OCR Text |
Show AN IEISH UNIVERSITY. (London Catholic Times.) As 'one of the results of the Oireachtas of 1905 the Gaelic leaguers haA-e decided to give effect to the proposal for the formation of an Irish academy. A number of examiners who have been appointed to cany out a neAV scheme of examination for students stu-dents of Irish are to constitute the nucleus of au Irish academy. In taking this step the Irish are folloAving the example of the Hungarians. The neAV project is, we believe, due to the initiative of Professor Pro-fessor Kuno Meyer of Liverpool university. In studying the language revival in Hungary during a visit to that country he discoA-ered at every hand evidences of the great part played in the movement by the Xational academy founded in the early part of the last century at Buda Pesth. Prior to its establishment es-tablishment the Hungarian language appeared to be in a hopeless state; it had been so long decaviug through the use of French. German and Latin. From the academy a fresh breath of life Avas, as it Avere, breathed throughout the country. Plays were Avritten in the Hungarian language; theatrical ! companies were formed to produce them; and a national literature sprang up. Professor Kuno Meyer's Mey-er's advice to the Irish has been "Do likewise," and they are acting on his words. They have, moreover, decided to establish a Gaelic university, if possible, Avithout delay. The question is, of course, largely one of money. Surely the Irish-American millionaires million-aires will seize this opportunity of- immortnlizng their names by associating them with a scheme, the realization of Avhich cannot fail to be of historic importance. |