SIDE VIEW OF SKULL FOUND AT ST. MICHAN'S, 7 St. David's Terrace, Glasnevin, November 12, 1894. Dear Mr. Collins:

Many years ago, when I was a very young man, I called to pay a visit at the house of a literary friend, Mr. John Thomas Roland, solicitor, Drogheda. During our conversation, he said he had something that he thought would interest me, at the same time producing a large manuscript book with a very dingy cover.

On inspection I found that it was the old Record Book of the Historical Debating Society of Trinity College. The earlier pages were filled with the names of those who were enrolled members down to the end of the eighteenth century. Not fac-simile signatures, but all real, original autographs, among which were the names of some of the most illustrious and brilliant Irishmen of the period, including that of Robert Emmet.

In turning over the pages, I came to the record of a night; one of those on which a meeting was held, when besides giving the date, the subject of debate and the names of the speakers for and against, it recorded the entrance of Robert Emmet to the society. Amongst all those who have written of Emmet, including Dr. Madden, not one was able to tell the exact date when Emmet became a member of this debating society. It was as much a mystery to them as where his remains are interred. But here it appeared without any doubt. I said I was curious to know how the book came into his possession, and this he told me was the way it happened:

One day Mr. Roland, strolling in to have a chat with Mr. Patrick Byrne, of West street, Drogheda,

who carried on a large soap and chandlery establishment there, while standing conversing with him, a customer came in whom Mr. Byrne served, tearing the leaf out of a manuscript book to wrap the candles or soap in, as the case might be. Mr. Roland took up the manuscript book to look at it, and found it of some interest, which Mr. Byrne on seeing said: "I have more of them which I bought amongst other waste paper at a sale," at the same time handing him across the counter two or three more.

Mr. Roland, on inspection, perceived what he had found in one of these books, and after being some time engaged inspecting it, said he would like to look over it, and that he would buy it from him if he would sell. Mr. Byrne said he had got it almost for nothing, as waste paper, and that he would make him a present of it. But for this chance discovery, the leaves of so precious a book would, in a few days, be all used as wrappers for soap and candles.

I regret that I did not take a note, among other things, of the date of Emmet's inception in the debating society, but I intended when time allowed, more fully to inspect the book and to do so, as I thought it would be always at easy distance from me. But in this I was disappointed. Mr. Roland left for America about the end of the sixties. He lectured for a time in

A

ous of concluding a lengthy address by something impressive, said, "Look brethren, at Lazarus and the rich man. When the rich man was parching in the depths of hell, what did he call for? Did ne call for wine? No! Did he call for whisky? No! Did he call for beer? No! He simply asked for a cup of cold water. Now, what does that show, brethren?"

To his surprise one of the "brethren" arose: "That shows," he said, "where all you blooming teetotalers go!"

A Complete Calendar in Modern Irish.

T

HE Gaelic League has just issued a booklet in paper cover, entitled "Feilire na Gaedhilge." From the title one would expect a mere almanac, but on glancing through it it will be seen that the almanac proper takes up less than half the 32 pages of which the booklet is composed. The book opens with a table of the Moveable Feasts, which is followed by a comparison of the Jewish, the Mahometan and the Christian eras. The Calendar proper begins by telling us the Irish name of January 1st, as well as setting down the fact that it is the anniversary of the birth of Tadhg Gaedhealach O'Sullivan, the Munster Bard, who was interred on the first day of the year 1800 in the churchyard of Ballylannin, County Waterford. There is scarcely a line from this to the end of the Calendar which does not remind one of some event in Irish history or the disappearance from the battleground of some hero of the present language struggle. Side by side with these are the epoch-making events of the Continent and England. For January the 27th, 28th and 29th we have the death in 1895 of John Fleming, for many years editor of the "Gaelic Journal," followed by the beheading in 1649 of King Charles I., after which comes the burning of Crumlin, Dublin, in 1595, by Walter Riabhach. It is more than possible that the last entry mentioned will set many a young speaker or student of the language inquiring who the said Walter was and lead to his studying of the whole period and the circumstances which led up to the event. The table of events for February calls up memories of the Elizabethan and Jacobite struggles, Wolfe Tone, Silken Thomas and the Confederation of Kilkenny and the Wanderings of the "Wild Geese."

