'),
and other American gentlemen. The writer had the honour
to preside on that occasion; and a short passage from the
address of the Chairman, and another from that of the accomplished and brilliant advocate, the late Francis Walsh, familiarly known as Frank Walsh, will afford a just idea, not only
of the estimation in which Father Mathew was then held
by his fellow-citizens, but of the solid services to humanity on
which the public sentiment based. The Chairman said:The awful visitation of the last nine months has exhibited Father
Mathew in a higher and holier light, in a position and character more
sacred than we had hitherto beheld him-as the champion of the
poor. Before. he was a leader, at the head of a great popular movement, and sustained by the enthusiasm of the whole country; but he
has magnanimously given up that great mission for a time, to remain
in Cork, as a protector and friend to the poor; to shield them from
the indifference of those who are too often wrongly entrusted with
authority, and who, in their devotion to an inhuman policy and a
hateful doctrine, are too often indifferent to the misery and sufferings
of the wretched recipients of a relief grudgingly given, and pinchingly doled out. I say, then, that the last nine months have endeared




38                   FATHER MATHEW.
Father Mathew more to us, and have united him closer to our affections, than have all his previous labours and splendid triumphs.
The pleasing theme was thus enlarged upon by Frank
Walsh, or, as he was popularly designated,'the Counsellor'What your Chairman has told our American friends of the last
nine months' labours of Father Mathew, would be imperfect if we
did not also add this to it,-that, while attending with an extraordinary vigilance, with indefatigable watchfulness, with intense care
and eager anxiety to the distribution of the food in every petty
detail, watching that no official should counteract, no mean minister
should frustrate, no petty motives should restrict the value of the
bounty, or diminish it to those on whom it was intended to confer
relief, he has been in the midst of pestilence, in the most frightful
dens, where fever exhibited its most awful and pestilential effects,
hanging over the bed where not one but three were stretched, in a
room where not one but sixteen were in disease together, perishing of
fever. He has risked his life hourly and daily. But in the midst of
all his cares, and labours, and toils, it is right to let the world know,
as we in Cork do, that besides being one of the most distinguished
men of our time, he is one of the most hard working, patient, zealous
Catholic priests with whom God has blessed mankind. He had been
in Cork, his selected and adopted city, before his name became so
justly celebrated, so beloved and honoured for his devotion and
anxiety to the poor, that he was one of those most revered as a
Christian clergyman; and now, independently of the glorious movement which he represents, by his personal virtues, his charity, his
amiability and goodness, he is at present a link of union between
Christians of all denominations.




439
CHAPTER XXXIII.
His Influence with the People of Ulster-A strange Questicn and a
laconic Reply-The incurable Cancer —A poor Breakfast-The
disgusted Devotee-Christmas-boxes-The Great Duke.
0O long as there was a necessity for his presence, Father
Mathew remained in Cork, whose people had, as he
thought, the first claim upon his exertions; but the moment
he could safely quit his post, without desertion of duty, he
was again off to some distant part of the country, on his
temperance mission. In the month of August he was entertained at a soiree in Londonderry, in which city he was hailed
with enthusiasm by men who hated his church and not occasionally misrepresented its principles and its teaching; and
in the following October we find him in Coleraine, in which
thoroughly Ulster town the priest from Munster was received
with a respect which was as sincere as it was, in many instances, involuntary.'Why did you kneel to him?' asked one
of the'True Blues' to another.'The answer was a testimony to the influence of the man-'Who the d-1 could resist
him?-who could help it?-no one could refuse him anything
he asked.' Some came to their doors in a spirit half bitter
half jeering; but, strong Protestants and Presbyterians as
they were, they yielded to an unaccountable impulse, and,
falling on their knees, humbly received the blessing of a man
of God.
It was in Dublin, some years before, that he said rather
an amusing thing in reply to a person to whom he was in
the act of administering the pledge. He was hard at work,




440                 FATHER MATHEW.
going rapidly through a large batch, making the sign of the
Cross on the foreheads of his postulants, when the man whose
brow he then touched said,'Father Mathew, here am I,
an Orangeman, kneeling to you, and you blessing me.'' God
bless you, my dear, I did n't care if you were a Lemon-man,'
was his reply, as he rapidly passed on, amidst an audible
titter from the batch.
Father Mathew had been severely censured by the leading
London journal for having dared to stop Her Majesty's mail
in the High Street of Athy.  On that occasion there were
some thousands of solid reasons against the possibility of stirring the coach, in the shape and substance of a dense crowd
of people eager to take the pledge. On another occasion,
however, the mail was arrested, though for a short time, and
from a different motive. The guard had given the signal,
the coachman had flourished his whip, and the horses were
in motion, when a cry was raised of'Stop the coach I' A
respectable-looking lady, well known as a leading Methodist, was seen running after the vehicle, her bonnet held on
only by its strings, and her hair streaming wildly about her
face. At so strange a spectacle, the guard was much surprised, and ordered the coachman to pull up.'I have special business with Father Mathew,' said the lady, as soon
as she had sufficiently recovered her breath to make herself
intelligible. Father Mathew put his head out of the window, and enquired what the special business was.'Father
Mathew,' said the excellent woman,'I pray daily that the
Lord may preserve you in humility; has He done so?'Yes,
ma'am,' was Father Mathew's laconic reply, as the coachman,
who had overheard the brief dialogue, laid his whip rather
smartly on his impatient team.
The three following paragraphs will show that in the
months of November and December 1847, he was as active
and energetic as at any previous period of his career. The
first appeared on the 3rd of November:



THE INCURABLE CANCER.              441
FATHER MATHEW
Leaves town this evening on a Temperance Tour. He is to preach
and administer the pledge in Derry, on Sunday the 7th; in Sligo, on
Wednesday the 10th; and in Strabane, on Sunday the 14th. Ho
will return to Cork on Thursday the 18th inst.
The second appeared on the 25th of November:FATHER MATHEW
Left town last night to preach and administer the pledge at Omagh,
county of Tyrone, and also to attend a grand Temperance Soir6e at
Strabane. He will return to Cork on Saturday, the 4th of December
And the third on the 31st of December:FATHER MATHEW
Left town this morning for Limerick, where he is to hold Temperance
meetings, and to administer the pledge on New Year's Day, and
Sunday. He will return on Tuesday next.
There was one visit he never failed to pay every day during
which he remained in Cork: it was the last which he made
ere he set out on his journeys, and it was the first which he
made on his return. It was to the bedside of a once beautiful girl, who was slowly dying of an incurable cancer.  Some
years before, she had been confided to his care by her friends
in a neighbouring county. When she arrived first in Cork,
and gave herself up to his spiritual charge, she was joyous
and light-hearted, and her artless gaiety of character lent
an additional charm  to her uncommon beauty.     She was
placed in a respectable establishment as an assistant, and
was happy and contented with her situation. One day —a
sad day for her —a fellow-assistant, who happened to be near
her, was tearing a piece of some strong material which a
customer had purchased, and in the effort to tear this article,
he struck the poor girl violently in the bosom. It was a
fatal but an innocent blow. Soon cancer began to spread
its deadly fibres through her system, and then commenced the




442                 FATHER MATHEW.
long martyrdom which prepared her for the crown that was
to reward her sufferings and her fortitude. Father Mathew,
who had watched over her with a father's solicitude, at once
came to her assistance, and saved her from the hospital or
the workhouse. He supplied her with every necessary, and
surrounded her with such comforts as her miserable case was
susceptible of; but the sweetest consolation which he afforded her, was when he sat by her bed of pain, and read for her,
and prayed for her, and wiped away the drops of agony that
stood upon her transparent brow. Sickness imparted an ethereal character to her beauty; and the sweet smile of patience
that triumphed over the weakness of poor human nature, had
in it something wondrously touching. The light of heaven
seemed to chase away the shadow of the grave from that
gentle face, whose look of resignation haunted her faithful
friend in his journeys, and inspired him with fortitude to bear
up against many a trial and many a care. How earnestly
she longed for his return! how her large eyes brightened,
and her wasted features flushed, as she caught the first sound
of his eager step upon the stairs!-for, no matter what the
distance he had to come, or the toil he had undergone, he
neither changed his dress, nor allowed. himself a moment's
rest, until he had seen'his poor Ellen.' The end that was
inevitable came at last, and he had the consolation of closing
those loving eyes in the holy rest of a happy death, and of
laying her in a grave shadowed and perfumed by fragrant
shrubs.
A little incident, which occurred in one of his journeys
after the fury of the famine had passed, touched him greatly,
insomuch as it evinced the poverty and privation still endured
by the working classes. While proceeding on his way, he
observed a pretty little girl, not more than ten years of age,
trotting lightly along the road, carrying on her arm a small
basket carefully covered up. With her light quick trot she
was keeping pace for some time with the horses. His attention




A POOR BREAKFAST-THE DISGUSTED DEVOTEE.     448
being attracted to the child, he ordered the driver to stop,
and called her towards hian.'Where are you going, my dear,
in such a hurry?' enquired Father Mathew. Dropping a
courtesy, the little girl said,' Down beyant, sir, with my
father's breakfast.''And what have you got for your father's
breakfast, my dear?''Pittaties, sir.''Have you nothing
with the potatoes-not a drop of milk?''No,'ndeed, sir,
al' he's glad to get that same,' replied the child.'Have you
not even a pinch of salt with them, my dear?' said Father
Mathew.'Salt, sir!' exclaimed the little girl, opening wide
a great pair of hazel eyes, in amazement at the suggestion
of such a luxury —' why tlenr cock him up with salt I''Then,
my dear, here is something to buy salt with, and here is something for yourself too,' said Father Mathew, who left the
child radiant with delight at her good fortune in meeting so
liberal a benefactor.
The pious women who were accustomed to attend the
Friary on Christmas morning, were usually edified by a sermon from Fathei' Mathew, appropriate to the festival of the
day. His discourses on those occasions breathed the spirit of
peace and holiness with which his own soul was filled. The
disappointment at his omission of the customary sermon was
a source of much discomfort to his devoted followers, the regular attenders.  One morning he was expected to preach at
the early Mass, and the little church was filled with worshippers, a considerable number of whom held liglted candles, to
enable them to read their prayer books on that dark winter
morning. There was one old lady, who, with spectacles on her
nose, was devoutly reading her book, and awaiting in calm
contentment the appearance of her favourite preacher. At
length there was the flutter of a white surplice seen at the
door of the sacristy, and the clergyman made his appearance;
but, instead of the noble countenance of Father Mathew, to
whom the robes of his ministry added new beauty, the congregation beheld the commonplace features of a fat little




444                 FATHER MATHEW.
gentleman, whose ability as a pulpit orator was of the humblest kind. The moment the fulr consciousness of her disappointment broke upon the old lady, the candle fell from her
relaxed grasp on the floor, and, with a voice in which disgust and bitterness were blended, she audibly exclaimed,'Why, then,'t is you that are welcome to us this blessed
morning I'
Christmas-boxes were in Father Mathew's esteem a timehonoured institution, as all his young relatives and many of
his young friends could testify.  It, however, occasionally
happened that some pressing claim of poverty, some more
than usually pathetic tale of widow or of orphan, even of
repentant profligate, either altogether blighted the full-blown
hopes of his nephews and nieces, or reduced the expected
present, from being something highly acceptable, to being
something, in their eyes at least, very contemptible. Thus,
on one occasion, the promised pony was represented by a
book; for the money intended for the purchase of the pony
had gone to release from the army the only son of a miserable widow, who had been forsaken by her boy for dreams
of glory, and visions of fame and fortune, to be won at the
bayonet's point.  The nephews were indignant with the
widow, for having a son who could think of'listing,' or who,
having embraced the profession of a soldier, could sneakingly
permit himself to be ignominiously bought out. Now though
many a recruit'took the shilling,' under the influence of
drink, it was to the Apostle of Temperance the disconsolate
parent of the would-be hero appealed in her distress. On
one of these occasions the recruit was the only support of
an aged mother, and the father of six helpless children.
Father Mathew's exchequer was at its lowest ebb at this
time-it was in 1847; so that between the mother's lamentations for'her darlin' boy, who was the comfort of her ould
heart, and the light of her two eyes,' and his own empty
pockets, the priest knew not what to do. At last, the idea




THE GREAT DUKE.                 445
of appealing to the' Great Duke,' flashed on his bewildered
mind. He did so, on. the impulse of the moment, and met
with a prompt result; for the noble Duke thus replied by
return of post:Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to
the Very Rev. Mr. Mathew: he could not refuse his application, and
has directed the discharge of the soldier he desired.




446
CHAPTER XXXIV.
He is attacked with Paralysis-His Fortitude and ResignationHis Recovery hailed with Enthusiasm.
TN the year 1848, which, as we have seen by the paragraphs
recently quoted, he began so auspiciously, he suffered the
heavy penalty of his ten years of unparalleled exertions. His
rigorous fasting had also much to do with the catastrophe
which occurred. When remonstrated with respecting this
severity of life, and implored to relax his austerity in some
degree, his answer was-' I am the strongest man in Ireland.'
The time was now at hand when that boast could never be
repeated.
During the Lent of 1848, which he observed with his customary strictness, and during which he devoted himself with
even more than usual fervour to the various duties of the
ministry, he was suddenly struck with paralysis. This was
the commencement of a sad tribulation, which lasted, with
more or less intermission, to the hour of his death, which took
place in eight years after. When about rising, as was his
invariable rule, at an early hour in the morning, he fell on the
ground at his bedside. The noise of his fall at once roused
his Secretary, who rushed to the room, and found him
stretched on the floor. He was assisted back into bed, and
Dr. O'Connor-who, besides being his physician, was also his
attached personal friend-was sent for. Alarmed at the intel
ligence, the doctor hastened to attend him.' I was sorry, sir,




ATTACKED WITH PARALYSIS.             441
to tiaze heard that you were ill-what has happened?' said
I)r. O'Connor.'My dear doctor,' replied Father Mathew,
in the calmest voice, and with the sweetest smile,'I am
paralysed.''Paralysed, sir!''Yes, my dear friend, I am
paralysed in one side; and when I tried to stand this morning, I fell on the floor.' The doctor had never met with such
a patient; for here was a man who spoke of a grave calamity
as if it were a matter of the very smallest importance. The
calmness, which was genuine, was the result of high moral
courage and Christian resignation. The blow was great, but
the fortitude was still greater.
Dr. O'Connor's description of that morning's professional
visit is interesting:On further enquiry (says the doctor) I found that the leg and arm
of one side were paralysed, but not entirely powerless, and that he
also had suffered pain in the head for from some days previously. I
remained with him whilst leeches were being applied to his temples
by his friend and faithful disciple, A. F. Roche. He entertained us
during the time with anecdotes of his temperance travels, and never
appeared more cheerfil, though conscious that he was labouring
under a visitation which more than any other brings terror to the
mind of a patient. He remarked' it was not much matter to him how
it terminated. If a priest had done his duty, and was prepared, the
time of his death was of little consequence.' Of all the community,
among whom the news cf his illness soon spread, he was the only one
that appeared unconcern ed.
With consternation was the sad intelligence received by the
local community; and wherever it was heard, it evoked the
deepest feeling of sympathy and regret. Crowds surrounded
his door, and exhibited, by their awe-struck and mournful
aspect, the dismay and sorrow which pervaded every breast.
In a few days, however, the anxiety of the public mind was
relieved by the glad tidings of his gradual recovery. Day
by day he mended, and about the second week in May he
seemed to have got over the effects of this his first attack.
His recovery was hailed with universal delight, and numerous




448                 FATHER MATHEW.
addresses of congratulation proved to him how strong was
the hold which he had upon the affections of his countrymen.' His mind,' says Dr. O'Connor,'was not apparently affected
by this attack, and the weakness in the limbs soon diminished
so much, that the entreaties of friends or physicians could no
longer prevent him from resuming his labour in the temperance cause.'
On the 19th of July he left Cork for Dublin, and did not
return until the 1st of August. And during the period which
intervened between that date and the time of his leaving Ireland for America, he divided his time between his temperance
mission, his priestly duties, and his efforts to relieve distress,
promote industry, and assist every good work.
Previous to his attack, he had visited the Irish metropolis
for the purpose of giving his testimony in favour of Charles
Gavan Duffy, who was then about to be placed on his third
trial for alleged political offences.  Father Mathew entertained a sincere respect for the truth and earnestness of the
Young Ireland party, and he naturally admired the ability
and eloquence of their writings and speeches. Besides, he
was grateful to Mr. Duffy, who had afforded valuable aid to
the temperance cause, and had written and spoken of the
Apostle of Temperance in the most enthusiastic terms of
praise.'I consider Mr. Duffy a man of the highest integrity
and principle. I would not think him a man likely by any
means to entertain or favour any project of anarchy or sptliation of property,' said Father Mathew, when giving evidence
for his friend. Had he lived to witness the honourable and
distinguished position taken by Mr. Duffy, as one of the ablest
and most influential public men and ministers in the colony of
Victoria, Father Mathew would have greatly rejoiced.
As will be seen by his letter to Judge Lumpkin, he was
not insensible to the sufferings of his country; but though
he ardently longed for her happiness and prosperity, he




STATE OF THE COUNTRY.             449
sedulously abstained from taking any part whatever in politics.
In his earlier life, when questions affecting the liberty of his
Church were at stake, he sympathised with the efforts by
which Catholic Emancipation was eventually won, and did not
fail to exercise his undoubted right as an elector to secure
the return of a candidate favourable to a liberal policy; but
having on one occasion induced a number of poor voters to
risk the consequences of supporting the popular candidate,
and having been disappointed in promises made to him in
their behalf, he abstained from that hour from taking any
part in elections, or mixing himself up in any way with politics
or with party. This was a fortunate circumstance, as it
removed one formidable barrier to the success of his temperance mission.
It would be a dreary task to follow him through the misery
which met him at every step, and surrounded him on every
side, during the period that preceded his departure. This
misery depressed his spirit, and sickened his very soul, though
he courageously fought against its influence, and spared no
effort to mitigate it, by relieving it. What man could do, he
did-more, indeed, than any ten other men could have done;
but his heart died within him as he found how little was the
result of all his zeal, his energy, and his self-sacrifice. The
movement, too, had lost its former spirit. Many of the rooms
had been closed in the terrible famine year; and the bands
had, in several instances, been broken up, in consequence of
the death, the poverty, or the emigration of their principal
members. The pledge was, on the whole, fairly kept; but not
a few had yielded to the deplorable influence of evil times,
and had sought in the maddening draught temporary oblivion
of their sorrows. The banner which once proudly floated in
the air, now drooped on its staff. The famine had struck the
cause as well as decimated the ranks of its followers.
The following letters, addressed to his devoted friends the
Rathbones, afford a last glimpse of the state of ths country in




450                   FATHER MATHEW.
1848, and the profound interest which he took in the hopes
and disappointments of its unhappy people:Cork: February 7, 1848.
MY DEAREST MADAM,-In compliance with your expressed wish, 1
would have immediately stated to you my impressions as to the prospects of unhappy Ireland, and what appeared to me most advisable
in the present destitute condition of our wretched people: but as
nothing can be accomplished without pecuniary assistance, I could
not reconcile it to my feelings to address you on such a subject. As
you have again condescended to apply to me for information, and
have stated the benevolent source whence relief can be obtained,
without adding to the already too numerous appeals to your private
funds, I shall not longer hesitate to lay my sentiments before you.The British Association has devoted its supplies of food and money
to the relief of destitution in twenty-two poor-law unions, which
were pointed out to them by the poor-law commissioners as unable
to pay rates sufficient to feed the starving multitude. The children
are the peculiar objects of this supplemental charity. There are
in the unions not favoured with a portion of this British charity,
many thousands who crave a share of this blessing. The unhappy
Gregory Clause in the new poor law operates cruelly on the cottier
tenants. All tenants of this class who hold more than a quarter of
an acre of land are excluded from poor law relief, unless they give
up their little farms. Horrified at the prospect of being paupers for
ever, they cling to their cottages and farms, and perish by slow starvation rather than abandon their homes; for the moment the tenant
leaves his house to enter the workhouse, it is levelled to the ground.
Many parents would be able to keep themselves from the workhouse,
if a little assistance were given in the way of food to their helpless
children. Widows and unmarried females could support themselves,
if knitting, plain work, &c. &c. were supplied them. To meet these
pressing wants, and to train up the rising generation in habits of
industry, has long been my anxious desire. To its accomplishment
I have devoted my strenuous efforts. Supplying small farmers with
cheap seeds, such as turnip, flax, and potatoes; and assisting industrial schools, in which the children, male and female, are instructed
and supplied with the material for remunerative labour, such as
weaving, spinning, gardening, &c. &c. In all these efforts for the
improvement of the habits of our people, I have succeeded beyond
my most sanguine expectations. As the destitute of the city of Cork
have multitudinous resources. I have extended my exertions to various




LETTERS TO THE RATHIBONES.              451
parts of Ireland, especially Tipperary, Limerick, Galway, the King's
and Queen's Counties. The progress of improvement is slow, and
much misery must be endured. But we are, I confidently believe, in a
transition to a better social condition,. We will soon see a new Ireland.
The recent special commission in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary,
bloody as the issue has been, has proved that, guilty as our wretched
people have been, they were not as desperately wicked as represented. That there was not a conspiracy amongst them to murder the
landed gentry. That their own class were generally the victims, and
that the struggle for the possession of land was the dire cause of the
shedding of human blood. The commission has also shed additional
lustre on the great temperance movement. J\lot a single teetotaller,
out of the millions, was implicated in the guilt of blood-shedding.
The convicts were all whisky drinkers. It is to be believed that
Ireland would be the most moral country on the face of the earth, if
all its inhabitants were total abstainers.
With highest respect,
Dearest Mrs. Rathbone,
Your most devoted and affectionate friend,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Mrs. Rathbone.
Cork: May 5,1848.
MY DEAREST MADAM,-Though not an advocate for the extensive
cultivation of potatoes, I am of opinion that, to enable our destitute
people to recover from the effects of the late calamity, no other food
could be so easily had to supply their many wants this season. I
know of no object more worthy of your and dear Mr. Rathbone's
benevolent sympathy, than the assisting our industrious cottier tenantry to cultivate their little farms, by giving them seed. The generous gift of fifty pounds,* which you have so considerately confided to
me for distribution, has been very timely. Now that the season is
fast advancing, it will be the means of employing the hitherto desponding farmer and his family in the cultivation of ground that would
otherwise remain as waste, and of restoring them to comparative comfort and happiness.
I trust, however, that Government will do something for us, either
to assimilate our condition with England, or grant other salutary
concessions.
I am, with profound esteem,
Dearest Madam,
Your devoted and affectionate
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Mrs. Rathbone.
* American funds.




