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DANTE CELEBRATION IN HONGKONG.
LECTURE AND CONCERT AT THE
THEATRE ROYAL
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS TUESDAY," DECEMBER 6TH, 1991.
POLITICAL LIFE IN FLORENCE.
In 1995 Dánta catered public life, Although it was an unfortunate time, when civil discord was more than usually prevalent in the never very harmonious political life of Florence, it was unlikely that he would ever have been successful in the held of practical politics. As
ROBBING HIS EMPLOYERS. PORTUGUESE OLERK SENT TO GAOL
CHARACTERISTICS OF DANTE'S WORK. Mr. de Martin did not think it altoge ther a fanciful idea that, owing to the diversity of the appeal of Dante's poetry.
Daniel David Jesus, a Portuguese no two persons came away from reading
cracy, yesterday morning,"on two charges;'] it with quite the simo idea of what they clerk, was before Mr. Wood at the Magis had read. No one at the present day rat
with having stolen a aum of 1 would venture to say that he quite under which had been entrusted to him for dis- bursement by his employers the Far-Eust That Dante-worriei-have-gallock the fecerary with stenting on the 17th Noven- ber the cylinders of oxygen aud "one quidditas of the Comedy must remain a
cylinder of acetylons gas, the property secret for us who live in these days. But or the above Company, from 19, Praya there wers one or two features that loom-
A public celebration in Hongkong of the sixth contenhry of the death of the great Italian Catholic epic poet. Dante Alighieri, took place at the Theatre Prior, in 1500. be made enemies who took stood all that Dante intended to convey Oxygen and Acetylone Co., Ltd.," and
Royal, last night. when a concert, and advantage of his absence on- special lecture was arranged by the Roman mission to Rome to effect his overthrow Catholic community. The happy thought and exito. Dante found himself in of paying tribute to Italy's greatest poet strange company among the Italian exiles, was first inspired by an Encyclical letter There could not have been much sympathyed so large that they could not escape the observation of anyone who had the published by the Pope on April 30th last between the poet and the swashbuckling smallest acquaintance with the works of and addressed to all the Professors and Ghibelline lords among whom he found Dante. In the very first place, high above pupils of the Roman Catholic Institutes himself at Arezzo, their only remaining all,,,subject as well as sovereign inspirá throughout the world." In compliance stronghold in Tuscany. His appeal to tion of the whole. was the undiluted with the expressed wish of His Holiness the Emperor. Henry VIL, to restore dogma of the Catholic Faith. And then Bishop Pozzoni, was instrumental in giv-peaes among the organised anarchy of ing the movement à lead here and this the Italian communities further offended there was-what, after all, was but the resulted in last night's pleasant social the Florentines, who, with their long profane aspect of the same thing-Dante's and educational fuction.
hatred of Imperial, interference, would strong sense of the solidarity of mankind. There was a large and distinguished Got he likely to look kindly upon one possession of common-sense in uncommon the Coleridge had defined wisdom as audience, amongst whom were H.E. the of their own citizens who had appealed degree. One of the lessons be learnt Governor and Lady Stubbe, the Vice-over their heads to their traditional from Dante a common-sense was that the Chantellor of the Hongkong University
were more elemental. and should, there things that knit human society together and Lady Brunyate. Officers of the Army
fore, when free play was given to their and Navy and ninny Consular representa.
action, be more powerful than the second tended to aplit it up into discordant tives...
ary and usually artificial causes which
Tous
The Celebration Committee, under the Chairmanship of Bishop Pozzoni was -composed of the Presidents of the Club | Lusitano, Catholic Union, Catholic Mens' Club, and Club de Recreio in the persons of Messrs. A F B. Silva-Netto, J. D. Oround, W. G. Fitz-Gibbon and E. V. M. R. de Souza respectively, and Messrs, The Decoration Committee, composed of Mesars J. M. Graca, M. F. Baptista and H. M. Rozario, "showed great taste in decorating the theatre. Appropriate ly, they made great use of the laurel. The music and programme was in the Mr. J. D. Osmund while capable hands of Mindly undertook the
C. F. Lubatti and Choa Po Sien.
of the Committee, I have to
enemy, the emperor from the barbarous lands on the other side of the Aipa
The lecturer referred briefly to the years of Dante's exile the tale, of which, hothought, would never be fully told. It was in the last years, when he reached the very zero of his wordly career, that his soul sonred to the zenith of its achieve. ment When all that the world had to offer him was worthless he gave it in re- turn_treasurca of priceless value. It was: in those years that from the lowest depths he, produced the Divine Comedy.
Cast,
Ah Wing, the proprietor of an engi was Bay, was charged with receiving the neering shop, in Whitefield Road, Cause five cylinders, knowing them to have been stolen.
