The sun., 1912-07-15
Good Work OF Mullins the Cunsmith.

To THE EpIroH OF THE SuN-Sir. Re
ferring to "Gael's" letter In THE Sun OF
July headed Gaelic Confusion" I would
not like your readers to get the impression
that the irony Of Gael" Is entirely justified.
As understand the matter Father O'Flana-
gan's Gaelic Literature Association is an
experimental effort to get rich Irish Ameri-
cans to take an interest in the Gaelic re-
vival and as the whole Gaelic movement
had its inception in New York city IL would
be a pity that the making OF MIR. Roosevelt
honorary president should spoil the expert
ment. and evidently both "Philo-Celt" and
Gael" believe the experiment spells fail
ure. l have long acquaintance with the
movement and with nearly every one that
either writer mentions. and I am tempted
to give you synopsis Of the start of the
more recent attempt to get tho Irish race
in earnest about their wonderful literature.
not wonderful because of its philosophic
depth but because of its being a key to 40
much Of European history.
About twenty years ago there was
small society at IL West Twenty y-eighth
street called the Gaelic Society. of which
l.. J. Callahan was president. This society
gave at intervals lectures and entertain
ments illustrating Irish literature. music
and art. and appealed to the New York
public for support. Among the supporters
II do not believe he was ever a member)
was Mullins the gunsmith. q well known
New York mechanic. When he died he left
in his will provision that sum between
~. 900 and 81. ZOO should be given to Alexander
sullivan a. trustee for the purpose OF help
ing forward the preserving, OF the Irish
a1sHase and i.er;s.nreh This Seaqsst,
League. that has done such wonderful work.
So that you can see New \ ork Irish America
in preserving the real intestines OF the
What certain individuals may do or not
that they may pull the legs" OF their coun-
Takers get into every line Of endeavor and
i've years many one has got into the Gael lie
revival in New York and out OF II again;
but Mullins the gunsmith was real. and until
agree 1e,' with ii both Philo,cei, and G G.ei' j"
.as wS new d6sb 90
agania BY the Gaelic League in this coun-
try ia good work. but there have been too
are overstsyinS their welcome. and further.
clergymen are at a disadvantage in a ma
tional propaganda, They are Of the church
laymen to do necessary work,
Is one OF those Anslo-ITish II. slow poke"
do not desire to do much. a sort of dog
IN the manger institution. but as noted in
IHE Sun some time ago the Master OF the
Rolls Ia publishing many old English. Irish.
Scotch and Welsh manuscripts DIR, Hyde.
the president OF the Gaelic League. pub
lished some years ago work on ancient
Gaelic literature. and while We have not u
special room in the new public library for
Celtic literature any ono can go to that
library and find surprising numbers Of
"Sy S sro on '"s ,bs supS 1res.n ommssiopsr % 10 Of
Tencments was active in the old Gaelic
Society and at least one of our present
Ind yes nd several Irish American lnwyers.
ana II Hudson Maxim and Theodore and
s. s. can put some fire into the Gaelic revival
his literature society with patrons at twenty
FIVE Thousand bones" will he a gOdsend to
! Ireland: but why not. we have earned II
with our blood. NEO-(ELT.
NEW YORK. July -.