Mr. Von Taylor, who is possessed of undoubted oratorical powers, but at present labors under the disadvantage of being in that period in which Nature has not as yet asserted the supremacy of the man over the boy. When his voice will have acquired that manly fullness and depth which belong to a riper age than his, few college speakers will hold an equal rank with him. Masters Robinson and Beardslee, as delineators, also deserve credit.

We will now pass to

THE SECOND EVENING.

The programme embodied examinations in French, Latin, Greek, Book-keeping, Trigonometry, etc., all of which proved very satisfactory. The declaimers were led by Masters George A. Schuette and John Hart, the latter a boy fourteen years old, who is exceedingly bright and au fait in all his classes. His version of that sad and most musical conception in the English language, the grim, gaunt and ghastly "Raven," of our unfortunate laureate, Edgar Allan Poe, was good beyond his years.

66

Master Ignatius Noonan, a little boy, doubtless not yet in his teens, displayed a fearless front, backed by a clear and loud enunciation. To Master J. J. Jennings belongs the oratorical palm of the college. His eulogy on " O'Connell" was smooth and classic, and discriminating to a nicety. It might have been intensified by a few warmer touches of passion, but of course that was at the option of the speaker. Its rendition was superb, and we prophecy a brilliant future for him in the world of oratory.

The young gentleman has the same forcible, thrilling delivery as his elder brother William, and this, his first attempt at a literary production, in our estimation ranked second only to Mr. Harrison's essay on Macaulay's "Bacon."

Good music was abundant, but the creme of everything, with two or three exceptions, was kept for

THE THIRD EVENING,

which was dedicated principally to the graduates.

Mr. William Harrison advanced the best composition of the three evenings. His knowledge of Bacon (and all the philosophers) enabled him to lay open the merits and demerits of Macaulay's "Essay on the Sage." The language was extremely elegant and refined, and the criticisms just and impartial. Mr. Harrison graduated with the highest honors, and, from the showers of bouquets that greeted him on every occasion of his appearance, we judge him to be a favorite among the fairer sex.

Space and time compel us to merely mention the remainder of the programme. Among the orations were: "Fame," by Mr. E. Tillman; “Oratory," by Mr. O. J. McDonald; "Woman's Rights," by J. F. O'Rourke. The "Master's Oration," by Mr. D. J. Doherty, was warmly and justly applauded. Mr. William Harrison's valedictory was followed by the distribution of premiums and the conferring of the following degrees: A. M. upon Rev. M. Brennan, A. B.; and D. J. Doherty, A. B. A. B. upon William Harrison, Owen McDonald and E. Tillman. Several diplomas were granted in the Commercial Department.

The drawing and painting classes are under the charge of Professor Theodore Clauss, the splendid results of whose teachings speak for themselves. Among his best scholars are Messrs. F. Murphy, Clarence Beardsle and Charley Cook.

To Brothers Humphrey and Ireneus we are indebted for many favors received.

RALPH LEON HALDIN.

LITERARY

ASSOCIATIONS,

ETC.

THE DE LA SALLE JUNIOR LITERARY of Washington," M. V. Sullivan, which SOCIETY, of New York, held their Second was remarkably well rendered. RecitaAnniversary Celebration at De La Salle In- tion, "Lord Chatham on the American stitute June 9th. The evening's exercises War," P. J. Scully. Debate-Subject, were opened by an overture by the orches"Is the United States Administration justra of the Senior Association, which was foltified for its non-interference in the Cuban lowed by a well-written address from the President, L. T. Reilly. Then the "Cottage by the Sea" was sung by a bright little and A. A. Griffin. Negative-John J. musical genius-Chas. Conway-after which

question?" Affirmative-John J. M'Ardle

Moss and John Martin. Both sides of the J. T. Carey delivered an able oration on the question were well supported, and the de'Progress of Error." C. A. Elsen executed bate throughout evinced considerable rein a fine style upon the piano the "Anvil search and ability, and was very creditable Polka,” and M. J. Lavelle read a very inter- to the participants, all of whom, with the esting and instructive essay on the "Rise, exception of Mr. Griffin, being comparatively inexperienced. The programme was

Progress and Decline of the Saracen Empire." A duet followed-"Come where the

ing by Messrs. A. O'Halloran and John J. Gillespie, who were frequently applauded. During the evening, the Rev. E. J. O'Reilly, pastor of St. Mary's, entered the hall and addressed the audience in a few appropriate remarks. The entertainment throughout may justly be considered a success, and as a first attempt promises well for the future of the Association.

violets blow-by J. Phelan and A. Euring. interspersed with music, and very fine singE. F. McAleer delivered a well-prepared oration on "Our Revolutionary Heroes." G. A. Bergen sung "My father's good old song" with so much spirit and feeling as to win the hearty applause of the audience. Then, J. J. McKillop read a timely essay on the "Effects of Chinese Emigration," in which he handled that vexed question in a masterly manner. A duet, "Beautiful Moonlight," by M. Cunnion and T. McCluskey. A stirring, patriotic oration on "The Irish, a Religious and Warlike People," delivered by F. P. Cunnion, and "Ours" Grand March, by the orchestra, closed a very successful entainment.

