Donahoe's Magazine, Volume 15, No. 4, April, 1886

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Hubert Sarsfield Burke, which occurred on Wednesday. Mr. Burke was a frequent contributor to the Dublin Review and Catholic World, and is well known as the author of "The Women of the Reformation" and "Historical portraits of the Tudor Dynasty," works which brought him more honor than profit, as readers of Father Bannin's recent letters in our columns are aware. At the time of his death he was engaged in sketching the lives of the Irish viceroys, with the view of showing the inutility of that high post.

John B. Johnston, the animal painter of this city, died at his home, in Dorchester, on Sunday, February 14, of pneumonia, after a short illness. He was a little over forty years of age, and belonged to a family of artists, his father, D. C. Johnston, having been a famous caricaturist in his day, his brother Thomas a very talented figure painter, and his sister, Miss S. J. F. Johnston, who survives him, is also an artist. His death causes a shock to the artistic fraternity of Boston such as has not been experienced since George Fuller passed away, for he was a great favorite among all who knew him. As an animal painter, Johnston was very strong in color and characterization, and it would be difficult to find his equal in this specialty among American artists. He produced but few pictures, working slowly and with great care, most of his time during the past few years having been devoted to teaching. He was a pupil of the late William M. Hunt, and afterwards studied in Paris. He was of an amiable and cheerful disposition, full of vigor and liveliness, and was always exceedingly loyal to his friends and to his convictions. His frank and hearty manner and blunt honesty were prominent traits in a character which contained no guile. The funeral took place from the Church of the Immaculate Conception. The members of the Paint and Clay Club, in which he always took a great interest, attended the funeral in a body. No man could be more sincerely mourned by his associates in art than "Johnny" Johnston, as his friends affectionately called him.

An Irishman, brilliant and useful in his day, Dr. R. R. Madden, has passed away from among us at the age of eighty-seven. Though best known in Ireland as the author of the "Lives of the United Irishmen" and the "History of Irish Periodical Literature," Dr. Madden was author of many valuable works of travel, etc., and that which some consider his best, the "Life and Martyrdom of Savonarola." Apart from his authorship, Dr. Madden led a busy and useful life, having spent some years as special magistrate in Jamaica, and worked in concert with Wilberforce, Buxton and Clarkson, for the abolition of slavery. He also, later, held successively the posts of Superintendent of Liberated Africans at Havana, under the British Colonial office, and of Acting Judge Advocate in the Mixed Commission Court, under the Foreign Office. In 1841 he was chosen by Lord John Russell a Commissioner of Inquiry on the Western Coast of Africa, and in 1847 was appointed to the Colonial Secretaryship of Western Australia. In a memoir of Dr. Madden's life and labors, published in the Dublin University Magazine for March, 1876, the author remarks: If Dr. Madden had never written a line, his services in connection with the abolition of the slave trade would entitle him to public gratitude. If in the fearless discharge of his duty Dr. Madden excited the enmity of the slave interest, he also won golden opinions from those who were really the negro's friends. Not only abroad, but in his own country, men of the very highest eminence were foremost in recognizing his signal abilities and services. It is seldom that a man succeeds in winning the unreserved approbation of such men as Lords Glenelg, Palmerston, Russell, Derby and Normanby, as well as eliciting admiration of such members of his own profession as Gregory, Cooper, Brodie, Johnson, Crampton, Kirby and O'Reilly. But perhaps the most valuable tribute came from the lips of Buxton and Clarkson, two of the finest champions ever furnished by humanity to the oppressed colored race. With these men, as also with William Wilberforce, must be linked the name of our countrymen.

notes

1

The scope of this article does not admit of much extension on account of the great demand on the space of the Magazine, but inasmuch as Col. Byrnes was the most conspicuous officer of any who had to do with this gallant regiment, a few words concerning his personal career must seem appropriate. Richard Byrnes had served fifteen years in the regular army, reaching the commission of first lieutenant in the cavalry, when he was appointed to the command of the Twenty-Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers. He was assigned to it by orders in October, 1862. He perfected its discipline with soldierly skill, led it in battle with the valor of a true Irish-American hero, and commanded the respect and admiration of his troops. While in command of the Irish brigade at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, he was mortally wounded and died at Washington, June 12. His wife soothed his dying moments. He was interred with due military honors in a cemetery near his home in Jersey City. The likeness of Col. Byrnes, published in the March number of this Magazine, is pronounced a most excellent one. The copy was procured from Col. Jeremiah W. Coveney, of Cambridge, who served with distinction and honor in the Faugh-a-Ballaghs with the regular army hero.

2

Ruperti abbatis, Duitiensis, de divinis officiis. (L. C. VI., c. 29.)

3

The flagship, if I may use such an expression, of the little fleet, was the Santa Maria. Of course, it was on board of this that the illustrious navigator took his departure in person. The Pinta, on board of which was William Eyre, "the man from Galway," accompanied her, vide Catholic Telegraph, August 14, 1879.

    R. F. F.

New York, March 22, 1884.