THE ATHENÆUM.

Evening Star, Issue 2974, 30 August 1872, Page 2

THE ATHENÆUM.

To the Editor,

Sir, —It has been dear to me for some time past that there is a clasi of people in Dunedin with whom it is an article of faith that a Catholic has no right to give any opinion whatever, or even to offer the mild* est suggestion, for the purpose of obtaining fair play for himself or his religion In the Daily Times of yesterday morning, some one supposed to be a Catholic, had the temerity (how dare he do such a thing) to suggest that as a matter of fairness, one or two Catholic papers ought to he procured for the Athentenm. Now, one might well suppose so ■imple a sugge ti< n might be very well left to be dealt with by those for whom it was intended. But, behold ! It happens to meet the eye of your correspondent, “One of the Howling Swells,” who it must be con* fessed is singularly felicitous ia bis choice of nom de plume, for be is evidently of the class to whom I have referred, who never miss an opportunity of raising their “ howl” for the purpose of repressing every thought or suggestion of a Catholic origin. In fact, the word “Catholic” seems to produce an effect on the minds of such people similar to that produced by a red rag when it meets the frenzied orbs of a mad bull. I will, in conclusion, give this elegantly-named confraternity a little advifce, although I know it is very naughty of me to do so : Learn to cultivate a little restraint whenever you see the word “ Catholic,” and also to know that Catholics have as much right to speak, think, and offer suggestions as you have. 1 have but little to say as regards the Athcnajum—it may please some people; but during my membership, which has extended over the last three or four years, I never saw on its tables but one Ca'holie publication, the “Dublin Review,” and the works by Cathoiic writers on its shelves could be counted on one’s lingers.—l am, &c., M. D. Elm row, August 29.