AN GAODHAL.
487
the Roman letters H, V, W and V are heard as fre¬
quently, as clearly and as distinctly in spoken
Irish as they are in English. Q and Z too
are frequently though but partially heard. The
J is not heard in Irish. K is lost in C, and
the sound that C is made do duty for
in many English words is represented in
Irish by the letter S. So the argument from the
difference in the number of letters is divested of
all force under fair comparison. But, really, in
the teaching of Irish, what difference does it make
that the so called, old Irish Alphabet is formed
from the Roman or the Roman from it, — whether
one, or both forms, be as ancient as the Shenaar
University itself, or, comparitively speaking, but
of yesterday? I do believe the writing and print¬
ing the language of what is called old Irish let¬
ters is a great mistake, and repels rather than
invites to its study. It is a great strain on the
mental vision trying to keep continually present
to it two forms of letters. You ask a student in
any of our colleges why it is he learns Latin
more easily than Greek and he will tell you it is
owing to the peculiar printed character in which
the latter is presented to his mind. I think the
Dublin Society for the preservation of the Irish
Language erred in not presenting it to us in a
Roman outfit. For, though so presented in books
and papers, decked Roman type, it would not
affect its correct pronunciation, expression or
utterance. The tongue would sing and ring it
out in the same rich flowing accent as of yore.
Understand I am not writing a reply for public¬
ation nor in a spirit of controversy for controversy's
sake, but from the feeling of one who believes
he could make more rapid progress in its study
in the Roman character than he is now able to
make. This obstinate adherence to old forms
retards instead of accelerates progress of its
knowledge. National predilections aside the Ro¬
man letter is decidedly more agreeable to the
eye, and to us in this age, both from early training
and continued habit, is the easiest and readiest
to write. I dare say if I were in heaven to-
morrow my sister would look as fondly and
tenderly on the little fifty cent photograph of me
as she would upon a thousand dollar oil picture
painted by a Brumidi. Others might and would
prefer the latter because of the artist, but to her
it is all one which she posesses so long as it
presents to her mind the likeness of him she
loves and for whom her heart prays. How many
sisters could be consoled by a brother's picture
were the cheap and easy way of making them by
modern photography discarded for the old, tedious
costly method of painting? So, thousands and
thousands of young Irish scholars and students
however, much they desire to possess a knowl¬
edge of their native tongue, will continue in the
want of it when they behold the tedious labor
and mental cost involved in studying it in the
written characters of the old Olamhs, wise and
learned though they may have been.
Yours truly
E. P. McDermott.
The Hon. Denis Burns paid your subs.
Mr. McDermott would seem to think that the E¬
ditor of the GAEL is a Republican. He is no such
thing. He is a staunch Democrat. And that is
why he opposed the mugwump coalition last Fall,
knowing if it were successful that it would be the
death knell of the real Democratic Party. He
was not mistaken. The real leaders of the Demo¬
crats are sat upon and the offices to which they
are entitled by virtue of their successful efforts
given away to the mugwumps. Then, holding
these principles of Majority Rule, the Editor of
the GAEL considered that he had a right to ex¬
press his sentiments therein, he being at that time
its heaviest supporter. But, as Republicans and
Democrats alike recommend a non partizan con¬
duct of the GAEL, and being now in the majority
in its support the Editor, according to his principle
of majority rule, concedes their right to dictate the
manner of its conduct. Hence, with this issue, in
deference to the suggestions of friends of both par¬
ties, the GAEL ceases to make reference to Ameri¬
can politics.]
AN AMHAIN MHÓR.
Fonn — Caisleán Ui Néill.
Ceud slán do 'n Amhain Mhór, sé mo
bhrón gan mé anocht le na taobh ;
Ach 's iomadh sin bóthairín cam uaig¬
neach dul eidir mé a's shí;
Is ann a gheabhfuighe an spóirt tráthnó¬
na agus seal annsa n-oidhche,
Bheidheadh gloine le n' ól ann a's cualu¬
adar geanamhuil le suidheadh.
Nach mise tá cráidhte, 'sa Dhia ce'n t-ion¬
adh dá m-briseóchadh mo chroidhe,
Aig ísliúghadh 's ag árdúghadh na mámaigh
seo dul eidir dhá thír,
A bh-fad ó mo cháirdhibh, 's gan áit agam
a leigfinn mo sgíth;
Ach tá súil agam le Rígh na ngrás' nach m-
béidh fán orm ach tamall, 's ce'n bhrígh.
Tá mo ghuallacha sárthaigh, gan áireamh
go bh-fuil m' ioscadtha fann;
Tá mo rúitínidhe geárrtha ó shíor shiúbhal
na m-bóthaireadh go mall;
Ní'l ball air bith slán díom nach n-eug-
chaoin bheith breoite no tinn.
A's ní fheudaim-se na mámaidhe so árd¬
úghadh ó'n b-péin an mo dhruim.
4th
3rd
