The Irish standard., 1902-10-04
REV. FATHER SHEEHAN.
An American Priest Calls on Him at
DoneraiIe.

An American priest travelling in Ire
land, Rev. L. Z. Crane, resolved not
to return without seeing the author Of
My New Curlte" and Luke Del
nleggee.' Accordingly, lie made liter
;lly pilgrimage to Father Sheelmn's
pleasant home in the town of DOner
his visit is full of interest for Father
Sheehan's host Of admirers III this
country. He says:
"a knock at the door brought a
prim maid with white cap. She ush-
cred us into a grand old room. Old
furniture, old pictures, Id us Of sim
plicity and refinement. Shortly we
We're llaking hands with Father Shee-
han. We had no claim upon his time
and less upon his friendship, but both
We're i'm evidence immediately. He re-
ceived us with such Kindness, sucn
open-hearted cordiality, that we ut
once felt at home We ,old him of
our interest in him, of our admiration
for his books. and Of ollr desire to
meet their author. He was surprised
at our enthusiasm. 1t seemed to give
him special pleasure to learn that the
priests of America were delighted with
his productions
After Il short talk we were brought
to his library-his sanctum. We look
ed for the desk where My New Cur
ate had been written and ok pleas.
urc in lingering near it, Back OF this
desk is Father Shee'han's collection Of
favorite books. Philosophical works
were in the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and
orthodox. Upon our noticing the va
riety Of philosophical works. Dr. Shee,
han told us that it was his opinion that
If Catholic literature is to be brought
before the non-Catholic world it must
be in the gluse Of popularized philGso-
ply. He is a great lover Of the scllo-
astics and thinks THAT the presentatio
Of their teachings to the world would
be a great force in attracting men to
the church 1t is false philosophy
that has stolen men from God and the
church. and a great means of bringing
/ them back would be Christian philoso-
ply.
In little while we were straying
| through Father Sheahan's garden.
Who would not look fer garden in
connection with a visit to him? He
who writes so exquisitely and brings in
a touch Of nature, the tinge of the sky,
or the beauty Of a flower, with Rus
llin-like ardor. So we expected to see
a garden. But what beauty! WITCH
delight we walked through vegetabl
and flowers growing luxuriantly and
kept with great care. Down toward
the end we came to a secluded spot
where stood an Old-fashfoned table and
garden bench. They were surrounded
by shrubs and flowers, and here some
times, as he told us, he spends quiet
hours in writing.
"After dinner we were given long
drive. Everywhere in his parish we no.
ticed cleanliness and thrift, DUE in
part, no doubt, to the influence of the
genial and jealous pastor. Our ride
took us by way of Kilcolman castle,
now ruin but once the residence of
Edmund Spenser, and the place where
he wrote his most famous work, The
Fairy Queen 1t was here, also, that
the Rapparees came down from the
hills, attacked and burned the castle.
During the sttack it was discovered
that Sponsors child was in danger Of
death. no save the child a Rapparee
risked his lihe but failed in the effort.
Upon our return we had tea with
Father Sheehan, and we shall never
forget the delightful conversation
which was ours over THE teacupS.
Irish customs Irish legends and finally
philosophy were the themes that held
our ears.
"nhe next day after mass, we spent
two delightful hours in the parochis,
school. Going from room to room VIC
We're delighted with the bright anu
pretty Irish children. Here, again, a
great surprise awaited us. We might
expect the old-fashioned school, will
a jolly old pedagogue, but it is mod
ern school, as fine as any in America
| We listened to Irish songs, we saw ;
drill in calisthenics, as perfect as w,
e had ever seen. We witnessed the Irisl
5 brigade in green caps and sashes marcl
t with intricate movement to Irish airs
(. we saw four of the children dance al
: Irish reel, and finally we heard TIL,
Y minims sing Marching Through Geor
l gia' with American gust, and Fathe,
Sheelnln Lending. In short time w.
: went again riding Through eight mile.
4 of beautiful country to THE railroad
l station. We had said goodbye with
2 sense of pleasure and gratitude whicl
we hope will live forever"
: Sir Frederick Bramwell, an Englisl