The Irish standard., 1905-01-28
FATHER PR0UT
D. F. McOartly's Tribute to
Cork's Sweet Singer.
Centenary Of Ireland's Famous
Poet Celebrated.

Sweeter songs have been sung, and
greater poems have been written than
the lyric which is everywhere asso-
ciatcd with the name of Father Prout
-"The Bells of Shannon'-but few
ring truer, or speak more warmly the
Utmost sentiments of the heart. 1t is
that, with it's lifting rhyme which
caused it to sing it's way into the
hearts of the people, in the early years
of the century when it was. written,
and into the hearts of all lovers of
verse since.
One hundred years ago on Decen-
Der 31st, Francis Sylvester Mahoney
was born in the city of Cork. He en-
tered Clongowes Wood college on Feb
ruary 23. 1915, and studied there for
I@ur years, to which college he re-
turned in July, 1925. as Il Jesuit novice.
In September, 1927, after giving up the
notion of being Jesuit, he entered the
Irish college in Rome. and he was Or
daned secular priest for his native
diocese II 1882 ut Lucca.
lie was appointed curatc to Father
Prout. an Old clergyman who resided
some eight miles from Cork. While
fulfilling his duties in this quiet coun-
try district Father Mahoney sent
many successful contributions to the
Cork journals, under the signature,
Father Prout.' much to the bewilder-
ment of the good old priest. Articles
sent to London periodicals. particular
ly Fraser's Magazine, meeting with
such favorable reception, he became
weary of the monotony of Il poor Gu
rates life, and attracted by the desire
of literary fame he entered the world
of letters
The Prout papers, contributed to
I'razer's when Thackeray, Carlyle and
many other eminent British literati
were on the staff of the same periodi-
tions Of English songs into Latin,
Greek. French and italian versions
the writer humorously representing
them us the originals from which the
English authors plagiariZed them.
side by side with his contributions ap-
p"ared 'Sarto Reslrtus" and CARLYLE,
in concluding it, paid Il glowing tribute
to the sparkling genius of the Irish
eSSayist and poet. Prout was also
brought by his literary labors into as
SociatOn with Thackeray and during
the time he lived II Paris his friend
ship was courted by many other
celebrities.
In London his genius met with the
recognition it deserved. and a rivalry
Tnsued among leading journalists as
to which should secure his services.
LII his 10th year he went to reside in
Paris and was correspondent there for
English journals. lie died an edify-
n= death i'm Paris May 10. 1866 His
remains were brought to Cork and
buried under tho shadow of Shlndon
slecplr. where he sleeps, with some
generations Of his own lsith and kin.
The accusation is frequently seen in
print that Father Prout was not loyal
10 his country. and careless as to his
religion and profession. This is not
borne out by the facts. "Bohcmian as
lie was says the Encyclopedia Brit
amnic;l, "he never separated himself
| from it Ghe Catholic church, or
seems to have lost his attachment to
it: and il is crcditablc to his character
'hat, though living much among scorn-
rrs and inditlercntists. he would never
suffer injurious reflections either upon
his church or upon Christianity to pass
without sharp rcbukc.'
Frequent testimony of his loyalty to
The .JcS,its and his .,lntniling love for
thr Order. may lie found in his writ
!n%s, notably Il fine paper on "I4itera-
lure and the JrSuits" contributed to
!'rasrr's.
One of the finest tributes to the
memory Of Father Prout was written
W the Irish poet Denis Florence Nc
'Hrihy using the same meter as i'm the
ellis Of SlElntlHn. \ mutilntcd copy.
wrongly attributed to Rrv. Matthew
suasrll. $. j.. of Dublin. Ireland. has
been going the rounds of the press.
Mccarthy. WHO WAS IL friend and con-
temporary of Father Trollt. wrote as
'olGws:
With deep detection. but With affection,
often think of those pleasant times.
IN the days Of Frazer, Ger l touched Il
How | read and rrvelcd in those racy
rhymes.
When in bowl and wassail we to thee
were. NaSsal
OF Watcr%rasShll, O renowned II. T
May the bells Of Shandon toll blithe
and bland on
The pleasant waters of thy memory
Full many ditty. both wise and witty
In this social city have I heard since
then,
; With the glass before mo. how TIL,
jirpamS como DER mo