FATHER THOMAS BURKE. [To THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."] SIE, — The
reviewer of the Life of Father Tom Burke, in the Spectator of January 5th, seeks to convey an impression of my book so utterly opposite to that of the man, of all others, who, from his official position, and close relations with Father
Burke, was best qualified to speak authoritatively, that I hope, in the interests of fair-play, you will kindly give space to my reply. This book was first published in two volumes in 1884. It contained many more illustrations of Father Burke's humour than does the recent edition in one volume so severely condemned by your reviewer for its humorous passages ; and yet it did not prevent the Provincial or Chief of the Dominican Order in Ireland from penning the follow- big deliberate pronouncement in regard to the fuller edition. When a man makes his vows as a friar, he becomes the pro- perty of his Order. Hence the letter of his Superior is that of one authorised to speak :—
"BO Rutland Square, Dublin, January 25th, 1888.—I am happy to express the great pleasure which the perusal of Mr. Fitz- Patrick's 'Life of Father Burke' gave me. As one who knew him intimately, I can testify to the correctness of Mr. Fitz-Patrick's portraiture of his character—the true religions, the eloquent preacher, the witty and genial companion and friend, such as the great Father Burke was— are faithfully delineated.—Jonx T. TOWERS, 0.P., Provincial of the Dominican Order in Ireland."
Thus it would appear that my portraiture is not such a 'distortion " as your critic appears to think. Nor does it seem fair to say that "Mr. Fitz-Patrick obviously considers he is paying his hero a great compliment when he says that had he chosen, he might have emulated the fame of a Wright or a Toole." The names of these low-comedians are not once mentioned. But I did say that such was his dramatic power he might, under other circumstances, have become a second Garrick ; and I plead guilty to having quoted the following from the Bishop of Kerry :—" When I hear him preach, I rejoice that the Church has gained a prize ; when I hear him tell a story, I am almost tempted to regret that the stage has lost him."
To the world, Father Burke was known only in the pulpit as a Massillon or a Lacordaire. In writing a man's life, every side of it should be honestly given. As regards Father Towers's testimony, I may remark that Father Tom had ne more true friend from the days of their noviciate. He was, later on, the confessor of Father Burke, and the latter was the Socius of Towers when, as Chief of the Order, it bemims. necessary to attend meetings of the Chapter in foreign lands. My facts having been questioned, Dr. Towers' testimony becomes important.—I am, Sir, /Lc., W. J. FITZ-PATRICK. 49 Fitzwilliant Square, Dublin, January 8th.
[We gladly allow Mr. Fitz-Patrick to quote the opinions of those who think his work well done. We cannot agree with them, and hold that Father Burke's reputation has not been raised, but lowered, by the biography with which his Superior seems to have been so well pleased.—En. Spectator.1
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