AN GAOḊAL.
475
KNUCKBUEE N. S. DRIMOLEAGUE,
Co. CORK, IRELAND
28. 2, '85.
Dear Sir,
Through the kindness of an unknown
friend I have become acquainted with An Gaodhal,
and I now hope you will grant me a corner of
your journal to convey my heartfelt thanks to him
for the favour; and also to assure the gentleman
who has made me the recipient of his kindness
that his spirit will remain green a long time in my
memory. All honour ! to the true lovers and sup¬
porters of the Irish language. It cannot but flou¬
rish when there are to be found so many Cosmos
to patronise it. Among many others, the name of
the Rev. Mr. E. D. Cleaver deserves special men¬
tion. Every conceivable good may attend the no¬
ble gentleman. He has distributed prizes amount¬
ing to £50 to the Irish National Schools for supe¬
rior attainments in Irish for the year 1884, and has
notified his intention to give the same — at least to
certain counties — for 1885. Nor is this all. He has
also given a large number of other prizes besides.
My own school has received £2 at his hands. But
the truly great are content "to guide the springs in
silence" and rejoice in secret at their good work.
the worthless and the frivolous to prate and prattle.
We must be a mysterious people when the ac¬
quirement of our mother's tongue must be made
a sort of "sugar-plum-affair" before we consent to
learn. I have heard it said that knowledge is its
own reward. And I would not envy that Irishman
at home or abroad, located in the valleys of the
West, or beneath the light of the Southern Cross,
whose heart vibrates not with joy at the success
of the language of the Gael. Was it not the sole
language of Erin when "learning's lamp shone
bright" and before Dane or Norman or Saxon set
foot in Ireland. Dr. MacHale has appositely said
that the National Schools were the grave yards of
the Irish Language. The truth of this well known
saying will become apparent by reflecting that
there were only 12 passes in the National Schools
for the year 1881, and 32 for 1880. But I doubt not
if they are not also destined to be, in the near fu¬
ture, the instruments of its revival and perpetua¬
tion. It is now spreading in the schools like a
prairie fire, if I may be permitted the expression.
I myself passed 16 pupils, and I know a neighbor¬
ing teacher who passed 23 in Irish at last exami¬
nation. I may also remark that nine teachers hold
Certificates of competency to teach Irish in the Co
Cork, for. —
By the shores of Munster like the Atlantic blast,
The olden language lingers yet and binds us to
the Past.
Judging from the foregoing what an immense num¬
ber must have succeeded in all Ireland! The would
be aristocrats who aped their superiors, like the
frog in the table, and who were shamed to speak
the language of their forefathers have, thank God
nearly all disappeared chiefly through the exert¬
ions of the members of "The Gaelic Union" and
those of "The Society for the Preservation of the
Irish Language." These gentlemen have caught
up a spark from the dying embers which soon kin¬
dled into a blaze, and which is still increasing in
vigour, until ere long it will shed its refulgent
brightness upon the whole Clanna Gaodhal. An¬
tiquarians would labour more successfully in their
researches after Irish antiquities, as well as in as¬
certaining the ancient manners, customs, games,
and pastimes of the Irish, had they possessed a
sound knowledge of their language. What an ad¬
vantage this would be to Irish history! And as to
point of antiquity, philologists assert that it is a¬
kin to the Hebrew, and Sanscrit, while poets sing
that. —
When lovely Eve in beauty's bloom,
First met fond Adams view,
The first words he spoke to her were. —
Cad e mar tha thu?
Enclosed is a year's subscription to An Gaodhal,
and if you could supply all the past numbers be¬
ginning with the first, and up to October 1884, I
would gladly purchase them. Were your Journal
known to the National teachers of Ireland, gener¬
ally, I believe they would subscribe to a man. It
has left nothing undone to draw into closer bonds
of fellowship the Irish race, and may the friend¬
ships thus cemented be of such a lasting charac¬
ter that the vile breath of the enemies of our Lan¬
guage will fail to shake. With best wishes to you,
Mr. Editor, for your great service to our Irish
brethen. — a service which I am sure will ever be
graefully remembered by all true lovers of our
teanga ḃinn ṁilis ṁaṫarḋa.
Yours ever faithfully,
JOHN NYHAN.
MANNERS MAY BE YOUR FORTUNE.
THE STANDARD BOOK OF POLITENESS
GOOD BEHAVIOR, SOCIAL ETIQUETTE,
ETC. CONTAINING ALSO THE
LANGUAGE OF FLOW ER
It contains letters for situations with answers.
Letters on love, courtship and marriage, with an¬
swers. Forms of notes, and receipts. Social and
business forms, and other useful information. It
is the best guide to good behavior and correct let¬
ter-writing published.
PRICE $1.
This includes HOME LIGHT, a 48-column month¬
ly story paper, for one year, and the above descri¬
bed book. This is the best and cheapest offer in
the whole history of books and newspapers. A¬
gents Wanted. Send for sample copy FREE.
Address
M. J. CAHILL Publisher,
79 and 81 Randolph St., Chicago, Ill.
