AN GAODHAL.
217
their editions.
It will thus be seen that it has been until recently
almost impossible to ascertain even the titles of
many of the works of which the "Ashburnham" or,
as this portion of it should properly be called, the
"O'Connor" collection consists; though catalogues
more or less complete, have been prepared from
time to time. But, from the unanimous opinion
of Irish scholars — living and dead — and the same
of the original collector (Chas. O'Connor), an idea
can be formed of the value of these manuscripts
and of their importance to Ireland. Even though
the restriction were removed which prevented
Irish scholars from consulting these manuscripts,
still their being deposited in any public Insti¬
tution in England, or anywhere but in Ireland,
would still place our native scholars at a very
great disadvantage and render impossible that
careful inspection, transcription and collation
which is so necessary.
We learn also, that the German government
desires to get possession of the entire Ashburnham
collections. In such an event they would be com¬
pletely lost to this country, like so many others
which found their way from time to time to the
Continent. Of course the only portion of this
vast collection with which we are concerned is that
part of which contains the Irish manuscripts, and
we hope that our Government, by becoming the
purchasers, as it is reported they purpose doing,
of the entire collection for the nation, will be in a
position to place in Ireland — in the National Li¬
brary; or some other similar Irish Institution,
those treasures of our native literature of which
all Irishmen are so justly proud. In the interests
of justice literature, science, and education, and in
view of the true advancement and enlightenment
of the people, it is to be hoped that the represent¬
ations now being made to Government from so
many quarters may be successful.
FAMINE STRICKEN TIRCONAILL.
A pamphlet lies before us containing a lecture
delivered by Marcus J. Ward, Esq. in the Ulster
Minor Hall, Belfast, on Feb. 23rd, at which the
Mayor presided. The subject was Mr. Ward's
personal experiences of distress in Tirconaill, as
gathered by him during the distribution of funds
collected for the relief of the distressed in the
county Donegal with which he was entrusted
We regret that the GAEL's limited space pre¬
cludes the publication of this characteristic and
interesting lecture.
In distributing this fund Mr. Ward did not go
round to give it as alms, but employed the small
farmers, (who would die rather than seek alms) in
works of improvement on their farms or patches
of land. It is a well known fact that in times of
famine or distress the small farmers are far worse
off than the beggars, because they are too
proud to make their wants known. Mr. Ward's
mode of distributing the fund did not touch their
sensitiveness and such forethought and considera¬
tion on his part stand out in bold relief when com¬
pared with others intrusted with similar missions.
During the delivery of his lecture, Mr. Ward
was repeatedly applauded. In one place he says,
"I declare it is a disgrace to Ulster, a disgrace to
Christian or Pagan government, a disgrace to hu¬
manity." (meaning the distress in Glencolumcill.)
The following paragraph will show the sentim¬
ents with which this young man is imbued better
than anything we could write. He says, referr¬
ing to education, — "It would surely not be too
much to demand that at least two of the commis¬
sioners of National Education should be Irish
speakers and scholars in order that the Board
might be in a position to deal justly and intelli¬
gently by the still large Irish-speaking population.
Old Celtic civilities of the natives are being driv¬
en out of usage, to be replaced by the upstart
conceit of a generation of Irish Cockneys."
THE GAELIC JOURNAL.
We have received the sixth number of the Dub¬
lin Gaelic Journal. It is highly interesting, and
should be patronized by all Irishmen. We order¬
ed twelve copies of the Journal on the strength of
promises made to us that they would be sold. We
hope these parties will come forward and redeem
their promises.
Printing the First Irish Book in this and the last
issue of the Gael would seem to call for some
apology to our advanced readers. We printed it
because some of the classes had no First Books, and
we did not wish to see beginners discouraged for
the want of material from which to learn. A class
of seventy-five pupils was reported at Nashua N. H.
and some smaller classes from other localities who
had no books to commence with; hence our action
in the matter.
We take it that those patriotic men and women
who support the Gael will be well pleased to learn
through it that the Irish Language movement is
rooting steadily through the country. The num¬
ber of clubs recently formed is very encouraging.
So that the Gael, being founded solely for the pur¬
pose of spreading a knowledge of the language and
literature of Ireland, will, we trust, be excused
when it considers it necessary to go back from
time to time to primary instruction.
In this connection we hope the delegates to the
national convention at Philadelphia, will not ignore
the Fourth Paragraph of the Platform there adopt¬
ed. They are in honor bound to take steps to
make it effective. Let each delegate form a small
club, and in a short time good results will follow.
Beidh an Ghaedhilge faoi mheas fós
