The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-31

Good as the Arabian
Nights.
lcted In the Original Irish from the Lips
Of Irish Story Isllsrs.
ny Jeremiah Curtin.
Copvi0h. 1892. BY Jsrewtah c1,to.

10 myths and talos OF Ireland have clearly
nod and strongly marked character. fact
oh can escape no man who has read even
of them: though the elements OF which
ore composed arc found for the greater
t among the other members Of tho Aryan
10. the style In which thcy nre fashioned is
ikingly special and original. and this gives
,em peculiar interest. hope to discuss
lis aspect OF Kettle myths hereafter. and also
com pare them both in contents and struo-
Ire with those OF Aryan and non-Aryan
atoms. But the first work In order Is to col
vet the myths and give them to tho world:
nee this is done we can enjoy the tales at our
hsurs and discover their value.
II Is proper now to give somo brief informn-
IN concerning the region OF country where I
Ilected tho first quota Of these tales.
II 10 the narrow peninsula between DinRle
nv and Traes Bay. the westernmost land in
arope. Tho people speak Irish. or GGlic as
10y call 1t. almost to q man. In the west
here are many who cannot speak English
monc tho old and oven tho younger middle
god people. but tho children who 60 to school
and thore are few OF them who do mott speak
nglish. for that is the language In which all
Instruction 10 given.
This peninsula, by reason OF It's romoteness
ON cities and its mountainous character. Is
eculiarly favorable for the preservation OF
lcient modes OF thought: still. so inoursive
ID searching Ia modern life that It's influence
felt even here. Honce everything old il
MkeninG and failing.
The district Is interesting to the antiquarian.
{ it contains many relics OF the past. among
hers stone structures Of various kinds.
me built with mortar. but most OF them
thout It There are beehive-shapcd stone
ildings Of dry masonry. with underground
ssages and chambers: there are towers OF a
or period. the stones laid firmly In mortar.
,st curious OF all is one structure. said to be
oratory. Of remarkably fine work. all OF dry
,sonry. with q stone roof in the form OF
lnted arch. perfectly rain proof. and 80 we'll
he. from foundation to pinnacle. that under
ssent climatic conditions It might last for
ousands Of years to come.
che scenery Of this place is remarkably
ded: some Of it is bold and striking. and all
,turesque. With the outlook on the ocean
I'm Slea Head. on Basket Islands. from Dun
lin. on Smerwick Harbor. and Ventry from
owe Rahonain. we have the finest marine
VS. to DO obtained on any roadway in tho
athwest OF ireland. From many points
ID views arc had Of the whole system Of
ountains from Brandon. the highest grass
nd in Ireland. to MucGiillcuddy's Reeks, the
CHEST peaks In the kingdom.
OF greater interest to many than antiquities
scenery are the economic conditions in
lich the people live. The mode OF life here
primitive. the rewards for labor scant.
,ere 10 no place on the mainland OF Europe.
rhaps none In the world outside OF Ireland.
:. iere the tiller OF the soil enjoys so few Of the
4 tits OF his own labor. In the whole parish Of
4 ntry. whore am writing at present. there
VERY few people who eat meat four times a
": the G, eat majority eat it only on
ristnas. Potatoes are tho mainstay Of
Cattle. hogs. sheep. butter. eggs.
ckens. geese. and ducks are sold with
) exception. The only kinds OF food
CHASED arc -four and corn meal. both
m the United States. and salt fish from the
hnders. Tho luxuries are sugar. tea. and
bacco. the two latter being wretchedly In
for. All clothing is homespun. unless In q
~ few cases Of Sunday apparel: every day
rments are patched and repatched In
brvellous manner. l have never seen else
I. here similar economy in clothing.
This small district, with It's varied scenery
Ind monotonous plodding life. retains yet q
lew Gaelic myth tales OF the best character
md a considerable number Of inferior ones.
These arc q remnant OF tho old stock. but a
precious one. it Is fortunate to get them at
his time for with the exception OF two or
:hree tales they are known only by men
over 70.
veutry Ia the scene OF one OF the most popu.
ar o! the hero tales Of Ireland. which may in
leed be called the Gaelic Had. There is no
ale more esteemed among the people OF tho
'outh and southwest than the battle Of Ventry
Gath FinntraghaL which lasted for day and
year. This tale is preserved in manuscripts.
H. k<,R 1, tnI, To 80 rf,,r,
There are many variants. the latest belonging
% the curly part OF tho nineteenth century.
Whether the tale has como down orally. In
Of manuscript. Is unknown to me
It present. but possibly may become better
informed before leave Ireland.
The tale Is rather long. 80 give here simply
he outline and some leading episodes Of o
production which. under more favorable cir
might have become one OF the
worlds great epics.
JEEEM1AH CURTIN
Tho Battle OF ventry-Cath Fiantrnxha.
1t was predicted seven years before tho bat
le Of Ventry TINT Dairo Dom. High King Of
he Great World. would invade Erin to con-
luer II. Fin MacCool for this reason placed
entries at the chief ports of Erin. AT Ventry
>onn Crithir WAS stationed on the top Of
Jruach Varhin to give warning. but he ovor-
,,ept when tho feet came. and the first news
10 had OF its coming was from tho cries OF
,soplo slaughtered by the invaders. Conn
,rithir sprung up and said:
Great Is the misery that has come by my
lleep. but Tin and the Fenians will not SOC mo
1.-Two after this. will rush into tho midst Of
he foreigners. and they will fall by mo till /
all by them"
30 he ran down toward tho strand. On the
ray he SOW three strange women running
efore him. He increased his speed. but.
nable to ovsrtake them. no caught his spear
0 hurl 1t at the one nearest him.
The women stopped that moment and crled
"Stay your hand and do not kill innocent
Tomen. who have como not to harm but to
'elp YOU"
who are you i" asked Conn Crthir.
I'VE are three sisters who have come from
.irnanogt'l We are all three in love with you.
ut no one OF US 10 jealous OF the other. We
I'LL hide you with an enchanted cloud. SO that
on can attack the foreign forces unseen Wo
ayo o we'll OF healing at tho foot OF Sliav Iolar.
nd its waters will cure every wound made In