The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-17

l usually played the part of au- dience. Among the old time n0veliats we're William Carleton, John and Michael Banirn, Ger aid Griffin, Charles Lever, Maria Edgeworth. also such historians as John Mitchell, Mac-Geoghegan, Sir Jonah Bar. rington, Green the historian and Mrs Green, his wife, The poets were Moore, Goldsmith and urif- fin. He regarded Carleton as d manly writer. also claiming that he neglected finer traits and wandered more into depicting the lower types than was necessary. The Banlid brothers were, he felt, Of a higher type, gave more lati- tude in better Irish traits in their novels. The gentle Gerald Griffin was a fav0rite both as a novel; tst and poet. Charles Lever he considered more English than Irish, although he agreed he was a good story teller. Moore, Goldsmith and Burns were always at hand in the years he wrote news articles. He also paid high tribute to Maria Edgeworth, whose works brought cut the finest traits of the race.
 "Ghost Story"
 Like all sons of Erin the fairy and ghost stories charmed and interested him 50 much he dwelt on them frequently, and years ago told me a personal ghost story.
 stephen J. Meany, the Irish patriot, who was an editor of the Democrat at one time, did not serve long in that capacity. After 2 limited service he became III and finally died In this city. It was decided by Irish sympa- thizers here to forward his re. mains to his native home at Ennis, Ireland. Martin Scully was chosen to accompany the the body of the dead patriot across the Atlantic.
 After the funeral he decided to visit his old home at Abbeyieix. He arrived at the village late on afoggy night, but still had long walk before he could reach the old homestead. The way lay through an old bohreen, highly hedgod and shaded, as it was very dark and he had not seen the region since boyhood, he was careful in the walk. Suddenly, he said, T heard a deep rustic that sounded like labored breathing. I turned and could make out white figure. I moved on a lit- tie faster and the white shadow seemed to be coming nearer, then I stopped in my tracks in alarm and the white form stopped. I was beginning to think of everything then, and made rush for the end of the bohreen, just then the morn had broken out from under the clouds. and what do you thinkY It was a small white heifer. probably looking for its mother.".. And just here he gave me one of his rogulsh glances and smiles. for which he was famous.
 Nature Lover
 His early education was ac- quired in the National schools. and here, he informed me. he first became acquainted with many American authors. Ex- cerpts and complete poems hav- ing been published in the Ma tional readers, he then became intimately acquainted with Long, fellow, Bryant, Holmes, Whittier. Hawthorne, Irving and Prescott. As young man in this country he gradually collected books from various sources, and often related that in summer he loved 10 ramble in the country, many times on Pine Hill where he could read and be near natures heart. Washington Irving was one of his prose favorites. He liked his descriptive style and beautiful English. Thus this lover of books, trees. birds and general nature developed much erudition.
 His labors at the Democrat office were frightened by a mar vellous memory, but If that Jagged, he would open a drawer in his fiat top desk and there search among q heterogeneous mass of clippings, written pages. or little squibs. and there almost always found the solution.
 And so, on last Thursday night he went down to the Washing ton Hill Community House to attend a meeting, There he arose and made his last pleading. that of religious freedom for an oppressed people, then slowly took hts seat and swooned into unconscipusnes He was taken to Saint Mary's hospital. but the generous heart was stilled forever, and his soul had entered Atarnal rest.