The Irish standard., 1891-01-31
THE IRISH IN LITERATURE.
a Subject Always Interesting to the
Scattered Children of the Gael
in Every Land,
MARTIN F M'HALE'S ADDRESS
What Irishmen Have Done In Ancient
and Modern Times for Literature
and the Arts.

1Qu tu6 ais.
The following address was delivered
on Jan. IL, before the Father Mathew
society, at Wayerlv, Mimi, by Mr., Mar
tin F. McHale Of this city:
Mr.. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENT
1IEMEK: "A subject 50 extensive as 1.-The
Irish in Literature" 50 full of interest
and instruction., could not be fully treat
ed within the limits OF a short address.
Taking only preliminary glance at the
subject, how many objects crowd on the
attention, what themes suggest them
selyesl How redolent it is of wit and
fancy, learning aud eioquence, genius
and song; in short, Of all that is elevat-
ing and reiined confess 1t would re-
qulre q greater invention than mime.
and more time than the occasion allows,
to set otf so inspiring subject as it
really deserves. 1t is the just and
greatest boast Of the Irish race 10 have
peen always lovers of learning and
introduction of Christianity into Ire
land by st. Patrick In the Fourth pcen-
curry the Irish were civilized people
and possessed a knowledge of letters
and the arts. How quickly the Irish
embraced the teachings OF the Christian
faith is one Of the striking events Of
history. What happened nowhere else,
Christianity was introduced into that
country without violence or the shedding
of blood. This is circumstance highly
creditable to their understanding, and,
it would appear, marks their superiority
over the Inhabitants OF the surrounding
countries where The spread OF the COS
pei was attended with SO much difficulty
and persecution. The Christian re-
ligion at once took firm root in Ireland
and became part OF the national life
and thought. This was amply dis
played in the great number Of mon
asteries which on all sides arose, and
the great number of persons OF all
ranks who followed the religious life.
AS this WAS a time Of great turbulence
and disorder in other places ia Europe,
Ireland by llcr secluded situation SOON
became a refuge for learning and sane
tity. The fame and excellence OF her
schools attracted students in thousands
from all quarters; aud the hospitality
of the Irish in providing for all foreign
students is shining testimonial OF their
unbounded zeal for learning and clvili
cation. Scholars from other countries
received their education free OF all OK
pense. Alfred the Great, whom all
historians love to praise, received his
education in Ireland. There is frag
ment of a poem extant IN the Irish Ian
guage attributed to him in which ne
speaks OF the many striking features of
the country and the eminent virtues Of
it's people. 1t has been said that to this
excellent prince the English owe no
small, share of their liberty and great
ness.
The missionary spirit and the intense
desire for the dissemination of religion
and science among the Irish of this
early. time is truly remarkable. ALI
historians write in praise Of the great
educational services which the Irish
rendered to posteritY at tune when
science and the arts were On the point
OF expiring everywhere else. 1t was at
this interesting period Of Ireland's pro
gress that the Danes. then uncivilized,
began a succession Of lnvasions which
covered the dark space of oyer
two hundred years. Although these
barbarlans were at length signaily
defeated and driven from the island by
that illustrious monarch and warrior
Brian Boru. at the battle of Clontarf In
the Eleventh century, the ancient learn
ing and repose Of the irish mad de
parted The disorganizing influence of
the long Danish war was On the affairs
of the Irish nearly fatal. The schools
and monasteries where piety and learn.
ing had fiourished were thrown down;
lnnumerabie precious books and manu-
scripts and treasures Of art were pill
iaged and DESTROYED. The Irish became
in civil strife; they nourished
faction; and they neglected the means
Of forming strong nation. 1t was at
this deplorable situation of their affairs,
that Henry II, preceded by Strong
bow. made an invasion OF the country, |
ainno rrh}nh ri mo dnwn f0 tho nrnsanf |