Fix this text
WEEKLY DISPATCH.
Fix this textSATURDAY,
Fix this textAUG. 7, 1847.
Fix this textNo. 6.
Fix this textPUBLISHED AT NO. 133, KING-STREET EAST, SYDNEY.
Fix this textPRICE 6d.
Fix this textFrom Weekly Dispatch, March 28.
Fix this textNATIONAL HYPOCRISY.
Fix this textMb. Editor. — Your readers have, I
Fix this textfear, had enough of the Fast day. In my
Fix this textformer letter, as much was said on the sub-
Fix this textject as it deserves. But there is one rea-
Fix this textson for not yet dismissing it entirely. The
Fix this textmock observances of last Wednesday are
Fix this textnot a solitary symptom. They belong to a
Fix this textcharacteristic class of pretensions, which
Fix this textindicate the great social defect of this
Fix this textcountry. The English are the most in-
Fix this textdustrious, energetic, persevering, enduring
Fix this textpeople on the face of the earth ; and, as a
Fix this textset-off against these excellent qualities, I
Fix this textfear it must be added that, in some respectf
Fix this textthey are the most conventional and hypo-
Fix this textcritical. Before, therefore, letting the Fast
Fix this textDay go into the gulph of oblivion, the lim-
Fix this textbo of vanity, or whatever like abyss may
Fix this textbe its destined grave, a glance back at it
Fix this textmay be useful as connected with this na-
Fix this texttional defect, and helping towards the slow
Fix this textprocess by which, we hope, it may in time
Fix this textbe cured.
Fix this text,#On the doleful day of penitence, sacred
Fix this textto sackcloth and ashes, what was the first-
Fix this textannouncement that met the eyes of the
Fix this textreader in the Morning newspapers? He
Fix this textmay be supposed to have been worked up,
Fix this textby the piety of Her Majesty’s Proclama-
Fix this texttion into a burning sense of the nothing-
Fix this textness of external splendour, and a devout
Fix this textabjuration of “ the pomps and vanities of
Fix this textthis wicked world.” At once, his humble
Fix this textgaze is greeted, in great letters, by “ Board
Fix this textof Green Cloth, St. James’s Palace.”—
Fix this textGreen cloth for what? Doubtless some
Fix this textcoarse garment of baise or serge, in which
Fix this textto keep the solemn humiliation! Robes
Fix this textwill he laid aside as too rich for wretched-
Fix this textness and too costly for confession. The
Fix this textCourt will be humble in homespun, and
Fix this textdevout in drugget. Or, perhaps, the
Fix this textGreen Cloth is to clothe the naked and
Fix this textstarvelings of Green Erin. Or, as we
Fix this textfast and pray for them, the colour
Fix this textmay be a sympathetic compliment. The
Fix this textreader, so reasoning, would be greener than
Fix this textthe greenest cloth of any Board that ever
Fix this textenacted the petty, finikin, supercilious, ex-
Fix this textclusive regulations that provide for the se-
Fix this textselectness, splendour, and formality of a
Fix this text“Drawing-room at St. James’s Palace.”
Fix this textThey are in marvellous close neighbour-
Fix this texthood—the announcement of this Vanity
Fix this textFair for Saturday,and the demure lucubra-
Fix this texttions of the Fast Day newspaper in which
Fix this textit appears. There must have been strange
Fix this textconfusion in many a brain. Descriptions of
Fix this textIrish distress at Church, and of ladies’ dress-
Fix this textes in the Morning Post —the exclusion of
Fix this textHackney Coaches at the iron gates—and
Fix this textthe repetition of hackneyed phrases in the
Fix this textday’s devotions—anticipated splendour, and
Fix this textavowed sinfulness—loving our neighbours
Fix this texton Wednesday and outshining them on Satur-
Fix this textday— the dolorous Cathedral chant, and
Fix this textthe merry military 'music-—being abased
Fix this textin deprecation, and being a blaze with dia-
Fix this textmonds—the finest silks, and fervent sup-
Fix this textplications—fasting and flaunting—plumes
Fix this textand prostrations—bending knees and kiss
Fix this texting hands—the Word of Grace and a gra-
Fix this textcious word; —these, and a hundred other
Fix this textincongruities, must have mixed up the two
Fix this textscenes in many a mind, and jumbled toge-
Fix this textther the Palace forms and forms of prayer,
Fix this textbeyond all power of exlrication. Not that
Fix this textthe two days went share and share alike in
Fix this texthypocrisy. In “ Church and State,” we
Fix this textknow which takes precedence. But it is a
Fix this textstrange mockery, this close conjunction. It
Fix this textindicates a rapid recovery from the dread
Fix this textof Almighty “indignation.”
