The Irish standard., 1897-06-05

is we'll founded one. The Importance
of the benefit that they thus conferred
upon subsequent generations can hardly
be overrated when we consider the value
and influence attributed by modern au-
thors to Grecian history and philosophy
Moreover; the Irish were Jealous stu
dents, transcribers and commentators OF
the Bible.
AS to originality, the Irish at home
possessed peculiar and vigorous litera-
ture; but on the continent of Europe
they found their knowledge Of the clas-
sizes and of the Scriptures in demand
and of advantage, and, therefore, they
neglected the peculiar traditions Of theil
race. In native Irish literature there
are numerous narratives containing pas
sages and episodes of beauty and sub
Unity relating heroic enterprises and
tragic events; in fact, all the material
that could be desired for the construc-
tion Of a grand epic poem. Prof. Wind
isch considers the Irish legends to be
of great value, as they illustrate the an
cient civilization of Celtic nation
forming an important member of the In
do-Germanic family-a nation that was
never Roman province, that was not
subjected to the invasions of the bar
barians until the coming of the Vikings:
about A. D. 800. Thus, owing to this
freedom from subjugation by foreigners
in early times, Ireland preserved it's
primitive originality until late period
in the Middle Ages. It cannot truth
fully be said that these Irish legends
are limitations of Romance and German
medieval tales. They are, without
doubt, far older, and their framework is
entirely original. It is altogether inn:
probable that they were composed in
Christian times, for they do not portray
such an epoch by the acts or conditions
that they present to view. The ancient
chronology of the Irish, as far as their
own history is concerned, is not at al;
extravagant. The pagan Irish counted
the seasons of the year: Samhan, the
end of summer, was very important
date; but, of course, pre-Christian chro-
nology cannot be implicitly accepted.
Two things, however, should be borne
in mind, the unbroken tradition of the
Druids, and their sedulous regard fol-
genealogies. These legends must have
long preceded the time of St. Patric:ee''
and they agree in many particulars with
Caesars account of the customs of the
Gauls. No reasonable person, however
would venture to say that these legends
have drawn their characteristic traits
from a foreign source, such as the
Commentaries of Caesar or the Ho-
meric poems. Irish heroes are essen
TALLY different from those of Homer.
The heroes of the Cycle of Conchobar
and Cuchulainn ride to battle In chariot
but they have neither armor nor hek
NETS.
There was certainly AN heroic age in
Ireland. The customs and manners
that the legends ascribe to it were his
torically true, with the exception of a
few embellishments and exaggerations
It may be that Conchobar, Cochulainn,
Ailhill and Meadhbh were not exactly as
represented by the tales, but there is no
good ground for doubling the existence
of these personages.
/ A most valuable feature is the minute
and accurate portrayal of details. This
cannot be explained on the hypothesis
of myths drawn from the sun, the stars
or the clouds. We meet with the most
painstaking description of garment, as
to color, material and texture. We learn
of what ornaments consisted; what con-
stituted riches, how banquets were held;
the kind of architecture and the furnish
ing of the hall; the manners observed.
In the meantime there were traditional
formulas that controlled the imagina-
tion Of the narrator. These tales fur
nish us with general view of unadul-
terated ancient Celtic life, and in many
particulars confirm Mommsen's views as
to the civilization of the Celts. Agri-
culture and cattle were the principal
sources of wealth. Hunting and the
breeding of cattle were favorite pursuits.
Wealth consisted in large herds of oxen
sheep and swine, and in clothing, arms.
ornaments and pottery of all kinds.