ENLARGEMENT OF BOSTON COLLEGE. The increase in the number of students
has been so great during the past year that the president, Rev. E. V.
Boursaud, S. J., has concluded to add a new wing to the main building of
the college, as there are not a sufficient number of class rooms to
accommodate all. The foundation will be laid in the spring, and the wing
which is to extend into what now comprises the college garden, will when
completed contain a new chemical laboratory; accommodations for the
English department, which will be conducted as usual under Professor
Harkins, and an extension of Boston College hall.
RECONSECRATION OF ALTAR STONES.--The _Irish Ecclesiastical Record_
states that an indult has been granted by Leo XIII. to the Most Rev. Dr.
McCormack, Bishop of Achonry, allowing him to consecrate at his
convenience the altars of his diocese which may need reconsecration, and
to use for this purpose the short form prescribed for the Bishop of St.
Paul's, Minnesota, U. S. America. He is also privileged to delegate a
priest to perform this ceremony.
* * * * *
Mr. Parnell said in the House of Commons that he had always believed
that if the principle were admitted that Ireland was entitled to some
form of self-government the settlement of details would not be found a
formidable task, and that there would be no great difficulty in securing
the empire against separation. He himself, although a Protestant, feared
no danger to the minority in Ireland from the Catholics. The whole
question was one of reasonable or exorbitant rents. He denied that the
National League encouraged boycotting. The Nationalists members, he
said, on seeing the manifest desire of England to weigh the Irish
question calmly, had resolved that no extravagance of word or action on
their part should mar the first fair chance Ireland ever had.
Neither Liberals nor Parnellites appearing to be inclined to challenge
the government, Lord Randolph Churchill, secretary of state for India,
wished the House to clearly understand, that it would be impossible for
the present government ever to sanction an Irish Parliament. He added
that the government would be prepared, when the proper time arrived,
with a scheme to improve local government in Ireland.
* * * * *
Up to the present time the Canadian Militia Department has authorized
the payment of a fraction over $4,000,000 on the expenses of the
Northwest rebellion.
From the ancient Diocese of Clogher (Monaghan), established by St.
Patrick, two patriot priests have come to America to solicit aid in
building the Cathedral of Clogher. They are the Rev. Eugene McKenna, of
Enniskillen, and the Rev. Eugene McMahon, of Carrickmacross. It is a
notable fact that both are Presidents of the National League in their
parishes. The Bishop of Clogher, Dr. Donnelly, has always been a
patriot, and we trust that his missioners will receive a generous
welcome here, especially from the people of Monaghan, Fermanagh, Louth,
Tyrone and Donegal. Fathers McKenna and McMahon have received permission
from Archbishop Williams to solicit subscriptions in the Archdiocese of
Boston.
_Boston Herald_:--Mr. Gargan quoted for the benefit of England, in his
speech at Halifax, the French saying, that "You can do almost anything
with a bayonet except sit on it." The Republican administrations found
the bayonet prop under the carpet bag governments impossible to
maintain, and England cannot forever keep Ireland sitting on it.
THE CHARITY BALL.--The coming Charity Ball will be given on March 8, the
Monday evening before Ash Wednesday. The success of the ball is
dependent upon the noble exertions of friends. The large number of
destitute children cared for by the Home has necessarily increased the
expenses, and therefore the directors are anxious that the ball will be
financially successful. It must be gratifying to know that the Home has
been able to receive and care for over four hundred destitute children
during the past year, and provided good homes for three hundred and
ninety. All these children would have been compelled to seek refuge in
the city or State pauper establishments and lost to the Church, were not
the Home open to shelter and provide for them.
THE FRANCISCANS.--During its existence of six centuries, the Franciscan
Order has given to the church 247 saints and beati, 1,500 martyrs (2,500
are found in the Menologia Franciscano), 13 Popes, 60 cardinals, 4,000
archbishops and bishops, 6,000 authors. At present 2,500 Franciscans are
engaged in missionary work, and another thousand Capuchin Fathers may be
added to the number, in all, 3,500.
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR.--The venerable founder of the Order of the
Little Sisters of the Poor, the Rev. Auguste Le Poilleur, of the diocese
of Rennes, France, has just celebrated the golden jubilee of his
ordination to the priesthood. The order was founded by him at St. Servan
in 1840; and to-day it possesses two hundred and ten houses in all parts
of the world, with about 3,400 sisters, who devote themselves to the
caring, feeding, and clothing of upwards of twenty-three thousand poor
and helpless fellow-creatures. His Holiness the Pope has written a
letter of congratulation to the pious founder. There are two
foundations of the Little Sisters in Boston, one on Bunker Hill, the
other, Boston Highlands.
JOHN SAVAGE.--Our old and venerated friend, John Savage, we regret to
see, is dying, out in Paris, far away from the land he loved so well,
and also from the home of his choice, the United States. The following
letter (written by John P. Leonard, to the Dublin _Nation_ of December
26th), shows that his visit to Paris has not been as successful as his
many friends and admirers would wish:--
_To the Editor of the Nation_: "Sir,--Mr. John Savage, our
patriotic countryman, who came to the Continent for his
health, was seized on Monday last with a paralytic stroke,
and has his right arm paralyzed. Mrs. Savage has been
untiring in her care of the patriot, who is attended daily by
the eminent physician, Dr. Ball, Professor of the Faculty of
Medicine, Paris, and also by his friend, the present writer.
Hopes are entertained of his recovery, and great regret is
expressed by all who know him here."