FATHER THEOBOLD MATHEW THE FATHER OF TEMPERANCE (1790 - 1856)
Three p.s holograph letter signed, from New Orleans 13 February 1851 to Richard Dowden Esq, 160 x 205mm (previously folded)
In...

FATHER THEOBOLD MATHEW THE FATHER OF TEMPERANCE (1790 - 1856)
Three p.s holograph letter signed, from New Orleans 13 February 1851 to Richard Dowden Esq, 160 x 205mm (previously folded)
In reply to Dowdens which contained "joyful tidings", comments on circulation of his letters through Miss Jennings, he waxes lyrical about Miss Lind, to whom he has been introduced. He cant attend her evening concerts as it would disedify but she sang to him her most admired songs in the Morning Rehersals. She is more like a large melodious Bird, than a Human Creature. He thanks Dowden, For your untiring advocacy of the Glorious Cause of Temperance

Richard Dowden (1794 - 1861)
A business man, philanthropist and Mayor of Cork and whilst being a member of the Unitarian congregation he supported O'Connell. He was drawn to Fr. Mathew through his work for the deprived which led to this active involvement in the Temperance movement. He cleared Fr. Mathews debts of £7,000 in 1844 and continued to raise money for the movement. The friendship the two men had for each other is apparent in this letter.

Johanna Maria Lind (6 October 1820 2 November 1887), better known as Jenny Lind, was a Swedish opera singer, often known as the "Swedish Nightingale". She performed in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and undertook an extraordinarily popular concert tour of America beginning in 1850

 

Fr. Mathewss trip to U.S.A, (1849 - 51)having suffered a stroke, was a somewhat belated effort to revive the Temperance movement which had already started to decline.

 

 

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