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once pellucid stream the sickening sewer it is now, it is about the last object in nature to which he would resort for a simile to exemplify anything pure or celestial. Professedly to help the movement so auspiciously commenced, a requisition was presented to the Mayor (Dr. Palmer), in virtue of which another public meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, in Collins Street, on 21st August. M a n y regarded this counter movement as not only unnecessary, but extremely injudicious, and some went the length of saying as much. T h e attendance was small, the state of feeling cool, and a dash of cold water was thrown on the proceedings by the Mayor's absence. T h e Clerk of the Police Court (Mr. W . R. Belcher) was there to announce that the Worshipful Convener was sick. Dr. Palmer, though an accomplished and able man, was never popular. Subsequently he sent the fund a £5 note as a clumsy amende. M r . Edward Curr was appointed Chairman, and the principal speakers besides him were, Messrs. J. O'Shanassy, D. C. M'Arthur, T. M'Combie, and J. A. Marsden. O n this occasion "Big Marsden," an experienced master in the art of what is known as "taking round the hat," propounded the important dogma, "that the great arcana of raising subscriptions were good humour and perseverance." H e might have added promptitude as a third element, for, in m y experience in public money-hunting, the best cause may be irretrievably damaged unless you " strike while the iron is hot." A fourteen days' adjournment ensued, but this second m o v e eventuated in an abortion, and £ 2 0 , the sum resulting from it, was transferred to the original or St. Francis' Fund. T h e ladies also showed a disposition to co-operate, and a " Lady Convention" was held at the Catholic Schoolroom, on the 30th August. History is silent as to the Chairman (or Chairwoman) on the occasion, but the orator of the evening was M r . James AVallace, a well-known schoolmaster, who was recently still residing near Geelong. O n e specimen of his eloquence is worth pickling as a preserve :—" Ladies (exclaimed he) don't think I a m going to flatter you—for I a m not—as flattery is not m y forte. Surely I a m notflatteringthe fair sex when I assimilate them to angels, only they have got no wings. (Screams of lady laughter). But the fact of Nature having formed them minus wings is a matter of rejoicement more than anything else, for if they had been gifted with the wings of angels, they would immediately put their wings in motion, and speed their way to the pure ethereal realms, which are better adapted for their virtue than this earthly sphere." (Renewed laughter). With all due deference to Mr. Wallace, I doubt m u c h whether the ladies, if so " pinioned," would (particularly the young ones) be so very ready toflyout of this world; and I a m as certain that instances have frequently occurred since the date of the oration, where the "unfair" sex would be only too glad if particular ladies could fly like ring-doves, provided they soared out of sight and never reappeared. However, at this ladies' meeting more than £ 1 0 0 was unpursed. Mr. J. T. Smith, proprietor of the Queen's Theatre, gave the Fund a benefit. Theatrical demonstrations of this kind have been so modernized as often to partake m u c h of a managerial " spec ;" but it was not so at the time I write of. A benefit then was a real tangible affair, though the takings would be in the nature of things insignificant as compared with those of a leading theatre of to-day. T h e gross proceeds were £ 4 6 6s, from which Mr. Smith deducted £6 4 s. 6d. as light and printing expenses, and in forwarding a cheque for the balance ( £ 4 0 is. 6d.) to Mr. O'Shanassy, he thanked his company "for the ready and cheerful manner in which they rendered their services on the occasion." T h e Sunday meetings were continued hebdomadally until the 3rd November, when the lists were closed. A n instalment of £ 5 0 0 had been transmitted h o m e within a fortnight of the commencement of the collection, and the residue n o w followed, the Bank of Australasia remitting exchange on the whole amount. A s a coincidence which ought to be noted, singularly enough the mail packet that conveyed the first instalment via Sydney was known as the "Emerald Isle." O n e feature of the movement was very gratifying, viz., that some of the largest subscriptions were received from persons differing in religious belief from the R o m a n Catholic C o m m u n i o n , and Protestant, Presbyterian, and other Dissenting Ministers sent contributions. T h e mass of suffering in Ireland showed an immense preponderance of the R o m a n Catholic element, and the same year in Melbourne witnessed a 12th of July Orange celebration, which engendered the most acrid party feeling, and produced much dissension. Yet it was creditable to the benevolent sympathies of the