The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-02-20
A VERY INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Being Proficient in the Gaelic Language He Made Trans-
lations, and Preserved the Passion and
Fire of Originals

In the streets of Dublin before 1S49.
the famine year, at the quaint ol0
book stalls in the shadow of Trinity
college, or, perchancr, hidden high up
on a ladder in the quiet cloistral Ii
brary, might have been seen the
grotesquc, striking figure of James
Clarence Mangan, young 1reand's glo-
rious, unhappy bard.
A slight. stopped, SHY figure 1t was
buttoned into u tight, Enthusiastically
cut, faded, old blue coat. In mid
winter as in midsummer, this coat
cung to the spare frame, topped by
IL shock of unkempt. white hair
hoary through misery. not age, and
crowned by Il broad -brimmed high hat,
rusty with wear. A mammoth family
umbrella was always under one arm.
Totally unconcerned, oblivious Of the
jocose criticism called forth by his
eccentric appearance. poor Mangan.
silent and Third, Solitary as u gray
mouse. sflitted Il gtostly shadow,
through the old Dublin streets. In the
whole category or warped lives, mis-
taken careers, wasted genius, despair
ing attempts at ambitious reforms,
Mangan might head tho melancholy
list. Failure WAS his guardian, con-
tempt or pity his share Of the worlds
prizes. His boyllood was one drear
night of penury and hunger. His youth
passed amid coarse, ribald, ruffianly
associates, seemed ever hideous
memory to him. His maturity, cmbit-
tered by Ill luck, lack of appreciation,
weakened by disease and dissipation,
was a pathetic perpetual mistake. Be
fore age could lay it's ruthless hand
upon him, Mangan died, lonely and
neglected, a pitiful end to tragic
career. But one luminous star shone
with celestial radiance through tho
murky atmosphere of Mangan's un-
happy existence. The lovely light Of
Poesy, Gods compcnsating gift to
genius.
James Clarence Mangan was born in
Dublin on MayDay, 1903. His father
a small tradcsman in Fishamble street,
had come from Limerick. His Dublin
business prospcred. Prosperity, how
ever was too heavy a burden to bear
He invested his savings rashly, lived
cxtravagantly, failed ignominiously
and died broken hearted, leaving the
pitiable legacy to his children Of debt,
cradle childhood.
Mangan. in later life, complained in
ty, tyranny and injustice. He mingled
mercifully with these harsh chidings,
however. prayers for the repose OF his
fathers soul. For whatever else Man
gan may have neglected in his vaga-
bond vagaries, he never forgot his
prayers. Mangan was only years old
when his father died. His uncle pledged
himself to educate him. He put him
under an excellent and crudite priest,
Rev. Michael Blake, afterwards bishop
Of Dromore.
The lad learned greedily the rudi-
ments Of Latin, French, italian and
Spanish. But the Strengthened family
circumstances forced Mangan to leave
school and to eke out pittance by
tutoring. An cxiIed Spanish priest,
whom Mangan met by chance, taught
him German. Though but frail boy,
yet his linguistic acquisitions attracted
the attention of many Irish parents,
with children to teach, and Mangan
found plenty to do. In 1920, a slight,
bent STRIPPING. Mangan entered the
service of barrister as copyist. Here
his troubles were augmented. Ribald-
ry, brutality, and low ideals had trans
formed his crude companions into
youthful rufians. They ridiculed Man..
gan's delicacy. refinement. chaste life,
temperance. love Of solitude; and thirst
for study From dawn to, midnight,