Morning journal and courier., 1890-04-23
,n1.u poErnr AND sorc.


 A Dslightfal Treat Given By John Boyle O,Rcilly at she Hyperion Last Eveuing-The Proceeds Co Go For Ss. Francis orphan AsYluM ana Ss. Vincent de Paul Societies of th1s City. Not so large an audience by far was pres- ent last evening to listen to John Boyle O'Reilly lecture on Irish Music and Poetry as the lecturer deserved, but the Hyperion was, however, comfortably we'll filled. In the boxes were Rev. Fathers Hartigan, Bray, Russell. Kyle, Lawlsss, Doland, sul- livan, Dr. Higgins and Father Naher, chancellor of the diocese. On the stage the various committees ot the different Irish societies were seated. MT. O'Reilly was introduced by Professor Rosin- son and received with great applause. His words in substance are as followa:
 I will not give representative prssenta- ton of the rnn.io and poetry of Ireland. That would be by far too large subject for lecture. My object is to call your attention to brief history of them in ancient times and some of the ballads ot later times; For 5000 years of written history Ireland has been inhabited by sic-loving race, and to this day there are in existence rare treasures of untranslated Gaelic songs. Poets | were given honor and national distinction 1n the nation second only to the king. The bard was given a seat next to the king at the table, It was his duty to preserve the nj his" | tory of the country in song. The noolhsy were distinguished by the number ot coiors they wore The king wore six and the chief | bard five. The bards were divided into three parts-one that sang of religion, an other who sang of the laws and the last whose duty it was to celebrate the deeds or national glory and perpetuate m memory acts of the heroes.
 Ireland was the true land of the harp from the earliest times. In the opening centuries of the Christian era the schools In Ireland for teaching music were at their nignes. & point. This was the golden age for lrlen history. England sought after the conquest to destroy the cohesion of the Irish people by destroying its native tongue. By the act of 1704 scarcely no education was possible for the people. All the priceless treasures oi music, poetry and song were shut oil from the nation. The Gaelic tongue was almos' silenced and the nation had no means of telling it's misfortunss to the outside world. The bards were hunted with particular vigor like wild beasts. Many oi their songs were ascribed to Scottish litera. erature, and all of the remaining records o1 Irish history so far as possible were destroy ed. Rev. Dr. John Lynch about 400 year. sgo,a noted Jesuit and president of French university, wrote against this savage actior of England. St. Patrick was no lover of thu bards and there was no love lost on either side. He did not understand them ant feared their influence. But fortunately for Irish poetry he was succeed ed by Columbs, who, though a monk by right might have had the throne. He wa friend of the poet and recognized the poet' worth, and he preserved many of their pro ductions. The first great Irish poet wa Luga, who lived about 5000 years ago. copi ous fragments of whose writings have beel preserved. About 100 years ago the work O defamation was done and a general pillsge O the Irish literature took place. It was don' chiefly by the Scottish, who were of the sam Gelic race and were helped on by the Eng fish. Nearly all of the noble Irish airs hay been appropriated by the Scots. These ar some of the most beautiful, delicate jewell that have ever been produced by any race and by their wonderful tenderness alone ar an honor to the Irish race. Of these MT O'ReillY read selections which awakened tn Enthusiasm oaf the audience. The leotur was throughout ons rare interest.