Fix this textBy a conversation in the House of Com-
Fix this textmons, on Tuesday, it appearsrl that the Go-
Fix this textvernment deliberately resolved to keep the
Fix this text800,000 Irishmen employed at the public
Fix this textexpense, to their work on the Fast Day.—
Fix this textTheir rations were served out all the same,
Fix this textft was thought proper that they should not
Fix this textAccordingly they had Government
Fix this textauthority for breaking the day, by eating;
Fix this textand for breaking stones, that they might
Fix this textearn their eating. God forbid, that against
Fix this textthis arrangement a syllable of objection
Fix this textshould be breathed. It was considerate
Fix this textand humane. But it makes a farce of the
Fix this textFast. If the Irish peasantry are under
Fix this textHeaven’s vengeance in the potatoe blight—
Fix this textif there be a judgment on them—and con-
Fix this textsequently, in them, a preceding sinfulness ;
Fix this textwhy, they, of all people, should have been
Fix this textthe foremost fasters. If the Proclamation
Fix this textdoctrine be correct, they are the principals
Fix this textin guilt, and the rest of us are only acces-
Fix this textsories. Yet the tax of an involuntary idle
Fix this textday, and of enforced abstinence, falls upon
Fix this textthe innocent British artizan, while the of-
Fix this textfending Irish peasant saunters through his
Fix this textuseless toil, and eats his publicly-provided
Fix this textdinner. Do not mistake my argument. It
Fix this textwas merciful and right that he should be
Fix this textfed. It would have been cruel and atro-
Fix this textcious to make him and his family dinner-
Fix this textless, that we might have our day of devo-
Fix this texttion. But that, such a consequence flows
Fix this textfrom our fishrnongering piety, is enongh to
Fix this textprove it to be not of the right sort. Star-
Fix this textvation is no exemption from the real duties
Fix this textof religion. The Privy Council has no au-
Fix this textthority to excuse Irish peasants from need-
Fix this textful prayer and fasting. The Cabinet was
Fix this texthumane at the expense of consistency, If
Fix this textit was right in bestowing food, it was wrong
Fix this textin commanding abstinence. And does it
Fix this texttherefore fear the wrath and indignation of
Fix this textthe Almighty ? Not a bit. It has a firm-
Fix this texter faith in common kindness than in its own
Fix this textproclamation piety. It believes in the du-
Fix this textty of charity more than it believes in the
Fix this textefficacy of Fast Days, This is all very right,
Fix this textbut why plunge the whole nation into a pre-
Fix this texttence of acetic devotion ? Why magnify
Fix this texta common Lent Wednesday by a borrowed
Fix this textsanctimoniousness? Why set up a super-
Fix this textstitious principle, which cannot be carried
Fix this textout but by the violation of human chari-
Fix this textty? The conduct of the Government in
Fix this textthis particular, however praiseworthy in
Fix this textitself, is tantamount to a practical confession
Fix this textof hypocricy.
Fix this textThe Fast-day newspaper was a great
Fix this textcuriosity ; that of the next day a much
Fix this textgreater. The theatrical reports at Christ-
Fix this textmas were the only parallel. Cathedrals and
Fix this textparish churches occupy the relative positions
Fix this textof the legitimate and minor houses. Nor
Fix this textare the sermons, as reported, more lucid
Fix this textreading than the plots of pantomimes.