Every page, indeed almost every line, of the Almanac is an incentive to the study of the history of Ireland. The March table ranges from the victory by the Danes at Ardee, in A. D. 941, to the death of James Stephens two years ago, taking in on the way the death of Murtogh O'Brien, King of Munster, in 1119, Edward Bruce's March to Ossory, and the printing of the first newspaper in Dublin in 1685.

Every page of the Almanac is equally interesting. The births and deaths of warriors and poets are sometimes strangely mixed. On May Day, 1176,

we read that Strongbow died, while on the second day of the same month, 520 years later, Colum Tallis, the Connacht peasant poet, who is still alive and enjoying excellent health, saw the light at Gorumna.

Battles and burnings, sieges and slaughters, the coming of a Saint, the flight of a chieftain, the writing of a history, and the signing of a treaty are all remembered in this wonderful little book which Gaelic branches might consult with profit when drawing up their table of history lessons or papers to be read during the coming Spring term.

Rhymes descriptive of the months, seasons and divisions of the year, for which no names exist in English, occupy a page. The phases of the moon and the eclipses of the sun during the year 1904 are also given. Then comes full postal and telegraph information, in Irish, of course. The census of 1901 is shown first according to Nationality and then according to creed. The population of the cities with the number of Irish speakers in each follows. Then comes an elaborate statement of the Irish-speaking population of Ireland according to the Government census of 1861, '71, '81, '91 and 1901, tabulated first as regards provinces and counties, and afterwards as regards the recognized Irish-speaking districts of the country as well as the percentage of Irishspeaking people to the population of these districts. Statistics relating to the other Gaelic languages-Manx and Highland Scotch, are also given. The time of full tide at full moon and at the changes of the moon in all the principal sea-ports of the country are given, the same information being afforded for seaports in France, Wales and England. The signs of the Zodiac with their Latin and Irish names follow.

The feast days and a table calendar for 1905 complete the booklet. Proverbs and trite sayings, as well as rhymes relative to weather and weather signs, are interspersed throughout the little work. The Feilire, which is very correctly printed and neatly turned out by the Clo-Cumann Dublin, should command a very rapid sale, and we recommend those who wish to secure a copy to send for it now as only a limited number are being printed. The price is only three pence.

&

T

Marquis MacSweeney.

HERE are various residents

in Rome who, though not born in Ireland, are of Irish descent, and are deeply interested in the country. Among these may be mentioned Valentine Patrick Marquis MacSweeney. The Marquis was born in Paris in 1871, and is son of Valentine Patrick MacSweeney, of Macroom, County Cork, where still are the ruins of the old family residence.

His mother was Polish, being Emma Countess Konarska. It is not improbable that to his maternal origin is traceable his rare genius for languages. He is said to speak eight modern languages with facility and accuracy. It is certain that he speaks and writes English, Italian, and French with the ease and grace of a native.

His mastery of the languages is of valuable service to him in his relations with the Vatican, where he was appointed honorary chamberlain in 1893 and private chamberlain in 1895, receiving the title of Marquis in 1896. In the diplomatic service of the Vatican these three languages at least are, it may be said, indispensable.

It is understood the Marquis took part in the diplomatic negotiations between the Holy See and Montenegro, and has taken a deep interest in the union of the Oriental Churches since the promulgation of the Papal Encyclical in 1894. He is also a litterateur, having graduated with honor degrees at the University of Paris, and has since published several works and contributes to leading periodicals.

His efforts in founding the "Cosmos Catholicus," which deals with Catholic subjects and the international affairs of the Holy See, are much to be commended. The Marquis is partly editor, and hopes to be able to render much service to the Church. The "Cosmos Catholicus" is beautifully illustrated, and is printed in Italian, French, and English, the same articles occupying adjoining columns and the same illustrations for all. It is now regarded as one of the most important illustrated magazines in Italy.

The Marquis is president of the Committee for Great Britain and Ireland, in connection with the International Scientific Catholic Congresses. The Marquis lives in truly princely style at the Palazzo Falconieri, Via Giulia, where he entertains largely, and is always glad to receive Irish visitors, but especially the representatives of the Irish Church.

