The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-31
COYLE BACK FROM HIS LONG TRIP Welcoming Reception Will Be \ Given Tomorrow Night VISITED HIS OLD HOME Says In Ireland and England Agitation for Better Roads Is As Pro-
 nOunced As It Is In
 Alabama
HIS OLD HOME

The Rev. James E. Coyle, pastor of St. Pauls church, returned to Birmlng- ham last night after a. vacation of three months. spent for the most part in Ire land. His pastoral work had been eA- ceptionally exacting during the past l. or 1s months, and his parishioners eH- nressed pleasure when the bishop granted him a three months leave
 Father Coyle comes back in fine healtn and spirits. He says that he gained r,anv nounds in flesh His mother and fatbar live in historic Athlone, and he spent the chief portion of his tune With them. Just before starting abroad Father covle said he was thinking of visiting the continent in August and going 10 Oberammergau to see the Passion riay but after reaching Irelans he concluoeo to confine his travels to the British lsies' His sister, Miss Marcella Coyle, returned to Birmingham with him. e
 'T enjoyed my trip very much lnoeeo' especially enjoyed being with my people at old Athlone," said Father Coyle.
 .It was eight years since l had seen my native land and 1t rejoiced my heart to observe the progress that had been made Ireland Is certainly prospering anu wonderful improvements are in evidence since I lived there. The Irish people are great people; they impressed me on this visit as being greater than ever. Ano their Catholicity is stancher, If any thing, than ever. l saw piety ana oeVo- tion on every hand. I said mass Tn the 1arge Jesuit church in Dublin one Sun day. when there were several priests say ing mass at the different altars; ana was touched and delighted to see crowos of the faithful receiving holy communion. It was a most inspiring sight.
 .J visited Scotland, England and Wales and saw good deal of the rural part of Erin. I did most of my traveilng on my wheel. For touring purposes the pi- cvcle is in many respects the best means of getting about. particularly when one is traversing a rugged country It can on along narrow paths where even horse could scarcely keep his footing.
 .-I did not get to London but l have q brother in Birmingham, England, and vas in that city to pay him visit. Eneland and Ireland have long been noted for their fine roads, but now since the auto cars are in such general use there Is a crying demand Tor even finer roads You hear the good roads cry in Great Britain just as the same cry Is heard in Alabama and through
 Cfotn h9en inexcusably backward in this couRtry about macadam road making and the cry for good roads is therefore mani festly in order on this side of the At lantic; but to hear those familiar words in the old country, where excellent hardroads are the rule, is calculated to make an American both smile and blush. How are the highways be- ing bettered? By reducing the grades and widening the roadbeds- Another grand thing they are doing in the old country Is in putting up danger signs for the benefit of automobilists as they approach a sharp curve or decline Many of the roads are filled with auto cars and bicycles but accidents are few far between"
 The Rev. Father O'Gallagher who has been acting pastor of St. Paul's in the absence of Father Coyle, stated last night that there would be public reception In honor of the returning pastor Thursday night at 9'oclock at Knights of Columbus hall on Third avenue between Twentieth and Twen- ty- first street He says non-Catholics as well as Catholics are cordially in vited to be present and assist in wei coming Father Coyle.