Fix this textNever was such a mass of confusion.
Fix this textTaking the four principal preachers, the
Fix this textBishop of London, at the Chapel Royal ;
Fix this textthe Bishop of St. Asaph, before the House
Fix this textof Lords, in the Abbey; Archdeacon Dealtry
Fix this textbefore the House of Commons, at St. Mar-
Fix this textgaret’s ; and the Rev. Mr. Bennett, at St.
Fix this textPaul’s Cathedral ; we find them scarcely
Fix this textagreeing in anything (pertinent to the oc-
Fix this textcasion) except the old story of complaints
Fix this textabout Sabbath-breaking. One thinks “God
Fix this textmight be induced to alter his will; another,
Fix this textthat such change is “ not to be supposed
Fix this textone, that the sins occasioning the famine,
Fix this text“ could only be made known by direct re-
Fix this textvelation another, that manifestly “ our
Fix this textsins, as a people, are selfishness, and the
Fix this textlove of money a third deems it “ wiser
Fix this textto enquire than to decide, and suggests
Fix this text“ national pride,” and the backwardness of
Fix this textChurch Building. Royalty did not come
Fix this textout. The Chapel Royal was thinly at-
Fix this texttended, on the day of the Fast, though
Fix this text“ several ladies were present.” Sixteen lay
Fix this textPeers and three spiritual, did duty for the
Fix this textHouse of Lords, at the Abbey. The Com-
Fix this textmons are called considerable, but not
Fix this textcounted. At St. Paul’s Cathedral, the
Fix this textclerical staff consisted of the Bishop of
Fix this textLlandaff (Dean) and two Minor Canons.
Fix this text“ But we saw no other clergyman present.
Fix this textThe choristers’ seats were empty, and the
Fix this textorgan was kept closed.” Really this is
Fix this textrather barefaced. All the holiday places were
Fix this textwell attended, steamers and trains crowded.
Fix this text“ Blackheath, with its donkeys, was all
Fix this textalive,” and Greenwich-park, as swarming
Fix this textand hilarious as if it had been Easter Sun-
Fix this textday. Take any view of this preposterous
Fix this textaffair, the impression is the same. It is
Fix this textfood both for the laughing and the weeping
Fix this textphilosopher ; it is one enormous and obtru-
Fix this textsive national hypocrisy.
Fix this textSome hot-headed Irish fanatics, probably
Fix this textthe sincerest fasters of all, addressed the
Fix this textArchbishop of Canterbury for a specifica-
Fix this texttion of the national sins to be repented.
Fix this textHis Grace is too old and cunning an eccle-
Fix this textsiastic to he so caught. He favours the
Fix this textapplicants with no “ particular allusion.”
Fix this textHe encourages no contrition, either for the
Fix this textIrish Education scheme of the Whigs, or
Fix this textthe Maynooth Grant of the Tories. He
Fix this textleaves the sins and the salt-fish to repose
Fix this textguilty together in our bosoms. We may
Fix this text“ burst in ignorance.” The nation must
Fix this textbe content with implicit faith in its own
Fix this textiniquities. This reserve is the prevailing
Fix this texttendency of the superior Clergy. Can the
Fix this textreason be that a national sin must needs be
Fix this texta political measure ; and a political mea-
Fix this textsure has a political party for its supporters
Fix this textas well as for its censurers. Sometimes, to
Fix this textspecify a sin might miss a mitre. Yet it is
Fix this texthard upon so many millions of people to
Fix this textbe commanded to humble themselves with-
Fix this textout telling why ; to repent, without show-
Fix this texting wherefore ; and to dread almighty in-
Fix this textdignation without any distinct clue to the
Fix this textoccasion of providential wrath.