452                   FATHER MATHEW.
Cork: July 21,1848.
MY DEAR MR. RA'TIBONE-... You will learn with much gratification, that I have been enabled by your last remittance from the
funds of the good people of Boston to wind up in a satisfactory way
the affairs of the different charities with which I was connected. They
are now able to support themselves by the fruits of their industry.
I saw last week, as I passed through the country, many luxuriant
fields of potatoes and turnips, from seed I was enabled to distribute.
But, what I deem of more importance, I have witnessed habits of
cleanliness, economy, and industry, which promise to be permanent,
and to diffuse themselves gradually through the most neglected and
the rudest portions of the peasantry. We are, I trust, on the eve of
better times for poor Ireland. May God requite all who have contributed to do her good. Presenting affectionate remembrance to the
family at Green Bank, believe me,
My dear Mr. Rathbone,
Your most grateful
THEOBALD MATHEW.
W. Rathbone, Esq
Cork: August 13, 1848.
MY DEAR MR. RATHBONE, —I regret that the melancholy task of.
announcing the total destruction of the potato crop has devolved
upon me. The blight appeared three weeks back; but it seemed
confined to particular places, and affected only the stalks; since then
wet weather has been so constant, the blight has become general, and
the tubers are rotting with frightful rapidity.
The labouring poor, thank God, are not involved in this calamity,
for they have abandoned the con-acre system, and depend upon
money wages, or the poor law; but the small farmers made a last
effort to retrieve their almost desperate affairs, and risked their all
upon this season's potato crop. Thousands, who have endured every
privation rather than surrender their little farms, and consign their
wives and children to the hopeless support of a workhouse, are now
in despair. I am grievously disappointed myself. In every way I
encouraged the propagation of potatoes. The large sum I received
from you, and all that I could beg or borrow myself; I expended in
the purchase of the, I now believe, doomed potato. In travelling
through the country, that but a few days ago bloomed with a luxuriant harvest, I found the atmosphere everywhere tainted with noxious
vapours from the putrefying vegetable, and the wretched people
bathed in tears. I could only mingle my tears with theirs.
May the God of all consolation console them in this their great'




CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAMINE.           453
tribulation. Well may they exclaim, with the Prophet Jeremiah,' All
you that pass by this way, attend and see if there be any sorrow like
my sorrow.'
With regard to myself, I have only to say, that my health is improving, and if I were free, I would gladly abandon this land of horrors
and misery.
Presenting affectionate remembrance to Mrs. Rathbone and your
beloved family, I am,
My dear Mr. Rathbone,
Your most grateful and devoted friend,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
W. Rathbone, Esq.
The consequences of the famine are matters of history, and
are to be found principally in the sale and transfer of a vast
amount of property, and that wondrous emigration which
has flowed from the shores of Ireland in a continued stream
to this hour, though with more or less diminished volume.
From October 1849 to August 1859, the gross amount
realised by the property sold in the Court of Encumbered
Estates reached to the prodigious sum of 25,190,8391. The
sacrifice of property during the first years of the operation
of this Court was sad to contemplate. It ruined many and
enriched others. It annihilated the owner, robbed the later
encumbrancers, and conferred estates for half their real value
on purchasers lucky or daring enough to speculate in land at
such a period of general depression and alarm.
The famine imparted an extraordinary impulse to Irish
migration and emigration. It is ascertained that for the ten
years previous to 1841, about 630,000 persons had left Ireland permanently, either to go abroad, or to settle in some
other portion of the United Kingdom.  From 1841, to 1851,
including the Famine years so called, the number of persons
leaving permanently, was 1,640,000. From  1851 to 1861,
the number was 1,250,000.  And if we add 200,000 between
1861 and 1863, who quitted their country ostensibly for ever,
we shall have a total of 3,720,000. The great bulk of this




454                FATHER MATHEW.
enormous subtraction from the population of a single country,
emigrated to the United States, Canada, and Australia. A
considerable number established themselves in the manufacturing districts and great towns of Elgland and Scotland. It
is now computed that the contribution of population from Ireland to the United States, has given to that vast continent
the largest portion of its present inhabitants-that is, that
the Irish, and the descendants of the Irish, constitute, if it
may be so expressed, the largest of the various nationalities
which go to make up the whole of its existing population. In
England and Scotland, according to the Census Commissioners, there were in 1861, no less than 805,703 of Irish, born
in Ireland-to say nothing of their children who were born
in those countries.
The rush from Ireland to England during the year 1847
assumed the character of a panic-an unarmed people flying
before the face of a pursuing enemy. From the 1st of January to the 1st of November of that year, 278,000 persons
landed in Liverpool alone; and of these, 123,000 sailed from
that port to foreign countries-the remainder scattering themselves over various parts of England. The total emigration
abroad for that year was 215,444. It increased to 249,721
in 1851.
To two very opposite influences were principally owing this
extraordinary Exodus-namely, compulsion and persuasion.
Hunger and evictions on the one hand-inducements and
assistance on the other.
From 1846 to 1848, both years included, the number of
ejectments brought in the various courts was 32,193, and the
number of persons evicted was 140,835. From 1849 to 1853,
both years included, the number of evictions was 47,115, and
the number of persons evicted was 239,000. Which would
give a total of evictions, during the periods specified, of 79,308,
and of persons evicted, 379,845. In 1850, the number of
persons evicted was 74,000.




INDUCEMENTS TO EMIGRATE.            455
Among the inducements to emigrate, including labour and
employment of different kinds, were the invitations from relative to relative-from the son or daughter, to the father and
mother, or to the brothers and sisters; and these invitations
were accompanied by large remittances, money saved from
hard honest toil in a strange country.  In 1847, these remittances amounted to 200,0001. In 1848, they rose to 460,0001.;
in 1850 and 1851, they were about 1,000,0001. each of those
years; and in 1853, they amounted to the enormous sum of
1,490,0001. 1  It is officially ascertained that the total remittances from the Irish.emigrants to the States, to Canada, and
to Australia, to their relatives in Ireland, amounted up to
1863 to 12,642,0001. But this does not represent the entire
The Emigration Commissioners, in their report for 1863, thus
refer to these remittances:It is necessary to repeat that these returns are very imperfect, as
they contain none of the remittances through the post or through
private hands, or through any of the banks or mercantile houses,
which decline to furnish us with information. It would scarcely be
unreasonable to estimate the amount of which there are no returns
at half as much again as that of which there are returns.
According to this statement, the gross amount received by
the Irish at home from their kindred abroad, cannot have
been less than 19,000,0001.-a sum almost fabulous in its
magnitude.
In the history of the world there is nothing to surpass
this, for generosity, self-sacrifice, and attachment to family
and race.  If the Irish have their faults-as what people
have not?-they Lobly atone for them by the most exalted
virtues.
Among the results brought about by the great national
calamity, was the creation of a better feeling between persons
of different religious belief, who became oblivious of doctrinal
distinctions in a moment of common peril, and who caught
from the very nature of their sacred work the sublime spirit




a 5 6                FATHER MATHEW.
of Christian charity.  There were some miserable exceptions,
it is true, in which the mortal agony of the destitute was
sought to be availed of for the promotion of unholy triumphs
over conscience; but such disgraceful attempts were reprobated by every man of sense and feeling in the land, and only
assisted, by the contrast, to render more pure and exalted the
devoted and disinterested zeal exhibited by those who ministered to their afflicted neighbours as men to men, as brethren
to brethren. Mr. Trevelyan, in the article in the'Edinburgh
Review,' to which I have before referred, bears testimony
to the harmonious cooperation of the clergy of different
Churches:Those (he says) who had never before exchanged words or looks of
kindness. met to cooperate in this great work of charity, and good
men recognised each other's merit under the distinctions by which
they had been previously separated. The Protestant and Roman
Catholic clergy vied with each other in their exertions for the famishing and fever-stricken people, and in numerous instances their lives
became a sacrifice to the discharge of exhausting, harassing and dangerous duties. To the priests, all were indebted for the readiness
with which they made their influence over their flocks subservient
to the cause of order; and the minister of religion was frequently
summoned to the aid of the public officer, when all other means of
restraining the excited multitude had failed.
Appalling as had been the suffering of the Irish people, and
terrible as had been the destruction of human life, that suffering would have been far more appalling, and that destruction
of life would have been far more terrible, but for the noble
charity which had been displayed by the people of Great
Britain, and the people of America, France, and many other
countries of the world. From every quarter of the globe contributions poured in upon afflicted Ireland; and had it not
been for that generous cooperation, which linked nation with
nation in one common bond of fraternal sympathy for a suffering member of the family of nations, there would have been




THE CHARITY EXHIBITED TO IRELAND.      451
more than a million red graves within the circle of the Irish
shores.  It is difficult to conjecture what was the actual
amount of money transmitted to Ireland through various
sources and channels; but independently of moneys advanced
and granted by Government, or raised by taxation, which
amounted in all to about 10,000,0001., there was considerably more than 2,000,0001. received and administered through
societies or individuals. Mr. Jonathan Pim, who drew up the
reliable report of'The Transactions of the Central Relief
Committee of the Society of Friends during the Famine in
Ireland,' states that local and central relief associations distributed sums that could not have fallen far short of a million
and a half. In these sums are not included the funds received
and administered through individuals; nor the money sent by
the Irish in America, either to assist their friends at home, or
to enable them to emigrate. The Friends had entrusted to
their care money and breadstuffs amounting on the whole to
about 200,0001.; and to their honour be it said, they administered tneir trust wisely and well, The Society of Friends of
England contributed over 42,0001. of that amount; the rest
principally consisted of contributions from America. The
British Relief Association, established in London, sent 391,
7001. to Ireland. Another 100,0001. was sent from England
through various religious bodies. These large sums are entirely
independent of the vast number of contributions sent by persons of every class to private individuals in Ireland. Nor did
the poor country itself display less generosity; for, notwithstanding the untold amount of private relief given-given
daily and hourly-of which no one but the donor and recipient
was ever aware, the local contributions officially announced
for 1846 and 1847 exceeded 300,0001.
The Catholic Bishops and Clergy in England and Scotland
stimulated to the utmost the willing charity of theie flocks
in aid of their suffering brethren in the old country; but t9
no one was Ireland more indebted for solace and succour ii




458                   FATHER MATHEW.
her hour of misery, than to the saintly and venerable Dr.
Briggs, the late Catholic Bishop of Beverley, who has since
gone to receive the reward of his long life of usefulness and
virtue.
It is only necessary to add that the cry of an afflicted
people, suffering from a calamity permitted by Providence,
for wise purposes no doubt, elicited a response honouring to
our common humanity.
There was something still nobler than the charity of those
who came to the relief of the starving Irish-that was the
sublime Christian resignation with which the stricken people
bowed to the dispensation of Divine Providence.'It is the
will of the Lord,' was ever on the lips of the sufferers.'They
died as martyrs died, and God gave them a reward great
beyond this world's conception,' was Father Mathew's frequent assertion, when referring to that disastrous period.
From an able and appreciative article on the career and
services of Father Mathew, which appeared in the'Dublin
University' of June 1849, and which derived its materials
principally from a sketch from the pen of the late Denis Owen
Madden, who had been known from his boyhood to the illustrious subject of his brief but brilliant memoir, I take the
concluding passage. The testimony is that of a Protestant
contributor to the accredited organ of the Protestant Church
of Ireland; and on that account it is the more valuable for
my purpose:But though the teetotal movement has received a heavy check by
the social consequences of the famine, a vast deal of good has been
effected. A popular opinion has been raised against drunkenness;
and the fact that tens of thousands of Irishmen were induced to
abandon spirituous liquors, is in itself a great moral fact in the history
of our country. No one can despair of extraordinary moral alterations in this country, who calmly reflects on the apparent hopelessness, some years since, of expectirfg a change in the national love of
strong drinks.




TESTIMONY OF A PROTESTANT ORGAN.            459
We honour Father Mathew as a man who has given us good
grounds for not despairing of the social regeneration of our people.
We respect him for his moral elevation of character, his freedom from
selfishness, and his contempt for all vulgar ambition. We see in
him a man who has done great public benefits to his own detriment.
His private resources he cheerfully expended in the cause of temperance, and has given up his time and care to the service of his countrymen. Such a man, who never abused his great influence for political
purposes, deserves to be honoured and regarded with affection as one
of the worthies of our island. Praise he has had in abundance.
Statesmen in both Houses of Parliament have acknowledged his
public services. Journals of opposite parties have testified to his disinterestedness. He has won at the same time the respect of the rich
and the affection of the poor. May his health be still spared by
Providence to enable him to pursue his virtuous career; and when,
at some distant day, he will be called to receive the reward due to
those who toil in their Maker's service, may his example allure many
to follow in ti t footsteps of Mathew the philanthropist!




460
CHAPTER XXXV.
Resolves to visit America-Leaves in the'Ashburton'-The Voy.
age out-Arrives in America-His Reception in New YorkHis Levees-The Daughters of Erin-New York his Headquarters.
THE      Apostle of Temperance now, in 1849, thought it
time to fulfil his long-standing engagement to visit
America, to which country his thoughts had of late constantly been directed.   The enterprise, so full of risk to one
who had been seriously affected by his attack in the Lent
of 1848, was undertaken quite in opposition to the wish and
remonstrance of his physician and friends. In his interesting
communication to the author, Dr. O'Connor refers to Father
Mathew's condition at this time:
Though a cloud had passed over his mind, and he was no longer
the animated brilliant advocate of temperance-though his gate was
every day more enfeebled, and intellectual labour became a struggle
-still he worked with more ardour than at any time previously, as
if he were the more anxious to utilise a life which he felt was now
drawing to a close. He was always most punctual in obeying the
instructions of his physicians, as far as referred to taking medicines,
or submitting to very painful operations, such as cupping, blisters,
and setons, which he had to endure. But if the physician attempted
to control him in the performance of what he considered to be the
duty of his life, he became powerless. A proof of this was soon
exhibited, when Father Mathew resolved to go to America to propagate the principle of temperance. His physicians, and those of his
friends and relatives who were thought to have most influence with
him, waited on him, and urged on him the madness of encountering
such labour in the then state of his health. But it was all in vain;
he persevered and accomplished his object.




VISIT TO AMERICA-VOYAGE OUT.         461
Having taken an affectionate leave of his family and friends,
whom he felt he might never meet again in this life, he left for
America in the summer of 1849. After a brief stay in Liverpool, as the guest of his devoted friends the Rathbones, he
embarked in the ship'Ashburton,' accompanied by his secretaries Mr. O'Meara and Mr. Mahony, and sailed on his memorable voyage to the shores of the New World.
The voyage was long and tedious, but otherwise favourable.
For the first few days, Father Mathew suffered from that
malady which is no respecter of persons, and which makes
victims alike of the occupant of the state cabin and the steerage. As soon as he gained his sea legs, he was to be found
in every part of the ship, but chiefly among the poor emigrants from Ireland, of whom there were some hundreds on
board.
There was not one' of the entire number with whom he
was not at once at home; for there was scarcely a parish
in Ireland with which he was not thoroughly familiar, and
with respect to which he had not something to say. It was
a comfort to those poor people, whom poverty and misery
had driven from their native land, to be spoken to of their
home, from which every hour was separating them by additional miles of ocean.
The fore part of the vessel was made the scene of his
mission while in the'Ashburton'-hearing confessions, administering the pledge, lecturing and giving good advice,
and occasionally replenishing a too scanty purse out of his
own not over-abundant means. The monotony of a voyage
without any incident, not even a storm, was very trying to
a man who longed for action, and who preferred bustle and
excitement to repose. To a family from Tipperary he was
indebted for a welcome present of'milky' eggs, which were
most acceptable, as the fresh provisions were every day falling rather short.  A fog of three days' duration did not
tend to render the voyage more agreeable. At length, after




462                 FATHER MATHEW.
a trip fully three times as long as is now made by a'Cunard,
the ship reached Staten Island; and before Father Mathew
well knew where he was, he found himself swinging over the
side in a chair, and placed in a boat belonging to Mr. J. P.
Nesmith, who laid hands on the Apostle of Temperance, and
bore him off to his mansion, in which everything had been
prepared for the reception of the illustrious visitor. It was
a kindly act; for it afforded him an opportunity of recruiting after the fatigues of the voyage, and gathering a little
strength for the labours consequent upon his public reception,
which was to take place the next day.
On Monday, the 2nd of July, 1849, the City of New York
bade Father Mathew welcome in the name of America. The
Municipal Council, accompanied by deputations from various
public bodies and societies, proceeded in the Sylph steamer
to Staten Island, to conduct him to the Castle Gardens,
where his arrival was awaited by one of the largest assemblages ever seen in that famous city. The Bay of New York
presented a noble picture to the eye of the stranger; its
bright waters, which were stirred by a smart breeze, being
crowded with the ships of almost every nation of the world,
whose flags streamed to the wind in honour of the illustrious
man who had come to the New World covered with the
renown which he had so well earned in the Old. All was
bustle and animation, activity and life, betokening the power and progress of a great country in the first flush of its
youthful energy. Strains of music floated in the air, and
cheers were heard from many a vessel, as the Sylph steamed
on her way to Staten Island.  On arriving at the island,
the municipal authorities were introduced to Father Mathew,
who was thus welcomed by Alderman Hawes in the name
and on the part of the Common Council of New York:REVEREND FATHER,-AS the chairman of the committee charged
with the arrangements for your reception, the pleasing duty devolves
upon me of bidding you welcome, and in the name of the Common




ARRIVES IN AMERICA-HIS RECEPTION.          463
Council of the city of New York, to tender to you its hospitalitiea
Though now for the first time you tread our shores, be assured, sir,
you are no stranger to us. Your well-earned fame-destined, we
trust, to be as enduring as that of the noblest and best of heroes and
statesmen-has long since preceded you; while your efforts for the
amelioration of the condition of your fellow-man, and the results
which have hitherto crowned those efforts with such signal success,
claim both the admiration and gratitude 6f our whole people. Not
only in the cottage of the peasant, but as well in the mansions of the
wealthy and refined, have your labours and influence been exerted,
and successfully blessed; and you now stand forth, modestly and
unpretendingly, we know, but not the less preeminently, among the
chief of the public benefactors and philanthropists of the age. There
lies before you in this, our highly favoured country, a wide and
extended field of usefuthess in the great cause of temperance, in which
you have been so long distinguished at home; and while we doubt
not the prayer of every sincere patriot and Christian will invoke the
blessings of Providence upon your labours-as Americans, holding
dear to us the welfare and happiness of our fellow-countrymen, we
rejoice in the prospect that here, as abroad, your labours may be alike
successful. Congratulating you, sir, on your safe arrival, I again bid
you welcome-a cordial, heartfelt welcome to America.
Father Mathew replied in a subdued tone; everything
which he saw and heard, the joyous sights and the glad sounds
that hailed his arrival, contrasted so strikingly with the
gloom and misery which he hac: left behind him in his own
country.  The man was not what he had been three years
before, just before the famine burst upon the affrighted land
Then he was full of energy and hope; now he was broken
down, his heart filled with sorrow and care.  There was no
time, however, on a day like this, to devote to melancholy
retrospect, for there was much work to be gone through
before New York was done that day with Father Mathew;
besides, a mournful countenance would have been treason to
such eager welcome.   There were addresses to be received
and replies to be delivered without number; for no sooner
had one body presented its address, than its place was occupied by a successor, and so on till the honoured object of




464                  FATHER MATHEW.
all this enthusiasm must have been bewildered in his efforts to
say something different in reply to each new form of welcome.
The Sylph steamed along the shores of the Bay, which
were crowded with dense masses of the population, nearly
the whole of whom   had turned out, in holiday attire, to
receive the Apostle of Temperance. The wild ringing cheer
of the Irish might be heard above all, as they occupied
every vantage ground that enabled them to catch a glimpse
of their beloved countryman, from whose hands many thousands among them had received the pledge in the old country,
and from whose hands likewise hundreds of them had received the bread of life in the famine time.
It was considered, by those who were present when Father
M.athew entered the Castle Gardens, that never, on any occasion, was the multitude of people greater, or the enthusiasm
more intense. New   York is, par excellence, the city of ovations; but it seemed as if it were resolved to outdo itself in
honour of the moral conqueror.    The formal welcome was
offered to him by his Honour Mayor Woodhull, who invited
him to accept the hospitalities of the city. The Mayor happily referred to the special claim which Father Mathew's
services to humanity gave him to a public reception on that
historic spot:On this spot we have been accustomed to receive the most distinguished men of our own and other lands. The statesman, bearing
the highest honours of his much loved country, and the victor, fresh
from the field of his proud triumphs, have here been greeted with the
salutations of the most elevated in authority, and with the general
welcome of the citizens of this metropolis. But you, sir, come among
us with a highly different and peculiar distinction. The honours
which you wear have been accorded to you by those who revere you
for your deeds of love and benevolence. Your titles are written on
the hearts of the uncounted masses whom your heroic perseverance
in the humble acts of mercy and good will have saved from a fate
even more dreadful than the grave. Your victories are not made up
of the dead and dying left behind in your path, but of living thousands, whom you have rescued from a fate more remorseless than the




HIS RECEPTION IN NEW YORK.              465
conqueror's march. Your trophies are seen in the smiling faces and
happy homes of the countless multitudes whom you havt won from
the deepest abyss of wretchedness and despair.  The enemy with
whom you have grappled is one of the direst to the human race.
Frightful are the ravages of plague, and vast the preparations to stay
its desolating curse; but the destroying angel of Intemperance has
entombed more victims than any pestilence which has ever afflicted
the human family. All seasons are its own, and no physician can
baffle its downward progress. Quarantines and sanitary precautions
cannot check its career. Yet there is one human power that can subdue the enemy of man. It is the moral power of a persuasive, earnest,
and benevolent heart, that summons all its affections, and with heroic
sublimity concentrates all its energies to the single work to be accomplished. It is this power which you have so successfully exercised,
and by which you have attained such astonishing results.
We shall not ask the reader to follow Father Mathew
through the pleasing toils of the remainder of that day, and
shall leave to the imagination of each to picture to the mind
the brilliancy and splendour of the procession which wound
its glittering way through the crowded thoroughfares of New
York.   Bringing him to the Irving House, we shall allow
the reporter of the'Herald' to describe the manner in
which the city had provided for the reception of its guest:As you enter the hall, a life-like painting of Father Mathew meets
your eye at the farther end, right over the bar; and in the lobby
window, immediately behind and a little above these, is a beautiful
white satin blind, with the inscription,'Glory be to God on high,
and on earth peace to men of good will;' then immediately underneath, the word'Temperance.' At the foot of this is an exquisitely
painted wreath of flowers, with Father Mathew's autograph, in large
hand, in the centre. The suit of rooms are on the second floor, and
consist of four-a reception parlour, a drawing-room, and a bed-roorn
all on the same range, and communicating with each other, and a
dining-room at the other side of the hall.
These rooms are all furnished with the newest and richest furniture, and in the most modern style of fashion. The tables, chairs,
and sofas, of the finest massive rosewood; the carpets, tapestry,
velvets, and everything else in keeping.  The bedstead is also of
rosewood, and has a magnificent lace canopy.




466                  FATHER MATHEW.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the Common Council
entertained Father Mathew at a public dinner, at which
healths were drunk in glasses of pure'Croton.''There is
as much sincerity,' said the temperance leader,'in water as
in wine; and I beg to give, in a full bumper of this pure
liquid, the health and prosperity of the Mayor and citizens
of New York.'
Gladly did the wearied object of all this enthusiasm avail
himself of the first moment to retire to his apartments, and
seek in rest new strength for the toils and labours of the morrow-though not in the grand bedstead of rosewood, and
beneath the'magnificent lace canopy,' but in the bed appropriated to Mr. O'Meara, which was in a back room, and
away from the noise of the street.
For the next fortnight, Father Mathew held levees in the
City Hall, which was daily thronged with visitors of every
class and condition, and representing every sect and party
in the States.  So great was the inconvenience from the
crowding on the two first days, that it became necessary to
have one day set apart for the reception of ladies, and the
next for the reception of gentlemen. And side by side with
the belles of New York, or the darker beauties of the Southern States, were the daughters of Erin, from the highest to
the humblest-the wives and daughters of the distinguished
soldier, the successful physician, the leading lawyer, or the
prosperous merchant-or the young girls who had won by
honest toil the grand clothes with which they proudly ruffled
it amongst the best of them. Father Mathew was delighted
and amused with the appearance and manners of these young
girls. The dress was grand in the extreme, the accent a
beautiful blending of Irish and American, and the language
replete with the salient peculiarities of both countries. Their
greeting of the priest of their Church, while it was affectionate and reverential, had strong dash of independence in its
tone; and they who, in their old home, might have been




THE DAUGHTERS OF ERIN.             461
but too humble, and even servile, now evinced in many ways
-in word, in air, in manner, and in carriage-the consciousness of being citizens of a country in which all stood on an
equality-at least, in the abstract.'From what part of the
old country are you, my dear?   would Father Mathew
enquire, as some unmistakably Irish face presented itself;
and when he was told the county and the parish whence
his visitor had come, he had something to tell her in return,
which brought the colour to her cheek, and the tear to her
eye, and perhaps a sob to her throat.  What visions of
bye-gone happiness or sorrow-alas! generally the latterwhich his gentle and familiar words conjured up to the
memory of those exiles, who looked back with tender regret,
even from their hardly-won prosperity and independence, to
the humble home and the lowly lot in the land of their
youtlh!
Father Mathew had to make visits and return visits, as
well as to receive them; and then, after sufficient time had
been devoted to sight-seeing, or sacrificed to courtesy, there
was his mission to prosecute. The month of July was one of
incessant labour and excitement; but the excitement, though
drawing largely upon the resources of a constitution grievously impaired, rendered him insensible to fatigue, and enabled him to go through his work without faltering for a
moment. Rising at an early hour in the morning, he said
mass in one church or other, and lectured and administered the pledge; and after breakfast, there were visits or
visitors, meetings and pledge-giving-and so on till a late
hour in the evening.
Thus, before he quitted New York for Boston, he had
administered the pledge to a vast number, principally Irish,
and had done much, both by exertion and by influence, to
add strength and vigour to the temperance organisatiou
of the great city by which he had been so nobly received.




