The Irish standard., 1903-10-17
and Australia, to resuscitate and pop

|
ants, and all who understand the
structure of Celtic, admit the facility
with which a knowledge of the lam
guage may be acquired rs compared
with Latin or Greek, the excellent
mental exercise which it affords, and
the beauty and elegance of the figures
of speech with which its prose and
poetry abound; its smiles, metaphors
and allegories so expressive of the
rich, imaginative mind, wit and hui
NOR, banter and badinagc of the Celt."
In the course of an article on the
same subject, in late issue, the
Observation-Disclosures" said:
Prof. Morrin is at the head of the
movement. and he has already begun
to teach the Celtic language to few
select pupils. Prof. Morrin
graduated in the Central Normal
schools of Dublin, affiliated to Trinity
College. He was prize essayist in
1850, during the leadership of Charles
Stewart Parnelr. on the subject of
/ Primary Education in Ireland.' He
is an associate i'll science and arts of
South Kensington, London, and is con-
sidered ripe Celtic scholar"
The Importance of the general move
ment for the revival of the language
and literature of the Gael is forcibly
set forth in the following article in the
August (l9O3l number of the Book
lovers Magazine:
ireland has often looked to Ameri-
ca for sympathy. and never in vain;
she may soon, if not already, look to
her for congratulation. Never within
living memory has the prospect been
so hopeful. 1t seems all but certain
that an act will pass through Parlia-
ment which will enable those who
cultivate the soil of Ireland to become
the owners of what they till. Already,
even before this new incentive to in
dustry has operated. English farmers
are being advised by the Edinburgh
Review to look to Ireland for an eN-
ample of what can he done by indus
trial cooperation. Small local indus
tries are developing rapidly, and in the
meanwhile the Gaelic League is giving
the country IL new stimulus to
thought to education. and to literature
the best stimulus. Il new pride OF
race. What has happened? Briefly.
this. Instead of merely hopin" and
plotting and voting for distant and
vague ideal of Home Rule. Ireland
has decided to begin to-day the work
which would in any event be needed
if Home Rule We're granted to-mor-
row. All the movements referred to
have tended to consolidate and
strengthen the Irish nation. Instead
of waiting for England to settle the
land question. which by general con-
sent had to be disposed of before
Home Rule could come, Irish land
lords and tenants met together to con-
slider how the question should be set
tied. They considered. and England
has acted on their advice. The new
Industrial movement makes no distinc-
ton of classes. Catholics and Prot
estants. landlords and tenants. meet
to advise the new Department of Agri-
culture and Technical Education.
The Gaelic League knows nothing of
party. 1t merely asks all Irishmen
to join in preserving the ancient Ian
guage with the national literatur
sports. music and dances-all that is
most distinctive of nationality. The
tendency of all these movements is to
check the terrible drain of emigratio
Universal land purchase will hold
Irishmen by the ties of ownership: the
Industrial revival is offering Irish.
men career at home; the Gaelic
League is making life in Ireland
richer and more interesting. All
these things are cooperating to bring
Home Rule nearer, so that at the
present moment the object so long
grasped after seems ready to fall like
ripe fruit into the lap of Ireland
Every day shows increasing proof OF
the Justice of her claim to be a ma
ton. The claim will certainly bt
granted. and before long: but-ant
here is where America can help-emi
grafton must he stopped Or limited. 1
the present stream of young men ant
young women. the strongest and tn,
best, continues to drain across the At
lantic. Ireland may gain recognition
as nation. but she will be only M
tion bleeding to death. Ireland want
men more than money. Are there n
: Irishmen in America willing to com
back and bring with them to the oil
country that experience and resource
full spirit of enterprise which the
have acquired in the New World? .
Scotchman has started carpet factorie
which give healthy and profitable en-
ployment to two hundred and fit
girls in two of the most poverty strict
), en- parishes in Donegal. He is maxim
!, money. as we'll as reputation. by til
q outlay Of small capital and gre.
business ability. Men of his class al
:, scarce among the Irish at home.
- they are to be found among the Iris
:, in America there is great Openil