The Irish standard., 1909-07-17
HONOR HIS MEMORY
The Great Dr.. johnson q Friend Of the
Irish Race.

Irish Race.
A correspondent in the Dublin Free
mans Journal thus suggests two rea-
sons why Ireland should be represented
at the johnson Bi-centenary celebra-
ton, which is to be held at Lichfield
on September 1s. Those two reasons
are: First, the great Doctors manly
and outspoken sympathy for the Irish
people, at a time when such sympathy
on the part Of any Englishman. was
very rare: secondly, the interest which
he took in the history, the language
and antiquities Of Ireland, at a period
when such interest was rarer STILL
Both these assertions are best proved
by few extracts from the unrivalled
work Of Johnson's immortal biograph-
err. In Chapter II, Boswell, amongst
several other passages, quotes the fol-
lowing from Some Collectanea, oblig-
ingly furnished to me (Boswel) by Rev.
DR.. Maxwell, of Falkland. in Ireland"
He (Johnson) frequently exhorted
me (MaxwelD to set about writing a
history Of Ireland. He had great COM
passion for the niseries and distresses
of the Irish nation. particularly the
'Papists,' and severely reprobated the
barbarous, facilitating policy of the
British government, which, he said,
was the most detestable mode Of per-
secution. To gentleman who limited
such policy might be necessary to sup
port the authority Of the English gov
eminent, he replied by saying. Let
the authority of the English govern
ment perish rather than be maintained
by iniquity,'" etc -
In Chapter 81, Boswell describes him
as exclaiming, with a generous in
dignation"; 1.-The Irish are in a most
unnatural state. for we see there the
minority prevailing over the majority.
There is no instance, even in the ten
prosecutions (of Pagan Rome against
the early Christians) of such severity
as that which the Professionals Of Ire
land have exercised against the catho-
lies. Did we tell them we have con
quered them, 1t would be above board;
to punish them by conf1scation and
other penalties, as rebels, was mon
strous injustice. William was not their
lawful Sovereign; he had not been
acknowledged by the Parliament Of
Ireland, when they appeared in arms
against him." In Chapter 43, Boswell
writes: HE had kindness for the
Irish nation, and thus generously ex-
pressed himself to gentleman from
that country, on the subject Of an
union which artful politicians have
often had in view: DO not make an
union with us, sir; we should unite
with you only to rob you. We should
have robbed the Scotch, If they had had
anything Of which we could have
robbed them"
AS to DR.. Johnsons interest in the
study of Irish literature, etc., the two
following letters, written by him to
Charles O'Connor, of Belanagare will
sufficiently demonstrate: 80, Il.
London, April o, 1857.
Sir have lately, by the favor Of
Mr.. Faulkner, seen your account of
Ireland, dissertations on the history
Of Ireland), and cannot forbear to
solicit prosecution Of your design.
Sir William Temple complains that
Ireland is less known than any other
country as to its ancient state. The
natives have had little encourage
ment for inquiry; and strangers, not
knowing the language, have had no
ability. I have long wished that the
Irish literature were cultivated. Ire
land is known by tradition. to have
been once the seat of piety and learn
ing; and surely 1t would be very ac-
ceptable to all those who are curious
either in the origin Of nations or the
afinities Of languages. to be further
informed Of the revolution Of a peo-
pie SO ancient and once 50 illustrious.
What relation there Is between the
Welsh and the Irish language, or be-
tween the language of Ireland and that
Of Biscay, deserves inquiry. OF these
provincial and unextended tongues, IT.
seldom happens that more than one is
understood by any one man, and there
fore, it seldom happens that "a fair
comparison can be made. I hope you
will continue to cultivate this kind Of
learning, which has too long lain
neglected, and which. II it be suffered
to remain in oblivion for another CEN
fury may, perhaps. never be retrieved.
AS l wish we'll to all useful undertak-
ings. would not forbear to let you
know how much pleasure your work
has given me-"
Twenty years subsequently johnson
writes thus: -: = -. -. s='s-'l
as May Is, III.