The annual entertainment of St. Mary's Young Men's Temperance, Beneficial and Literary Association took place in St. Mary's Institute, Madison street, on Thursday evening, June 9, before a large audience. The literary exercises consisted of an excellent address by the President, A. A. Griffin, followed by a recitation, entitled "Fontenoy," by P. J. Scully, which was well delivered, and evinces considerable practice and confidence on the part of this gentleman. This was followed by a very good original oration, on "Liberty," by John J. M'Ardle. Recitation, "Character

CELTIC LITERARY CLUB OF NEW YORK. -The third of this club's series of lectures was delivered by Mr. James Dunne, Friday evening, June 24, on the subject of "Heroism." Usually in speaking of such public efforts terms of general commendation are used, but so many points in this lecture are worthy of mention, that we are at a loss which of them to make most prominent. In the first place, the lecturer was eloquent, and imparted to his discourse that charm which an earnest en. thusiasm always creates. Then the conception of his subject was in accordance with its own grandeur, and the beauty of his thoughts were almost equaled by the elegance of their expression. In fact, the effort was both an oration and a lecture, combining all the eloquent flow of lan

guage belonging to the one, with the im- nobility and greatness. Mr. John A. pressive practical teaching of the other. Hurley's oration on "Abuses of IntelIt is all the more creditable to Mr. Dunne lect" displayed much care and elegance that he presented what he might be con- of composition, as well as profundity of sidered a trite theme in such a graceful thought and earnestness of delivery. and effective manner as to give us a new "Obstacles to Industry"-a defence of and original phase of the subject, and re- Free-Trade and denunciation of Protecceive the well-earned applause of his tion-was Mr. John A. Noonan's oration, hearers. We would express the hope and certainly his treatment of this vexed that, in the autumn of the year, when such question, was such as to win the comentertainments are more generaliy attend- mendations of the partisans of both ed, Mr. Dunne will be called upon to re- theories. This gentleman, who is Presipeat this lecture.

DE LA SALLE CLUB.

dent of the Club, has an easy, graceful
delivery, as well as rare, elocutionary
talent; and should he in after years be
called to the pulpit, the tribune or the
bar will confer honor on the Alma Mater
which shall have sent him forth. Mr.
Wm. J. Foy, Editor of the Album, read
several pleasing selections from its pages
in an agreeable voice and with much earn-
The music furnished
estness of manner.
by the College Band and Orchestra was
very choice, and most beguilingly whiled
away the passing hours. The represent.
ative of the MONTHLY returns his sin-
cere thanks for the many courtesies ex-
tended to him by the members of the Club.

Seldom have we had the pleasure of attending a more agreeable and more judiciously-prepared entertainment than that of De La Salle Club of Manhattan College, which took place on June 25, under a large marquee in the College grounds. The day was all in point of mildness that the most interested friend of the young orators could desire, and the audience were at once refreshed by the cooling breezes of the Hudson, and instructed by the thoughtful utterances of the speakers. Mr. John J. Corr discoursed on "Emotional Religion," and won the plaudits of his hearers by his The annual exhibition of St. Patrick's Caunassuming demeanor and intelligent ex- thedral Sunday School and of St. Aloysius position of his subject. "Rationalism" Sodality took place Monday evening, June was Mr. Wm. A. Farrell's theme; and 27, at Niblo's Garden. The programme his peroration descriptive of the false consisted of dramatic exercises and singsystem of education in vogue and the ing by the Hoboken Harmonic Club.. consequent infidelity and skepticism of The two farces-"My Uncle, the Capthe age, showed that he had philosophi- tain," and a "Close Shave"-were acted cally considered all the aspects of his with considerable spirit, and in a manner subject. Mr. Philip V. Taylor, of St. very creditable to amateurs. The drama, Louis, in an oration, entitled "Struggles "Alexius, or the Hidden Gem," closed for Fame," depicted in glowing lan- the evening's performance. The large guage the efforts of men of genius in all theatre in which these exercises were times for recognition, and drew the con- given was more than comfortably filled by clusion that they should not have la- an audience who frequently testified their bored so earnestly for what, in the end, approval and delight at witnessing such a proves so fleeting, but should have been successful entertainment. Signor G. Opercontent with the consciousness of true ti's Orchestra furnished the music.