Fix this textThe ‘honest portion of the public owe
Fix this textsomething to John Bright for his manly
Fix this textprotest, on Thursday, in the House of Com-
Fix this textmons. He is not about to retire from
Fix this textParliament, like Mr. M. Phillips ; and
Fix this texttherefore spoke at greater peril. Mr. Hume
Fix this textknows what “ humbug” such things are ;
Fix this textbut after being so roughly handled about
Fix this textthe Cholera Fast, his quietness may perhaps
Fix this textbe excused. There must he many scores
Fix this textof Members for whom no such apology can
Fix this textbe offered. They have experience of what
Fix this textthe Pharisees can do. They know what
Fix this textpeople are capable of, who “ fast twice in
Fix this textthe week,” besides annuals and occasionals.
Fix this textThis was, perhaps, the scriptural authority
Fix this textto which Mr. P. Howard appealed. Sir G.
Fix this textGrey’s notion of “ the general feeling of
Fix this textthe nation” is just a cowardly circumlocu-
Fix this texttion for a little party of whom the Whigs
Fix this textare afraid, as they are of all little hostilities
Fix this textwhich a Government should disregard.
Fix this textEvery man with eyes and ears knows that
Fix this texta “ general feeling” in favor of fasting is
Fix this textall nonsense. Not many of the mute
Fix this textmembers of that House had any serious de-
Fix this texttermination in his mind to fast. They
Fix this textonly thought, as Ministry seemed also to
Fix this textthink, that “least said was soonest mended.”
Fix this textIt is not a creditable job, but let us get
Fix this textover it quietly. The law officers of the
Fix this textCrown were cautious. They would not
Fix this textspecify the condign punishments by which
Fix this textGovernment will add its own wrath to that
Fix this textof Providence. They gave no word of warn-
Fix this texting. The anti-fasters, who are the nation
Fix this textwith a very small exception, may find out
Fix this texttheir peril by experience. The penalty of
Fix this textspeaking out ig undefined. Were John
Fix this textBright not protected by privilege of Parli-
Fix this textament, he might be sent to jail for bringing
Fix this texthypocrisy into contempt ?
Fix this textWould that all British hypocrisy were
Fix this textcomprised in this Fast-day formality! We
Fix this texttalk of the worth of knowledge, and, by
Fix this textour sectarian propensities, keep the mil-
Fix this textlions in ignorance. We profess that “laws
Fix this textto bind all, must be assented to by all,”
Fix this textand refuse a voice in the choice of legis-
Fix this textlators to five-sixths of the adult male com-
Fix this textmunity. By the often paraded principle of
Fix this textthe co-extensiveness of taxation and re-
Fix this textpresentation, our boasted constitution makes
Fix this textitself nothing better than an “ organized
Fix this texthypocrisy.” Wealth and rank can en-
Fix this textlighten Divines and Doctors to see learning
Fix this textand wisdom in a Ducal coronet, a Marshall’s
Fix this texttruncheon, or an Albert hat. No philan-
Fix this textthropy can get on with the public but by a
Fix this textname from the peerage. The popular
Fix this textSunday is spent in steam-boat and railwlay
Fix this textexcursions, while we pay millions annualy
Fix this textfor a standing army of 15,000 Clergy with
Fix this texta supplementary Militia of 10,000 Dis-
Fix this textsenting Preachers, to evince our regard
Fix this textfor religion. We whimper at the fate of
Fix this textCracow, and hand over cash, for which he
Fix this texthas no claim, to the autocrat of Russia*
Fix this textand executioner of Poland. We sing
Fix this text“ A man’s a man for a’ that,” and doff the
Fix this textcap of manhood to any sprig of aristocracy
Fix this textwho wants to ride through the lower House,
Fix this textinto the upper, on the shoulders of a con-
Fix this textstituency. O, we are a brave people, and
Fix this textwell deserve to have fast days, until our
Fix this textreformation goes on faster!
Fix this textPUBLICOLA.
Fix this textENGLISH NEWS.
Fix this text(From the South Australian, 20th July.)