VIII.

"Stay, father!" craved meek Sechnal, "Sechnal, thy will be done,"

In answer breathed hoar Patrick"While Denin's ripples run,

On its slime-rocks and pebbles Anathema abide

Till its last laughing wavelet clear Is blent with Inny's tide!"

, IX.

Young Sechnal quit his labor,
The church he finished not,
Nor tobar-dome, nor cloch-tower,
Nor buskined palmer's grot.
The kirtled tories smote him,

The horsemen at him jeered,
And, on the moat, the vaunting priests
An idol-pillar reared.

X.

Then turned the twain saints northward

Unto green Uladh's land;
Their trade the hooting druids trod
Along the river strand.
The Kerne-men followed, throwing
Field bats and yellow mold,
Till the dun westering sun sank low
O'er Moyvore's silent wold.

XI.

If bothan falls in Uisneach,

If ditch comes to the ground, Till this brave day the leal hinds say, That dwell nigh the storied mound; "It held a stone of Uisneach,

By Patrick curst of yore; Nor can we build of Uisneach's crag* Till Deinin be no more!"

XII.

Try not the fords of Deinin

When northern winds are high; Nor foot, when Dahya's thunders Crash fro' the rack-pall'd sky, Their round and rolling clachans** Long syne by Patrick's bann'd; An' thus he doth, the farer's brogues Ne'er more shall spurn the sand!

XIII.

This is the simple story

By Meath's swart rustics told, As they gather round the turf-sods When winter storms blow cold. Curst are the stones of Uisneach

Curst are they, blood and bones; Nor shall the ban, till Deinin fail, Be toll'd from Uisneach's stones.

JOSEPH M. CAMPBELL.

NOTES.

"And so it happened in effect, that the stones of that district are useless to the present day for building purposes; and even if by chance one of them is employed in a wall that wall soon falls. If a building comes to the ground from some unknown cause the people say that there was a stone of Uisneach in it, cursed by St. Patrick." (From an old Spanish MS.) **"It is well known that persons who were walking over the clachans, or stepping-stones of Deinin with all security suddenly were seen to wheel round in circles and were drowned." (Id. vide supra.)

T

-D. F. M'CARTHY.

HE following lines on Robert Emmet were written by Caroline Marchioness of Queensberry many years ago. The Marchioness it was who showed such womanly tenderness in her endeavor to soothe the last hours of the Manchester Martyrs, taking as her special charge the care of Michael Larkin's family: "No stone shall mark my ashes, Let no epitaph be writ" "Till the beacon fires of liberty On Erin's hills are lit." God of Erin, God of Justice,

Grant that soon this day may come, And thus, Oh Living Love and Truth, Thy blessed will be done. Then, Ireland for her Martyrs Shall raise a cross to Him Who triumphed thus o'er helplessness O'er folly and all sin.

Samhain Festival in London.

I

N days of old when Ireland had a distinct civilization of her own, a native language, native culture and learning, when she was independent intellectually as well as politically, two great literary festivals were held annually, Beltaine and Samhain, the former in the Spring, and the latter in the Autumn. These two literary festivals have been revived, the former by the Gaelic League, with its Oireachtas in the Spring, the latter by Cumann na nGaedheal with Samhain in the Autumn.

The Samhain Musical Festival of the London Gaelic League held last month in the large Queen's Hall, Langham Place, London, was a great triumph, showing in the most striking fashion how keenly Irish people in London can appreciate art and music of the most distinctive Irish character, and how widespread is the confidence in the Gaelic League's determination and power to secure them. The League has many more phases of Irish musical art to illustrate yet, and the enthusiasm evoked by its Samhain festival is a gallant incitement to perseverance.

Over 3,000 people were present, and the spirit of the great audience showed its realization of the fact that this was no ordinary concert; it was an appeal to the historic sense, and it quickened the Gael's faith in the present and the future.

From the League's great point of view the great test of such a gathering is the reception accorded to the songs in Irish; and never before at a London festival did the songs in the National language awake so much enthusiasm, at once spontaneous, intelligent and vivid.