FATHER MATHEW.                 468
After having remained the guest of the city for some
ten days or fortnight, he then retired to the hospitable
residence of Archbishop Hughes, whose letter of invitation
had been one of the chief inducements to his coming to
America. New York he frequently visited during the next
two years, and generally made it his head-quarters, from
which he travelled in various directions, according either
to the state of his health or the engagements he had to
fulfil.




469
CHAPTER XXXVI.
The Slavery Question-The Abolition Party-Necessity for Prudence
-Scylla and Charybdis-Correspondence with Judge LumpkinComing Events casting their Shadows before them.
N Boston, which city received him with every honour and
distinction, he was subjected to much annoyance, from
the unthinking zeal of a partisanship which would make no
allowance for the peculiarity of his position and the exclusive
character of his mission. It is necessary that his conduct
with respect to the question of slavery should be placed in
its true light, as being highly creditable to his judgement and
good sense. Had he acted in any other manner than as he
did, he would have been open to the gravest censure, and
justly amenable to the charge of having sacrificed a great
cause to a wanton intermeddling in a question full of compli
cated difficulties, and exciting passions which, though then
slumbering in the hearts of the American people, have since,
as the world but too well knows, burst forth in fierce and
desolating flame. Father Mathew did not visit America to
accomplish the emancipation of the negro, but to advocate
and promote the cause of temperance; and any attempt to
play the part of the abolitionist would have been in bad
taste and in worse judgement.
Scarcely had Father Mathew arrived in Boston, when he
received a letter of invitation to be present at a meeting
to celebrate'the anniversary of the most thrilling event of
the nineteenth century, the abolition of slavery in the West
Indies.'  In this letter of invitation he is reminded of the




470                 FATHER MATHEW.
fact that, in 1842, he had signed an address from the people
of Ireland to their countrymen in America, in which the
latter were called upon to treat the coloured people as their
equals, to hate slavery, and to cling to the abolitionists. He
is also asked'to improve every suitable opportunity, while
lie remained in the country, to bear a clear and unequivocal
testimony, both in public and private, against the enslavement of any portion of the human family,' and more to the
same effect. This letter was handed to him on the 26th of
July; and on the next day Mr. William Lloyd Garrison,
accompanied by Dr. Bowditcl and another gentleman, waited
on him, in order, says Mr. Garrison, in his account of the
interview,'to obtain an introduction to Father Mathew, and
to be sure that the letter of the Committee, inviting him
to participate in the celebration of that great and glorious
event, the entire abolition of British West India slavery,
failed not to be put into his hands.' These gentlemen were
determined, if possible, to make their own of so famous a'lion' for their approaching celebration. It was nothing
to them, or to those whom   they represented, if Father
Mathew, by complying with their request, annihilated his
influence on their platform, and thus rendered necessary his
speedy and ignominious retreat from the shores of America.
In 1849 the Northern States were divided on the question
of slavery, and the abolitionists were neither popular nor
influential in any one of those States; and the very name
of an abolitionist was odious in the South. Yet into a subject of the kind, which evoked such bitter hostility and such
fierce passions, the Apostle of Temperance was invited to
plunge headlong I Partisanship is indeed as exacting as it
is inconsiderate.
The letter of invitation is again thrust into his hand, and
he is told to read it at his leisure, and answer'as he may
think duty requires.' Taking the letter'with some agitation
and embarrassment of manner,' he answered in language




THE ABOLITION PARmY.             471
which ought to have satisfied any fair man, but which disgusted the disappointed abolitionists.'I have as much as I can do,' said he,'to save men from
the slavery of intemperance, without attempting to overthrow
any other kind of slavery. Besides, it would not be proper
for me to commit myself on a question like this, under present
circumstances  I am a Catholic priest; but, being here to
promote the cause of Temperance, I should not be justified in
turning aside from my mission, for the purpose of subserving
the cause of Catholicism'
What other answer could Father Mathew have given?
Or, what other answer would have been worthy of the man
who, of all others in the world, was the one most responsible
for the success of a cause which recognised no difference,
whether social, political, or religious? Of course, in that
interview, Mr. Garrison delivered a very eloquent discourse,
and taunted Father Mathew in a manner quite satisfactory
to the feelings of the speaker; but what gave him, as he
said,'special surprise, and inflicted the deepest wound'upon
his spirit,' was Father Mathew's apparent lack of all sympathy for the slave, of all interest in the Anti-Slavery movement.
Father Mathew had been invited to the South-was, in
fact, to visit it in the course of a couple of months, with one
object, and one object alone; and yet he was expected to
commit himself to the expression of sympathies, opinions, and
a policy which would have either rendered his visit wholly
impossible, or, should he have the hardihood to persevere in
his intention, would have closed every door in the South
against him, and irretrievably damaged the cause which it
vas his first duty to promote and protect from injury.
In bitterness of heart, Mr. Garrison concludes his account
)f the memorable interview-' Not a syllable fell from his
lips, expressive of pleasure that the American slave has his
faithful and devoted advocates-or of joy at the emlancipation




472                   FATHER MATHEW.
of eight hundred thousand bondsmen in the British Isles. I'
is with great sorrow of heart that I lay these facts before
America, Ireland, and the world.'
Father Mathew had, like every Christian man, rejoiced
in the emancipation of the bondsmen to whose freedom Mr.
Garrison accused him of being insensible; but he thought
of the thousands of his own race and country, who, in the
cities of the South, were the victims of a still more deadly
slavery; and, with a prudence and reticence that did him
honour, he resolved that no word should drop from his mouth
which could prevent him from coming to their rescue, and
effecting their freedom.
From among several letters which Father Mathew received
from home, expressing a just approval of the course which he
had taken, in not allowing himself to be ensnared into the
meshes of the abolitionists, one may be quoted, inasmuch as
it was written by an enthusiastic friend of the slave, and one
of the most zealous supporters of the abolition cause. Miss
Jennihgs of Cork, whose name, because of whose services to
the Anti-Slavery Society, was well known in Boston, thus
wrote to Father Mathew:MY DEAR MR. MATHEW,-Although I feel that I would gladly
lay down my life, were it needed, in the Anti-Slavery cause, yet I
also feel that you would injure the temperance cause were you to
devote any of your time to the Anti-Slavery question. One great
philanthropic object you have devoted your mind to try and accomplish; and, if you succeed in destroying intemperance in the Slave
States, you lay the axe at the root of slavery.... By devoting your
whole mind to temperance, you will do far more good than if you
allowed yourself to be distracted by any other great philanthropic
movement. Slavery, it has been truly said, demoralises the slave,
and demoralises the master. I know you abhor slavery in your
heart, and I trust that its hideousness will not purposely be concealed from you, as it is too often done.*
* Even in the year 1862, an enlightened and kind-hearted gentleman, Mr. James
Haughton of Dublin. spoke of Father Mather in the following words, which he
afterwards published in the form of a tract, tor general circulation. In a papt




NECESSITY    FOR PRUDENCE.                    473
Mr. Garrison published        his account of this famous inter
view   on  the   10th   of August, and       with  it the letter presented to Father Mathew, as well as the address of 1842,
from the Irish people to their countrymen in America,
This publication was the source of new troubles to the man
who honestly endeavoured to maintain a position of complete
neutrality.
The Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, in their Annual
Report of 1350, are obliged to admit that the American
press almost universally justified Father Mathew, and condemned the conduct of the abolitionists,'as uncalled for and
impertinent.'    The abolitionists, however, consoled themselves
with the assertion, that in the British        Islands there was but
one opinion entertained of Father Mathew's conduct-that
of'unqualified condemnation.' An assertion, we verily believe, which owes much to the imagination of the compilers
of the Report in which it is made.
This was the Scylla. There was also a Charybdis.
Father Mathew had received an invitation to visit Georgia
through    Governor, or Judge,        Lumpkin, President of the
Temperance Society of that State; which invitation he had
gratefully accepted. But no sooner had the account of the
interview in Boston and the Irish address been published,
entitled'Ireland and Father Mathew,' read for the International Temperance and
Prohibition Convention, held in Hanover Square Rooms in September 1862, Mr.
Haughton thus refers to one of the'few dark passages in Fatbli  Mathew's life,
which,' as the writer remarks,'serve to show us that even the best men have
serious imperfections of character:'-' When he proposed accepting the invitation to America, I entreated him not to
go, for I knew the danger; and he fell beneath the wiles of the slaveholder. He
failed to maintain in the South the noble principles of freedom for the coloured race
which he had always advocated at home. Like the great Kossuth, he, too, was
unable to withstand the blandishments of American men stealers, and both sunk,
not a little, in the estimation of the world for this false step. Such is the righteous
judgement which follows glaring deviations from the path of rectitude-Father
Mathew never recovered his health and spirits after his return from America.'
Father Mathew's health was broken before he left Ireland-sacrificed to his superhuman exertions in the famine years. His health was further injured by the
excitement which he underwent in New York; and the reader will see how his
marvellous labours during his stay in America utterly ruined an already shattered
constitution.




474                   FATHER MATHEW.
than indignation was excited in the minds of the pro-Slavery
party, who, overlooking the admirable prudence displayed by
Father Mathew on the 27th of July, 1849, condemned him
for having signed the address of 1842. Writing from Athens,
on the 4th of September, Governor Lumpkin says:REV. AND DEAR SIR,-Your favourable response to the invitation
of the Temperance Convention of Georgia to visit our State, caused a
throb of joy to fill every heart. All looked forward with delightful
anticipation to the time when we should take you by the hand, and
welcome in our midst the friend of humanity and deliverer of his
countrymen from the most galling servitude that ever cursed our race.
In the full fruition of these happy hopes, the following document has
found its way into our newspapers, purporting to be a circular addressed by the late Mr. O'Connell and yourself, together with 70,000
other inhabitants of Ireland, calling upon' Irishmen and Irishwomen'
in this country, by all the memories of their native land, to cling to
the abolitionists in America, and to unite with them to put an end
to slavery here, by all peaceable means in their power. Duty to you,
sir, duty to ourselves, and to the common enterprise in which we are
embarked, constrains me to bring this publication to your notice, and
to enquire respectfully whether or not it be genuine; and if so, to ask
whether you still cherish the same sentiments which are there embodied? And to say to you, in all candour, that on your answer to
these interrogatories will depend your capacity for usefulness in the
South. Justice to our families, our firesides, everything dear to us,
forbid that we should call any man'brother' who unites with our
enemies in waging an unprovoked and most relentless warfare upou
our hearths and homes, our peace and prosperity.
I will only add, in conclusion, that the pain which I feel in making
this communication is greatly aggravated by the consciousness that
it is calculated to inflict a wound on a generous heart, which I would
most gladly shield at any sacrifice, save that of the interests involved
in this matter.
Believe me to be, most respectfully yours,
THOS. HENRY LUMPKIN.
Never was man placed in a more awkward position than
was Father Mathew between these two angry parties. If
he proclaimed, what in his heart he felt, hatred of Slavery,
not only was the South barred against him, but his influence




SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS.               475
in the North was gone; for the abolitionists did not thenwhatever they may have since claimed to do-represent the
public sentiment of that portion of the great confederacy.
It he retracted the opinion pronounced in the document of
1842, and to which he had committed himself by his signature, he would have damaged his reputation for consistency
and sacrificed his self-respect, and also have raised a storm
about his ears which would have compelled his retirement
from the new and important field of his mission. By a letter
marked'private,' he endeavoured to appease Governor Lumpkin without compromising his honour; but the Governor was
not to be appeased. In a letter of his, dated the 12th of
October, there is this passage:Under these circumstances, with a clear comprehension, I trust, of
the responsibility thus incurred, and with the most profound regret
as to the miscarriage of our hopes, I herewith, so long as I have ta\e
power, at least, and with the hearty concurrence and approval oj
the Executive Committee of the Convention, withdraw the invitation so cordially and sincerely offered. Viewing our cause as we
do, as the chief hope of man, we must not permit it to be wounded
in the house of its friends. We will welcome no one, knowingly,
among us, who fraternises himself, or encourages others to do so,
with a faction which would recklessly shiver the Union into fragments; which would reek its unhallowed hands red as crimson in
human blood; which, in a word, seems to combine in one mass all
the worst elements of thought, action, and feeling, peculiar to our
troublous times.
The very language adopted by Governor Lumpkin, and
which no doubt met with the sympathy and approval of
the powerful party and vast interest which he represented,
only the more clearly demonstrated the danger of the slightest intermeddling in a question so charged with explosive
materials.
Father Mathew, in a letter dated Richmond, the 22nd of
December 1849, assures Governor Lumpkin, that had he
known the high position of that gentleman better, he would




4 6                  FATHER MATHEW.
not have marked his former letter'private,' but would have
left it to his own prudence to have acted as seemed best
to the cause which was equally dear to both. He then
continues:The second letter which you kindly forwarded I have never seen,
as on its reaching Boston I was confined, at New York, by a severe
illness, and my physician, Dr. Frazer, and my secretary, deemed it
advisable not to speak to me on such an exciting subject.
I find, with regret, that my single-mindedness in the advocacy of
the, to me, all-absorbing cause of temperance is not, in this great
country, well understood. In my own beloved country, though groaning under the weight of the heaviest burden of misery that ever a nation
bore, I endured every species of calumny, rather than risk the infliction of the slightest injury to the temperance cause, by advocating
the Repeal of the Union between England and Ireland. In referring
your Honour to the conversation I held with Mr. Garrison, in the
Adam's House, Boston, I vainly thought my solemn declaration of
beingfirmly resolved not to interfere in any, the slightest degree,
with the institutions of this mighty republic, would have been amply
sufficient to calm the anxieties of even the most sensitive American.
I now, dear and honoured judge, renew this declaration; and I most
respectfully urge that no man who himself enjoys freedom in this
emphatically free country, can require more from one who has merely
come amongst you to advocate the high and holy cause of temperance,
bearing in his hand the pure and spotless whte banner, with the
divine motto inscribed,'Glory to God on high, peace on earth to
men of good will.'
And this letter, which an unbiassed person would pronounce to be creditable to the wisdom and good feeling
of the writer, was characterised in the Report of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, as a humiliating production,
than which'the force of servility could no further go.' Such
is the blinding influence of fanaticism in any cause, however
good it may be.
We shall see, a little farther on, in what manner the
Senate received the proposal to grant him free admission
to the floor of the House, and how there were then-at the
close of 1849-felt the premonitory tremblings of those




COMING EVENTS CASTING THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.  471
passions which exploded in the early part of 1861, and
are now convulsing the States in the throes of the deadliest
struggle recorded in history.  The graver the question
at issue, the more commendable was Father Mathew's
prudence in holding himself entirely aloof from both
parties.




418
CHAPTER XXXVII.
His Secretary's Diary-Ill in New York-His indefatigable Labours
-Arrives in Washington —Debate in the Senate —Entertained
by the President.
HAVE in my possession a diary which was kept by
Father Mathew's secretary, Mr. O'Meara, during their
stay in America.  It was written simply for his own satisfaction and guidance, partly as a chronicle of his daily impressions, and partly as a reference for facts-what had been
done in such a place, or on such a day. But though, when
writing this diary, Mr. O'Meara did not imagine that any eye
but his own would have ever scanned its pages, it was freely
placed at my disposal as soon as I had resolved on undertaking
the biography of the great man whom he so truly loved, and
so faithfully served.
I have read this diary through with the greatest care and
attention; and the more I read, the more profound was my
admiration of the man whose daily doings it recorded. There
is scarcely a page which does not reflect his true characterhis charity, his goodness, his humility, his compassionate nature, his love of the human family, his holiness of life and
purity of thought. But these are not what excite astonishment, for they are belonging to his whole life; what most
surprise us are his amazing energy, his endurance of fatigue,
and his unconquerable courage and perseverance. Seriously
afflicted with paralysis in Ireland, we see him confined to bed
in New York, in the month of November, with a painful illness; and yet, in a few days after, we behold him again at




HIS SECRETARY'S DIARY.               479
work. A few extracts from the diary will exhibit this more
clearly than any mere statement of the fact can do:
Sunday, JVovember 18th.-Father Mathew improved in health today, though still confined to bed. This evening he bled rather profusely.
Monday, 19th.-Improving, but not able to be up. Though in
bed, received several visitors.
Tuesday, 20th.-Father Mathew better. After breakfast, sat up,
but felt weak. The motion in his limbs still perceptible. At 12
o'clock he had an interesting interview with the Hon. Henry Clay.
Wednesday, 21st.-After breakfast, he dressed and remained up
the entire day. Received several visitors, but did not go down stairs.
Thursday, 22nd.-Considerably better.  Breakfast down stairs.
Several came to take the pledge. The doctor, at one o'clock, took
Father Mathew out driving...... He gave the Rev. Mr.
ten dollars, and promised to write to his Bishop to take him back.
Friday, 23rd.-Still improving. Got up before breakfast..
Paid visits. Several took the pltAge to-day.
Saturday, 24th.-Father Mathew had rather a troublesome night,
the side painful. Gave young.- 1.
Sunday, 25th.-Father Mathew said mass at the S.S. of Mercy,
Houston Street. Returned to the Irving at 11 o'clock, but still not
free from pain. Dined in the Hall-his first appearance in public...
Monday, 26th.-Father Mathew had a troublesome night with his
side. Better this morning. Hon. Mr. Fillmore, Vice-President of
the United States, called to pay his respects. Also General Cass.
Several to take the pledge. Gave to -   twenty dollars, and to
five dollars. The doctor and -    took the pledge.
Tuesday, 27th.-Father Mathew much better....... In the
evening was waited on by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, who
came to bid him adieu.
Wednesday, 28th.-Left per rail and steamer this morning for
Philadelphia. Arrived privately, and proceeded to the residence of
the Bishop, Dr. Kendrick.
We shall now see how this feeble man, who had just risen
from a bed of sickness, was employed on Sunday the 2nd of
December:Father Mathew said mass at half-past six o'clock this morning, in
the Bishop's private chapel, which was crowded. Immediately after,
gave the oledge; and when he had breakfasted, proceeded with the




480                 FATHER MATHEW.
Rev. Mr. Gartland to Gloucester, five miles across the river, to attend
the dedication of a new church, to which the Rev. Mr. O'Donoghue,
of Waterford, is appointed pastor. Father Mathew preached the
dedication sermon, delivered in his usual good style, notwithstanding
his illness. After the ceremonies, he administered the pledge. The
weather became very severe and extremely cold, and snow fell
heavily throughout the entire day. After dinner, returned to the
Bishop's, and remained administering the pledge until eight o'clock.
Several came.
On Wednesday the 5th, he said early mass, and having
lectured on temperance, administered the pledge. Then after having paid and received visits, he commenced again
to administer the pledge, and'did not close until nine
o'clock p. M. Six hundred disciples were the result of his
day's work.
On Thursday the 13th, he is still suffering from his side;
nevertheless, he is up at six o'clock on the following Sunday,
on which day he lectures twice, preaches to a large congregation, and administers the pledge to about 800 persons,
including many distinguished people of different religious persuasions. He is thus engaged'the entire day.' The same
description might be given of each day during his visit tc
Philadelphia. And such, indeed, was the manner in which
he prosecuted his mission in every city in which he stopped
during his prolonged tour in America.
On the 18th, he left for Washington, but not before he had
received, during that morning, a considerable number of converts to temperance.
As soon as his arrival was made known in the Capital, a
resolution was unanimously carried in Congress, admitting
him to a seat on the floor of the House-the very highest
distinction which could be conferred upon the subject of
another country, by the representatives of that great Republic. When Father Mathew availed himself of this flattering permission, the members rose to receive him. Had he
been a crowned monarch, the respect thus paid to him by




THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.             481
that free assembly could not have been more impressively
exhibited.
The same proposition was made in the Senate, and gave
rise to a most animated discussion, which conclusively proved
how wise was the reserve which he maintained in his interview with Mr. Garrison. The opposition to which the proposal gave rise was of great value, as it enabled Fatler
Mathew's friends to place his mission, his objects, and his
motives, in their true light before the American people,
thereby rescuing him from the misrepresentations of those
who desired to damage by traducing him.
The resolution, which was proposed by Mr. Walker, Senator for Wisconsin, was as follows: —'Resolved —that the Rev.
Tlheobald Mathew be allowed a seat within the bar of the
United States Senate during the period of his sojourn in
Washington.'
Mr. Clements, who moved a negative to the resolution,
thus justified his opposition:The reason which prompted me to make the objection was, that
I had been informed that the individual named in the resolution had
been charged with denouncing a portion of this confederacy with the
maintenance of an institution which he was pleased to characterise
as a sin and a crime; and when respectfully invited by the Governor
of Georgia to express his views in relation to the institution of slavery,
he refused to answer. Under these circumstances I do not think I
could conscientiously suffer such a resolution to pass. I do not myself
regard sla-very as a sin, and I do not believe that I could be induced
so to regard it by any representation on the part of any person; but
if it be so, at all events it is an institution not to be interfered in by
foreigners. I shall object now to the adoption of the resolution as I
did yesterday, because there is in reality no necessity for its adoption,
and, as it appears to me, there would be no propriety in adopting it.
Mr. Clay expressed his regret that any opposition should
have been offered to such a proposal, which was simply
intended as a compliment and mark of respect to a distinguished individual; and thus continued:



482                   FATHER MATHEW.
I think it ought to be received as a just homage to a distinguished
foreigner, for his humanity, his benevolence, his philanthrophy, and
his virtue, and as properly due to one who has devoted himself to the
good of his whole species. It is but a merited tribute of respect to a
man who has achieved a great social revolution-a revolution in which
no blood has been shed; a revolution'which has involved no desolation, which has caused no bitter tears of widows and orphans to
flow; a revolution which has been achieved without violence, and a
greater one, perhaps, than has ever been accomplished by any benefactor of mankind. Sir, it is a compliment that is due from the Senate,
small as it may be, to the gentleman indicated in the resolution, as an
illustrious Irish patriot; and I put it in all seriousness, and in a spirit
of perfect kindness, to the honourable Senator from Alabama, whether
placing this subject of slavery in connection with the proposition that
has been offered is not imprudent and unwise, in respect to the very
subject which he has so much at heart?
Mr. Seward concluded an eloquent eulogium upon the
object of the intended complintent in these words:I must be allowed to say, with all respect, that I hope the American
Senate will give evidence, by the unanimity with which we pass this
resolution, of the sentiment which is almost unanimous amongst us,
that if slavery be an error, or if it be a crime, or if it be a sin, we
deplore its existence amongst us, and deny the responsibility of its
introduction here; and that, therefore, we should not withhold this
token of respect from virtue, merely because it happens to be found
residing in the mind of a person who has expressed an opinion unfavourable to the existence of slavery, but who is celebrated for his
devotion to virtue and the rights of man.'The question,' said Mr. Davis of Mississippi,'resolves
itself into this:Whether the Senate, having upon its floor those who represent a
slaveholding constituency, shall vote an extraordinary compliment to
one known as the ally of O'Connell, and in whose expressed opinions
he openly coincided? Why, if he came here as a guest to share our
hospitality, and not to disturb the peace of our country, did he not
say that our domestic affairs are our own, and that he did not come
here to disapprove of any portion of them; that he came here to
express no opinions in relation to slavery? He comes covertly, a
wolf in sheep's clothing; and I hold the Senator from New York to
be the very best authority upon that subject.'




THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.              483
Mr. Walker, the mover of the resolution, vindicates its
proposal:So far as we have had intimation of the character of the mission of
Father Mathew, it is one of peace and good will to all mankind, and
not of aggression upon any class of the community. Regarding him
in this light, as a man who has not only accomplished a great amount
of good, but who is now engaged in the good work of endeavouring to
reform and improve the social condition of society, I have thought it
appropriate that this mark of respect should be tendered to him, without regard to what his individual opinions may be upon other subjects.
Mr. Hale voted for the resolution,'as a tribute to the
virtues, the philanthropy, and the meritorious exertions of
Father Mathew,' although he disapproved of the course
which he had taken on the slavery question.
Mr. Badger objects to the proposal, as not only being
without precedent, but establishing a dangerous and embarrassing precedent for the future:In the first place, it is without precedent, so far as I know, and so
far as I have been able to ascertain from gentlemen around me, who
have had opportunities of being better informed than I am. I say it
is without precedent, because it is impossible to conceive that the
case of Gen. Lafayette can be supposed to furnish a precedent for this
resolution. He stood upon such grounds of preeminence as to render
it a case altogether distinct from any that can now occur, where an
individnal, who is not a citizen of the United States,'is to reeeive a
particular mark of respect.
Mr. Cass deprecated the introduction of the slavery question, respecting which the public mind was already'in a high
state of excitement,' and thus placed the proposition on its
right ground:This is but a complimentary notice to a distinguished stranger just
arrived among us. And well does he merit it. He is a stranger to
us personally, but he has won a world-wide renown. He comes
among us upon a mission of benevolence, not unlike Howard, whose
name and deeds rank high in the annals of philanthropy, and who
sought to carry hope and comfort into the darkest cells, and to
alleviate the moral and physical condition of their unhappy tenant.
He comes to break the bonds of the captive, and to set the prisoner




a84                   FATHER MATHEW.
free-to redeem the lost, to confirm the wavering, and to aid in saving
all from the temptation and danger of intemperance. It is a noble
mission, and well is he fulfilling it. I need not stop to recount the
evils which the great enemy he is contending with has inflicted upon
the world-evils which are the source of a large portion of the vice
and misery that human nature has to encounter. But the inundation
is stayed. Higher motives, nobler aspirations, the influence of religion, and the hopes of life are coming to the rescue, and are doing
their part in this great work of reformation. You grant a seat here
to the successful warrior returning from the conquests of war. Let
us not refuse it to a better warrior-to one who comes from the conquests of peace, from victories achieved without the loss of blood
or life, and whose trophies are equally dear to the patriot and the
Christian.
Mr. Foote spoke in favour of the resolution; and the passage which is quoted is not only an evidence of the bitter
feeling existing between the two parties, but is a further
proof of the wisdom of Father Mathew's conduct in maintaining the strictest neutrality in a cause of so much anger
and animosity. Mr. Foote said:I regret to learn that, when addressed by citizens of Alabama and
Georgia as to his views upon the question of slavery, he either declined
responding, or responded by letters withheld from publication at his
own request. I think that in this transaction he committed a great
mistake, and one which will greatly impair his efficiency as a champion
of temperance. But, until I receive conclusive evidence to the contrary, I must believe that he still adheres to the resolution which he
assumed and made public shortly after his arrival in this country, not
to connect himself at all with any of the domestic controversies in
progress on this side of the Atlantic. I well recollect the scene which
occurred somewhere in the State of Massachusetts between certain
fierce abolition agitators and Father Mathew, in which these wicked
incendiaries made a most indecent and ungentlemanly attempt to
inveigle this venerable personage in their nefarious schemes, and to
wield the influence of his name and character against the institutions
of the South; and I have not forgotten the dignified and severe rebuke
which he administered to these infatuated factionists, nor the scurrilous denunciations which they showered down upon him so plenteously
afterwards.  These facts are too recent not to be recollected by all
of us. Did I regard Father Mathew as deserving any part of the




THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.               485
commendation bestowed upon him, in connection with the cause of
abolition, by the honourable Senator from New York, instead of
recognising him as a noble philanthropist, I should feel compelled to
class him with thieves, and robbers, and murderers, and midnight
incendiaries. Did I suppose that the honourable Senator from New
York had been duly authorised to give expression to the sentiments
of Father Mathew upon the question of slavery, I should regard it as
insulting to this body to have his name even uttered in our hearing.
I might suppose, until proof to the contrary shall be adduced, that
the honourable Senator from New York, whether designedly or not
I will not undertake to decide, has done serious injustice to a worthy
and unoffending personage, and that in his fiery eagerness to advance
a favourite but infamous cause, he has attempted to drag to his aid
the influence and popularity of a great and potential name, in a
manner that cannot fail to prove displeasing to all the disinterested
friends of the temperance reform, to be found upon the habitable
globe.
Mr. Downs, while vindicating the principles which he held,
and which he represented, did ample justice to the wisdom and
good taste manifested in Father Mathew's conduct.   The following extract is the last which it is necessary to give of a
debate which had a material influence in rendering successful
in all portions of the States which he visited, the mission of
the Apostle of Temperance.   Thus spoke Mr. Downs:It is said that long ago, before he came to America, he expressed
opinions opposed to slavery. Well, suppose he did, is it reasonable
or proper in us of the South to require of him to retract these opinions? He comes among us, not as a propagandist either of religious or
political doctrines, but on a benevolent mission of humanity, to make
mankind better and happier, like the Saviour of the world who
preceded him-on a mission scarcely less divine.  He has, when
approached, refused to commit himself, or in any manner to interfere
in public affairs or opinions on that subject in our country. Is not
this a course which all must approve of? Could he, with propriety,
or without defeating the success of his mission, have pursued a
different course? For myself, I confess, coming to the United States
for the benevolent purpose he did-an object to be accomplished in
no particular section, or by no particular party or sect, but throughout our broad land, from north to south and from east to west, and
by the cooperation of the well-disposed of all-if he had taken any




486                  FATHER MATHEW.
part in political discussions, or obtruded his opinions on all occasions
I should noit have approved of his course, even if it had been in
favour of our side of the question, but should have considered him
wanting in that wisdom and discretion necessary for the success of
his mission. Besides, sir, we of the South believe ourselves to be
right in our opinions on the subject of slavery; that our course will
bear the test of scrutiny and examination; that people abroad entertain erroneous opinions of our institutions, which would be removed
by visiting our country and ascertaining the true state of the case.
Would it not then be inexpedient and unwise to ask Father Mathew,
before he has visited our section of the country, and had an opportuinity of judging for himself, to change opinions previously formed?
Would the world say this was the conduct of a people confident of
the justice of their cause? or would it not rather say there is something to conceal, or there would not be such precaution? For myself,
I do not believe that he has evinced any disposition to interfere in
our institutions; on the contrary, it seems to be admitted on all
sides, that when approached by the abolitionists on the subject, he
refused to concur with them in their views, or give them any encouragement. But, even if he was so disposed, I have too much confidence
in the justice of our cause and the strength of our institutions, to
suppose he could do us any harm. Mr. President, I shall vote for this
resolution upon another ground. This distinguished gentleman is
upon a mission which I consider of vast importance to the people
of the United States and to all the world. I believe his efforts are
to be of immense advantage, and I concur in the object of them, and
I wish them success, and am disposed to advance them in every possibly way.
The original resolution was carried by a majority of 33 to
18; and ar honour which had been only previously conferred
by the representatives of the American people on Lafayette,
who had brought his name and his sword to the cause of their
freedom, was now accorded to the humble Irish friar, who had
won a name even more glorious by his services in the cause
of suffering humanity.
On Thursday, th'e 20th of December —the day after the
discussion in the Senate-Father Mathew was entertained
by the President of the United States at a grand dinner,
to which fifty guests, including the foremost men in the




THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.           48'
country, had been specially invited.  The President pre.
sented each member of the distinguished company to Father
Mathew, who dated the commencement of many valuable
friendships from that occasion.  The dinner was served in
sumptuous style; but though the choicest wines of Europe
sparkled on the board, scarcely any wine was used by the
company, and none by the host, out of respect to the guest
of the evening.




488
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
How he employed his Sunday in Richmond-A Sunday in Savannah-As Generous as ever-His Success at New Orleans-He
believes the Irish Exodus Providential-His Appeals to the Irish
-Arrives at Little Rock-A Mission in the Woods.
A N extract from the diary will exhibit the manner in which
he was employed in Richmond on Sunday the 23rd of
December, while he was yet suffering from  the effects of his
recent attack:Said mass at seven, and gave an exhortation particularly addressed
to the Irish. Administered the pledge. At eleven o'clock the church
crowded-the majority Dissenters. Father Mathew preached again
in his best style, after reading from the Gospel,'Prepare ye the way
of the Lord, make straight His paths.' The congregation delighted.
Immediately after mass, again spoke with very great ability on temperance. He astonished myself. Administered the pledge to about
two hundred. Had some friends to dine with us. Again at vespers
attended, and spoke briefly to a crowded audience. It is astonishing
how he is able to labour so much. The Dissenters delighted with
his discourses, which were very good. The evening becoming cold,
and snow falling, retired to the house at five o'clock.
On Sunday the 30th, he is at Wilmington.        Says the
diary:- 
This will be a memorable day in Wilmington. Father Mathew, as
usual, celebrated the holy sacrifice at half-past seven o'clock, lectured
and administered the pledge; and at eleven o'clock preached-his text,'The Lord in His holy temple.' The sermon universally applauded
by all present. The little church was never filled so much before.
Three-fourths were Dissenters, and many known to possess strong
prejudices. All most orderly and respectfil. Immediately after
the sermon, spoke on temperance with much ability and force. His
arguments, as usual. most conclusive, replete with scriptural quotations. The majority of the Catholic community, and several others,




SUNDAY IN SAVANNAH.                489
most respectable people, took the pledge. The Rev. Thomas Murphy
and the boys on the altar were the first. The impression made by
Father Mathew's sermon and discourses has had a most beneficial
effect, especially with those of different opinions and strong prejudices.
D)uring the day, we are told,'he had some Americans,
whose accession was much applauded, and who acknowledged
they would not take a pledge from any other individual.''It
is extraordinary,' continues the diary,'the effect produced by
Father Mathew's influence.'
On the 5th of January, while in Charleston, he is complaining of his leg; and yet on the next day, Sunday, he
undergoes an amount of fatigue which would try a robust
constitution.  Two sermons and two discourses on temper
ance were rather many for a man in his condition.
Farther on, we have blisters, and plaisters, and other
applications; and the next day we find him commencing his
work in the morning, and'continually occupied until eight
o'clock p. M.'
Here is the account of a Sunday in Savannah:Sunday, 27th Jan., 1850.-Father Mathew had a large congregation
at eight o'clock. Exhorted in the usual style; text from the Book of
Exodus. Congregation chiefly Irish. Some took the pledge. At halft
past ten o'clock, again preached at High Mass; text.' I was dumb.'
After High Mass again exhorted, and administered the pledge to a
large number, some hundreds, including the principal Catholics, and
many Americans. The church was not capable of containing a single
individual more than were in it. Numbers remained outside. Father
Mathew's voice was strong, notwithstanding the day was extremely
hot. Dr. Prendergast had us all to dine with him, and some strangers.
At half-past three o'clock Father Mathew resumed. After vespers introduced various temperance arguments, not exactly in the same words,
but to the same purpose. The anxiety to take the pledge increased.
Father Mathew announced 700 before vespers, and 300 more joined
during the evening, making 1,000 for the day. Remained engaged
until eight o'clock, when we returned to supper, all friends waiting
for us. Spent a pleasant evening.
Considering that the same kind of work was continuously
carried on, without the cessation of a single day, unless when




490                  FATHER MATHEW.
travelling by rail or steamer, it is not surprising to hear that'Father Mathew was very tired,' or that'he had not recov'
ered from his fatigue,' or that'his leg was again troubling
him,' or that'his side was giving him annoyance,' or that he
had'passed a troublesome night.' But nothing short of a
complete break-down could stop him, so long as there was
work for him to do; and so long as there was a drunkard
to be reclaimed, a profligate to be received back into the
fold, or an emigrant from  Ireland to be preserved from
danger, there was work for Father Mathew. Thus, for instance, after having attended a levee of the citizens in the
Concert Hall in the City of Columbus, he'went to the prison
to give the pledge to its inmates.'
His hand, too, was for ever in his pocket.'Give, give,
give!' was his motto in America as in the old country; and
though he met little squalor or mendicancy during his sojourn
in the States, scarcely a day passed that some one did not
appeal to his compassion or excite his sympathy. To children and coloured people he gave medals without charge, and
silver medals were presented in great number to those who
served or who patronised the cause. Thus, what with money
left ii. the hands of the clergyman for some useful charity, or
sums given to applicants, or voluntarily offered, and the cost
of travelling and lodging, and other causes of expense which
it would be impossible to particularise, Father Mathew often
found it hard to pay his way, although he was frequently
made free of boat and rail, and often accepted hospitality
eagerly pressed upon his acceptance.  An extract or two
will illustrate the liberality which was his daily habit, and at
the same time exhibit with what zeal he prosecuted his
mission, in spite of his infirmity of body:Wednesday, 27th February, 1850.-Distributed upwards of 100
cards and medals gratis.
Thursday, 28th.-Distributed nearly 300 cards and medals gratis,
the majority to children and coloured people.




AS GENEROUS AS EVER.                 491
Monday, 11 th.March.-He gave to the S. S. for the female orphans
twenty dollars, and twenty dollars to the Brothers for the male
orphans.... Preaches well, but not so energetically as formerly;
was complaining of his limbs being infirm, and felt nervous. He feels
the effects of his exertions always more the day after. Went to Dr.
M'Nally, who applied an issue in his neck, which he says will be of
great service. The operation was very painful to him.
Wednesday, 13th AMarch.-Yesterday witnessed the festival at
which, by his contribution, Father Mathew entertained the orphans.
Poor creatures, they were quite happy, and so was Father Mathew —
it was so like former acts of his in the old country... Gave a poor
woman two dollars.
This was how he spent Patrick's Day in Mobile:Father Mathew said mass at half-past seven o'clock. Many of
those who took the pledge were communicants. The morning very
warm, as hot as our summer days. At half-past ten, went to the
High Mass, at which Father Mathew preached in good style; text-'Why have the nations raged,' &c. When the ceremonies were over,
several presented themselves for the pledge. Dined in company with
the Bishop at Mrs. Brown's, a respectable and good Catholic lady.
Returned to vespers, and at the close had about forty more to join.
Father Mathew, though he did not pretend it, felt much excited and
nervous from his exertions. He is not so strong as he was some time
since. At seven o'clock adjourned to St. Vincent's church, with the
Rev. Mr. Hackett, who preached the eulogy of St. Patrick. A good
many took the pledge.
During his stay in Mobile he addressed the following to
his fiiend Mrs. Rathbone:Mobile. Alabama: March 8, 1850.
MY DEAR MRS. RATHBOXE,-Since my departure from your hospitable
mansion, I have, as you are aware from the papers, endured much toil
and anxiety; and though the mild climate in which I now sojourn is
very beneficial to me, yet I find myself weak, and my limbs are become infirm.
You will be glad to hear that the storm attempted to be raised
against me in the South has subsided. The inhabitants I find, in
general, as you represented, courteous and affable. I now perceive the
necessity that existed for my having firmly adhered to the resolution
I had formed when coming to this country, not to interfere with its
institutions. Had I done anything to prevent my journey through
the Southern States, I should never have forgiven myself. There are




492                  FATHER MATHEW.
tens of thousands of my beloved countrymen scattered over the South;
and all are cheerfilly coming forward, at my invitation, to rescue
themselves from the wiles of intemperance. The consequences might
have been dreadful, as many who had been slaves to this debasing
habit were anxiously expecting me....
In my journey through this country, I have hitherto, thank God,
been most fortunate in escaping accidents. I cannot feel sufficiently
thankful to the Almighty for preserving me from a dreadful calamity
that occurred yesterday on the Alabama river, in the steamboat in
which I had but come to this city the day previous. She accidentally
caught fire, and nearly forty passengers perished.
In the course of another week, I go on to New Orleans, and from
thence up the mighty Mississippi.
Present, my dear Mrs. Rathbone, my respects to my esteemed
friend Mr. Rathbone, and believe me to be,
Dearest Madam,
Your ever grateful and devoted,
THEOBALD MATHEW.
Mrs. Rathbone, Green Bank, Liverpool.
From Mobile, where he had been the guest of the Catholic
Bishop, he proceeded to New Orleans, in which city he was
welcomed with equal warmth by its spiritual head.
He received and declined an invitation through the Mayor
from the municipal authorities to accept the hospitalities of
the city.  Notwithstanding his correspondence with Judge
Lumpkin, the feeling for Father Mathew in New Orleans was
most friendly.'Although,' says Mr. O'Meara, in his diary,'the Bar-rooms are extremely numerous,' in about ten or
twelve days after his arrival, he had given the pledge to more
than 6,000 persons, including many of the wealthier classes.'The change is already most perceptible,' adds Mr. O'Meara;'not a single drunkard seen in the streets during Easter
Saturday night.'
Sunday, 14th April, 1850.-... I never heard him preach better.
It was for the establishment of schools. Many of the most respectable
and influential citizens, including Protestants and Dissenters, present
-an immense congregation. Five hundred took the pledge to-day.
Gave twenty dollars for religious purposes. He visited the charity
hospital, and gave five dollars.




,HIS SUCCESS AT NEW ORLEANS.             493
Thursday, 18th April.-... At two o'clock dined with Mr. Cohen
and his family, all of whom took the pledge. He is a Jew..... The
statement of his affairs by his brother Charles most distressing to him,
and makes a sad impression on his mind.
Mfonday, 22nd April.-Father Mathew had a feverish cold, and
remained in all day.
Writing from  New Orleans on the 3rd of May, to Mrs.
Rathbone, Father Mathew says:As far as my temperance labours in New Orleans are concerned, you
have been made acquainted, through the press, with my progress and
unqualified success. Already upwards of 12,000 have taken the pledge
in this city, and I expect an increased accession of three or four
thousand more. This I consider an adequate compensation for any
sacrifice I made of my feelings on the slavery question. New Orleans
is a great and populous city, and apparently as healthy as any other
portion of this great Republic; though the yellow fever occasionally
carries off many, the city is wholly free from consumption and other
maladies which make such ravages in the old country. My general
health is improved; but the incessant speaking and attendant excitement have occasioned an increase of the paralytic lameness in my left
leg, which I find very inconvenient, as I am obliged to be constantly
in motion.... I have cautiously avoided any act that would afford
grounds for the suspicion of my being influenced by mercenary motives; but I find it difficult to make out sufficient funds to defray my
own and secretary's expenses.
We continue to make further extracts from the diary: —
Monday, 13th.May. —Gave an Arminian priest four dollars-four
dollars for postage for the two last days-five dollars for servants and
cabs. Many coming to take the pledge in a shocking plight-cut
faces and black eyes, and not a 3ent in their pockets.
Friday, 16th JMay.- -Father Mathew met with an accident, which
frightened us a little. On getting into a cab, the horse started, and
he was dragged aong in the gutter. He sent for me and for clothes,
and he continued his farewell visits. More than 13,000 have already
taken the pledge in New Orleans.
Tuesday, 21,t JIMay.-Though few joined to-day, yet amply com
pensated by the consolation afforded to him as well as to families of
respectability, who have reason to be rejoiced at his arrival. One in
particular, Mr. --—, at whose house we dined, declared that Father
Mathew was the saviour of hi son, and that he had now no fear of




494                  FATHER MATHEW.
him-that he was one of the best men in the country. Many other
respectable families similarly circumstanced.
Wednesday, 22nd May.- -In the Princess steamer, on our way
to Natchez. Father Mathew enjoyed this day. Was full of anecdote
He is strongly opposed to capital punishment. He was much struck
by the appearance of two criminals in chains, bound for Baton Rouge.
Among other things he mentioned, he told of his having once attended
a penitent who was dying; and after having prepared him and administered the viaticum, &c., the poor innocent man turned to him and
asked with great coolness,'What's the news?  Father Mathew told
him he should be thinking of something else, and that he should prepare to meet his God.'I know that, your reverence,' was the reply;'but I should like to take to my friends in the other world the latest
news.'
Saturday, 25th May.-Gave thirty dollars for religious purposesten dollars to the Sisters for a feast for the children.
Tuesday, 28th May.-Visited the hospital and the prison, and had
postulants in both.
As Father Mathew reached Vicksburg, a city which has
since then acquired a terrible celebrity, the weather, which
had become overpoweringly warm, greatly oppressed him,
although he continued to exert himself as long as lie conld
resist the weakness which was daily increasing.  In Vicksburg, as in every village and town and city which he passed
through, he met with old friends-either those whom he lhad
personally known in Ireland, or their children; and while
some were in rather indifferent circumstances, many were
prosperous and respected, occupying good positions, and possessiig considerable influence.  The Catholic clergy were
almost invariably Irish, the exception being French.  He
also met several Irishmen in command of the finest boats on
the Mississippi and its tributaries.  The following extract
from the diary was written on board the'Cotton Plant,'
which was then bound for Little Rock:
Saturday, 15th June, 1850.-Had a very troublesome night with
the mosquitos, which were most annoying during the time the boat
lay up at night. The day became very agreeable. Reading nearly
all day. Father Mathew saw several inhabitants as we passed on the




BELIEVES THE IRISH EXODUS PROVIDENTIAL.       495
river-some of them Irish. Strange that the Irish are to be found
everywhere. It is so different from the Germans, French, &c., who
emigrate in colonies, and always settle down in one place. Father
Mathew, in defending his countrymen from the fault thus attributed
to them, gave it as his opinion, that it was much better the Irish
should be scattered amongst the people of this great country. He
instanced St. Giles's, London, where they congregated, and were found
so troublesome and dissatisfied.' Independent of this, he felt that the
children of such a nation, whom the Almighty permitted to endure
so much suffering and misrule, were destined by that all-wise Providence to propagate the Faith amongst the nations of the earth where
infidelity reigned. No other people were more respected by the
Americans than the Irish who respected themselves. That one blot on
their escutcheon was their only crime, and, with the Divine blessing,
he would remove that stain from their character. Though French,
Spanish, and German are good Catholics, he said, yet no people have
done more to promote the Faith, and to support their pastors, than
the Irish. That generous noble disposition is not to be found amongst
other nations. Wherever a few Irish Catholics settle down, their
first effort is to raise a temple to the God of their fathers. The zeal
that glowed in the breasts of their ancestors still glows in theirs. It
is to be deplored, said Father Mathew, that many who came from
Ireland to settle in distant portions of this country have lost the
Faith, in consequence of their not having pastors or Catholic temples.
This occurred chiefly when the first settlers arrived.'
Father Mathew was painfully struck at reading on the
tombstones of the grave-yards which he visited on his route,
many familiar names, and finding that his countrymen of the
working class died off at an early age.  He attributed this
premature decay to several causes, including the inordinate
use of tobacco (which weakened the powers of digestion), to
strong drink, to the too frequent use of fresh meat, which was
also eaten too rapidly, and to over work, to which they were
urged by contractors, who thought more of the accomplishment of their undertakings than of the lives of their workmen.
He availed himself of every opportunity to appeal to the
pride and patriotism of his countrymen, and employed every
topic which he thought most calculated to impress them with
the necessity of sustaining the character of their race and the