1870.

FIRST BOOK OF BOTANY. By Miss Eliza | authority. In the enthusiasm of youth he Youmans. New York: D. Appleton & apostrophized the sword as an oppressed Co., Publishers. nation's only deliverance, and maturer and sterner years found him charging under the folds of the green flag on many a hardfought field and shouting to his brave soldiers, "Oh! that this was for old Ireland.” Two countries mourned his untimely fate when the dark waters of the Missouri closed one awful night upon his struggling form; and the sigh for the fallen hero that went up from American hearts became a wail of

This primary text-book, based as it is on the system of the late Prof. Henslow, of Cambridge, England, is without doubt a most important contribution to educational literature. Proceeding immediately to the consideration of familiar objects, it enchains the attention of the young pupil, and gives him a most pleasing knowledge of the structure and forms of flowers, leaves, plants and herbs.

desolation in the Emerald Isle.

Capt. Lyons has performed the duties of biographer carefully, and con amore

Miss Youmans has done a great deal for the popularization of the beautiful science a of Botany. The book is most tastefully for his departed friend. and substantially bound, and is full of fine illustrations.

BRIG.-GENERAL THOS. FRANCIS MEAGHER;
His Political and Military Career, with
Selections from his Writings. By Capt.
W. F. Lyons. New York: D. & J.

Sadlier & Co. 1870.

CONFERENCES OF THE REV. PERE LACORDAIRE. Delivered in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. Translated from the French by Henry Langden. P. O'Shea, Publisher. New York. 1870. This volume contains a series of grand impressive discourses, which, when first This work, just issued from the press of delivered, created quite an excitement in the enterprising firm of Sadlier & Co., fills the religious world, and whose influence most agreeably a vacant space in Irish na- at this time should be no less powerful. tional biography. It is the record of the The earnestness and logical powers of life of a man who won enduring fame as the gifted preacher, the dignity of his an orator and soldier, and whose memory themes, and the elegant, yet severe, simas a true and fearless patriot will be ever plicity of his language, make these sercherished by his countrymen. Meagher, mons a most valuable acquisition. The at the head of the Irish Brigade at Fred- appearance of the book reflects credit ericksburg, was the same gallant, whole- upon the publisher, and we are consouled, uncompromising foe to despotism fident that no Catholic Library, even as when he stood years before in the dock of the most humble pretensions, will be at Clonmel, hurling defiance at British without a copy of the work.

DE LA SALLE MONTHLY.

VOL. III.-AUGUST, 1870.-No. 14.

THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER.

"Which alone

poetry

the curiosity of succeeding generations THERE are few individuals, either in may be satisfied, and which might reveal Ireland or America, to whom the name the inner life of one whose brief but of Thomas Francis Meagher is unknown. brilliant career might be pronounced, in It is sacred in the recollection of all the words of Campbell, to be " who reverence excellence and love the put into action." While in the abovenoble and the good; and to those espe- mentioned literary cloisters he took litcially who can sympathize with a nation tle interest in the classical and mathein her efforts to burst the fetters which matical studies, but indulged a voraforeign force and native dissensions have cious appetite for all manner of miscellaimposed upon her, and become elevated neous English reading, and particularly from bondage and degradation to a place delighted in spreading before his fervid among the free nations, must his memo- imagination the inexhaustible treasures ry be dear, as of a zealous and consist of history, the hallowed fire of which ent advocate of that eternal principle of kindled his faculties with an unquenchliberty able enthusiasm, that failed not amid. the stirring scenes and trying circumSustains the name and dignity of man." stances of subsequent years. With a He was born in the City of Water- mind thus stored with practical knowlford, Ireland, on the 3d of August, 1823, edge, and a heart alive to the interests of of an old Catholic family, which, through his oppressed countrymen, he bid farewell good and ill, adhered to the national to his college days forever and returned to faith and the national cause. After hav- Ireland, there to find the people shaken by ing passed the first decade of his years mighty thoughts and grand aspirations, under the paternal roof, surrounded by and to launch himself upon the troubled all the comforts and pleasures that opu- tide of politics. At this time the trilence alone could command, he was re- umph of the constitutional struggle for moved to the College of Clongoeswood, Catholic Emancipation induced O'Conin the County Kildare, and subsequently nell to promote an agitation for a Repeal placed under the superintendence of the of the Union, and encouraged him to Jesuit Fathers, at the College of Stoney- lay his proposal before his countrymen. hurst, in Lancashire, England. Of his He persuaded the people that the forces youth, it is to be regretted that very which had recently wrung the one measfew of those traits serving as outlines for ure of justice from an unwilling Parliaa portrait have been preserved, by which ment were competent to obtain the other. Vol. III.-4.