The Irish standard., 1899-06-10

owned by ms, TO-: '-mily. The
young lad showeo sI cable tai
ent for one of his age. eatt sou
ent for one of his age that he attracted
the attention OF the Bishop of Cork who
sent him to the Irish college at Rome.
1t was there that the famous song en-
titled "Shandon Bells" was composed
by him. While laboring under a spell
of home sickness he penciled the re-
markable words on the wall of his room.
They were copied by fellow student
without the authors knowledge. Some
time afterwards they were presented to
him at soiree given by the Irish STU
dents. Mahony disclaimed the author
ship of them at the time, the circum-
stances attendant on their composition
having faded from his memory. Con-
viction gained on him, however, when
the testimony of his fellow student was
corroborated by the dean of the college
who reminded him of the rebuke admin
istered for defacing the college walls by
inditing poetry thereon. His career at
the Propaganda was highly creditable.
His genial manners and ready wit won
for him hosts of friends. When the time
came for the reception of Sacred Orders
he declined to assume the burden From
Rome he went to Amiens where he en-
tered college in charge of the Jesuits.
He remained there only a short time.
His next move was to Paris where he
pursued his studies in college con-
Quoted by the same society. Here he
was elevated to the priesthood After
his ordination, his superiors recognizing
his vast erudition offered him pro-
fessional chair which was accepted. Soon
the supreme trial of his life confronted
him. He felt that he had made mis-
take-that he had no real vocation for
the work of the priesthood. He severed
his connection with the Jesuit Society
and started out on literary career. His
fondness for books, and his love for
study convinced him that his place was
in the field of literature. "I would have
been Jealous priest, and perhaps
most effective preacher" he once re-
marked, "were it not for the mania for
the pen and the secular erudition in
which had been stepped" He repaired
to London where he met DR.. Magin
who was member of the editorial
staff of Frazer's magazine. After exam
lining some of Mahony's literary produc-
tions Magin procured for him position
on the staff. In 1886, Frazers contained
series of articles contributed under the
pseudonym OF "Oliver Yorke," and en-
titled THE Reliques of Father Prout."
The author intimated that Father Prout
willed him all his valuable MSS. the
contents of which he would continue to
place before the public in the successive
numbers of Frazer's. Their appearance
created intense surprise Those who
were acquainted in life with the vener-
able pastor of Watergrasshill thought
great deal before swallowing the bait,
and the literary world read them and
smiled. One of these papers "a Defence
OF the Jesuits,' - was so replete with pro-
found learning that it caused a genuine
sensation among the literati OF the day.
But when another followed entitled,
"Rogueries of Thomas Moore" where
in Mahony contrived to show Moore up
as a plagiarist, there was CONSERVATION
in the camp. He translated some Of
Moore's poems into French, stating that
they were old manuscripts found by
Father Prout in continental libraries.
Moore was criticised all around in the
most scathing terms. Oliver Yorke was
requested to produce his evidence but
he simply complimented Thomas on be-
ing such an expert translator. Shortly
after Magin severed his connection with
Frazer's, Mahcny followed his example
and returned to Paris. He became a
regular contributor to the London
Globe which vastly increased its popu-
larity by his vivid description of Paris
ian life. He lived in the Latin quarter.
Every day he would cross the Seine to
Galignam's reading room in the Rue di
Rivoli and pen his daily letter to the
Globe, which had the honor of publish
ing the latest productions from the pen
Of this literary genius. He died in 1866,
after spending the last few years of his
life in monastery. His remains were
brought back to his native city where
they iepose beneath the shadow OF the
spire OF Shandon church made famous
hy his poetic description of its bells. His
grave was pointed out to US by the old
sexton Of St. AIMS and never were our
prayers spoken more fervently than on
that day DER the ashes Of the Rev. Fran
els Mahony.
Died at Prescott, Wis.
81