IRISH MEMBERS AND BRITISH CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 79, 31 October 1874, Page 9

IRISH MEMBERS AND BRITISH CORRESPONDENTS.

" IRISH ON THE BRAIN." (To the 'Editor of the New Zealand Tablet.) SlB, — It is a passing misfortune for the readers of the ' Star' when its editnr has been " buzzed." He falls in with a select circle of right good friends who have a hobby, and they buzz him into such a state Unit he actu illy persuades himself they are the public, and that the Colony in general is dying to hear all about the Irish members of the British Parliament. The ' Star ' is going through a severe spaam of attack just novr. In the leading pages of the * Star ' of Saturday evening last, in sensational " captions " as the Americans say with capital letters, we have " Irish Home Rulers." Empires have fallen, dynasties have beea overthrown, in our times, -without such sensational announcement. In fact, this drivelling of stuff and nonsense about " Home Rulers " has beconie a sort of nuisance — at all events, it is a tomfoolery which will soon be made a matter of reproach against us. It is impossible that Irishmen should witness this inconsistent, unjust, and invidious conduct without resentment. It is impossible, on the ether hand, that the habitually unfair tone of the • Star' towards Ireland and Irishmen should fail to cr. a' e a strong prejudice against both in the minds of English and Scotch readers. Thus a double evil is created, but the ' Star' editor is as reckless as he is unjust. National antagonism may be inflamed, dissent"' ou intensified, hostility increased ; but if the immediate object of the moment bo served, as it generally is, by reviling the Irish people, the journalist^of the period is satisfied, and his moral accountability costs him not a" thought. The leading organ of the preseut Ministry, the London ' Staudavd,' gives the following welL deacrved rebuke to certain correspondents who write from London of Irish Member's speeches in the House of Commons :—: — A new vein has been struck by certain newspaper correspondents in London, who are occasionally hard enough up for something to lighten the dulness of their heavy communications. This is to lampoon Irish members of parliament, and as far as possible turn them. )oto derision by representing them as blunderers who cannot speak in the House of Commons without unconsciously making everyone laugh. This happy idea was first hit upon by the correspondent of a Scotch journal, but the gentleman was not long permitted the exclusive right of this discovery. Those original writers who send second-hand. London letters to certain Irish papers were not slow to trench upon, the Scot's preserves, and even improve upon his duloess. The reßulfc is that " cheers" and " loud laughter" and other kindred phrases gonow to form,in a great measure the roost prominent features in their accounts of those parliamentary doing in which Irish members bear a part. One day it is Dr. O'Leary who comes in for their attention, another it is Mr O'Gorman, then Mr Morris, and so on — the funnyrogues rivalling each other in raising ihe laugh againgt Ireland. Of .-.ourse while Irish journals can be found mcau and contemptibleenough to print such nonsensical verbiage, there will be found comic contributors to supply it, but its adoption by those individuals will

cause it to be discontinued in the Scotch organs, and it will Boon fall into desuetude here. The monkey's attribute of imitation belongs largely to some of our great journalists. When Sandy laughs at Ireland they laugh ; when Sandy ceases they will cease also. They are really very funny fellcws, and it is a pity they should! ever lack the enjoyment of a broad grin. What an endless source of merriment they would have could they see themselves as they are seen by others ! Yours, &c. Belfast. October 26, 1874.