496                  FATHER MATHEW.
honour of their country in their adopted home. The glory
of their ancestors, the piety and heroism of their fathers, the
sorrows and sufferings of their country, the great work-the
spreading of the Faith, which, by God's providence, they
were destined to accomplish-these and like topics produced
a powerful effect upon his Irish hearers, whose cheeks flushed,
or whose eyes filled with unbidden tears, as the words of the
speaker awakened their pride or stirred the depths of their
hearts.  Father Mathew knew the Irish nature as thoroughly
as any man ever did, and he used that knowledge for the best
and noblest purpose-the moral purification and social advancement of an exiled race.
Little Rock was reached on the 16th of June. The Bishop
was an Irishman.     His priests-O'Reily, Corcoran, and
O'Donoghue —were also Irish.  Their names smacked racily
of the old country.  The welcome was —Irish. It may be
mentioned, as one item   of the expense to which Father
Mathew was put by his constant travelling through the
States, that he had to pay 24 dollars, or about 51., passage
money for three persons, from   Napoleon to Little Rock.
Here, according to the following from the diary, Father
Mathew was comparatively happy, though still anxious:The exertions of Dr. Byrne were very great when first he came
as Bishop. He had to stop at the hotel, there being scarcely any
Catholics in Little Rock. Now, through his untiring zeal, he has
laid the foundation of a prosperous diocese.... Weather very fine,
but extremely warm; agreeing with Father Mathew very well. He
feels comparatively happy. One matter makes him somewhat uneasy,
as we have been for nearly two-months exceeding the limits prescribed
by the Insurance Company, which arranged that he could stay in
the South. to the extent of 33~ north latitude, up to the 1st of May..... In the evening visited the young ladies' academy, where an
address of welcome was spoken by one of the pupils, to which Father
Mathew replied.... Much anxiety expressed by the citizens to
hear him speak.
Greater numbers flocked to his standard in many other
American cities, but in none was he received with a warmer




A MISSION IN THE WOODS.             497
affection, or did he feel more thoroughly at home. Those
who differed from him in religion treated him with respect
and confidence, crowded the little cathedral to hear him
preach the Gospel, and received the pledge at his hands.
The good bishop and his priests surrounded him with every
attention, and sought to induce him to remain with them
during the summer, until his health, which was painfully
infirm, should be somewhat restored. The bishop asked him
to remain with him entirely, and become his coadjutor; but
Father Mathew's mind was fixed upon returning as soon
as he could to the country for which his heart yearned with
passionate longing.  Such, however, was the debility which
was but too apparent, that Dr. Byrne secretly expressed his
wish to Mr. O'Meara, that should it please Providence to
close that saintly life in America, his honoured remains might
find a resting place at Little Rock.  Hope was entertained
that his v'sit to the Springs of Arkansas would have a beneficial effect on his constitution, and he was now on his way
to visit those famous waters, and test their efficacy by a trial
of some duration.
Father Mathew was much amused with the missionary
adventures of his friend Father O'Donoghue, one of the
three priests cf Little Rock.  This excellent man, whose
death occurred during the course of the summer, was the
true type of the spiritual pioneer. Possessing considerable
ability and ready powers of argument, full of wit and humour, and enjoying the gift of an imperturbable temper, he
was more than a match for th se who occasionally challenged him to controversy, in sustainment of the truth of his
religion. He was by no means aggressive, but he was at all
times ready to put the lance in rest in defence of his faith.
The extended nature of his spiritual fold, and the wide tract
of country over which his flock were scattered, called for the
constant display of courage and endurance as well as zeal.
He had to ride for days through tangled forests, the home




498                 FATHER MATHEW
of wild animals, against whose attack he had to be ever on
the watch. Frequently he lost his way, and had to sleep
under some shelter which he ingeniously improvised. Oue
day he was very near being strangled by a wild vine, and on
another his hat was sacrificed to the same kind of obstruction, and he had to ride bare-headed for several miles, until
he reached the first log cabin to be met with in the depths
of the verdant wilderness. When he was lucky enough to
enjoy the shelter of a roof, he either slept on the floor, his
head pillowed on his saddle bags, or, if he stretched his
weary limbs on the bed, he found himself the companion of
a slain bear, which the hunter had flung in that receptacle
for game. But, whether on the floor, or by the side of a
shaggy monster, the slumber of the brave missionary priest
was profound and unbroken. However, this constant strain
upon every faculty of mind and body was soon to bring him
to an early grave.
To show how missions prosper where they are energetically worked, it may be mentioned that when Father Mathew
was in Little Rock, there still existed the log hut in which
Bishop Byrne had taken up his episcopal residence seven
years before; and that although he was then too poor to
employ a regular servant, he had within that time built a
cathedral-not very large, and with only three regular pewrenters-a dwelling house and a seminary, and had also
established a college at Fort Smith, opened a mission at
Pine Bluff, and accomplished a number of things which, considering the smallness of his means and the poverty of his
congregation, were literally marvellous.




499
CHAPTER XXXIX.
He sets out for the Springs of Arkansas-Delightful Journey-Spends
his Time pleasantly-Letter to Mrs. Rathbone-Bigotry rebuked
-Scene in the Navy Yard of Pensacola-He objects to'Lecture 
-His wonderful Memory-Causes of his pecuniary Embarrassment.
N     Tuesday the 25th of June, Father Mathew set out for
the Sulphur Springs, having previously distributed 100
dollars for various charitable purposes, besides having given
a number of cards and medals gratis. The barouche and
wagon cost him twenty-one dollars more. The journey was
delightful, through a beautiful country, full of variety-hill,
plain, rock, mountain, gushing streams and winding rivers,
majestic trees as well as fragrant shrubs-and the most perfect stillness reigning over all. No song birds filled the air
with their music, and not a sound was heard in this beautiful
solitude, save the murmur of the babbling brook, a rustle
amid the branches, or the clatter of the horses' feet over the
track which was called a road, and which was occasionally
but a passage, cleft, as it were, through a dense mass of living
verdure. It seemed as if these lovely wilds of Arkansas had
never been trodden by the foot of man, who had not yet
come to claim as his own an earthly Paradise which had been
rendered so well suited for his enjoyment. The settlers were
few, and the attempts at clearing were rare.
Father Mathew for a time flung aside his cares, his load
of anxiety and trouble, and resolutely left behind him the
haunting shadow  of debt-more terrible t him than the
spectre of Death on the Pale Horse-and became himself




500                 FATHER MATHEW.
once more. He revelled in story and anecdote and humorous
incident, recounted events of his early life, and gave his impressions of public men in the New world and the Old;
and when he had contributed far more than his share to the
enjoyment of the day, he called forth the recollections of his
young companions, who were delighted to see the cloud of care
banished from his brow, and the anxious look no longer in his
eyes. The travellers reached their resting place late in the
evening, and were regaled with a supper of milk and honey,
and pure bread, and butter fragrant from sweet pasture. The
next morning at five o'clock, the carriage was in motion, and
the journey was resumed. The same variety of scenery, the
same beauty, the same loneliness-the same cheerful gaiety
in the carriage, as Father Mathew referred lovingly to
incidents of his boyhood and to the memory of his mother,
and to scenes and circumstances in the early years of his
mission. And when he sought to impress any great truth on
his young friends, he illustrated its wisdom by a parable, or
its value by some striking fact, borrowed from history or the
biography of a great or good man. Having rested for the
night at the Hot Springs, where they found friends from
New Orleans and Natchez, they arrived next day at the Sulphur Springs, eight miles from the Hot Springs. Here, then,
in a lonely log cottage, in the very heart of the solitudes of
Arkansas, tenanted by a widow and her son, and not another
human being nearer than two miles, or more than two or
three nearer than the Hot Springs, the wearied Apostle of
Temperance sought a short repose from labour such as scarcely
any other man had ever gone through. If thought and care
could have been cut off by a barrier of mountains, or by a
giant hedge of forest trees, or by rushing streams and flowing
rivers, all would have been well; but from this Paradise the
serpent could not be banished-it would intrude unwished for
and unbidden.
In the lovely Washitau, which wound its graceful course,




SPENDS HIS TIME PLEASANTLY.           501
now through woods, now between noble hills, Father Mathew
was reminded somewhat of the Suir, which flowed through
his native county. In the woods, by the banks of the Washitau, or by the side of a smaller stream, he rambled, when the
heat was less intense; and he talked wisely and pleasantly to
his companions, whose minds he directed, without apparent
aim, but with instinctive purpose, to the contemplation and
the love of the good. He picked blackberries, too, as of old
in the woods of Thomastown; and the ripe berry of Arkansas
tasted the sweeter from the association. Thus they spent the
two first days in this retreat, reading, talking, rambling from
one charming spot to the other, and making small explorations into the forest. And on the Sunday Father Mathew
offered up the holy sacrifice on the piazza of the cottage,
under the canopy of heaven. The congregation consisted of
Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, who had come over from the Hot Springs,
and the two secretaries, Mr. O'Meara and Mr. Mahony. It
was the first time, in all probability, that the voice of the
Priest had been raised in adoration in that part of the forests
of America; and the solemnity and stillness of all around
contrasted with the scenes of that day twelvemonth, when he
first landed on the shores of the New World.
With intense interest, he watched the arrival of the papers
from  Ireland, which was then slowly emerging from   the
effects of the Famine. A passage from the diary will exhibit his opinion on a question of much importance to his
country:Speaking of the changes about to take place in Ireland by the
transition of land, Father Mathew remarked how at first it became
encumbered.'The first proprietors were gentlemen and would-be
gentlemen, who let the land to what are termed "middle men."
They, to make the most of it, usually let the ground to conacre
tenants, calculating that-suppose the middle-man's take to be 200
acres, at 41. per acre-by letting half in conacre, at say 101. the acre,
the rent was over paid. The next year the other half was let in the
same way, while he had the produce of the other portion, which was




502                   FATHER MATHEW.
unlet. Thus the poor labourer, strictly speaking, had to bear the
burden of all. The present contemplated changes will not be effectual, unless a clause be inserted in every lease against subletting.'
The post brought him some letters that gladdened his heart,
but more that filled him with sorrow and anxiety. To one of
the former, he thus replied:Sulphur Springs of Arkansas:
9th July 1850.
My dear Mrs. Rathbone,-I thank you, I thank you, for your more
than sisterly solicitude, and for the unexpected and unexampled generosity of Mr. Rathbone. His generous present arrived most seasonably, at a moment when I was quite bewildered, not knowing what to
do. The cause of this distress of mind was an unexpected notice I
received from the agent of the Insurance Company, to pay 1501., the
amount of the second year's extra premium for the permission to
travel into the Southern States. The 700 dollars I received from my
countrymen in New Orleans, I sent to pay the interest of the bills in
the Banks at Cork. I ignorantly flattered myself that the extra
premium I paid before I left home would free me during my sojourn
in this country..... I shall continue at the cold Sulphur Springs
for another fortnight, and then remove seven miles distant, to the
celebrated Hot Springs, and after a sojourn of a few days, proceed
to visit the Indian nation-the wretched degraded remnant of the
once mighty proprietors of this vast continent. I go in the name of
the Lord, to seek and to save the poor victims of oppression and
drunkenness.
These unhappy people, round whom Cooper and other
writers had flung the charm of romantic interest, excited the
liveliest compassion of Father Mathew; but he was never
able to realise the hope that he had so long cherished, of
visiting them in their villages, and rescuing them from  the
deadly tyranny of the'firewater'-a worse enemy than the
white man, and more fatal to the Indian than the steel or the
bullet of the foe.
The fashionable world of America was at this time absorbed
in a case of peculiar interest, upon which much was said on
both sides, the question of who was in the wrong being discussed with keen partisanship.   A gentleman had won fot




GOES TO THE HOT SPRINGS.           503
his bride, from a host of competitors, a reigning belle, the
loveliest girl of the circle in which she moved. Fortunate
prize-winner, he prepared a gilded cage for his lady-bird;
and so sumptuous and costly were the bridal chamber and
boudoir, that they were thrown open, first to the scrutiny of
the elite, and then to the devouring curiosity of the vulgar.
In twelve months after, while Father Mathew was plunged
in the verdant solitudes of Arkansas, the fashionable world
was startled by hearing of the separation of the'happy pair,'
and reading in the public prints advertisements from the husband crying down the credit of his wife I One of the heavy
charges urged by the disenchanted husband was that his
lovely bride was addicted to the free use-not of cognac —
but of rouge and cosmetics.'There are people in this world,'
remarked Father Mathew,'who, if they have no real troubles
to vex them, will create troubles for themselves by their own
folly.' And thereupon he told many strange things which he
had seen in his experience.
After a month's rest at the Sulphur Springs, where he
spent some of the happiest moments of his life, Father Mathew
left for the Hot Springs. He had become greatly interested
in poor Molly, the negro woman, and her little son Peter,
whose woolly pate he was constantly caressing; and he much
regretted the poverty which alone compelled him to relinquish the desire of purchasing both mother and son, and
setting them at liberty. Molly and Peter might have been
bought for 350 dollars; but there was no such sum in Father
Mathew's exchequer.
While at the Hot Springs, an old lady sent for him to
come to her at once. The distance was eight miles. Fortunately, there was no vehicle to be had, and therefore he could
not comply with her request. But as Father Mathew could
not come to the old lady, she came to him. Though very
old and sickly, she mounted a horse and rode over to see
him, and to request that he would cure her I At first it was




504                 FATHER MATHERW.
thought she was a Catholic, but she was a Baptist. Father
Mathew denied that he possessed the power which the old
lady persisted in attributing to him; but he did what he could
to soothe and console her.
Generally, and indeed as a rule, the manner in which
Father Mathew was treated by members of the different
sects in America was in the highest degree creditable to their
good feeling. They paid him every honour and respect; they
thronged the Catholic churches in which he preached; and,
in the addresses which emanated from their communities and
associations, they bore the most generous testimony to the
value of his services, and the disinterested purity of his
motives. In a little village of Arkansas was displayed one
of the very rare exceptions to this almost universal expression
of courtesy and good feeling. During his stay at the Hot
Springs, he visited a Sunday School, where his presence was
expected, for an address had been prepared for his reception.
Besides the children and their teachers, there were several
grown persons in attendance. He was welcomed for various
reasons, but he was expressly assured not because of his being
a Priest of the Roman Catholic Church-an assurance equally
gratuitous and offensive. This was a challenge which Father
Mathew could not fail to accept; and, in his reply, he said'hle felt justly proud of being an humble minister in that holy
church which had done so much for the glory of God and the
civilisation of mankind, which had stood bravely in the van
from age to age, unchanged while all else was changed, and
which had outlived, and would outlive, both calumny and
oppression.' Feeling that he had sufficiently vindicated the
dignity of his Church, and his allegiance to her faith and
authority, he resumed his accustomed gentleness, and expressed his regret that his young friends should have thought
it necessary to make the allusion which they did; for, in
advocating temperance, he recognised no religious denomination whatever. A sweet smile and a cordial shake of the




SCENE IN THE NAVY YARD OF PENSACOLA.      505
hand set matters at rest; and the proceedings were lappily
concluded by the enrollment of a number of'postulants,' and
the presentation of a card and medal to each.
But the scene which was witnessed on Sunday the 29th of
December 1850, in the Naval dockyard of Pensacola, afforded
the most remarkable testimony to the reverence in which
Father Mathew was held by all classes in America. His
reception by the Commodore, by whom he was splendidly
entertained on the Saturday, was most flattering. When he
arrived, he was met by his host, who wore his full dress
uniform, and introduced to the numerous company who had
been invited to meet him. As the greater number of the
guests were officers of the navy, or officials in the establishment, uniforms were generally worn. Had the guest of the
evening been the President of the United States or some
potentate from the other side of the Atlantic, instead of a
simple Irish Priest, he could not have been entertained more
sumptuously, nor could he have been treated with more
marked respect. Grace was said by Father Mathew, and
thanks were returned by the Rev. Mr. Lewis, the Protestant
clergyman.
On the morrow there was assembled in the spacious Hall
of the Naval Hospital-which had been placed at the disposal
of Father Mathew by the Commodore-a congregation of
more than 600 persons. It included the very first people in
connection with the great establishment, and represented the
leading churches of the United States. The hall had been
fitted up with an altar and every requisite for Catholic worship; and good ladies willingly assisted Father Mathew, like
as of old in Ireland, to render the appearance of the altar and
sanctuary as beautiful and as becoming as possible. Among
the first that arrived in this extemporised Catholic church
were the Commodore and his family, accompanied by military
and naval officers, all in full dress uniform. Among the other
members of that remarkable congregation was the Rev. Mr




506                 FATHER MATHEW.
Lewis, who, in order to afford his flock an opportunity of
hearing Father Mathew, had word sent round to them that
he would not have service on that morning. The decorum
and gravity observed by all present could not have been surpassed by any congregation, or in any church in the world.
Nor was the congregation disappointed in the Christian
minister who preached the word of God to their willing
hearts.
He seemed for the moment to have recovered the fire and
animation of his best days; and he preached with so holy a
sincerity of manner, with such convincing confidence of belief
in the truth of what he uttered, and with such fervour and
earnestness, that he carried his hearers with him from the
beginning to the end of his discourse. At the conclusion of
the ceremonies, he again addressed his audience, but on the
subject of his mission; and the effect of that appeal was the
addition of one hundred followers, most of them of respectable
position, to the ranks of temperance.
It was disheartening to Father Mathew that he received
but little benefit from his visit to the Springs of Arkansas.
His limbs were tremulous and shaky, and his mind was at
times grievously depressed. Neither were the accounts from
home of the most enlivening character, whether of a public
or a private nature. Great misery still amongst the poorworkhouses crowded-employment scarce- trade bad-and
emigration on the increase. Then, temperance reading-rooms
were abandoned, and their members scattered; and, lastly,
there were pressing pecuniary claims. Thorns were scattered
in the path of this tottering and toil-worn man; still he bore
up bravely, and rather courted than avoided new scenes of
labour and excitement. Rest, if it extended beyond a few
days, became irksome to him. He longed to be again in the
harness, doing his work, adding to his hundreds of thousands
of disciples in America. His anxiety of mind, which fretted
at inaction, prevented his obtaining the advantages of repose,




OBJECTS TO'LECTURE — HIS GREAT MEMORY.    50T
and of the regular and easy life which he led while at the
Springs.
There was one thing, however, to which he had a decided
objection-that was, to'lecture;' and this was the very
thing which he was most frequently requested to do. If he
travelled by steamer on one of the great rivers, it was intimated to him that the saloon could be converted into a
convenient lecture-hall, and that he was sure of a large and
appreciative audience; or if the boat stopped at the smallest
place-some city on paper, whose future glory was represented
by a few log houses-there came a request from the'citizens'
that he should land and lecture.   He almost invariably
rejected these polite overtures, preferring to read, or to be
read to, or to visit the passengers of the humbler class,
amongst whom he was sure to find some of his own country
people, whose resources were not the most abundant. Frequently are such passages as these to be met with in the diary
of his Secretary: —' Went among our countrymen of the lower
deck. Some took the pledge. Father Mathew assisted them
in a pecuniary way also.''To a respectable young man in
distress, Father Mathew handed ten dollars privately.''In
St. Louis, the day before leaving, Father Mathew handed
sums of money to old acquaintances in struggling circumstances.''The condition of the poor emigrants from Ireland
excites his compassion, and he freely shares with them his
scanty resources; so much so, that I am anxious for his
departure, before they are entirely exhausted.'
There was not a face he met that did not recall some circumstance to his memory, which was prodigious. The man
or woman whom he had spoken to years before, in any part
of Ireland, he at once recognised, whether in the streets of
New York or New Orleans, or on the lower deck of a steamboat on the Mississippi.  Many a poor exile's heart was
cheered by the salutation-' How are you, my dear? —when
did you leave -?-when did you hear from your father




508                  FATHER MATHEW.
and mother?' Names as well as faces he retained in that
wonderful memory; and often was his Secretary surprised at
hearing him address people, whom he could not have seen
later than six or eight years before in a northern county
in Ireland, familiarly by their name, as if he had only left
them the day before. He possessed this faculty of memory
in the highest degree. And perhaps no faculty is more usefll in a leader; for the followers of a great man are not
always willing to make allowance for his oblivion of their
identity, and expect that their Christian names, if they had
half a dozen of them, should be remembered as well as their
surnames.
This volume might be swelled with instances of his goodness to these poor wanderers. Here he bestowed moneythere gave protection to helpless girls; here procured situations-there induced some compassionate matron to befriend
a young creature who stood trembling in the very jaws of
danger.
While on his first visit to New Orleans, a number of the
brethren of a religious order in Ireland landed in that city.
They were on their way to one of the Western States, there
to establish a convent and a colony. The money necessary
for their purpose was to have been remitted to them in New
Orleans; but days passed, and no remittance arrived. The
poor men were in great distress of mind, being naturally
alarmed at their helpless condition, when they fortunately
thought of applying to Father Mathew for advice and assistance. The assistance was readily granted by one who could
feel for their position of embarrassment; and in a day or two
after, the brothers were on their journey up the Mississippi,
with a sum of more than 2001. in their possession, advanced to
them by Father Mathew. The money was faithfully returned,
but not sooner than a year after.'What shall we do, sir? —we are at our last dollar I'
was more than once the anxious demand of his Secretary




STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCE-CAUSES OF HIS DEBTS.     509'Trust in God, my dear; He will give us enough,' was the
invariable reply. It was the same reply which he had often
given in the Famine time; and when more money came then
into his possession, it was bestowed on new objects. And so
it also was in America.
While at Pensacola, a strange circumstance occurred. A
young foreigner, named Demetrius Reoboe, died, and Father
Mathew officiated at his funeral. The body, which was borne
by the friends of the deceased, was first carried to the church,
where the service for the dead was chanted, and then to the
burial ground, where Father Mathew read the usual prayers.
This funeral took place on Monday, December 16, 1850; and
on Wednesday, the 18th, there was another funeral, at which
he also attended. This was the funeral of a cousin of Demetrius. A compact had been made between them, that tho
first who died should prepare a place in heaven for the other,
who was to follow immediately.   Demetrius was buried on
the Monday, and in twenty hours afterwards the cousin was
a corpse; and in twenty-four hours more, both cousins were
tenants of the same tomb.  What was the cause?  Possibly,
it was the effect of imagination upon a system depressed by
sorrow at the loss of a beloved friend. Whatever the explanation, the facts were as they have been stated.
Writing to Mrs. Rathbone from St. Louis, on the 20th of
October, 1850, Father Mathew says:The success that has attended my exertions in the city of St. Louis
has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. Nine thousand persons
have taken the total abstinence pledge; and when you are informed
that I have not been able to lecture in the temperance halls, from
infirmity, you must deem it a very considerable number.
You do not appear to approve of my protracted stay in America.
Neither do I myself; as I could advance the cause as much, and even
more, in England, Ireland, and Scotland. To be candid-for I disguise nothing from one whom I love as a siste -— I yearn after the old
country, and I envy this letter which is so soon to reach its shores;
but I fear to return home, so much is expected by my creditors. If I




10                   FATHER MATHEW.
had foreseen my illness, I would not have it curred debt, which makes
me miserable, and detains me in exile. But apprehending no impediment to my career, and having well-grounded pecuniary expectations,
I imprudently yielded to my feelings, and. to uphold the teetotallers,
and to feed the hungry during the famine, I unhappily incurred liabilities which can only be liquidated by my death —an event which
in any case cannot be far distant.