Fix this textThe Esperanza brings us English news to
Fix this textthe 13th April.
Fix this textBy the British Sovereign, just arrived with
Fix this textemigrants, we have received papers to the
Fix this text10th April, from which we cull the following
Fix this textintelligence.
Fix this textBy a report dated I2th April, sent to one
Fix this textof our Merchants, and by Hardy’s List of
Fix this textthe same date, we find that the following
Fix this textvessels were to sail from London as under: —•
Fix this textJohn Bartlett, 13th April.
Fix this textRachael, 333 tons, 25th April.
Fix this textCressy, 710 tons, with emigrants, 27th
Fix this textApril.
Fix this textRajah, 350 tons, 3rd May.
Fix this textDuchess of Northumberland, 600 tons, with
Fix this textemigrants, 18th May.
Fix this textIn addition to the above, we copy from
Fix this textthe South Australian News, the following re-
Fix this textspecting Dr. A. C. Kelly’s proceedings:—-
Fix this text“We learn that he is endeavouring to collect
Fix this texta sufficient number of emigrants for two ves-
Fix this textsels, which the Commissioners have, in that
Fix this textcase promised to put on at Greenock. He
Fix this texthas already secured about 150 or 160 agri-
Fix this textculturists in his own country, the Lothians,
Fix this textand is now busy in Ayrshire, on the same
Fix this textpurpose. We wish the Doctor success in
Fix this texthis operations.”
Fix this textMoney Markets. —City, 12 o’Clock.—The
Fix this textrevenue returns have given free occasion
Fix this textfor comment and congratulation this morn-
Fix this texting, and are, upon the whole far more satis-
Fix this textfactory than the state of affairs in Ireland,
Fix this text&c., might have led us to expect. The re-
Fix this textsults for the quarter are most looked for here
Fix this textbecause they afford a more appropriate esti-
Fix this textmate of the national resources, the full bear-
Fix this texting of the food scarcity being supposed to be
Fix this textfelt since the commencement of the present
Fix this textyear. The increase upon customs for the
Fix this textquarter, approaching so nearly to half a mil-
Fix this textlion sterling proves the vitality of our com-
Fix this textmerce, and must arise, not only from im-
Fix this textports of actual necessaries, which now pay
Fix this textlittle or no duty, but upon staples counted
Fix this textamong the comforts of the industrious
Fix this textclasses—the growth of our colonies as well
Fix this textas of foreign parts—and upon articles em-
Fix this textployed iu our manufactures, every quarter
Fix this textduring the year, comprised in this return,
Fix this textexhibits an increase. We have a clear gain,
Fix this texton the year of more than two millions appli-
Fix this textcable to ways and means. The addition to
Fix this textthe Post Office revenue is considered parti-
Fix this textcularly gratifying here. As to the charge of
Fix this textConsolidated Fund, this already exhibits the
Fix this textmarked effects of Irish distress, nearly three
Fix this textmillions sterling having been expended in
Fix this textthe quarter ended the sth April, while in
Fix this textmost of the other items, including the in-
Fix this textterest of the debt, there is a saving. City
Fix this textpeople look, however, upon this Irish gulf,
Fix this textand evidently doubt as to the probable
Fix this textperiod of its closing, although the hope is
Fix this textexpressed that the last loan may prove suffi-
Fix this textcient, by the perseverance of Government in
Fix this texthusbanding the Relief Fund to meet the
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885993031
(2019). Weekly dispatch Retrieved May 17, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885993031
Weekly dispatch Canberra: National Library of Australia, 2019. Web. 17 May 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885993031>
2019, Weekly dispatch National Library of Australia, Canberra viewed 17 May 2025 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885993031
{{Citation
|
| title=Weekly dispatch.
| year=2019
| section=online resource : illlustrations
| issue=No. 6 (7 August 1847)
| location=Canberra
| publisher=National Library of Australia
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-885993031
| id=nla.obj-885993031
| access-date=17 May 2025
| via=Trove
}}
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