The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1893-01-14

AASSS AZ UAV ~ ~ - - - sASSe U
ming OF the SIXTH century. From this
monk other poets Of the rest Of Europe
took their rhym me. he also wrote long
Latin poem called the Paschal' which
was read throughout the whole Of Eu-
rope. The first rhyme We find in any
other language is in the Norwegian, in
the ninth century, written by 9 Bishop
who studied in Ireland. Later on this
influence was felt among the Danes. A
great many Of the .Dnnes took Irish
wives, and when Dane married an
Irish woman, that was generally the end
Of the Dane; her poetic spirit and tenn
was infused into the North
man. This influence, therefore, is one
upon which all the learned agree, that
rhyme in poetry is derived from Celtic
and to this we are indebted
for all the beautiful rhymes in Shak-
speare and Tennyson, and the countless
others who have used it since.
Celtic influence upon science is shown
in the fact that the first man who sver
asserted that there we're Antipodes was
an Irishman named Feargsl, or Virgilius,
who is the patron saint Of Saltzburg, in
Germany. At this time Saint Boniface,
who was Bishop Of Fulda, and of Saxon
origin though this is disputed, several
writer's contending that he was an Irish
man accused Virgilius of making a
blunder. Then a controversy arose
which was finally referred to the Pope,
who decided in favor Of VirRllius. An
other great scientist was Johannes SEQ
tus, ("EireRena,") who was so distin-
guished that students focked to him from
all parts; and when be made q visit to
Cologne on the Rhine, he got the recep-
tion of q king.
Thus you see that in the literature and
science of the Middle Ages, the Celts, or
may say the Irish, had great influ
ence. But the period of Irish history
which ought to be studied most is that
from the conversion Of the island down
to the Norman invasion. For five hun
dred years Ireland was the civilizer of
Europe. It can be proved with absolute
certainty that there we're 366 names of
Irish Saints patrons OF towns and villages
on the Continent Of Europe in the, Mid
die Ages And ia those days saying chat
q man was saint meant that he was a
man of genius, a learned man, q scholar.
We know the history Of their missions.
Europe has become barbarous again.
Before the fall of the Roman Empire,
Christianity had become almost extinct.
Hordes OF Huns, Cloths and Vanda]s
poured over the frontier of Italy and
leveled the Roman power in the dust.
ALL these were infidels and barbarians,
and they felt scarely vestige of Christi
anity in the countries they overran. The
whole Of Europe in the sixth century had
to be re-converted to Christianity.
Wherever it remained it had become .
correct form In Gaul, and in Italy, and
in Europe generally, the condition was
worse than it was when Saints Peter and
Paul first came to preach the Gospel OF
Christ. There was only one spot saved,
and that was Ireland. The only light
house upon that dark sea was the little
island in the northwest Of Europe, the
Island of st. Patrick.
The Romans conquered all Europe, in
cluding Gaul and Britain; but they
never set foot in Ireland. It had be-
come very garden Of learning; it's fame
as euch brought students to it's shores
from England, France and all parts Of
Europe. In the monastery of Clonfert
there were sometimes 5000 men gath
cred from various countries, who came
thither iu quest of knowledge. There
was also at that time in Ireland what
was net to be found anywhere else
there were double schools monasteries
for men, and nunnerieb for women. For
eign languages were studied, Latin and
Greek, and all the sciences known at the
time; Aristotle, and all the early classical
writer's were read. Thus the whole
island bloomed like garden in June with
the sweet flowers Of sanctity and learn
ing.
1t is.one Of the characteristics Of the
Celt not to be selfish. When an Irish
man has q dollar he wants to give half OF
it to somebody else. They were not sat
fed to keep>all the advantages for them
selves. They took in the strangers, and
not only educated them, but took care
of them, and clothed them.
ST. Columbia, after having established
seyerd monasteries in Ireland, (ineiud-
inn the celebrated monastery at Dur
rough, went to North Britain to convert
The Picts, whore he established the mon
astery. of iona. Others rot about the re-
converting Of England. There g one.
hing we ought to remember about Eng
land. One day, come time ago, 2 rever--
snd friend of mine sent me book which
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