AN GAOḊAL.
761
fact, we did not notice the misquotation until it
was pointed out to us in a letter from Dublin. We
presume the misquotation was unintentional on
Mr. O'Donnel's part, though he did not correct it.
In another part of his letter, he draws a parallel
between the Irish at present spoken and that of
the English of the Midlothian plough boy, (See
para. 6, page 664 of the GAEL).
We felt warmly on this comparison, because we
considered that there was no parallel between the
pure Irish, and the mongrel language of England.
Mr. Ward, in part of his letter, said:
"And accept in their stead the oral usages that
may obtain to-day among the unlettered dwellers
on the slopes of Croagh Patrick, Slieve-na-mon
or Bornesmore.”
Now, we know Mr. Ward through private cor¬
respondence for some time, and, from that knowl-
edge, we would not dare consider ourselves more
patriotic than he, but the words above quoted
would tend to reflect on the Irish speaker, though
we are sure that it was far from his heart to in¬
tend it.
We believe the same in regard to Mr. O Don-
nell's Midlothian plough-boy, and the aim of our
criticism in this regard was, to check that line of
argumentation, because, though not intended nor
suspected by the writer, an invidious comparison is
insinuated. Neither the veracity nor honesty of pur-
pose of either gentleman was questioned, their line
of argument was, and we criticised it — that is all.
Those, then, who would make a mountain out of a
mole-hill may have their way.
In no other instance were the gentlemen referr-
ed to in the GAEL. Of both we wish well.
Mr. Danil O'Shiriadn, Trenton Neb. (late of
Madison, Wis.) sends us the following.
THE IRISH LANGUAGE. — Let us manfully acknow-
ledge this shameful fact. One man conceives the
bold idea of writing a set of lessons in the “dis-
graceful" language. Yes! don't cloak it ; dis-
graceful is the word, to our eternal shame. He
marched steadily forward, wrote the lessons and
published them, trampling down ridicule and low
ignorance in his onward march. What is now the
result? That which was a disgrace ten short
years ago — the Irish Language — is now honored
and respected all round the globe ; and thousands
thirst to-day for a knowledge of that of which a
few years ago they boasted they knew not — ah! too
true, they boasted of their ignorance. Thus a tri-
umph over ridicule and ignorance has been gained
by moral courage, and the seeds of a revival of the
Irish language, which in due time will bear rich
fruit, have been sown. But where, I ask, is the
moral courage of the hundreds of able Irishmen
whose duty it is to aid the cause, and to fight the
good fight for its preservation, cultivation, propa-
gation and firm establishment of the great language
of our race aud nation? I ask, “where?” But
there is no responce. Is it that they are unnatur-
al, and rejoice in the death of their mother, while
they squeeze out crocodile tears over her last
gasps, and howl a disgusting simulation of
grief for the benefit of the ears of their hearers?
Or is it rank moral cowardice? Are they afraid of
being laughed at? Or, finally, is it that they pre-
fer to vegetate? — simply to eat and drink, and to
do as little as possible, as if they were made for
the accomplishment of nothing greater than eating,
drinking and wearing clothes? Were it not that
there is something wrong in the Irish nation-
al character, you would have hundreds of priests
and laymen aiding in the good work of preserving
and propagating the native language. This is the
highest aud grandest work the said priests can do
for the Irish nation and religion. Aye ! it is a sa-
cred duty. — Cor. Tuam News.
BALFOUR AND THE GOAT.
Air — “The Peeler and the Goat."
Oh, listen friends and neighbours all
To my surprising story,
The peelers lately made a haul
Which covers them with glory, O,
They marched at Balfour's bugle-note,
With battons and with bay’nets, O,
And seized Ned Barret's poor old goat
For grazin’ in the Phaynix, O.
Then Balfour plied his lanky legs
With strides and capers many, O,
And up before ould “Ham an' eggs
He brought the trembling Nanny, O,
And there he charged him straight and plain
And all his near relations, O,
With carryin’ on a vile campaign
Of moonlight depredations, O.
Then Ned spoke out and he declared
The harm poor Nan was doin', O,
Was but a flea-bite when compared
With Balfour's work of ruin, O,
He only ate a few green leaves
And drank some runnin' water, O,
Not like the greedy Tory thieves
Who came to rob and slaughter, O.
His worship flamed more white and red
At language so amazin', O,
He looked at Nan, he looked at Ned
With eyes with fury blazin, O,
He vow'd he'd end such Land League tricks,
Or else at least restrain ’em, O,
He fined poor Barrett one pound six,
Poor Nan is in Kilmainham, O.
"Young Irelander,"
Kinvara.
in Tuam News
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