Company, and Mr. A. H. Crew appeared, for the second defeudant Ab Wing the charge of stealing the cylinders, but The first defendant pleaded guilty to decled the accusation of stealing the money. The second defendant, Ah Wing, denied the charge of receiving. In order to facilitate natterd the Magistrate atealing the cylinders first. By so doing decided to take the second charge, that of the two defendants were tried at the sanie time.
Mr. M. H. Turder prosecuted for the
prosecution, said that the Company sup- Mr. Turner, in opening the case for the plied cylinders. of oxygen and acetylene to engineering firms for welding pur
poses.
1r. Geoffroy, "had reason to relieve that The manager of the Company,
some cylinders were being sent out from his permission. The system employed by the factory on the Praya Enst without the Company was that they had two factories in cylinders were made stored; one at Kennedy Town and one at Wanchai. The first defendant was in charge bi the factory at Wanchai, Cantomers came to the bed office at No. 15, Des Voux Road signed delivery orders for the amount of and there they met the manager who
the where these
The customers then
This same year of the Dante sex- continued, the lecturer, "is the one hundredth since the death of centenary Napolega.. Napoleon was
as great anyone can be without virtue, hut the world to-day is too war-tired to praise a man who must for ever be identified with military exploits. He will, of course, never disappear from history, but dois. is not soon as it his name has been rele- gated to the pages of the world's records and chliterated from the minds of gas they required. Dante died on September 14th. 1321,
where there are still niches for humbler and was buried at Ravenna Ho had folk1 The great emperor, from a very presented the signed delivery orders to been exiled from his beloved city; he had high mountain, looked down, apon the the clerks in charge of the factories, who been banished by his pride from the them; Dante Alighieri. treating a lowlier Mr. Geoffroy had a detective placed out- kingdoms of the earth and the glory of arranged delivery. Suspecting that all was not right at the Wanchai factory, Fenin! company of other man, but this path, looked up towards the kingdom of side the building. On the 16th November teaven. Let us hope it is not too the second defendant Ah Wing visited duties of Treasurer.
was not all the very words be wrote, the
optiniiatic" to read into the international No. 18, Des Voeux Road and ordered one BISHOP POZZONI said:-Your Excel thoughts he had conceived had yet to be ucanimity of the sex-centenary celebra-cylinder of acetylene gas. Mr. Geoffroy leney, ladies and gentlemen:-As Chair
burig unread in an oblivion of about tions a tendency to look up with the port gave him a delivery order. On the follow- thank you for helping to make our 300 years. This neglect might be attri. rather than down with the emperor, to ing morting the detective who was watch- reject the gospel of greed and force and ing outside the building saw two coolies, Dante celebration a success by your prebuted partly to the linguistic fastidious- try to realise something of the solidarity take out 3 cylinders on a track. These Bence here to-night. Having in view the reason, for this gathering it is parti- ness of the literati of the Italian Rennis of humanity."
In his concluding remarks Mr. de cylinders were delivered to Ab Wing's cularly gratifying to mo to note bow
sance, who, in their new-bora zeal for Martin said he had not attempted to go the cylinders carried into the shop, ques shop. The detective. after seeing two of truly this audience is representative of the classical periods of Greece and Roms, very far below the surface of his subject; tioned the coalies as to their order. The all sections of our very cosmopolitan com- munity. We are peculiarly grateful to had no regard for a composition, which, still less had he tried to explain. He coolies stated that they had been instruct- bon in form urd subject-matter, was amused his audience with the story of ed by a Portuguese clerk to deliver them His Excellency, the Governor, the Gov-
the poet the little girl who was studying history to Ah Wing's shop. At that moment the ernot, the Head of that community, esscutially mediaevat. Also,
the at home Mother. I think I should proprietor entered the shop and stated whose presence shows that. in addition of mediaevalism was shut out by to his daily watchful concern for our so-called new learning, the door was understand if only you wouldn't ex-that he had only ordered one, cylinder bolted and barred, by the new region, plain" Only a very bold man would of acetylena gas. So far as the second literary and artistic interests. I cannot upon the poet of Catholic Christendom. dare to attempt a defuition of greatness. I defendant was concerned the whole point, material well-being, he shares also in our
more prejudical still-as arising
but all would admit that one note was was were these, five cylinders delivered in express ny thanks individually to each But, section of the community which is repre- from morni and spiritual causes was the never lacking from the recognition of error here was a clase de astravec sented here this evening, but i must movement away from the supernatural that quality whatever intrinsically it Henri E. I. Geoffroy, Frenchman, especially thank thore members of the towards materialism which touched its may be, and that was its ratification by manager of the Far East Oxygach and Consular Body who crable us by their lowest depth in the late part of the the people of other days and other-races Acetylene Co., Ltd., give evidence in sup- presence to reproduce that international 18th century. Dante unlocked the secrets by those who lived in a different age port of his solicitor's statement. sympathy which has been one of the most of another world; but the time spirit of who did not share the same history or symi witrus in this year'a celebra- this one turned aside with all manner of speak the same language. This year few excuse the polite sceptics of the 18th places which could muster up any literary tions in larger communities.