511
CHAPTER XL.
Politeness to a Female Slave-Her Reply-An impressive Lesson
-Jenny Lind-Barnum-New World Notions-Another Attack
-Embarks for Europe-His Farewell Address-Advice to his
Countrymen-His Mission in America.
POR    nearly three months of the year 1581, Father
Mathew made New Orleans his head quarters.     He
frequently stopped with attached friends, whose acquaintance
he had made or renewed on his first visit-for he had known
not a few of them in Ireland. Among the most devoted
of these was Colonel Mansel White, who had emigrated
years before from Tipperary, and who then held a high position in his adopted country. While enjoying the hospitality
of this devoted friend, Father Mathew, who, as a true gentleman should be, was always kind and considerate to servants,
apologised to a coloured woman for the trouble which his visit
had caused her. Her answer much amused him;-' I do n't
consider it any trouble at all; besides, we can't get along
any how in this world without it.'
Though Father Mathew was received with the greatest
kindness by slave owners, and though slavery did not present itself to his view in abhorrent colours, he still maintained the same aversion to it as an institution which he had ever
expressed. Yet he fully appreciated the difficulty of dealing
with a question so vast, and with interests so complicated;
and he could not but think that wisdom, not passion, was
essential to its solution. Nor, it must be said, was he much
impressed with the feeling evinced to the Negro in the Free
States. A single circumstance will often produce a stronger




512                 FATHER MATHEW.
effect upon the mind, than the grandest professions of liberal.
ity. He was one day in an omnibus in New York; and as
the vehicle was dashing along through a crowded thoroughfare, it knocked down and rolled over a coloured man. To
Father Mathew the African was really a man and a brother,
and he got out of the vehicle and assisted to raise the poor
fellow from the ground.'Lift him in,' said the Samaritan,'and we can take him to the nearest doctor.''No, no,' said
the passengers —among whom perchance there might have
been an abolitionist —' we can't travel with coloured people.'
The rejection of the insensible and wounded fellow-creature
from  that carriage was a lesson which Father Mathew
learned in the Broadway of New York, and which he held
in his recollection so long as he remained in the United
States.
During his stay in New Orleans, Father Mathew made
the acquaintance and admired the extraordinary powers of
the Swedish Nightingale, the celebrated Jenny Lind, who
was at that time creating a sensation in that fair city of
the South. Father Mathew found her simple, unaffected,
and unspoiled, natural in manner and interesting in conversation; for even then she spoke English fluently, though with
a foreign pronunciation. On two occasions he heard her sing.
Declining to attend her concerts, which were held in the
evening, lie was invited to her rehearsals; and from a private
box in the St. Charles theatre, Father Mathew and his
enraptured Secretary heard the nightingale to the best advantage. His Secretary was in an ecstacy; but we doubt
much if the Apostle of Temperance, who in other days
nodded so approvingly to the wildest efforts of the village
band, and so cordially thanked the artists of a month's teaching for their'beautiful music,' did not think much more of
her kindness than he did of her execution.. Mr. O'Meara
began to speculate as to what must be the nature of heavenly melody, when, as he remarked in his diary,'we are




NEW WORLD NOTIONS.               513
so fascinated with the charms of the voice of one of our fellowcreatures.'
Barnum-Mr. Barnum     is altogether out of place-who
was the ranager of Jenny Lind's musical engagements in
America-was polite and kindly to Father Mathew; but,
curiously enough, he delivered a lecture on temperance, of an
hour's duration, and never once made mention of the name
of the leader of the movement, although he was then in the
same city I Surely this was an illustration of the play of
Hamlet without the character of Hamlet
Frequently, in his rambles through New Orleans, as well
as in other cities which he visited, Father Mathew recognised,
in rather menial capacities, and engaged in the very rudest
labour, young men who at home in the old country would
have disdained the idea of work.  But there they should
work, or go to the wall; and many, who had been reared
tenderly, and whose education had cost what would then
be a grand capital to commence the world with, resolutely
fought their way, by sturdy industry, to the social position
which they had lost in the miseries of their native land.
The doctor, the lawyer, the son of the country gentleman
or of the respectable shopkeeper, might be seen serving as
a waiter at the bar, toiling as a workman on the quays, or
acting as a porter in a grocery store; but those who held on,
and exchanged the Irish'spirit' for the American notion,
were sure to change places ere long-that is, to employ instead of being employed. One accustomed to the old world
notions would have been amazed, as Father Matliew was,
to know that the young fellow who waited on him while at
the Hot Springs, had been elected Justice of the Peace
the day before; and that the unassuming looking person who
drove two of the boarders in a wagon to Little Rock, was
the Sheriff of the County! When the Irish caught the American spirit and set to work, and when they combined steadiness with energy, they were sure to go ahead; and Father




614                 FATHER MATHEW.
Mathew was delighted to find his countrymen filling positions
of honour and credit in every part of the States which he
visited.  How  many he redeemed from  a degrading and
enthralling vice-how many he assisted to rise in the world
-how many owed their future independence to his visit-it
would be hard to say; but when it is computed that he administered the pledge to more than 600,000 persons in the
United States, it must be admitted that his footsteps were
followed with blessings, for the good which he did to the
children of his race in a strange land.
On his way from New Orleans to Nashville, and while
steaming up the Mississippi, he experienced another attack
of his old malady.  This occurred one day preceding the
thirteenth anniversary of the commencement of his mission,
-his twelve years of incessant labour-of heart, brain, and
body-such labour as not one man in a million could endure,
or would think of undertaking.  Shattered, broken down,
worn out, he was; but he had done a great work, and won
a great fame; and let us hope that the consciousness of the
good which he had wrought for his fellow-man soothed his
pillow of pain.
We must not follow him further in his American tour; nor
is it necessary that we should. We should have to recount
much of the same which has been already presented to the
reader,-the same wonderful triumph of the moral over the
physical man-the same holy zeal in the cause of humanity
impelling him to efforts beyond his strength-the same un.
conquerable resolution —the same boundless charity —the
same tenderness and compassion for the erring and the sorrowing.  We shall not speak of the honours that were
offered him wherever he went, the reverence which the highest and the proudest in that great confederacy of free States
repeatedly testified to him, or of the friendships that followed
him through the few remaining years of his life: we shall
rather allow the touching words spoken in reply to an ad'




HIS FAREWELL ADDRESS.                615
dress which he delivered in Cincinnati, in a few months after
his last attack, to conclude our account of his long, laborious,
and memorable mission to America:In the protracted warfare which I have waged against the widespread evil of intemperance, and which, I trust, has ever been conducted in a spirit of Christian charity, I have had many serious
difficulties to encounter, and much interested hostility to overcome.
The growing infirmities of age, aggravated by repeated attacks of a
dangerous and insidious malady, now demand retirement and repose.
At the close of a long, and thank Heaven, a successful campaign,
I find myself, it is true, enfeebled in health, shattered in constitution.
and destitute of this world's wealth; yet. with the Apostle,'I glory
in my infirmity,' contracted, as it has been. in the noblest of causes,
and I still feel, that no sacrifice, whether of health, of property, or of
life itself, is too great to save from ruin and perdition the humblest of
those for whom our divine Saviour has willingly shed His most precious blood.
On the 8th of November, he embarked on board the' Pacific,' one of the Collins' line of steamers, on his return
to Europe. Previous to his embarkation, he published his'Farewell Address to the Citizens of the United States,'
from which a passage or two may be appropriately quoted.
It thus begins:My mission amongst you closes to-day. I cannot take my final
departure from the shores of your great and generous country, without publicly recording my deep and grateful appreciation of the
generous sympathy, the delicate attention, and the unremitting kindness, which I have experienced in every section of this vast Union.
The noble reception which you have spontaneously tendered to a
stranger, known merely as an humble missionary in the cause of moral
reform, proves the devotion of your people to the interests of humanity,
however feebly championed, and has endeared America and her people to me by a thousand ties too sacred for utterance. Though the
renewed attacks of a painful and insidious malady have rendered it
impossible that I could (without imminent danger to my life) make
those public exertions which were never spared by me in the days of
my health and of my vigour, I yet thank Heaven I have been instrumental in adding to the ranks of temperance over 600,000 disciples in
America. I have been much cheered during the past week, by the




516                   FATHER MATHEW.
receipt of letters from all parts of the States, bearing unimpeachable
testimony to the strict fidelity with which this voluntary obligation
is observed. I need scarcely add, that virtue, and the duties which
religion inculcates, together with peace, plenty, domestic comfort,
health, and happiness, everywhere followed in its train.
Having borne grateful testimony to the aid which he had
received from th<, public press of America, and the kind'
ness and friendship which had been shown to him by many
distinguished individuals, he then addresses his own countrymen:To my own beloved countrymen I most affectionately tender a few
words of parting advice. You have, my dearly beloved friends, relinquished the land of your birth, endeared to you by a thousand fond
reminiscences, to seek on these distant shores that remuneration for
industry and toil too often denied you at home. You are presented
here with a boundless field of profitable employment, and every inducement is held out to persevering industry.  You are received and
welcomed into the great American family with feelings of sympathy,
kindness, and friendship. After a few years you become citizens of
this great republic, whose vast territorial extent abounds in all
the materials of mineral, agricultural, and commercial wealth; the
avenues to honour and fkme are liberally thrown open to you and to
your children, and no impediment (save of your own creation) exists
to prevent you attaining the highest social and civic distinction; and
will you any longer permit those glorious opportunities to pass unimproved, or, rather, will you not, by studying self-respect, and acquiring
habits suited to your new position, aspire to reflect honour alike on
the land of your birth and of your adoption? I implore you. as I
would with my dying breath, to discard for ever those foolish divisions
— those insensate quarrels-those factious broils (too often, alas, the
fruits of intemperance) in which your country is disgraced, the peace
and order of society violated, and the laws of Heaven trampled on
and outraged.
He thus eloquently concludes:Friends and fellow-countrymen,-I now bid you a reluctant, a final
farewell. A few hours more will separate me from the hospitable
shores of America for ever. I carry with me, to the'poor old country,' feelings of respect and attachment for its people, that neither
time nor distance can obliterate.




HIS MISSION IN AMERICA.               517
Citizens of the United States, —I fervently pray that the Almighty
Disposer of human events, in whose hands are the destinies of nations,
may continue those blessings and favours which you have so long en
joyed —that your progress in every private and public virtue may keep
pace with your unexampled prosperity-that you and your children's
children may be ever true to the great destiny that awaits you, and to
the spirit of those institutions under the fostering care of which you
have so rapidly progressed. May your country still extend the hand
of succour to the helpless exile, afford an asylum to the persecuted,
and a home to the oppressed-and thus inseparably connect her future
destiny with the interests of universal humanity.
The'New York Herald,' of the same date, bears the
following most interesting testimony to his mission in America:
On reviewing his exertions for the past two years and a half: we
are forcibly struck with the vast amount of physical fatigue which
he must have undergone in the discharge of his onerous duties.
Over sixty years of age, enfeebled in health, and shattered in constitution, he has yet, with all the ardour of his former zeal, vigorously
prosecuted his'labour of love.' He has visited, since his arrival in
America, twenty-five States of the Union, has administered the temperance pledge in over three hundred of our principal towns and
cities, has added more than half a million of our population to the
long muster-roll of his disciples; and, in accomplishing this praiseworthy object, has travelled thirty-seven thousand miles, which,
added'to two voyages across the Atlantic, would make a total distance
nearly equal to twice the circumnavigation of the globe. Though
labouring under a disease which the slightest undue excitement may
render fatal, never has he shrunk from his work of benevolence and
love. North and south, east and west, was he to be seen, unostentatiously pursuing the heavenly task of reclaiming his fallen brother,
welcoming the prodigal son back into the bosom of society, uttering
the joyful tidings that no man is past the hour of amendment; dealing in no denunciation, indulging in no hypocritical cant or pretensions to pharisaical sanctity, by quietly and unobtrusively pursuing
his peaceful course, and, like his illustrious sainted prototype, reasoning of'temperance, justice, and judgement to come.' When his
physicians recently recommended absolute repose, in the midst of his
labours in a crowded city, as indispensable to his recovery from the
last attack of parnlysis,'Never,' replied the venerable man,' will




518                    FATHER MATHEW.
I willingly sink into a state of inglorious inactivity; never will I
desert my post in the midst of the battle.''But your life,' replied
his physicians,'is at stake.''If so,' said he,'it cannot be sacrificed
in a better cause. If I am to die, I will die in harness.'
He returned to Ireland in the month of December 1851.




519
CHAPTER XLI.
Returns to Ireland-The confirmed Drunkard-Glad to see Beggars
again-The last of John-His Visitors at Lehenagh —Insanity
of Drink-The hundred Invitations to Dinner.
WHILE in Dublin, he spent some days in visiting friends
whom he desired to see once more.   Going out one
morning with this intention, he suddenly said to his nephew,
by whom he was accompanied-' Tell the driver to stop,
my dear. There is poor -,' mentioning the name of an
unhappy artist whom he had often befriended, and whom
he had ineffectually endeavoured to redeem from confirmed
drunkenness. The driver pulled up; and there, on the sidepath, stood a shabby-looking battered man, blear-eyed, rednosed, dirty and uncombed, his coat buttoned up to conceal
the want of a shirt.  The recognition had been mutual.
Though Father Mathew's hair was now grey, and gradually
approaching to white, there was no mistaking that wellknown countenance, which preserved its nobleness of outline
and unchanging sweetness of expression. As the miserable
creature approached the carriage he burst into a kind of
drunken cry, and, seizing the hand of his old benefactor, he
kissed it passionately, his emotion depriving him of the power
of articulation.  Tears streamed down the face of Father
Mathew, who could only murmur,'Poor child, poor child 1'
as he slipped a bank note into the hand of the prodigal. So
long as he could keep him in sight, Father Mathew's glance
was fixed on the unhappy being, who remained motionless in
the same spot, a miserable object to contemplate. The car



f520                F      MATHEW.
riage turned the corner of the street, and the two men never
again saw each other in this world. The drunkard died as
he had lived-in misery and shame.
About the same time, a beggar, who had accosted him in
the usual way, imploring his charity-'for the love of the
Lord and for all the sowls that ever left him' —was surprised
and overjoyed at finding his appeal responded to by the bestowal of half-a-crown.'That's an immense sum, sir, to give
to a mere beggar, who would be well content with a penny,'
said the nephew.'Oh, my dear,' replied Father Mathew,'I
delight in relieving the poor.  It is my great happiness. I
scarcely ever met a beggar in America-for months together
I could not see one; and it was a privation to me to have no
one to relieve and make happy for a moment.' The good
man did not do himself justice when he thus spoke; for
though he rarely met a professional mendicant in the United
States, he was in the daily habit of relieving distress, and
making many happy by his bounty.
His altered appearance, as he returned to Lehenagh,
inspired his family with sorrow  and apprehension.  But
however striking the change in his health, his nature and
disposition were still the same,-the same benevolence and
kindness-the same thoughtfulness and consideration for the
wishes and feelings of others.
One cannot be absent for two or three years from his home
without finding, on his return, that changes have taken place,
or that Death has been at work, even in his own family circle.
Father Mathew had not to deplore the loss of any member
of his family; but there was one long-familiar face which he
was never to see more. That was the sour visage of his man
John. It was against John's most solemn warning and ap.
palling prophecy that the priest resolved on going to America.
To John's accurate conception of that country, it was the
abode of blacks and' wild Ingins,' and tomahawks and scalps
were constantly associated with his ideas of its civilisation.




THE LAST OF JOHN.              521'Do n't leave your own fine country, sir,' pleaded John,'and
I will never desert you. The boards will carry me out of
this house.''What does John mean by "the boards" carrying him out, sir?' asked his nephew.'He means his coffin,
my dear,' said Father Mathew, who was intimately acquainted
with the figurative style which in moments of strong emotion
his venerable domestic indulged in.'Do n't, sir, do n't go to
them bloody-minded savages,' were John's parting words.
But his master went, and John remained behind, well provided for.  But having been abandoned by its leader, what
had John to do with temperance?  Nothing. With bitter
disdain, John flung off the mask he had but partially worn,
and celebrated his liberty in a series of wild and prolonged
potations. When the tidings of his master's illness reached
home, John's grief was to a great extent softened by the
triumph of his predictions. He always knew how it would
be, and he told him what would happen; for sure a country
of blacks and'Ingins' was no place for a Christian. Sourer
and more saturnine became John's temper-deeper and deeper
his potations; until one day death surprised him in a sickness
which John solely attributed to his intense grief at the continued absence of his master, but which others, including
the doctor who attended him, accounted for on very different
grounds.  However, the little man was carried in'the
boards' to his last resting-place, a considerable time before
the return of the priest from the land of'blacks and Ingins.'
Father Mathew thought of John as Prince Hal spoke of
Falstaff-he could have'better spared a better man.' The
very weaknesses of the cross-grained little sinner only the
more endeared him to his tolerant and indulgent master.
No sooner was it generally known that Father Mathew
had taken up his residence at Lehenagh, than the quiet
of that secluded home was at an end.    His old friends
the beggars flocked to visit the benefactor who had never
troubled them with searching examinations to test the truth




522                 FATHER MATHEW.
of their story, hut who relieved them at every risk —even
of his donation being converted into the fiery devil against
which he waged incessant war.    Under the shade of a
spreading tree in summer, or on the door-steps, the beggars
mustered; and the same impostors frequently received the
dole three or four times in the same day. Nor was Father
Mathew obliged to anyone who exposed the imposition.
It afforded him happiness to bestow charity, and he did
not care to enquire too minutely into the merits of each
case. The proof of their imposture would only have caused
him pain.
Soon the clatter of the drum and the braying of the
trumpet scared the rooks in the old avenue, as some temperance band, which had survived the famine, roused him
with its familiar strains; and soon, too, the spacious hall
became redolent of strange odours, of which that of bad
whisky was the most marked and the most easily discerned.  So long as he remained at Lehenagh, he had
constant visits from repentant drunkards, whom he received
with unfailing benignity. He appeared to think everything
else secondary to the reclamation of an erring mortal, and
the sooner he could devote himself to this duty, the greater
his satisfaction.  To the last, he rose at an early hour,
and, until his strength utterly gave way, he said mass frequently on weekdays, and always on Sundays and holidays
-the household forming his congregation.    No   excuse
would be taken by him for the absence of one of the young
people, who were obliged to be most punctual in their attendance.
Though he rose at five o'clock, he did not usually leave
his room until it was time for breakfast.  The intermediate hours were occupied in prayer and meditation, and
in religious exercises which he never omitted to perform.
But he would at any time leave his breakfast or dinner if
he happened to catch a glimpse of a'case' which he thought




HIS VISITORS AT LEHENAGH.         523
demanded his immediate attention; and the family were
compelled to adopt various precautions against intrusion
during those hours.  Once, however, that the breakfastwith him a scanty meal-was despatched, he was from that
moment on the look-out for his unfailing beggars and his
repentant profligates.
Many an absurd and many a painful scene was witnessed
before that hall-door, as some tattered creature broke away
from his wretched wife, and was captured and brought to
Father Mathew, who had witnessed the flight and capture
with intense interest, and tottered down the stone steps and
along the avenue, to meet the prize half way. Once within
his influence, opposition was out of the question.
Even the great dog, to which a beggar was an object of
profound mistrust, seemed to take kindly to the pledge-seekers
and the pledge-breakers; for he would thrust his nose amicably into the hand of some poor fellow who had not spent
the Saturday night and the Sunday in the most creditable
manner.'Dan, that's a fine dog,' remarked a teetotaller to an
erring friend whom he had in charge.'He is, Maurice, a
fine baste, and a mighty friendly one, too.''Dan,' resumed
his sober friend,'I'm thinking that dog has more sense than
you.''Wisha, that would be aisy for him, the Lord knows,'
was the humble reply.'See, Dan I-there's that dog, and
the devil himself would n't make him take a taste of sperits;
but the devil can't keep you from it-and that dog, we're
tould, has no,aison, and you have.''I ought to have it,
Maurice, sure enough; but when I take a drop at all,
I'm bothered complately.''Right, my dear,' said Father
Mathew, who had heard the dialogue with delight,'we
lower ourselves far below the brute, when we indulge in
a degrading passion, that robs us of our most glorious
birthright-our reason.  The Great Being who made us,
did not render us dependent upon % vicious stimulant for out




524                 FATHER MATHEW.
health and happiness. We do n't require it, and we are better
without it. Do not mind anyone who says to the contrary.'
The men were not always the most difficult to deal
with.  Women were brought to him     by their husbands,
whose means they had destroyed, and whose happiness
they had wrecked. Some were dogged and stubborn, others
insensible to every feeling of shame or compunction, and
more were labouring under the influence of that terrible
malady, decirium tremens.' There is a devil in me-there
is a devil in me!' shrieked out a young woman, whose
flushed face, wild stare, and frantic gestures proved that
she was suffering from  the insanity of drink.'Yes, indeed, the devil of drink possesses you, my poor woman,'
said Father Mathew.'There I he says I'm a devil-that
the devil is in me! I knew it-I knew it-I'm damned!I know I'm damned —the devil is dragging me down to hell I
There I there! there!' Wilder and wilder grew her shrieks,
as the paroxysm of the madness increased in intensity. The
poor husband's dejected appearance, as he gazed upon the
fury with a look in which shame and affection were blended,
spoke a volume of domestic misery and disappointed hope.
When the paroxysm subsided, Father Mathew brought his
influence to bear on her; and ere many weeks had passed,
a modest, blushing wife fell on her knees before him, kissed
his hand with passionate fervour, and thanked him, amidst
sobs and tears, for the peace of heart and home which she
then enjoyed. The husband's fervid,'God bless your reverence!' was fully as expressive in its gratitude.
As long as he could, he kept up his visits to old friends;
and, with that purpose, he frequently drove into the city,
which was about two miles distant from Lehenagh. One
day he returned unusually animated.'Something must have
pleased you very much, sir?' remarked Mrs. Mathew. The
priest then told how he had been invited to dinner by the
little son of a respectable mechanic whom he met in the




THE HUNDRED IN ITATIONS TO DINNER.      526
street.'Father Mathew,' said the little fellow,'do come
and dine with us-we have such a nice dinner.''What have
you, my dear?' enquired Father Mathew.'We have a fine
leg of mutton, and we have turnips, and we have potatoes,'
replied the child.'Have you no cakes, my dear?' said
Father Mathew.'No, sir,' answered the little fellow, with
an abashed air, as if he had no right to have given an invitation under such circumstances.'Then, my dear, you must
have them,' said Father Mathew, putting a half-crown into
the hand which he held in his own.
The next day he returned from the city with a more than
usually depressed air.'What is the matter, sir?-has anything annoyed you?' enquired his sister-in-law.'My dear,
I received a hundred invitations to dinner fiom a hundred
little boys, to-day!' was his reply, in a mournful tone of
voice. He could not for a time enjoy the amusement which
the story evidently caused to his listeners.
There were other visitors to Lehenagh beside beggars, impostors, and people to take the pledge. These were persons
who had come in the hope of being cured of their bodily
ailments.




