THE IRISH LANGUAGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 12, 19 December 1890, Page 29

THE IRISH LANGUAGE.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

Thk Rev. Mr. Jordan delivered his first lecture on the Language and Ancient Literature of Erin, last Tuesday night, November 25, in the Exchange Hall, Wellington. Dr. Cahill occupied the chair. On the platform, to support the lecturer, were Messrs. J. J. Devine, Sheridan, ODea, and Colonel M"cDouali. Among the audience were his Grace tbe Archbioh >p, the Very Rev. Father MacNamara, V.G., S.M., the Rev. F. Kerrigan, SI., P.P., Te Aro, also Fathers Gojjgin, S.M., Tupman, S.M., St. Patiick'a College, Djherty S.M , and Rev. Mr. Coffey, St. Mark's Anglican cleryman. The attendance was good considering tbe many attractions elsewhere. The lecture throughout was listened to with marked attention, and received round upon round of applause, the lecturer having at the outset gained the ears and hearts of the audience. The applause was really deserved, fo^ Mr. Jordan's treatment of his subjects was lucid and interesting, and, no doubt, went horns to the hearts of many present. The Key. Mr. Jordau is a capital speaker, and his mastery of the Irish tongue was itself a treat which Irishmen seldom or never before enjoyed. His lecture was illustrated with tales full of humour and wit so racy of his native country. Mr. Jordan began by stating he considered it an honour to have the present privilege ot addressing the audience on subjects so important as the ancieDt language and literature of Erin, as these subjects referred to and included the history of a race the most remarkable in the history of Western Europe, whose traditions were lost in the mazes of antiquity, and there was no otner race which left its tnarKS on the history of the g^obe, that preserved iB aucient traditions with so much care as the Celtic, that swarm from the Japheuc hive which spread over Western Europe long before the p nod of authentic reords. Tnese ohl traditions and associations were highly guarded arid treasured by the Irish at the piesent weie as titles of nobility tj a fallen family. The remembunces of those lonj; past ages belpeii to strengthen them under trials and braced them with uope for the; future. If bespoke in a symptthetic and favourable manner of what might be called a rude age, aud times of savage manners in the history of his country, he hoped the audie )ce would pardon him, for he knew quite well that his favourable estimation was more thin counter-balanced by the ridicule, contempt, and apathy from which all matters reliting to Irish traditiou and history suffered at the hands of many, and he thought it best when giving the national history ot any nation, to err on the favourable side than to pervert or suppress the trutu. It had been stated in public that the Irish were never a nation,

never had a nationality or a history. He trusted before finishing this evening to show them how false these random statements were for it required but a very slender knowledge of the ancient MBS, and records to learn that Ireland had alike a history and civilisation, and laws of her own, while other nations were in a rude and semi-savage state. The lecturer then showed the various colonies which arrived in Ireland,— where they came from and bow each in turn obtained possession of the country. It would take up too much of your space to refer at length to the interesting and instruc ive topics, clearly unfolded by Mr. Jordan,— the wealth of ancient MSS., their contents, his description of the Book of Leinster, containing, amongst other subjects, the histories of the travels of "Marco Polo," the Siege of Troy, the fall of Jerusalem, the seige against ltmrles, etc., the discovery of the Book of Lismore in the early part or the present century in the castle of that name. When an old closed up doorway was being opened, in the centre of the masonry, was found a box enclosing a beautiful Crozier, and the MSS. on finest vellum, showing how precious those old books were in the estimation of their owners. Mr. Jordan also referred to the " Brehon Laws " which regulated the political and social histories of Ireland from prehistoric times to within two hundred years ago ; these laws bear a close resemblance to the " Common Laws of England." Mr. Jordan delivered some excellent recitations in ihe Irish tongue which were well received, indeed with applause, for doubtless many present underBtood something of the language. The rev. lecturer made one particularly strong point in reference to tbe system of education in •*°i! e *u D " He Baid it; waß truly reli giouß as drawing a cemparison with the present system, he secured a round of applause. An instructive and pleasant evening, such as the good folks of Wellington rarely have the opportunity of enjoying, was brought to a close by v° 2? 6 rvri a d moviQ g a v ote of thanks to the lecturer, secended by Mr. O Dea, and carried witi acclamation. The lecturer moved a vote of thanks to Dr. Cahill who presided so ably.