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AN GAODHAL.
ABHRÁIN AIR ÉIRINN.
Above is the title of a very neat and tastefully
gotten up sheet of music which we have received
from our co-workers,
COMHLUCHD CHLANNA GHAOIDHIL,
Belfast, and which contains but the first and sec¬
ond numbers of a series of such songs, which this
society intends publishing.
We had occasion last month to notice another
publication issued by the same society in the shape
of an interesting pamphlet containing a lecture de¬
livered by its talented and enterprising secretary,
Mr. Marcus J. Ward, on his experience amongst
the peasantry of Tirconnaill, and in which the lec¬
turer graphically pictures the many beautiful old
customs still prevailing among the Gaelic speak¬
ing population, of this truly Irish locality, while
at the same time he deplores the evident inroads
being made by the more modern and certainly not
improved institutions of their Cockney neigh¬
bors.
The present publication is in keeping with all
others issued by our Belfast friends, who seem to
mean business. Notwithstanding the fact, that
their society is only a little over a year in exist¬
ence, they have done more real work than any o¬
ther we know of, in the same space of time.
The songs before us are the late Dr. McHale's
translations of Moore's "Shamrock", and "When
Thro' Life Unblest We Rove". The music, we
observe, is suited only for a single voice, and we
think our friends have made somewhat of a mis¬
take in not having it arranged in parts to suit
choruses such as are connected with most Irish
classes, as the songs would then become far more
general, and would fill a want long felt. The price
of each sheet, containing two songs, is fixed at the
very modest price of sixpence, and considering the
novelty of the enterprise, and the limited sale which
they must unfortunately command for some time
at least — the figure is remarkably low, and will
compare favorably with the prices charged for
even the cheapest class of music in this country,
while the general get up is immensely superior to
anything we have seen here.
We must certainly congratulate our friends on
their present effort, hoping they will continue the
good work of popularising the beautiful Melodies
in the old tongue, and that the beginning set by
them will act as an incentive to similar societies,
both in Ireland and this country, to encourage
the study of Irish music, which should now, as
formerly, go hand in hand with the study of the
language.
Send sixty cents for the GAEL; it will
teach you to speak and write Irish.
Irish Land Laws.
A great mistake has been made in attributing
the misery of the Irish people wholly to the Irish
laws. The land of any country by Natural right
belongs to the people of that country — not to in¬
dividuals. It is the legitimate source from which
government expenses can be derived, and, there¬
fore no government can give it as a free gift. It
is then only just that those who have the use of
the land should pay to the community a fair price
for such use — the proceeds to be applied to gov¬
ernment expenses and to works of public utility.
Every member of a community cannot be engaged
in agriculture. There are various other commod¬
ties necessary for human enjoyment besides the
produce of the land. Those then engaged in pro¬
ducing them are entitled to compensation as well
as the farmer. So the mutual exchange of the
product of labor and mechanical skill embraces
the trade and business of a community. Here is
where the Irish are empoverished. The produce
of the land is swept away into the pockets of ab¬
sentee landlords and English manufacturers.
If the land of Ireland were free to-morrow the
people would be poor because the produce of the
land would be exported for English manufactur¬
ers. But if these articles of manufacture were
produced at home and exchanged for the produce
of the land. The people of the land would then
multiply, become wealthy and happy. This is
what Ireland wants — absolute government. Fix.
CORMAC'S INSTRUCTIONS,
(Continued from page 205.)
Oh ! descendant of Con what was thy deport¬
ment when a youth?
I was cheerful at the banquet of Miodh Chuarta
fierce in battle, vigilant and circumspect; kind to
friends, a physician to the sick, merciful to the
sick, merciful to the weak, stern towards the head¬
strong. Although possessed of knowledge, I was
inclined to taciturnity, although strong, I was not
haughty; I mocked not the old although I was
young; I was not vain although I was valiant,
when I spoke of a person in his absence, I praised,
not defamed him, for it is by these customs that
we are known to be courteous and civilized.
Oh! grandson of Con, what are the sweetest
sounds thou hast ever heard ?
A shout after victory; praise after desert.
Oh! grandson of Con what is good for me?
If thou attend to my instructions, thou wilt not
cast away thy generosity or spirit for food or for
curim' for a hospitable name is better than food —
You cannot be splendid without horses, nor festive
without Cuirm.
Oh ! grandson of Con, what is the most detesta¬
ble sight thou hast ever seen?
The countenance of an enemy in the field of
battle.