The instrumental music was of a high order. Mr. Kent and his comrades from Cumann na b-Piobairi were a new attraction that delighted the house, while Mr. Owen Lloyd and his harp were as welcome as ever.

The greatest enthusiasm was roused by the Irish war pipes. These, which are being revived, differ but slightly from the modern Scots instrument. Only two drones are used and these are arranged parallel to each other, being fastened by silver clamps close to the point at which they enter the bag. The latter is sheepskin rendered non-porous and airtight by an internal application.

The range of the chanter is from G to A (an octave and one note). The ancient Irish also used the pipes to play at the burials of their dead, and so late as last January Mount Jerome Churchyard (Dublin) resounded to the wailing notes of the war pipes playing a sad dirge by the open grave of a Celtic enthusiast. The war pipes are the most ancient style of pipes used in Ireland, but a development has been made in the shape of the "union" pipes, which have a range of two octaves, and in addition to the treble played on the chanter are provided with two or three "regulators" or key tubes upon which an accompaniment may be played, giving an organ-like effect. The leaders of the new Celtic movement hope to see the day when the piper shall once more "regain his old-time popularity and his social position."

It would take too long to deal in detail with the work of each of the artists, who included Miss Kate Rooney, Miss Marie Narelle, Miss May Coleman, Miss Maureen O'Shea (Belfast), Miss Clare Mease-Smyth (violin), Mr. Joseph O'Mara, Mr. Denis O'Sullivan, Mr. Plunkett Green, Mr. Armitage (organ), the favorite step-dancers, Messrs. Reidy, Murray and O'Brien, and other members of the League, who were artistic and admirable in the figuredances. The playing of "O'Donnell Abu" on the organ brought the festival to a close.

M

The Scottish Bagpipe.

TR. VERNON BLACKBURN has in an article to the London Musical Times paid a merited tribute to the Scottish national instrument, and expressed his regret that the Scottish people, both at home and abroad, do not make a greater use of it than they do at private and public gatherings, especially at funerals. He admires the lamentation, the dirge, the wail, the outcry, the regret which distinguish the music of death on the bagpipe "in that rain-weeping, sadhilled country."

He

says "The musical wail of the Gaelic Muse is among the ineffable realizations of tragedy in the world. She touches the depth and height of sorrow; and fit companion in that expressed grief is her national instrument." Mr. Blackburn says that musically the bagpipe ranks far above the banjo, the mandolin and even the guitar; but that no one the least competent to judge ever doubted, and we rather wonder at his drawing the slightest comparison between them. We cease to wonder, however, when he "confesses that neither the humor of Scotch music nor the humor of the manner in which Scottish music is sung make any great appeal to him." We truly pity the man who cannot really appreciate Scottish music, "compared with which Italian trills are tame." To us all other music appears to lack both body and soul, and compared with a good old Scottish melody no other music is worth listening to.

THE Irish Literary Society of New

York has secured the parlor floor of the private residence at 142 East 57th street, where reception and reading rooms have been furnished and fitted up. The rooms are open to members of the society and their friends from 7.30 to 11 p. m. daily. On Sundays the rooms are open from 3 to 10.30 p. m.

The walls are decorated with Irish and American silk flags tastefully draped, while various large maps of Ireland, together with patriotic pictures, are displayed on the walls.

Stands and racks for holding files of newspapers and periodicals have been provided and are arranged in order around the walls of the reading rooms. The latest issues of the following publications are now on file and are replenished and renewed by later issues as they come to hand from the publishers.

IRISH PUBLICATIONS ON FILE:

COUNTY ANTRIM.
Belfast Weekly News, Belfast.
Irish Weekly, Belfast.

COUNTY CAVAN.
The Anglo Celt, Cavan.

COUNTY CLARE.
Clare Journal, Ennis.
COUNTY CORK.

Cork Sun, Cork.
Weekly Examiner, Cork.
Southern Star, Cork.

COUNTY DUBLIN.

All Ireland Review, Dublin.

An Claidheamh Soluis, Dublin.

Daily Express, Dublin.

Ireland Illustrated, Dublin.

Irish Catholic, Dublin.

Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Dublin.

Irish Homestead, Dublin.

Irish Packet, Dublin.

Irish Rosary, Dublin,

New Ireland Review, Dublin.

St. Patrick's, Dublin.

The Daily Independent, Dublin.

The Emerald, Dublin.

The Leader, Dublin.

The United Irishman, Dublin.
The Warder, Dublin.

The Weekly Freeman, Dublin.
The Weekly Independent, Dublin.

COUNTY LONDONDERRY.
The Derry People, Derry.

COUNTY GALWAY.

The Tuam News, Tuam.

COUNTY KILKENNY.
The Kilkenny People, Kilkenny.
COUNTY MEATH.
The Meath Chronicle, Kells.

COUNTY ROSCOMMON.
The Roscommon Herald, Boyle.
The Roscommon Messenger, Roscom-
mon.

COUNTY TIPPERARY.
The Nationalist, Clonmel.
The Nenagh News, Nenagh.
COUNTY TYRONE.
The Ulster Herald, Omagh.
COUNTY WATERFORD.
The Waterford

Citizen, Waterford.
COUNTY WEXFORD.
Ireland's Own, Wexford.
The Free Press, Wexford.

GREAT BRITAIN.
Academy and Literature, London.
New Ireland, London.
Pall Mall Magazine, London.
The Atheneum, London.
The Catholic Times, London.
The Cornhill Magazine, London.
The Literary World, London.
The Monitor and Era, London.
The Glasgow Star, Glasgow.
AMERICAN-IRISH AND MISCEL-

LANEOUS PUBLICATIONS.

CALIFORNIA.

Domincana, San Francisco.
The Leader, San Francisco.
The Monitor, San Francisco.
The Nation, San Francisco.
Tidings, Los Angeles.
ILLINOIS.

Chicago Citizen, Chicago.
New World, Chicago.

KENTUCKY.

Kentucky Irish-American, Louisville. MASSACHUSETTS.

The Hibernian, Boston.

The Literary World, Boston.
The Pilot, Boston.

The Republic, Boston.

The Sacred Heart Review, Boston.
The Messenger, Worcester.
MINNESOTA.

The Irish Standard, Minneapolis.
NEW JERSEY.

The Newark Ledger, Newark.
NEW YORK.
Catholic Union and Times, Buffalo.
American Art Journal, New York.
Century Magazine, New York.
Everybodys' Magazine, New York.
Harper's Magazine, New York.
Harper's Weekly, New York.
Irish-American, New York.
Irish-American Advocate, New York.

Irish World, New York.

Leslie's Monthly Magazine, New York.

Literary Digest, New York.

Metropolitan Magazine, New York.
Munsey's Magazine, New York.
Newspaperdom, New York.

New York Sun, New York.
New York Times, New York
New York Tribune, New York.
New York World, New York.
Scottish American, New York.
Scribner's Magazine, New York.
Sunday Democrat, New York.
Sunday Union, New York.
The Caledonian, New York.
The Critic, New York.

The Gael, New York,
The Independent, New York.
The Messenger, New York.
United Irishman, New York.
Catholic Sun, Syracuse.
The Cambrian (Welsh), Utica.
OHIO.

Catholic Columbian, Columbus.
Catholic Telegraph, Cincinnati.

OREGON.

Mount Angel Magazine, Mt. Angel.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Catholic Standard and Times, Philadelphia.

Record of the Catholic American Historical Society (Quarterly), Philadelphia.

The Irish Pennsylvanian, Pittsburg.
WASHINGTON, D. C.

The National Hibernian, Washington. Mac Talla (Scotch Gaelic), Sydney, Cape Breton.

It will be seen from the list of napers and periodicals on file that the society is non-political and unsectarian, as papers representing all shades of political opinion are furnished to members.

A series of lectures and musical entertainments have been projected, and are now being arranged for to take place during the Winter and Spring. A Gaelic teacher has been provided and an Irish class is being formed where members can acquire the language.

Arrangements looking towards the presentation of several Irish plays (both in Irish and English), are also under way.

Application for membership in the society should be made to the secretary, Mr. John Quinn, 120 Broadway, New York.