century professed to be shocked at Dante's their share in the recognition of one who, enthusiasm at all had failed to contribute
"We are not now shocked at this irre- regarded by as a commun ornament of though primarily an Italian, was now vezence," observed the lecturer, but we the human intellect. The Pope had called shudder at the probation he had to upon Catholics throughout the world to undergo. He was granted no mercifully take part in these literary demonstra sudden vision on the road Damascus, tions. Italy, naturally, had been fore- but bitterly, wearily, he had to find his most in their promotion, but from north way back to the pure promise of his to sonth. from cast to west, in the New myself. This man got a share. He had The Arst defendant It is not only youth. He had been ambitious to shine World as well as in the Old, and even an interview with me on the 18th inst. in the political life of his city-he became in the very old, the sex-centenary had and asked me to supply them. an outlaw. All his life he was super been celebrated by men and women of all sensitive, and was compelled for the creeds, and races. In its small way thin
"The Magistrato: The police say that greater part of it to live on what was little island community had contributed there is nothing against you, and as you little better than the aims of uncompre its part in the chorus, and though are of years of age. the sentence I am beading charity, aut unmixed with co-literary and artistic interests did not going to pass is a very light one. You tempt.
foon very large in Hongkong life, the went with hard labour.
are sentenced to three months' imprison large audience which Bad assembled show. ed that Hongkong was not wholly in different to such considerations.
An assembly such as this is indeed con-
vice,
He
The
Reading his poetry one learna never to despair, but to seek always after a bet ter life and a better world. Here is the inessage be left for all ages:---
irreverence.
THE DIVINE COMEDY.
Mr. de Martin's admirably, delivered Only once did be hesitate and that was lecture was a surprising fent of memory. The lecture was followed
The musical programme with proceedings began and ended give, great which the
enjoyment.
gruous with the occasion, for. Dante is par excellence the Catholic" poet. Ho belongs to all humanity just as his poetry has a message for all time. is the poet of religion und of the destiny of 100. With wonderful allegories he has embodied in his poem Catholic philo. sophy and divinits, as taught by his great contemporary, the angelic doe tor," clothing the crude scientile phraseo logy of the scholastics in a vesture of most brilliant poetry. In a stupendons druma, in which the whole history of the world is presented in its relation to the order of Divine Providence, he sets forth the destiny of man-the fallen man who is punished in hell, the repenting singer who is purified in purgatory, the saint who is triumphant in heaven.
The second part of the address, was praise of virtues or condemnation of devoted almost wholly to the Comedy. edification for all future generations, epic poets, but it is also a historical vices are so recorded as to be a living As to this, Mr. Martin said: It is an pointing all to the sure macons to obtain document of remarkable importance. It for a date. the grace to practice virtue and avoid is a series of vivid pictures, but the work with the keenest interest and at the con- of one well-versed fo theology, though it clusion the audience accorded a hearty contains accurate record of the ovation.
an world's knowledge of the natural sciences in the age when it was written. It is a quarry for the lover, the poet or the student. High above all broods the cold spirit of Catholic dogma. It records un epoch in the life of the most interesting community that hus ever existed. It is the very nuclegs of the most beautiful had to kindly undertaken the various has Dante garnered for us the gold of The BISHOP having thanked all who European language of today the first
Italy had said."
And not only Song items on the programme, called upon Mr. de Martin to give his lecture which Italy and coined it into the
language he was sure the audience would hear which is, to some degree, current in the Suite for 2 Pianos with pleasure and recall with delight..
cultivated circles of all civilised coun-, tries, but it has been the fountainhead" ADDRESS BY MR. G. P. DE MARTIN.
of all that art and song which made Italy the foster-fatherland of every man Mr. G. P. DE MARTIN began by saying that or woman with any pretensions to liter- it would not be easy at this time of day not only the literature and poetry that Selection "Cavalieria Rusticana"
nry or artistic taste. He deeply influenced for anyone to add to the fame of Dante, hut, on the other hand, the glory of the came after him but even the painting and great Fiorentine could not be dimmed by kindred arts whose achievements remain perfect appreciation either of the full the standards and criteria of the artistic purport of what he had to say to world at the present day. humanity or of the beauty of the medium It is impossible to attempt any con- in which he delivered his messago. The sideration of Dante's poetry without re- first part of the address dealt with the ference to the time in which it was chief events of Dante's life, the age in written, for in the Comedy the Middle which he lived and the political state of Ages are (to quote Carlyle) " "rendered Italy. Mr. de Martin considered that the rhythmically visible"; their ideals and level of culture on the shores of the their philosophy lie open before us, their Mediterranean in the Italian cities and faith, their weaknesses, their grandeur. especially in Florence, had been consider-The architecture and poetry of the time
atil
Beek pesco,and ensue it: acek peace through justice and despair not, as I have never despaired," Surely that is a timely message for these days of stress.
