Irish Humour

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 September 1916, Page 3

Irish Humour

In The Treasury for June J. P. Donovan emphasises the fact that, in spite of the dark periods of Irish history and the appalling and terrible calamities which have from time to time befallen the nation, the innate wit and good humor of the Irish has remained andi flourished. In an article on "Irish Humour" Mr Donovan gives some specimens selected from reading and personal experience. He remarks:— It was at Dublin Castle that an A.D.C., directing attention to the venerable figure of Dr. Murray with his pectoral cross, asked the Archbishop the difference between a Roman prelate and a iackase. "One wears the cross upon his back andi the other upon his breast," explained the A.D.C. "Do you know the difference between an aide-de-camp and a donkey?" asked DrWhately. "No." said the other. "•Nor I either," was the Archbishop's reply.

Tliere is, says the writer, in spite of what has ibeen said to the contrary, d* spirit of religious tolerance in Ireland, as the following will show

A poor man took a litter of kittens to Archd.encon Scott, Rector of Bray, and sought to sell them on the plea that "they were good Protestant kittons, having been brought up in a family of that faith." He would not huy them, and' told Father Healey of the offer. Some time after the man wonted the priest to huy them as real .beautiful Catholic- kittens. "Why, you, villain, didn't your offer them to the Archdeacon as Protestant It ittens?" said Father Honly, trying to T>o severe. "I have and I did, your riverenoe," was . the reply, "but that ivas laifore their eyes wero opened."

We have space for another extract from a most readnible article. .It appears that some years ago a peasant approached the manager of a bank in TYalee and took off 'his hat to indicate that he had a communication to -make, and this is the story:—

"Well, what-is it?" asked the mana•ger. "A deposit note, s.ur," said the peasant, handling him the paper. "One hundred and twenty pounds," .said 11 c manager, looking a* the no:e. ■ Your wife .must sign it for it is in your wife's name." "She's dead, snr," said the [,ef6iant. "When did she die? ' ' Ere yettherday, yer Jionner. ' "Faith, you haven't lost much time," sa;id the manager. "And now* that T come to loot at you, didn't yon bring me another deposit note of your wife's about a year ago?" "'Tis true for yoti, sur," mid the peasant. "That was my flint wife. ' 'Tis the way wid mo. tliat I am very lucky wid the wimmiti."