Blair Collection > Gaelic journal > Volume 1, number 1

THE GAELIC JOURNAL.
'97
following resolution was proposed by the
Rev. J. J. O'CarroU, S.J., seconded by Dr.
O'Duffy, and unanimously adopted : —
" That as we have already more than once
publicly stated that the appointment of a
committee with full powers to decide was a
necessary condition for treating of the much-
desired Amalgamation with the Society for
the Preservation of the Irish Language, we
regret we can take no further steps in the
matter, unless that condition be complied
with."
Dr. C. Deventer, Royal College, Glatz,
Silesia, and the Very Rev. Thomas
MacHale, D.D., Irish College, Paris, were
unanimously elected corresponding and
honorary members of this Council.
The following resolution was then pro-
posed by Mr. John Fleming, seconded by
Mr. Cusack, and passed unanimously: —
'■That for the regular and ordinary trans-
action of the business of the Gaelic Union,
this Council do adjourn to the first Satur-
day of May ; but that on all Saturdays,
except the first Saturday of each month,
there be held a meeting for consultation, at
which the proceedings shall be conducted
in Irish."
The first conversational meeting of the
Gaelic Union took place on Saturday even-
ing, 14th April, and lasted from four to
half-past six p.m.
There were present — Mr. John Fleming,
Chairman ; Messrs. Cusack, D. Lynch,
Morris, O'Mulrenin, and the Rev. Messrs.
Nolan and O'Carroll.
The Memorial concerning the "Ashburn-
ham " Manuscripts was, with a number of
signatures, laid before the meeting. It is a
follows :—
MEMORIAL.
"To the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone,
P.C, D.C.L., M.P., First Lord of the
Treasury, Sac.
" Sir, — We, the undersigned members of
the Gaelic Union and others, beg to call
your attention to the following facts: —
" Whereas the collection entitled the Ash-
burnham Librarj-, has been offered for
purchase to the nation; and
" Whereas the said collection contains a
great number of books and manuscripts of
much importance to the elucidation of Celtic
philology and antiquities, and of Irish
history; and
" Whereas these latter books and manu-
scripts were originally taken from Ireland
to England ; and
"Whereas they would, if remaining in
England or any other country but Ireland,
be practically inaccessible to the great ma-
jority of Irish scholars, and therefore to a
great extent useless, we, therefore, pray you,
sir, as chief of the present ministry, in the
interest of literature, archaeolog}-, and his-
torical and philological research, to use
your influence, in the event of the purchase
by your Government of the Ashburnham
Collection,tocause that portion of it relating
to Ireland to be restored to this country.
" Confidently trusting in your favourable
consideration of our request, we beg to
subscribe ourselves."
[Then follow the names of officials and
members of the Gaelic Union, and of other
influential persons.]
A discussion ensued, in which the Rev.
J. J. O'Carroll, Messrs. Fleming, Lynch,
Morris and Cusack took the principal part.
The different accents of the provinces were
well represented, the Irish language being
de regiieur, and no English allowed.
Waterford, Galway, Kerry, Clare and Ros-
common were each represented by the
speakers.but the difference in pronunciation
and accent was so slight that there was not
the smallest difficulty in their understanding
each other. This being a preliminary meet-
ing, the subjects for discussion were not
fixed, but alternated between the Memorial,
the late trials, Irish folk lore, &c. A plan,
however, has been drawn up for regu-
lating the progress of the Irish-speaking
meetings of the Gaelic Union. It may be
remarked that Mr. Lynch delayed his return
to the county Louth in order to be present
at the meeting. The conversation was of
the most animated character, and proved
the capability of the language for political,
scientific and general topics, and its strength
and sweetness. The meeting having settled
the subjects for the next discussion and