The Irish standard., 1891-01-31

dom and her own laws? Time Will no
permit me to speak here on the subjec1
of Ireland's g ancient literature preserved
in the Irish language. Enough to say
it is verv extensive and in every respect
worthy of the people to whom it be-
longs. Outside Of the classical tongue!
of antiquity no other language car
boast of older literary monuments
than the Irish. But as English is
now the native speech of most
Irlshmen, it will. perhaps, be more
interesting to consider for moment
the works OF Irishmen in that language
It is really surprising to know the great
number of excellent writers who have
enriched English literature who belong
to Ireland, but who freq uently pass fo1
Englishmen. If the writings of Irish.
men in the English language were
taken away, the finest part perhaps
would be wanting. Oliver Gold
smith is known wherever English is
spoken. His purity and simplicity of
style are unrivalled. Where is there a
more pleasing novel than the "Vicar OF
Wakefield" or sweeter poem than the
''Deserted Vlllage?" Edmund Burke,
orator, statesman and political writer.
pronounced one Of the greatest orators
ancient or modern, adds glory to mis-
race as he does honor TO humanity.
Burke has been compared to Shake
speare in the rapidltY aad dlversltied
coloring of his ideas. His diction Is
unequalled, and his consummate mast
ery OF English is one OF its greatest
praises He was diligent student OF
Cicero, the great Roman orator and
writer, and like him he aimed to reduce
his language to the utmost precision
and elegance.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan was an
other great Irishman. He was finished
orator. brilliant wit. and an accom-
plished playwright. His great speech
in the House of Commons On the i'm
peachment Of Warren Hastings was so
overmastering in it's eloquence that
many of his auditors tainted away.
After it's delivery he was offered one
thousand pounds if he would give a
correct version Of it for the press. This
was meyer done. and at best onIv an inn
perfect copy OF this famous speech now
remains. His "School for Scandal
was pronounced by Lord Byron to be
the finest comedy in the language, and
it's popularity will perhaps continue as
long as the foibles and oddities OF
human nature, which it SO faithfully
portravs, wiIllast. And here may Men
tion another actor and dram atist, a rel
alive Of the foregoing.-She eridan
knowles, the author Of "Virginlus."
This is the play in which the late John
Mccullough, one Of the most celebrated
tragedians OF his day. achieved such
wide fame. Many Of you no doubt have
seen Mccullough in his life tirne. His
intense realism in the rendition OF
his great roles was at times 80 great as
to start his hearers to their feet. Dion
Boucicault, who recently died in New
York, was the most successful play
wright Of this century. He too, was an
Irishman, Imight, If the time permitted,
mention many other shining lights OF
the dramatic and operasgI<; tage who be"
long to Ireland, or were Irish by descent
AS in oratory, the Irish seem to have
f,,rr fNye 70 pfo
list of Irish names connected with
the drama tend to show. Another
consideration of our subject is the in
fluence which the Celts have exercised
on English thought and literature
Mathew Arnold, high authority. and
an Englishman. saya that the Celtic
element was not banished out Of Eng
land by the comlug of the Angles or
Saxons, that it is from Celtic source
spring the style and natural magic Of
English poetry, and that it is in Eng
l1sh poetry that the Celts have left
their clearest trace. He declares more
over, chat it gets it's turn for STYLE, for
melancholy, and for natural magic,
for rsndering the charm of nature in a
wonderfully clear and vivid manner,
from Celtic ground. Iu the matter of
style, take we'll known poet OF our own
Edgar Allen Poe. who was OF
Celtic extraction, aud we have a strong
instance Of this quality. His poem OF
the Raven has been severely crltl-
cized By some as a mere jingle of words.
But it seems it is its style which chiefly
1.-THE peculiar way ID
which 1t impresses the fancy. The
same also may be said of his poem, the
!. Bells.'' with their tintinnabulatlon
which so musically swells''. Ireland,
then. far beyond more highly favored
states, NAV praise the great number OF
her geniuses whose fame covers the en-. y
lire earth, and whose names will be for
ever treasured in the recollection OF
For, their intellectual gifts 's
and labors are the Inheritance OF the
race; and these, as they contribute more 'a
&. ~, ~ ~, NJ crhfh parn