Lecture by the Hon. C.H. Bromby.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4438, 27 March 1883, Page 2

Lecture by the Hon. C.H. Bromby.

"The English in Ireland " was the subject of the above lecture delivered in the Academy of Music last evening in the presence of over 300 people. Mr T. M. Hutohinson was voted to the chair, and introduced the lecturer. Mr Bromby explained that his reason for taking the subject in hand was to cause Englishmen to study the question of what the Irish had to complain of, and his knowledge of the strength of fair play which was inherent in the Eng lish nature would cause them to admit that that unfortunate country had much to complain of. The facts he would make use of could be authenticated by State papers in Dublin Castle, and in the 801 l office in London and elsewhere. It was the custom of many writers and speakers to endeavor to represent Ireland as sunk in barbarism, infidelity, and immorality, before Kngland shed the light of civilization, fidelity, and religion on her. This picture should be reversed. In that land, the only one where Christianity had been planted without bloodshed, and where the most bloody and implacable persecutions had not removed it. The \ lecturer then followed the various historii cal events from the Twelfth century, whenDiarmid of Leinster sought the aid of Henry 11, and detailed some of the injuries, injustices, and cruelties received by the Irish people at the hands of Englishmen. How the badge of servitude was forced on the people. How trade could not be carried on without England's permission, and until England had exhausted such trade of its value. He' pointed out .the waut of unity among Irishmen. He laid stress upon the fact that the British Government had not paid the same deference to the religious opinions of the Irish as it had to those of the inhabitants of India, New .Zealand, and. other countries', which bad come under its rule. No "one lamented the atrocities which had recently been committed more than a right-minded Irishman, and doubtless few of them remember that far more horrible crimes had been parpetrated on the Irish by the English. He then referred to disputes between the Irish chieftains, and traced the history of the country throughoufc-the reign of Elizabeth, who he said only wanted to be head of the Church, He pointed out how the lands had been taken from the people, and handed over to strangers not living in the country. How the bishops had been driven from their churches, which were turned to various uses, being made stables, wine shops, and racket Courts. He then described bow Leinster, Munster, and Ulster were brought under English rule, and the consequent exactions from the peasantry. Ha Hiked, if the English were in wrongful

possession of Ireland in 16dl, surely the Irish were justified in trying to turn them out.. Let them imagine that the Spanish Armada had succeeded iv conquering; England. How would Protestant England liked to have seen her religion taken from her and Spanish bishops j occupying her churches, while her lands were handed over to Spanish grandees, . and she herself subservient" to the rule of the Spanish Cortes. Ire land only asked for what had been asked by, and granted to the Scotch covenanters. Could tho horrible atrocities of the Cromwellians be thought of without a shudder. The indiscriminate slaughter and outrage of men, women, and children made the outrages we hear of at the present day pale into dim insignificance when placed beside them. Had Ireland been granted justice, she would be a flourishing branch of that tree under the triple crown of England, instead of as she now is, a thorn in England's side. The lecturer recommended his listeners to read the CromweHian settlement of Ireland by Prendergast. ITe thought that if the foundations of Society are so rotten that doing a scanty act of justice should unfix them, it is time they were sapped. After describing Cromwell's descent on Dublin and subspquent siege of Dtogheda. and the succeeding cruelties of the invaders, the lecturer concluded a very interesting discourse by stating that he would continue to lecture this evening, beginning with the reign of Charles 11, and through the eDtrance of Henry 1 Grattan into Parliament, and the birth of the liberator O'Connell.

Mr Landers proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, and stated that the pro> ceeds of the lectures were to assist in the erection of a Cathedral in Hobart. The Rev. Father O'Dwyer seconded the motion which was enthusiastically carried.

Mr Bromby, in returning thanks said it would be as fair to charge the whole people of New Zealand with crimes committed by Maories, as to charge the Irish Nation with the outrages-committed by a few of its inhabitants.