32
AN GAODHAL
in the Irish World from week to week, Irishmen
from all parts of the country taking part in it. In
September of that year (1872) "Gael" was ap¬
pointed principal of the schools of Our Lady of
Victory, this city, and, after a short time, organ¬
ized an Irish Class from among the boys and, af¬
ter regular hours, gave a half-hour's lesson on the
blackboard twice a week, using Bourke's Lessons
as a text-book.
"Gael" having, as before stated, urged the for¬
mation of classes for teaching the language, was
now very proud to be able to report that he had
done himself "what he preached" — the formation
of an Irish class. Seeing this report in the Irish
World, and not knowing who "Gael" was, Mr. Er¬
ley wrote to Mr. Patrick Ford of the Iris World
for "Gael's" address. Mr Ford published it, and
on its appearance Mr. Erley wrote this letter : —
147 North 1st St., Williamsburgh, Aug. 8th, 1873
Mr. Logan. — Sir, Seeing your name mentioned
in the Irish World as a person who would give in¬
formation of a society for the study of the Irish
language that exists in Brooklyn, if you let me
know when and where they meet, its object and
cost, you would much oblige
Thomas Erley.
After this "Gael" and Mr. Erley became fast
friends. Matters dragged along until the Fall of
'74, when it was decided to organize a permanent
society. Mr. Erley urging that should the lang¬
uage die, Irish Nationality would be a thing of
the past. The organization of a society was deci¬
ded on, and both commenced a canvass for mem¬
bers. After a month or so the names of twenty-
five patriotic Irishmen were secured, who prom¬
ised faithfully that they would attend a meeting
at any time with the object of organizing the con¬
templated society. On the 12th of December pos¬
tal cards were sent to them to meet, and out of
the 25, 17 attended; Mr. Erley felt happy. The
meetings were continued, and, after a few weeks
the Brooklyn Philo-Celtic Society was organized,
with Mr Erley as treasurer. The society worked
along — its greatest want being suitable textbooks.
The agitation carried on by the Brooklyn Society
reached the ears of the Revd. Fathers Bourke and
Nolan in Ireland, and led to the formation of the
Society for the Preservation of the Iris Language
by them, early in 1877; and their having compil¬
ed and published the series of Irish lessons was a
great boon to the Brooklyn Society which so large¬
ly increased in membership that in the latter
part of 1877 30 of its them were resident of New
York City.
Considering that the 30 members residing in
New York would form a respectable basis for or¬
ganizing a society there, a committee was appoint¬
ed to report on the feasibility of such a step. The
committee reported favorably, and Mr. Erley en¬
gaged the hall 214 Bowery, and the first meeting
for organizing New York was held there on Fri¬
day evening, May 17, and 27 new members enrol¬
ed. This body rapidly increased in membership
and after a few weeks became the New York
Philo-Celtic Society, which meet now at 263 Bow¬
ery. The organizing committee continued its or¬
ganization next at 96 Bovery where the Society
for the Preservation of the Irish Language was
organized, (lately changed into the Gaelic Society)
Mr. Erley continuing its treasurer, also.
In these exertions the object of the organizers
was, to create such an agitation in favor of the
renaissance of the Irish language and literature
as would compel the leaders of education in Ire¬
land to have it taught in the National schools,
where alone it would have any lasting effect, and,
with this idea thoroughly fixed in his mind, Mr.
Erley never ceased to advocate the founding of a
fund to provide premiums for successful Teachers
and pupils (on the Cleaver plan) in the Irish Na¬
tional Schools; and before he departed he had the
satisfaction to witness the formation of such fund
and the general success of the movement which
he helped to organize 22 years ago.
Being one of the founders of AN GAODHAL, Mr
Erley looked upon it as his foster child, and paid
or eight copies of it every month, six of which he
sent to different parts of Ireland "To show," he
used to say, "what we are doing here."
Mr. Erley was the true type of an Irishman,
and he abominably detested these loudmouthed
Irishmen who were always talking Irish Nationa¬
alty and who would not contribute a penny to save
its life — the language.
Mr. Erley was a man of few words, but of intense¬
ly positive patriotism. And he and his compa¬
triots have preserved the Natonality of Ireland.
By the decease of Mr. Thomas Erley, the Gael
and the Gaelic Movement have lost an invaluable
prop, and Ireland a true and devoted son.
The Gael has many true devoted Irish clerical
subscribers and it requests of them to offer the
Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the repose of the
soul of their departed brother.
The Bedford Weekly News is a four-page very
interesting journal just after springing into life.
Mr. W. Stratton McGregor is its editor, and its of¬
fice is 1293 Bedford Av. The Bedford district is
much in need of a journal of this kind to repre¬
sent it. The Gael wishes its young neighbor ev¬
ery possible success.
O'Faherty's Siamsa an Gheimhridh, re¬
viewed in the Gaodhal recently, is for
sale by Mr. P. Brien, 46 Cuffe St.
Dublin. The price in cloth is 2s: in
wapper, 1s 6d.
