The Irish standard., 1898-03-26
CHOICE RErARTEEs OF THE WITTY
PRIEST OF BRAY.
A FAv0Rl1E WITH tn: ABIS1oSpacY.
WAS 4 WIT AMONG LORDS AND A
t.JRD AMONG WITS
BnoKE DOWN RELIGIOUS PRrJUOICES.
LIKE MOORE HE WAS THE Idol. OF
SOCIAL. CIRCLES.

NAelAiS oLioy udldSldpHS COllltllluS Is
witty sayings by the famous Father
Healy, of Little Bray, have appeared
from time to time, but the first collcc-
tion of them that has reached US appears
In the Monitor, of London, in review
of biography of the priest.
A weekly paper recently opened its
columns to a discussion on the alleged
decadence of the Irish wit, says the re-
viewer Some, at least, Of those who
took part therein must have been ignor-
ant of the existence of the late parish
priest Of Little Bray, who was not only
a typical Irish priest of school whicn
links the past with the present genera
tion, but the genuine wit Of the first
water This biography, which has
reached third edition, is crowded on
every page with the witticisms. His
wit, though keen as the point of IL rnpcr
and as flashing as Il steel blade, was as
harmless as it WAS laughter-moving and
left no sting and inflicted no wounds. 1t
was the natural ebulliton of IL playful
fancy and the expression of a. genial, Joy
Gus nature overlooking with good hu-
NOR.
II have never met any one 50 quick at
repartee, yet never saying an unkind
word" wrote Lord Londonderry. Faith
er Healy's wit was unwritable--- so in
descrihable." says Lady Leslie Ills
bright grace of heart and speech just
sparkled like diamond that had no
hard facets-nothing heavy or laboreu,
so kind and benevolent His wit did
not shine ever at the expense of an
other" Professor Mahaffy said to meet
him In the street was like passing sud
denly into sunshine Father Healy was
a Dublin man. the son of a provision
dealer In Francis street, where he was
born on Dec. Is. 1924, his mother, whose
maiden namo was Mcylcr, being a MEM
Der OF Il respectable Wexford family. A
fine lady at one time volunteered the In
formation that she was of the "Dalys of
Castle DAILY" and asked him what fumily
he belonged to. His answer was,"I be-
long to the Francis street branch of the
Halys of Castle Iialy."
His wit. which he seems to have III
hcritcd more from his father than his
mother, carly displayed itself. When
quite a youngster he described the cr-
forts of fat pig to escape through a
narrow door as "Eacon's Essays" When
he decided to enter the church he was
sent to Castlcknock, from which later on
he was transferred to Maynooth. Dir.
Patrick Murray was then professor OF
moral theology. He was a native of
Clones and fine cocutionis. 81 once
preached in Clones" he told Father
1icaly. "1rhc chapel was packed. Com
ing near the end said One more word
and have done oh, my darlint,' cx-
claimed an old woman. throwing up her
hands, that you may never be done.
This crone is said to have waxcd in
dignant when afterwards told that hc
had gone to 'larn" Uarnc) to preach
Canon Cahill, p. p, of Tippcrary, was
with Hcaly in the Dunboyne. 1t was oI
him lIealy said he preached in Latin
every Sunday. (lIc was then paris!
priest of Lnttin County of Limcricit }
james Knvannaugh, afterwards prcsi
dent Of Carlow College, shared Ilcaly s
sense of humOr. lie once said to some
ecclesiastical students whose prOgrcss
had not been rapid: "Gcntlemcn, If you
don't make better progress, you'll have
the tonsure by nature before you're en-
titled to 1t In orders" Somebody called
James Kavanagh and James IIcaly the
gems (Jcms) of The school
"IIcaly's appreciation of brain power
and of incisivc rctort was now daily fec
by companonship with his fellow cur.
ate, Charles Patrick Mcehan, man. who
with collegiate course in Italy, posses.
sci Il rare originality of character, blcm
ishcd by eccentric traits, which the NOR.
courtly Hcaly viewed at this time witt
indulgence, and the intimacy thus bcgal
continued to the end Forty years after
as he stood by the death bed of Mcchui
in the same old house in Smock alley, ht
brushed away tear, the only thing, as
he afterwards said which seemed tt
have been brushed in that room fol
many long day The young cur.
ate often met Denis Florence McCar
thy, the poet, with Meehan. Mccarthy
had been at Maynooth, studying for tn,
church, but was senior to Healy. Tho
latter told as happy bon-mot the re
ply Of Mccarthy TO the query, "Arc yor
related to James Mccarthy, the archi
tect?" "Jem and (GeminA arc twins.
The poet said he was going to the an
cient territory of Desmond to attend ;
grand celebration. "All the Mccarthy.
will attend, including the McCarth,
More" he said. ''If all the Mccarthy
are to be there, there cannot be Nc
Carthy more" replied Healy.
The late Sir William Wilde was rather