526
CHAPTER XLII.
Father Mathew's alleged Power of effecting Cures —General Belief
in this Power-The chronic Headache-Dr. Barter's Testimony
-Instances of his strange Influence-Pilgrimages to his Grave.
WtHATEVER         may be the opinions entertained as to
Father Mathew's reputed power of effecting cures in
certain cases of disease, the subject, however delicate, is one
to which I cannot avoid alluding. Were I to refrain from
noticing it, I should appear as if shrinking from the risk of
hostile criticism; and I would moreover fail in adequately
representing the veneration in which he was held by the Irish
people. The subject is one which occasioned much interest
during his lifetime, and since his decease.
That Father Mathew was the cause of cures being effected,
I cannot deny myself the belief.  That he effected cures, is
what many persons, in every way trustworthy as to character
and intelligence, have repeatedly asserted. The belief in this
alleged power appears to have been entertained even before
his connection with the temperance cause; but from that time
to the hour of his death, it certainly existed very generally
throughout Ireland. Even on his first visit to Dublin, in
1840, he was besieged by crowds of afflicted people, suffering
from different ailments, who imagined that his touch and his
blessing would prove more efficacious to them than all the
ministrations of Acience.  Farther on I shall prove, fiom
evidence which, to me at least, seems conclusive as to the
fact, that Father Mathew conferred instantaneous relief,
and in some instances permanent benefit, on persons labour



HIS ALLEGED POWER OF EFFECTING CURES.    527
ing under various bodily affections; and I shall now en.
deavour to represent the manner in which those who had
no doubt as to the fact, accounted, or sought to account, for
what was to them, as to others, a subject of wonder and
speculation.
Those who suffer from any physical malady are naturally
impatient of their affliction, and are generally willing to adopt
any means of relief which they are assured, or which they
imagine, will serve them, whether those means commend themselves to their reason, or are reconcilable to their good sense
and judgement.  Indeed, it would seem as if the sick or
afflicted person becomes more or less of the nature of a child,
and unreservedly surrenders reason and judgement to the
physician, whether that physician be a mere pretender, or a
man of approved ability and experience in the treatment of
disease. We know what an effect is produced through the
mind upon the body, and how the most harmless and simple
medicine-the coloured water, or the bread pill-can be made
to play an important part in the cure of disease, and the
restoration of health.
It is not difficult to conceive how a naturally religious
people should believe in the efficacy of a good man's prayer,
and how, enfeebled and suffering from one malady or another,
they should implore his interposition in their behalf. There
are very many who, believing in the power and mercy of
God, equally believe that, even in these times, as in days of
old, that power and that mercy are wonderfully manifested;
and that good and holy mortals are now, as then, selected
as the fitting instruments through which blessings are dis.
pensed to individuals and communities. Those who sought
Father Mathew's aid were profoundly impressed with the
conviction of his goodness and holiness. They looked upon
him as a man of God, one chosen by Providence for the
accomplishment of a great work. This they were told by
bishops and by priests, who constantly spoke of the Apostle




528                 FATHER MATHEW.
of Temperance in this spirit. Even those of another faifh
did not hesitate to speak of him and to address him in language of the same nature. Thus the conviction of his goodness and holiness was general-indeed, universal; and this
conviction was most favourable to the idea of his being able
to work some benefit for those in whose behalf he petitioned
Him whom he so faithfully served, and whose honour and
glory he so zealously laboured to promote. With this conviction and this belief firmly rooted in the minds of persons
suffering from a malady in which the mind could in any way
become a useful agent in assisting or effecting a cure, it is
not surprising that many returned from Father Mathew considerably improved, if not wholly cured. That they did so
return, I can state on authority which I cannot question;
but what was the exact cause, or mode, or means of cure, is
what I shall not venture to explain, save in so far as I have
already indicated.
Father Mathew persistently represented to those who came
to him in the expectation of relief, that he had no power
whatever to effect cures, or to work miracles. It was to no
purpose that he shewed them his paralysed limbs, saying,'Surely, I would cure these if I could; but I have no
power to cure anyone.'  His patients were ready with an
answer, saying-' It is because you took the sickness of others
on yourself that you are so afflicted.'  That he could not
cure himself was no proof to them that he could not cure
others; and, frequently, he was accused of insensibility to
sufferings, which those afflicted with them believed he could
relieve, if he only earnestly set about doing so. Having
declared that he had no such power as that attributed to him
by his petitioners, he never refused to bless them, or pray
for their recovery, if such recovery were pleasing to God.
He naturally thought that his blessing could do them no
harm, and besides he would not refuse to grant that which
was so earnestly implored.




THE CHRONIC HEADACHE.             529
The total abstinence which the pledge imposed, really did
effect what seemed to be miraculous cures; and the sound
advice which he frequently imparted to those who applied to
him for relief, greatly assisted the operation of nature. Then,
in not a few instances, it was at the very turning point of
the disease that his aid was implored; and pious gratitude
readily attributed to the effect of his touch, his blessing, or
his prayers, what was about to happen as the natural result
of a favourable change.   Mothers, in the frenzy of a
mother's alarm, brought him their children, upon whose marble features the seal of death seemed to be impressed; and
there are letters to which I could refer, in which, in spite
of his earnest disclaimer, the writers persisted in attributing
the recovery of the beloved ones to his holy intercession.
The reader may account for the following, which I give
because it is within my own personal knowledge, in any way
he thinks best; all I desire to do, is to state that which
I know to be a fact. A young lady, of position and intelligence, was for years the victim of the most violent headache, which assumed a chronic character. Eminent advice
was had, but in vain: the malady became more intense,
the agony more excruciating.  Starting up one day from
the sofa on which she lay in a delirium of pain, she exclaimed-' I cannot endure this torture any longer; I will
go and see what Father Mathew can do for me.'     She
immediately proceeded to Lehenagh, where Father Mathew
was then sick and feeble.  Flinging herself on her knees
before him, she besought his prayers and blessing. In fact,
stung by intolerable suffering, she asked him to cure her.'My dear chlild, you ask me what no mortal has power to
do. The power to cure rests alone with God. I have no
such power.''Then bless me, and pray for me-place your
hand on my head,' implored the afflicted lady.'I cannot
refuse to pray for you, or to bless you, my dear child,' said
Father Mathew, who did pray for and bless her, and place




630                 FATHER MATHEW.
his band on her poor throbbing brow. Was it faith?-was
it magnetism?-was it the force of imagination exerted wonderfully? I shall not venture to pronounce which it was;
but that lady returned to her home perfectly cured of her
distressing malady. More than that-cured completely, from
that moment forward.
I might quote letters from persons who thoroughly believed that Father Mathew had cured them of various affections-that he had instantaneously restored sight to eyes
almost blind, and power to limbs altogether helpless; but I
prefer, in a matter so full of delicacy, and respecting which
opinion is so certain to differ, to rely on the written testimony
of a gentleman above all suspicion, and to whom it is impossible to attribute what may probably be designated'the
credulity of superstition/ Besides, as will be seen, he attributes what he saw to a very different cause from that
which is so readily accepted by those who believe in the
efficacy of prayer, and the miraculous power of faith.
The writer of the following statement is a Protestant
gentleman-Dr. Barter of Blarney-whose hydropathic establishment of St. Anne's, is one of the best known in the
United Kingdom.    This statement is the result of a conversation which I recently had with Dr. Barter, as to the
alleged power of working cures attributed to Father Mathew,
and in which the doctor mentioned such facts-which came
under his notice in the summer of 1853-as induced me to
request that he would be good enough to reduce them to
writing.  This he willingly did, at the same time giving
me permission to make the fullest use of his name.  The
following is the document written by Dr. Barter, and bearing
his signature:As a resident for months in my establishment, to which Father
Mathew had come for the restoration of his health, I had ample
opportunity of studying his character and habits; and well do I
remember his unceasing labour in the cause of suffering humanity.




DR. BARTER'S TESTIMONY.              531
The crowds that came daily from distant parts of the country to seek
his aid were legion yet to every one, from the highest to the lowest,
he was ever accessible, and never seemed tired of doing good. I often
remonstrated with him oil the injury which must follow from such
severe physical and mental labour, but to no purpose; his love for
his fellow-man, and his goodness of heart, banished from his noble
breast every selfish feeling, and he disregarded my repeated warnings.
Several came to be cured of painful disease; and I often witnessed
great relief afforded by him to people suffering from various affections, and in some cases I was satisfied that permanent good was
effected by his administration. Such satisfactory results, on so large
a scale too, made him the more earnest in his purpose, and gave the
recipient unbounded faith in his power; and the result, from such a
favourable combination of circumstances, could not be otherwise than
beneficial to the patient. Father JMathew possessed in a large degree. the power of animal magnetism, and I believe that the paralytic
affection from which he suffered, and which brought his valuable life
to an untimely end, was produced by an undue expenditure of this
power. His nervous power was lowered by imparting his health and
vigour to thousands. I have often seen injurious results from such a
cause, and have experienced them in my own person. Ought not this
to endear his memory to us, and more particularly to those who have
received benefit from the exercise of his power?
The doctor's theory is, that the magnetic power controls
and directs the nervous power, thereby substituting a healthy
for a morbid action of the system.    Upon this theory or
principle-whether it be sound or erroneous, I offer no opinion-Dr. Barter accounts for what he himself witnessed
during a period of some months at his establishment in
Blarney, and of which many others were equally cognisant.
I value his testimony on this account-that it furnishes the
evidence of an intelligent and unprejudiced witness as to the
fact that, from whatever cause, or through whatever means
or agency, Father Mathew did afford relief to persons suffering from disease.
From a long letter, overflowing with gratitude to the
memory of Father Mathew, written by a man of good character and credibility, who states that he had received his




532                  FATHER MATHEW.
education in the school which his benefactor had established
shortly after he commenced his mission in Cork, I extract the
following passage, merely adding that I know the writer to be
that which I have represented him:I could tell you of people that he cured, only it would occupy too
long, but I can tell you what happened to myself My eyes got very
bad, and I was afraid I was going to lose my sight entirely, which
would have brought me to ruin. I was obliged to stay away from my
business in the market, I became so blind, so I said I would go over
to Cove Street and see his reverence, which I did. I was so bad that
I got a boy to lead me in the streets. Father Mathew was there before
me, and was glad to see me and shook hands with me, as he always
did; he was kind to simple and gentle, and there was no sort of pride
in him at all. So I told him how bad I was, and sure he saw that,
for he asked me how did I get so bad. I knelt down, and he prayed
for me and put his hand on my head, and made the sign of the cross
on my eyes, and he said it would n't signify, and that I would be well
shortly; and sure I was, for I walked home without the boy helping
me, and I was as well as ever that day. I brought my wife to him
another day, and he cured her of a sore bosom, as all the neighbours
know.
Not only were those afflicted with bodily ailments brought
to him, but those likewise who suffered from mental infirmity.
A young man was being taken by his friends to the Lunatic
Asylum  of Cork, and the treatment which he received at
their hands was not such as to improve his condition.  Bound
on a car, his limbs tied with cords, and his head exposed to
the rays of a fierce sun, he was thus being conveyed to the
Asylum, when the conductors conceived the idea of first
taking him to Father Mathew. The idea was fortunately
acted upon, and they turned the horse's head towards Le.
henagh.   Father Mathew's heart was filled with compassion
at the spectacle of a human being bound like a wild beast,
uttering strange cries, and foaming at the mouth. He spoke
to him kindly and gently, and thus soothed his chafed spirit;
and he then desired his friends to loose the cords that bound




INSTANCES OF HIS STRANGE INFLUENCE.     533
him, and to protect his head from the sun.  The effect of
the kind voice, the gentle words, and the soothing touch, was
marvellous upon the patient, who had suffered violent paroxysms shortly before. The poor fellow recognised Father
Mathew, in whose power to serve him he seemed to have
confidence, and he promised that if he were brought back
home, he would do everything that he was asked to do; and
upon Father Mathew's intercession, he was brought back,
instead of being placed in the Asylum. In a month afterwards, a fine handsome young man, well dressed and wellmannered, came to Lehenagh, to return him thanks for'what
he had done for him.'
Another case, which I shall mention, was that of a young
girl from Macroom, who was brought to him by her parents,
who were afraid that she would die of starvation, as she had
obstinately refused to eat anything for a number of days,
or to utter a single word.  Her head was seriously affected,
and she could not sleep.  She was taken three times to
Father Mathew.   Through the first visit some good was
effected, and after the third visit she was perfectly restored
to her natural appetite and sleep. Before she left Lehenagh,
she ate and drank what was offered to her, and spoke rationally, and without reluctance.
Another girl, whose hands were tightly clenched, and the
nails of whose fingers were buried in the flesh of her palms,
was also brought to him by her parents. For weeks she had
been in that condition; and though the physicians who had
been consulted endeavoured to open her hands, they tried in
vain.'Allow me, my dear,' said Father Mathew, in his
winning voice; and taking her hand in his, and gently unlocking and extending her fingers, he brought it into its
natural form. This was a case of pure hysteria affecting the
limbs, such as is frequently seen in the hospitals.
Cases such as these-which will be accounted for in
various ways-confirmed the people in the belief of his




634                 FATHER MATHEW.
power to cure.  When he was asked by members of his
family, or by his more intimate friends, how he could himself account for some cures which were too patent to be
denied or doubted, his invariable reply was-'It is faiththe great faith of the people.'
That this faith took rather a wide range of latitude at
times, a trifling incident, which occurred during the early
days of the temperance movement, will show. A poor woman having a little boy in her arms, came towards him,
saying-' Oh wisha, yer reverence, put yer hand on this little
gossoon; he's the divil intirely!'Surely, my good woman,'
said Father Mathew,'that poor child is not a drunkard?''No, yer reverence,' replied the anxious parent,'but he's
the divil at the pipe; and I want you to take the "shaugh"
out of him.'
To Father Mathew's own words, spoken in Dublin, in
the year 1840, and quoted at page 140 of this volume, I
would refer the reader-those words being an authentic
exposition of his ideas and feelings on this delicate subject.
I shall conclude my allusion to it with the mention of an
appropriate fact,-that, in accordance with the time-honoured
custom of praying at the graves of holy men who had been
remarkable for the sanctity of their lives, numbers of peoplemost of them afflicted with ailments of various kinds-constantly come to pray at the tomb of Theobald Mathew. Tile
sexton of the cemetery relates many instances of relief being
obtained, or cures being effected, through visits to his grave.
One thing is certain-that people who entered as cripples,
supported by crutches, have left their crutches inside the railings of the tomb, and returned without aid or assistance to
their homes. Votive offerings of this description have been
frequently found in the same place, but have been invariably
removed, by order of the clergymen to whom the charge of
the cemetery belongs. I mention the fact of such visits being




PILGRIMAGES TO HIS GRAVE.          535
made, and of such testimonies being offered, by pilgrims to
the tomb of Father Mathew, as an evidence of that belief in
his holiness and sanctity which exists-and which no doubt
will long continue to exist-in the minds of a grateful and
religious people.




66
CHAPTER      XLIII.
Another Attack of Apoplexy-His Visit to Madeira-Getting
worse-Goes to Queenstown.
W    HILE at Lehenagh, after his return from America, he
was seized with a fit of apoplexy, which demanded the
most active treatment.  On the 1st of February 1852, at
five in the evening, he fell in a fit while alone in his bedroom. The noise of the fall was heard by the family, who
were apprehensive, from their knowledge of his condition;
and on entering the room, they found him lying senseless on
the floor.  It was for a time feared that he would never
recover from the insensibility in which he was plunged; but
his friend and physician, Dr. O'Connor, was soon at his bedside; and by that bedside his attached and faithful secretary,
Mr. O'Meara, watched during the entire night. The patient
passed from insensibility into a profound sleep; and so entirely
unaware was he of having been ill, that, on awaking at early
dawn, his first words were,'This is the Feast of the Purification. David, I must prepare to say Mass.' He recovered
very rapidly from this attack, and could not be restrained
from immediately resuming his wonted duties.
In a letter addressed to the'United Kingdom Alliance,
dated Cork, February 21, 1853, Father Mathew gave his
warmest adhesion to that association. He says:My labours, with the Divinke aid, were attended with partial success.
The efforts of individuals, however zealous, are not equal to the mighty
task. The United Kingdom Alliance strikes at the very r ot of the




HIS VISIT TO MADEIRA.               531
evil. I trust in God the associated efforts of the many good and
benev olent men will effectually crush a monster gorged with human
gore.
It would be a painful task to trace the sure and steady
progress of the malady which had marked as its victim this
best friend of his country.  Alike sanguine as desponding,
he looked upon freedom from pain, or a faint improvement in
his limbs, as the forerunner of certain recovery. As soon as
he felt strong enough to resume his functions as a clergyman,
he took up his abode on Charlotte Quay, near his church of
the Holy Trinity, which had been consecrated during his
absence in America. But the labour which, in spite of every
remonstrance, he would impose upon himself, soon developed
worse symptoms; and he was recommended to go to Madeira,
as much for the climate as to rid him, even for a time, of the
toil which he daily underwent, and which no entreaty could
induce him to relinquish.
He left for Madeira in October 1854, and did not return
until August in the following year. Fromi a letter which he
addressed to Dr. Hayden of Dublin, dated from     Funchal,
January 22, 1855, the following extract is taken:As I flatter myself it will afford you pleasure, I inform you that,
under the influence of this genial climate, my paralysed limbs are
much improved. I still suffer from lameness, which prevents me
from exercising on foot, the streets being so steep. I lament this, as
we have no vehicles except cars drawn by oxen on the hills by which
the little city of Funchal is encompassed. I am almost prevented
from taking the air, as the charge for the ox-cars is too expensivetwo shillings and three pence the hour. There are vehicles called
palanquins, and others named hammocks, carried by two men, which
are more expensive than the ox-cars. I have never suffered myself
to be carried in those lazy palanquins and effeminate hammocks. I
do not deem myself feeble enough (thank God) to be carried by my
fellow-creatures. These vehicles are generally used by delicate ladies,
or gentlemen in deep consumption.  It is frightful to meet in the
narrow streets these awful vehicles, in which the miserable sick are
extended at full length.




538                  FATHER MATHEW.
We enjoy in Madeira a perpetual spring, in which the thermometer
never falls in the shade lower than sixty-four, but often rises to
seventy-four. It is to be feared that on my return to Ireland, I shall
suffer severely from the cold.
As for myself, the only wish I have for improved health, is that it
may enable me to resume my labours for the few remaining years of
my life, in the sacred cause of temperance. Should it be the merciful
will of the great God not to restore my health, I fervently pray that
the Almighty may, in His goodness, call me to Himself, that I may
not be a burthen to my friends.
If he could have freed himself from the care and anxiety
that perpetually haunted his mind, and that, like a shadow,
dimmed the beauty of that lovely island, he might have had
a chance, not of recovery, but of prolonging his life for some
years. But he chafed at his forced inaction, and was impatient to be again at work. To die in harness seemed to be
his destiny, and it certainly was his desire. There was no
necessity for him to preach temperance to the abstemious
people by whom he was surrounded, but he contrived to find
amongst the poorest of the islanders constant objects for his
bounty. By the residents, as well as the visitors to the island,
he was treated with the greatest consideration, and the regret
was general when his intended departure was announced.
While in Liverpool, on his way to and his return from
Madeira, the invalid received many evidences of respect and
veneration; but the kindness of his steadfast friends, the
Rathbones, whom he then saw for the last time, was as affectionate and generous as ever.
Believing that he had derived much benefit from his visit
to Madeira, he again undertook duties for which his shattered
health rendered him wholly unequal, and he was once more
compelled to return to his brother's house at Lehenagh, where
he resumed the old routine.  Day by day he became more
feeble and helpless; still he would totter down the steps, and
limp along the avenue to meet a poor drunkard half way, or
to anticipate the arrival of a friend whom he had recoguised




GETTING WORS.                  539
from the window or the door. Many were the sweet words
of counsel that fell from his lips during the last year of his
life. Sweetness, humility, and holiness, marked every hour of
his declining days.  Even while surrounded by his brother's
family, he was constantly engaged in silent prayer; and
when he spoke, his words breathed the very spirit of devotion. When reference was made in his presence to his services to his fellow creatures, or to his acts of goodness, he
would say with the greatest earnestness-' Oh I do not, do
not, my dear, give me any merit for what I have done.
How I wish my motives had been always pure in the sight
of God!'
Throughout his life as a priest it afforded him the greatest consolation and happiness to offer up the Holy Sacrifice.
It was to him the most solemn moment for communing with
his God; and though at all times his manner at the altar
was in the highest degree edifying, towards the close he
appeared wholly absorbed in his devotions.  On each of
the two Christmas days preceding his death, he celebrated
three masses, the greatest number a priest is allowed to
celebrate, and only on that solemn festival.  About ten
months before his death, he was observed to stagger at the
altar, just after the consecration. The clerk at once came
to his support; but the priest made a strong mental effort,
and so far rallied as to go through the ceremony to the end.
He made no remark afterwards as to what had happened,
but he accepted the warning, for he never ventured to say
mass again.  To one of his fervent piety, this was a sad
privation; he however accepted it with his usual resignation.
Frequently the cloud, which had been so long gathering,
would settle on his brain, and shroud him in a kind of
mournful apathy. Every artifice which affection could suggest would then be resorted to, to cheer him, but in vain;
and the sadness that seemed to hang like a pall upon his
brow, would communicate its gloomy influence to the group




540                 FATHER MATHEW.
around him. Few could recognise, in that drooping figure,
and mournful and dejected countenance, the Father Mathew
of other days. Where was now the elastic step, the vigorous fiame, the clear bright eye, the smile so full of charml?
Disease and affliction had effected the painful transformation.
Loving hearts ached at that sad spectacle of human decay.
The knowledge that his death could not be far removed
was constantly present to his mind. So long as he remained
at Lehenagh, he would before retiring at night shake hands
with his brother and sister-in-law, and kiss the younger members of the family; and did he happen to leave the sittingroom without having done so, he invariably came back, even
from the bottom of the stairs leading to his bed-room, to
give them this salutation.  The earnestness of the manner
in which this nightly leave-taking was gone through, excited
the surprise of his brother and Mrs. Mathew, who made no
remark at the time; but afterwards, while at Queenstownwhere he died-the priest explained what had appeared so
strange from its impressiveness.'I feared,' said he,'that
I might die before the morning, and it was as if I were
every night taking my last farewell of those I loved.'
His prediction that he would suffer from the cold on his
return from Madeira, was painfully realised. Fires had to
be kept up at Lehenagh even during the early summer;
but the rooms were large, and the poor invalid sighed for
the warmth of Funchal, or thought with regret of those
genial cities of the Southern States, in which for a time he
had forgotten his bodily infirmity. Another voyage to Madeira was then out of the question, and he resolved to try
the milder atmosphere of Queenstown.
Thither he would go, in spite of the earnest entreaty of
his relatives, who desired to have him near them, and to
watch over him to the last; but he was not to be moved
from  his purpose once that he had resolved upon it  It
was shrewdly suspected that one of his reasons (his chief




GOES TO QUEENSTOWN.              541
reason) for quitting Lehenagh for Queenstown was to avoid
giving further trouble to his family, to whom he felt he had
been so long a cause of anxiety and solicitude.
Tender and sad was his leave-taking of his affectionate
relatives, with whom he had spent most of the happiest days
of his life, and who rejoiced when he was glad, and suffered
when he was oppressed with sorrow or with care. Beneath
those spreading trees what happy groups had assembled at
his bidding I Upon that lawn how many a time were witnessed the innocent sports, and were heard the joyous shouts,
of the young people whom he had invited to holiday and
to feast I Before that door how often had he beheld the
beloved banner flutter at the head of some faithful society,
and listened with delight to strains which were ever harmonious to his ear I Tenderly and sorrowfully he bade a
long adieu to a spot consecrated by countless memories of
happiness and affection, of pleasure and of pride; for he
knew in his heart that he would never see it more-he was
going to Queenstown to die.




542
CHAPTER XLIV.
Has Father Mathew's Work survived him?-The Spirit lives.
A  ND now, before the curtain falls, and we catch the last
glimpse of him whose character and career I have en.
deavoured, however feebly and imperfectly, to depict, I would
say a word upon a question which has been put to me repeatedly, and which will naturally suggest itself to the mind of
the reader-namely, has Father Mathew's work survived
him? Conscientiously speaking, I feel convinced it has. Nay
more, I believe it is impossible to destroy and undo that
work.   Father Mathew taught his generation this great
lesson,-that, as a rule, alcoholic stimulants are not only
unnecessary but injurious to the human being-that drunkenness is an odious and disgusting vice-that poverty and
misery and disease and crime are born of this vice-that the
man who altogether abstains is safer than the man who is
moderate in his enjoyment of that which is so full of risk and
danger; and that not only is there no possible safety for
those liable to excess, and unable to resist temptation, save
in total abstinence, but that there is redemption-social,
moral, and physical-to be found in the pledge for the most
confirmed and abandoned drunkard. This is a grand lesson
to have taught; and this lesson, which has become part of
the world's wisdom and experience, cannot be obliteratedcertainly not from the memory of the Irish people. In so
far, then, he has left his work as a great lesson and legacy
to posterity; and whenever again the vice against which he




HAS FATHER     MATHEW'S WORE        SURVIVED HIM?          543
waged    so vigorous and       successful a    strife for many     of the
best years of his life assumes a formidable aspect-dangerous to society and perilous to morality, industry, peace, and
order-there is no       fear that the     lesson will not be applied,
or that Providence will not inspire, or even raise up, those
who will put it into practice as Father Mathew did, for the
sake of religion, humanity, and country. If they will not
preach total abstinence, they will at least counsel and promote temperance for the mass, and rigid sobriety for those
who know not how to limit themselves within the bounds of
moderation.*
* As an instance directly in point, I would refer to the extraordinary work accomplished in his arch-diocese, by the Most Rev. Dr. Leahy, Catholic Archbishop of
Cashel and Emly. He has succeeded in inducing the publicans within the limits of
his episcopal jurisdiction to close their houses, and not to sell anything spirituous,
on Sundays; and this he has effected with the most beneficial results to the morality
and good order of the arch-diocese. Dr. Leahy is favourably known to the English
public for his successful suppression of stupid feuds and wicked faction fights, and
for the public and solemn reconciliation of two of the most powerful factions that
existed in Tipperary. In a public letter addressed' To the Very Rev. John Spratt,
D.D., and James Haughton, Esq., of Dublin,' Dr. Leahy describes the means by
which he enforces his Sunday-closing law, and which, no doubt, requires similar
circumstances for its enforcement and success in other places.  The principal
of these must be that the people, as throughout the district in question, should
be of one religious faith. The letter from which this extract is quoted, is dated'Thurles, 23rd of April, 1863,' and was repeatedly referred to in the House of Commons, in the debate on Mr. Soames' Bill, on Wednesday the 2nd of May. The extract
is as follows:-'Now, what are the means by which we have been enabled to'enforce this law?
The authority of the Bishop, the cooperation of the Clergy, who from the first threw
themselves into the cause with commendable zeal, the influence of religion coupled
with the frequentation of the Church's sacraments, the people's strong religious
sentiments, their respect for the ordinances of their Church, their deep reverence for
their clergy, especially for the word of their Bishop-with them sacred;-these, and
these only, are the means by which we have enforced this law, and enforced it so
effectually, that in a few years it has acquired all the stability of a time-honoured
ordinance, and is observed by the people as exactly as any law of Church or State in
this realm;-observed, too, let me add, not as an unpleasant restraint, but most willingly by those on whom it imposes the sacrifice of appetite, nor less willingly by
those of whom it requires the sacrifice of a gainful trade-observed by the poor and
by the rich alike, by the small hard-struggling publican all the same as by the
wealthy merchant, in the village and at the cross-road just as in the populous town.
It is to myself a marvel how-the people observe this law.'




