The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-07-17

arrange settlements all around. Ii this is
not adjusted satisfactorily, that must be
the end of that affair fit is, there must
be ga brave little av coortin'." Execution
follows with wonderful rapidity in either
case. The wedding itself must perforce
be humble affair, but none are too poor
to provide some sort of frolic for their
friends. There will be plenty to eat, such
as it is, and somehow there is "slatherin's
to wash down JOY" The dance, the wan
dering piper, the blind fiddler, and scores
of couples aching to follow in the happy
pairs footsteps "widout paddock, praties
nor pig" are all features of the simple
festivities. Ii the bridal couple be COM
fortably off, ride in the jaunting cars
about the country may be taken. When
that cannot be- afforded, then a score or
two couples will convoy" them in a
march full of fun and frolic about the
townland roads, where from every way
side cabin cheers and "Grah go wild We ~
greet them from lips, eyes and hearts that
knew the same blessings when their own
lives were blossoming with love and hope.
One naturally speaks of the Irish
awake" with feelings of hesitancy. Yet L
think any kindly-hearted person should
put aside their ignorant, or educated,
prejudice regarding the Irish peasanty,
and endeavor to know the Irish thought,
feeling and purpose behind the fact. That
is lood way to do about anything we
may not happen to like. Every priest in
Ireland has Numbered anathemas against
the wake The church has sought, in
every possible manner, to exterminate the
custom. But the Irish heart clings with
stubborn tenacity to all customs which
are the outgrowth of affectionate regard.
l. Al, l. Il l.,.A
is of Greek origin; and similar customs
to this day prevail in remote provincial
parts of England. l have thought
upon and visited wakes extendedly in
Ireland; and while not defending them,
my own notions are much changed.
1t is wrong to condemn the Irish as un-
feeling for the occasional apparent irrever-
ence of the wake On the contrary, the
reverse Is true. The whole idea in the
wake is to honor the dead and assist the
mourners to overcome their grief. "Och,
thin, it's fine berryin' :" or Faith twas
an Elegant wakeI" expresses the feelings
of those who live for what they have set
their hearts upon at death. They long for
even this poor sign of their neighbors' re-
gard, even if thew should make slip and
not quite deserve it. They are also a
wonderfully tender-hearted people, and
gather in the house OF the dead exclusively
with the sympathetic purpose and feeling
of rising the heart" of those who mourn.
Repulsive as this may seem to us unac-
customed to these scenes, there is
still human practicality and bene-
ticence in the custom; and If the
ked, or waillng for the dead, be now
and then varied by a little iollity and
counting, even that is the outcome of a
natural law not altogether unforgivable
or wholly to be condemned. For my own
part l began looking into the matter of
Irish wakes with good deal of American
airiness and superiority; but upon attend
ing several some boyhood memories re-
turned OF where, in my own loved coun-
tTyside region, very excellent methodist,
presbyterian and baptist folk. watched"
at the house of the dead, counting it no
sin that among the young there was occa-
sional mirth and often the first kindling
OF the fires of love; and somehow, for
one, while not approving of the Irish
wake any more than you, have been so
touched by the true manifestations of
grief, and simple efforts to cheer those in
dolor and misery, that can not find it in
my heart to wholly condemn what is
prompted in the tenderest spirit of the
sympathetic human heart.
EDGAR l.. WAKEMAN.