لوئید
L
+
The musical programme was as follows:
OVERTURL. The Orchestra of the Sociedade Philarmonica. "Cielo e Mar" Op. La (Conducted by Prof. F. Gonzales).
Giocondu
Ponthielli. Mr. E. G. D'Aquino.
Louis dubert.
(a) Minuet.
(b) Berceuse, (c) Air do Ballet. Miss Elfrida Osmund and Prof. Danenberg.
Al'ascagni. The Nightmares" Lyric Orchestra. (Under the direction of Rev. Fr. A.
"Riganti) Violin Solo "Souvenir de Moscow
Weiniausky. Selection-Tannhauser,"
Prof. F. Gonzales.
Wagner The Orchestra of the Sociedade Philarmonica.
GOD SAVE THE KING.”
Cross-examined by Mr. Crew, witness admitted that be made a mis-statement in his evidence. When he reported, to that he was suspicious of what was going. No. 2 Police Station he told the Inspector
on in the godown, but did bring a direct accusation against Ah Wing.
plead guilty of stealing these cylinders, The Magistrate / to", defendant: You three of oxygen and one of acetylene, valued at $100.
and placed in the witness box" to give Jesus was then taken from the dock,
he knew the second defendant. Ah Wing evidence naginst Ab Wing. He said that
him to arrange delivery of three cylinders came to him on the 13th inst. and asked of oxygen and one acetylene.
EL
Mr. Turner: What do you mean by
FIRDge" Witness: To supply them with his delivery order, for one.
M. Turner: Do you mean without payment?
Witness: No. Lucas to supply them at $15 each.
Mr. Turner: Would you have to pay more than that through the Company i
Witness: Yes you have to pay $22 each,
Mr. Turner: Did you agree to do this? Witness: Yes.
Mr. Turner: Well After you made this arrangement what happened?
Witnees: He went away and paid ho was going to get one from the office and then I could deliver the others at the same time.
Did he get the delivery order?-Yes, be came back on the 16th about 4 p..
What did you do then I told him I could not deliver that day but that I would do so the following morning.
Did he pay you anything at the time? -No
Witness then told the Court of the arrangements made by him for delivering the goods and ended his evidence by say- ing he was to get 815 for his own pocket for each cylinder.
Cross-examined by Mr. Crow: I put it to you that this story you have just told is perfectly untrue?
cause he arranged delivery with rae. Witness: That would be absurd, be-
of thing has happened. This is not the first time that this sort
ably underestimated until recent years. hold their proud place. Its sublime HOW ROADS ARE DAMAGED. The dazzling glitter of the Italian phisophical treatise, once vainly thought Renaissance had blinded men's ayes too to be relegated to the dust-heap, is still long to the solid achievements of the the resource of thousands of students in chisel were exhibited to Mr. Wood at the A large sledge hammer and a cold Middle Ages.
All parts of the world. But if it had not Magistracy, yesterday, when it was stated case to answer. Of Dante's boyhood, though much had been for Dante the intangible ethos of that the tools had been used by a Chinese been written, little was truly known. On the time would have been lost for ever to break up a sheet of iron. The iron, of receiving stolen goods against this reaching manhood he was eurolled in the Like some medieval Noah he has stored said Inspector Brown, was believed to man. He is discharged. Guild of Apothecaries pot that he was for us the ideals and aspirations of be part of the old H.M.B. Kent; it be either a doctor or a chemist, but the entry whole civilisation at the culminating
Mr. Turner submitted the man had a The Magistrate: There is no evidence
Mr. Turner My client Mr. Geoffroy,
to public life was by way of the guilds moment of its vigour, and, himself adrift longed to the defendant but he had been does not wish to proceed against the first apart from membership of which no one upon the waters of neglect, has carried brought before the Court for breaking it defendant with the charge of stealing the had any civil status at all. This was a them safely through days when that up in Reach Road, a newly-repaired main money your Worship. survival of the old struggle between the civilisation, all that it had achieved and thoroughfare. The surface of the road The Magistrate to first defendant: As Florentine citizens and the feudal all that it stood-for-seemed likely to be had been damaged by reason of the deno evidence is being brought against you "baronies with which the city at one time overwhelmed for ever by a deluge of fendant's operations.
on the first charge of stealing $94, you Was, surrounded.
materialistic philosophy.--
are discharged.
A fine of $10 was imposed....
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