544                      FATHER MATHEW.
That the mass of the Irish people have not adhered to
the pledge, is true; but, assuming the possibility that they
would have done so, had Father Mathew retained for somo
years longer the same vigour of constitution and physical
activity which he enjoyed in the height of the tc,aperance
agitation, and had he been able to devote his undivided attention to the completion of his work-is it within the bounds
of human possibility that any moral movement could have
withstood the combined influence of such discouraging causes
as those which the temperance movement }ail          to encounter?
Let us be just to Father Mathew, and to his followers;
and let us remember the succession of ctents which pressed
with disheartening effect upon the tempterance cause and the
Irish people,-the terrible and protracted       famine-the political disturbance of 1848, and the reaction which necessarily
followed the impaired health of FatLer Mathew-his long
absence from Ireland, extending over a period of two years
and a half, from June 1849 to December 1851-his gradual
decay, which admitted but of feeble and intermittent efforts
on his part-and the depression and want of public spirit,
which the poverty and misery of the country induced.          What
human cause-what cause which relied for its sustainment
upon a high moral tone and pride of spirit, individual as well
as national-could have resisted influences such as these?
The wonder is, not that they acted so injuriously as they did,
It is but fair to the Archbishop to quote a preceding passage, where he describes
the manner in which he dealt with his flock previous to his attempting the reform
that secured their sobriety on the Lord's Day.'As I went the round of the diocese from parish to parish in performing the
duty of visitation, seldom or never did I omit to make temperance a subject of
exhortation to the people, following up exhortation with the practical work cf
administering a pledge, sometimes to individuals, generally to large groups of
persons gathered around the sanctuary rail. The pledge was-not to get drunk
at any time, nor to frequent public-houses on Sundays or holidays-and bound
for no longer a time than three years, or say, till the Bishop's next coming to.he parish. A pledge for life, except in rare instances, or of total abstinence,
except in the case of confirmed drunkards, I have seldom, if ever, administered,
preferring easy temporary pledges as more likely to do good to the mass of the
people.




THE SPIRIT STILL LIVES.           545
but that they did not act more fatally than they did; for, in
spite of all that has happened to discourage and depress, the
organisation is not destroyed. In every city, in every town,
in every parish, there are still. numbers who have remained
faithful to the practice of total abstinence, and there are
everywhere to be found the ready elements of future revival.
Living examples of the value of sobriety-its value to character, to position, to worldly prosperity, to domestic happiness and public esteem-are to be found in every part of the
country; and these examples preach a lesson more eloquent
than words can frame or tongue can utter. I personally
know, not a few, but many men of worth and respectability,
who owe all they possess and enjoy to temperance, and who
glory in proclaiming their undying gratitude to the author
of their happiness and independence. They are to be found
in every rank of life; and their fidelity to the cause is the
more resolute and enthusiastic from the memory of the
misery and degradation from which they were rescued and
redeemed.
There is then the improved moral tone of society, and
the change in the public sentiment. Formerly, drunkenness
was regarded rather as a fault for which there were numberless excuses and palliations; now, drunkenness is looked
upon as a degrading vice, and the drunkard finds no universal absolution from the judgement of society. Whatever
opinion may be held as to the necessity of total abstinence,
or the wisdom of moderation, there is but one opinion as
to excess-that is, one of just and general condemnation.
Formerly, there was not a circumstance in one's life, or an
event in one's family, or in the family of one's friend or
acquaintance, that was not a legitimate excuse for a poor
fellow'having forgotten himself,' or'being overtaken by
liquor;' but a sterner verdict is now pronounced upon the
delinquent-and that sterner verdict, which evidences a
higher tone of public wisdom and morality, is another of the




546                        FATHER MTHER HEW.
results of Father Mathew's teaching. And in this way, too,
his work has survived the mortal life of its author.*
* James Haughton, of Dublin, writing from that city on the 1st of May, 1863,
says:-'I am happy to say that Father Mathew's influence for good is still extensive in
this city, where many who took the pledge from him have since lived happy and
blameless lives. I cannot give you the least idea of the number of teetotallers in
Dublin. Father Spratt is constantly enrolling members, but he does not keep any'ecord of them. Every Sunday evening we hold a meeting in Cuffe Street, where
from one to three hundred persons constantly take the pledge.'
In Cork a healthful spirit of revival is manifesting itself-the result principally of
the efforts of a few earnest men, more distinguished by their zeal than by their social
position or personal influence.
The temperance cause is deeply rooted in other portions of the United Kingdom;
Lnd wherever Father Mathew preached, in the Old World or in the New, there are
to be found propagandists of his doctrine, and living examples of its practical utility
and advantage to the human race.




541
CHAPTER XLV.
In Queenstown-His Christian Humility-The ruling Passion strong
in Death-His last Moments.
DURING the autumn of 1856, a white-haired venerable
man, of a countenance noble in outline and sweet in
expression, might be seen slowly creeping along the sunny
places of Queenstown, his tottering steps assisted by a young
lad, on whose shoulder one hand of the invalid rested for
support. This was Theobald Mathew, the Apostle of Temperance, whose voice, a few years before, rang in the crowded
hall, and was heard far above the heads of listening multitudes, and whose physical energy then seemed almost indestructible. There was not one who did not bow to him with
respect, as he passed slowly by; and no eye glanced at that
halting gait and that shattered frame, without a look of the
deepest sympathy. Hour by hour, step by step, that martyr
to the public good was on his way to his last resting-place.
Hour by hour, too, the cloud darkened around him, rendering
him more sad and silent than at any former period of his
malady. Occasionally he rallied out of this gloom and depression, when visited by one of his old friends in the ministry, or
by his faithful followers in the temperance cause.
One day an attached friend called to pay him a visit. The
visitor ascended the stairs, and, finding everything quiet,
pushed in the door of the sitting room, which was partly
open, and entered. There he found Father Mathew on his
knees, buried in prayer, wholly abstracted from things of the
earth. Not wishing to disturb him at such a moment, the




548                 FATHER MATHEW.
friend was about retiring, when the servant said-' Mr. —.
is here, sir.' Father Mathew rose from his knees, and, tottering towards his visitor, warmly embraced him.'Pardon me,
sir,' said the gentleman,'for disturbing your devotions.''My
dear friend,' said Father Mathew, beseechingly,'you must
join with me in my prayer to God. Pray for me, dear —''For you, sir!''Yes, my dear-I was praying that God
would prepare me for leaving this world, and would forgive
me for the sins I have commited.' Taking his visitor by the
hand, he again asked him to kneel with him.'What necessity is there for my praying for you, Father Mathew?''OhI
my dear, who can be pure in the sight of God!' was the
reply.'But you have done so much good for mankind.''No, no,' said the humble man, in still more earnest tones;'I have done nothing-and no one can be pure in the eyes
or God. Kneel with me, my dear, and pray with me to the
Father of Mercy.   His earnestness could not be resisted;
and by the side of that true Christian, the strong man knelt,
overwhelmed with emotion. When both rose from that solemn
prayer, the face of the priest was radiant with a holy light;
that of the strong man was bathed in tears.'Promise me,
promise me that you will remember me in your prayers during
the Holy Sacrifice,' were the last words which Father Mathew
uttered, as the two men parted for ever in this world; and
when next that face was beheld by the friend who loved him
in life, it was when it reposed in the sleep of death.
For more than two hours every day, he was to be found in
the church, absorbed in prayer and meditation; and whatever time he could spare from visitors, and the exercise which
he endeavoured to sustain, were devoted to the great purpose
of the brief remainder of his life-preparation for a holy
death.
But even in these his last moments, the ruling passion was
strong as ever. About six weeks before his death, his brother
Charles came to see him; and on entering the sitting-room,




THE RULING PASSION STRONG IN DEATH.     549
he was surprised to perceive a rather large table elaborately
laid out for several guests. Charles expressed his surprise,
and remonstrated with his brother, saying -'Surely you
ought not to take such trouble on yourself, now that you are
so delicate. Who are to dine with you?' Father Mathew
was not at all pleased at being thus caught in his old habit
of feast-giving, and he never ceased hinting to Charles that' he would most certainly lose the train if he remained much
longer;' and though Charles had really come to spend the
evening with him, he could not find it in his heart to interfere
with an enjoyment in which the invalid took such intense
delight, and he left the poor feeble host to dispense his last
hospitality. The explanation of the dinner party was thishis young attendant pursued his studies during several hours
of the day at a school in the town; and Father Mathew, to
afford him pleasure, gave him permission to invite a number
of his companions to dinner. This little feast recalled, no
doubt, the happy joyous days of old, when he entertained the
Josephians in his house in Cove Street; and his anticipation
of the gratification of the young people, at the good things
prepared for them, dispelled the heavy cloud for a time. His
brother was surprised at what he considered to be an improvement in his health; but it was only the result of momentary
excitement.
That one so good and gentle, and so considerate to others,
should inspire the warmest interest in every member of the
household amid which he spent the concluding days of his
life, is what might naturally be expected; and nothing was
wanting on the part of the excellent man in whose house he
lodged * to render him as comfortable as possible. The very
desire which he always expressed, to avoid giving trouble,
only made those around him more anxious to anticipate his
wants; and the care and solicitude of this kindly man and his
family were unceasing to the last.
S Mr John Sullivan, of Queenstown.




550                 FATHER MATHEW.
There is little more to be told. The curtain was soon to
fall. Some days before his death, he received the final shock.
When dressing in the morning, he fell heavily to the ground,
without however losing his senses, except for a short time.
He was placed in his bed, speechless and powerless, save for
some slight motion of his fingers, and with partial loss of
hearing. He rallied somewhat during the day; but it was
apparent, even to an unprofessional eye, that his days were
numbered.  His faculties were not nowever more dim than
they had been hitherto, or at least for a year previously. He
made signs that he desired to have a clergyman sent for, and
his wish was at once complied with; and the clergyman who
had acted as his spiritual director during his residence in
Queenstown, was quickly at his bedside, and afforded him the
consolations of religion. Thus fortified, he lay tranquilly and
in peace, without pain, but with an expression of great sadness
upon his countenance. As the members of his family came
about him, he could only smile and press the hand of each
with feeble grasp. He at first made efforts to speak to them;
but the voice which had moved the hearts and awakened the
consciences of so many, which had comforted so many a
bruised and broken spirit, which had soothed so many deathbeds, was never more to be heard by mortal ear. He intimated, with sufficient significance, his wish that any one who
desired to see him should be admitted to his room; and even
those who had come to take the pledge, before the news of his
severe attack had spread abroad, were brought to his bedside. By that dying couch they knelt; and they themselves
repeated the well-known formula, after which he contrived to
make the sign of the cross on their foreheads with his palsied
hand. And this was the last act in the life of Theobald
Mathew, who, if he were the Apostle, was also the Martyr of
Temperance.
For several days he continued free from physical suffering,
as far as could be judged.  He observed everything that




HIS LAST MOMENTS.              551
occurred in the room, and looked his thanks for any little
friendly office, in a way that was deeply affecting.  The
Sisters of the Queenlstown Convent watched and prayed constantly by his beside.'Theobald, would you wish to be
buried with Frank and Tom?' his brother Charles enquired
of him, as the last hours were approaching. The dying man
signified a negative.'Is it in the cemetery?''Yes,' was
plainly indicated.'Is it under the Cross?' A sweet but
faint smile, and fainter pressure of the almost lifeless hand,
was the only reply. This was the spot which he had many
years before marked out as his resting place. There was no
violent convulsion, no mortal agony, no awful struggle of
nature, in his last moments. Death stole upon him as gently
as sleep upon a wearied man. He died in peace, without the
slightest movement. But it would seem as if, in some inexplicable way, an expression of pain moulded itself upon his
features. It was like the lingering shadow of the sorrow
which had long brooded over his spirit, and which, for some
years past, had been so rarely and so briefly dispelled.'Ah,
surely, somebody is vexing him,' said an old and loving follower, when admitted to the bedroom. And yet if one may
predicate such of mortal, he must have been then, after a life
of fever, toil, and pain, experiencing that happiness which is
promised to those who on this earth walk in the light, and
imitate the life of the Lord. Thus passed away, in the 66th
year of his age, and in the 42nd of his ministry, Theobald
Mathew, the Apostle of Temperance. The 8th of December
1856, belongs to history as the date of that event.




552
CHAPTER XLVI.
Feeling caused by his Death-Expressions of Opinion respecting
his Character-Protestant Testimony-His Funeral-His Statue.
IHE knowledge that Father Mathew had been for some
years declining in health, and that the event of his death
could not possibly be far off, did much to prepare the public
for its announcement.   Had he been struck down in the
vigour and activity of his life, the effect upon the mind of
the country would have been for a time overpowering, so
much was he loved by all classes of the people of Ireland;
but even as it was, and prepared as the public were to receive
at any moment the sad tidings of his death, the announcement that he was no more, was received with a feeling of
genuine and universal sorrow.   That sorrow was however
mitigated by the consciousness that he had been released
from a state of pain and misery, and that his weary spirit
was at rest. Though the people of his own city mourned
for him as for a father whom they had lost, they derived a
holy consolation from the conviction that he was then'a
saint in heaven.'
The tidings of Father Mathew's death elicited a strong
and general expression of public opinion in his favour.
From every quarter came earnest and eloquent testimonies
to his character, his services, his motives; and the public
press of the British Empire faithfully reflected the feeling
entertained towards the illustrious dead by every class of
his fellow subjects.*  No harsh word was uttered against
* Testimonies from the public press might be given in great number, but the
Paace remaining is too scant for their quotation. I shall'h.refore content myself




PUBLIC OPINION      RESPECTING    HIS CHARACTER.          553
one whose happy fortune it had been to disarm hostile criticism, and convert enemies into friends.             The few    shades in
his character were absorbed in its brightness; and none
thought, but with tenderness, of the self-will which had
evinced itself at times, or of the jealousy which had been
rarely displayed: these two were easily accounted for by the
earnestness and ardour of his nature, and his long habit of
authority    and leadership.        It was of his large        heart, his
great soul, his tender and compassionate nature, his intense
love of his fellow creatures, his generosity, his self-sacrifice,
his nobleness of spirit, his devotion to the poor, his long life
of toil and     labour spent in the service of God-it was of
these men thought, and not of the specks upon the sun.' I never saw     a man,' said     the venerable Thomas George
French, of Merino-a Protestant gentleman of high rank,-'so untainted by the world as Father Mathew. He was the
model of what a Christian clergyman ought to be..I never
with a single testimony from the Cork Constitutton, the well known Protestant organ
of the South of Ireland. It is the more valuable because of the source from which it
emanates, as well as from the daily opportunity which the writer had of thoroughly
understanding the character and career which he depicted:-'Yesterday passed from among us a man who filled a large space in the eye, not
of Cork only, but of the world. His reputation was not Irish or English, but European and American.  By multitudes in every land his name was syllabled and his
memory revered, and by tens of thousands will be hallowed both for resolutions in.
spired and for benefits enjoyed.  We speak not of Mr. Mathew as a friar or as a
priest. Whatever our objections to his creed, his motives, we believe, were single,
his humanity was genuine, and his benevolence was great.  Great, too, beyond
precedent was the revolution he wrought in the habits of a people given beyond
precedent to the excesses of * strong drink."  He laboured honestly and energetically, sparing neither health nor time, deterred by no difficulty, confronting with
cheerfulness opposition where he ought to have had cooperation, and persevering
humbly but earnestly until obstinacy was overcome and incredulity convinced, and
until not a parish in the country could refuse to receive as a benefactor one whom
it at first regarded as a cheat... Dislike as we may the accessories, it is a great
thing to see drunkenness giving place to sobriety, slovenliness to cleanliness, sloth
to industry. discord to content  and to see parent and child, wife and husband,
going forth in the hours of relaxation to enjoy together the comforts acquired by
release from the brawls, and bondage, and beggary of the public-house. It is for his
agency in this desirable consummation that we bestow this brief notice on a man
whose health was broken, If not. his life shortened, by his efforts to achieve it. For
some years he has been in a state of debility which everyone witnessed with regret;
for, apart from his amiability of disposition, his unassumingnesp of deportment, and
his abstinence from participation in political or polemical contention, there is something melancholy in the visible day-by-day decay of powers and faculties which but
lately were instinct with life and energy; and that possibly from a consciousness of
our own liability to a similar visitation, disposes us to look with a sympathising eye
on eny on whom the afflicting hand has thus heavily been laid. Such, at all events,
was the feeling with which professors of all creeds regarded Mr. Mathew.'




654                   FATHER MATHEW.
heard a word from him that ought not to emanate from    a
man of good heart and pure mind. If one were likely to be
influenced by a clergyman of another persuasion to change
his creed, it would be by such a man as Father Mathewnot because of any peculiar talent he possessed, but from his
manner and the example of his own life.''Father Mathew was always engaged in good and charitable works, and in trying to serve and benefit his fellow
creatures. I never knew a more benevolent man or a more
perfect gentleman' said John Cotter of Cork, a man of
patriarchal age, and whose own benevolence had become a
proverb-' as charitable as John Cotter.'
This is the manner in which he was spoken of by Protestants who had known him intimately, long before he became
connected with the temperance movement.
For myself (wrote Smith O'Brien,) whether he be or be not canonised as a saint by the Church of Rome, I am disposed to regard him
as an Apostle who was specially deputed on a divine mission by the
Almighty, and invested with power almost miraculous. To none of
the ordinary operations of human agency can I ascribe the success
which attended his efforts to repress one of the besetting sins of the
Irish nation. If I had read in history that such success had attended
the labours of an unpretending priest, whose chief characteristic was
modest simplicity of demeanour, I own that I should have distrusted
the narrative as an exaggeration; but we have been all of us witnesses to the fact that myriads simultaneously obeyed his advice,
and, at his bidding, abandoned a favourite indulgence.
Long before the time of his death, even the most sceptical
had admitted that the Apostle of Temperance had no selfish object in the promotion of a movement to which his
own family were among the first victims; and the fact that
he died in poverty-that, save his watch and altar plate
and sacred vestments, which belonged to him as a priest,
he had nothing to give or bequeath-dispelled the last lingering suspicion which had its origin, years before, in ignorance and misconoep'ion.   His death paid the debte for




HIS FUNERAL                  555
which he had heavily insured his life; and, with the exception of members of his own family, who had more than once
generously made large sacrifices to assist him in his pressing difficulties, there were none whom the insurance did not
satisfy.
The Corporation of his adopted city only expressed the
public feeling when they resolved on honouring the memory
of their illustrious fellow citizen by a public funeral. The
body was brought up on Thursday from Queenstown by a
number of his oldest and most attached followers, and placed
in the Church of the Holy Trinity, which was another monument of his priestly zeal for the glory of God's House.
Thousands crowded the sacred building so long as an opportunity was afforded to the public of taking a last look at
those beloved features, which were exposed to view for some
time before the funeral. With timid step and bowed head
the poor.entered the Church, which was shrouded in sombre
drapery, and approached the coffin in which lay all that
was mortal of their friend and benefactor. As they gazed
with tearful eyes on that face, so calm, and pale, and rigid,
as if chiselled out of marble, sobs broke from their labouring breasts, and they gave way to passionate bursts of sorrow.  Noble and beautiful was that countenance in the
stillness of death; and though the traces of suffering and
care were discernible in its worn and wasted lineaments,
there was still, as strikingly visible as in life, the same expression of benevolence, which was the most marked and
unchanging characteristic of his nature.
On Friday the 12th of December, 1856, Cork poured out
its population in the streets to pay the last tribute of respect
to the memory of its greatest citizen; and through a living
mass the funeral cortege-extending nearly two miles in
length-wound its slow and solemn way. Every class, every
rank, every party, every creed, had its full representation in
that sad procession, which was closed by the truest mourn.




556                 FATHER MATHiW.
ers of all-the poor.   Never before were there so many
persons assembled in the cemetery to which its founder was
now borne. It was computed that more than 50,000 mourners-for all that day were mourners-crowded the adjoining
roads, and filled every avenue and walk, and covered every
available part of that beautiful burial place, as the Catholic
bishop and the attendant clergy-more than 70 in number —
received the body at the entrance. The impressive solemnity
of the sublime service for the dead hushed for a time the
convulsive sobs that broke from that vast assemblage; but
as the precious remains were deposited in the tomb prepared
for their reception, the great sorrow burst forth again, telling how deep and strong was the feeling which the people
bore to one whom they had so much reason to honour and
to love. Amidst the tears and prayers of his fellow citizens, who that day represented a mourning nation, the body
of Theobald Mathew was consigned to the gravefor which
his spirit had long yearned; and there, in that chosen spot,
beneath the cross which his own hands had reared many
years before, his ashes now repose.
In a few weeks after the grave closed over the mortal
remains of the Apostle of Temperance, the citizens of Cork
assembled in the public Court-house, to consider the most
appropriate means of paying a tribute of respect to his memory.  That meeting was of itself a tribute to his memory,
no less than an evidence of his teaching,-it was a happy
fusion of class, of party, and of creed; and in a spirit of
harmonious concord, inspired as it were by the lessons of
the sainted dead, all united for the performance of a duty
which was at once an honour and an obligation.     The
Protestant and the Dissenter vied with the Catholic in the
eloquent expression of affection for the man, and veneration
for his character; of sorro-v for his loss, and of pride in his




HIS STATUE.                  55T
citizenship. Never was feeling more harmonious, never was
testimony more unanimous. In obedience to the almost universal wish, it was resolved that a statue of Father Mathew
in some way typical of his temperance mission, should be
erected in one of the public thoroughfares of the citythereby affording the most gratifying consolation to the
people whom he loved as a father, and amongst whom he
had lived for more than forty years. An unavoidable delay,
occasioned by the death of Mr. Hogan, the eminent sculptor
to whom the task of executing the statue was originally confided, prevented the committee from carrying out their delegated trust as soon as could have been desired; but ere the
close of this year (1863) a statue by Foley-replete with
the charm of life and grace which genius can alone impart
to marble or to bronze-is to be erected in the most public and conspicuous position.  And -while this statue will
faithfully represent those beautiful and long-familiar features,
and recall that mission to which he devoted many of the
best years of his life, and to which he sacrificed his happiness and his health, it will visibly associate the memory of
its most famous and illustrious citizen with the city of his
adoption,-that city which was the scene of his holy labours
as a minister of religion, and the birth-place of that great
moral reformation which has conferred, and which will long
continue to confer, coantless blessings on mankind.