UCD Letters

[left page] seeking the right intermediary to lay the matter before the "Freeman" directorate. I could not do so myself for I know no one connected with the Journal save myself and Mr Bradin.

Moreover, as an ex-official of the Crown my interest might be doubted by those who do not know me personally or how strong my Nationalist feeling has always been.

I thought of putting the scheme forward thro' Stephen Gwynn for whose ability I have great regard: but I am told that

[right page] there might be a better advocate found. Then I mentioned the [plan?] yesterday, to Francis J. Bigger of Belfast (who was once acquainted with Mr Sexton) and he is entirely of my opinion as to its value.

Mr Bigger - fresh from the triumph of West Belfast! - will be lecturing at Maynorth towards the end of February, and he will then seek an opportunity of laying the plan of this Press Agency before Mr Sexton.

Meantime I am drafting my conception of the scheme

Hawarden Oct 23. 88

[UCD L 19]

Sir I saw with pain that on the late visit of Lord Hartington to Belfast a multitude of Protestants assembled to applaud every thing which their grandfather's condemned, and to condemn everything which their grandfathers applauded. [illegible] was more [devoted??] a century ago to the sentiment of Irish nationality: it may even have pushed that noble sentiment to excess. But now a large part

of its inhabitants meet to support Lord Hartington who holds that Irishmen are not entitled ever to common [civil?] liberties except on condition of abandoning the idea of nationality.

I hope that as you have boldly chosen at this time to bring together at a meeting in Dublin [the?] Feile Protestants favourable to Home Rule, that meeting may receive large and cordial support, & it may be seen that there are multitudes of [earnest?] & [decided?] Protestants in Ireland who are [true?] amidst what are obloquy

and misapprehension to the tradition of their fellows

I remain dear Sir Your faithful & Obdt Servt W Gladstone

C.A. [Oldhennry?]

of the towers of the castle, which he repaired for the purpose! Is it not extraordinary how the descendants of Heber all became anti-Irish when they get rich!

Please to write to me and let me know how the young lads are getting on especially poor Johnny. I know there is no fear of Eugene or the ladies as long as they have you to be bringing them out to the hill of Howth and to Ringstown. Is John O'Sullivan getting on with his Latin? Is there any new account of Sir Gay Olb? ghothack? or any probability of the letter against him appearing? Is Mr. Todd getting any other MS. for you to copy ?

Our house and furniture here are seized upon by the sheriff but we shall move to Ferns to-morrow, if he will allow us, and I suppose he must. We shall remain in the poor city of Mogue for seven days, after which we move to Enniscorthy, where we may remain another week or longer if they have good meat there. The writing of the names and letters will come very heavy on me, but it cannot be helped as they wont do things properly.

I have a letter from an old friend asking me to go with him to the back settlements of America. What answer should I send him ?

Your affectionate friend

John O'Donovan

much dissention prevail at present amongst the latter body, and that the validity of an election of [word recently is crossed out] Commissioners recently holden is disputed; in Consquence of which the body is in a disorginized state and the full number of Commissioners not yet sworn in to office. Under these circumstances the Messrs. Heney apprehend difficulty

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UCD L 24b

difficulty in inducing the Board to come to any arrangement with you for the present, but they at the same time think that the submission now of you to the Board of Commissioners of a proposal, as suggested already by me to you (setting forth what you would undertake to do, and your terms etc) would facilitate and expedite [the?]

5

an arrangement between you and the Board, should such be at all practicable.

I agree with the [Messrs?] Henry in this. Such a proposal cannot do harm, in any event.

With kind remembrance to Mrs. D'Alton Miss D'Alton and all your circle believe me dear sir Very truly yours John B. Murphy

John D'Alton Esqr

[postmark] COONMEL AU24 1846 E

[postmark] [A535?] 1846 A

[written] UCD L 24 C

John Dr Alton Esq Barrister at Law 47 Summer Hill Dublin

[UCD L 25/2]

Dublin 22nd Jun 1889

Sir,

Being on my way from N. York to visit England, I made myself acquainted with the celebrities of Dublin, and was resolved to pay you a visit; but unfortunately I must delay here only a few hours.

I am told that they are going to appoint an Irish professor in the New Catholic University, and [that?] they have come to the rash resolution of appointing to that chair a Mr. E. Curry, who is ignorant even of English Grammar!! Why do you not apply

[left page] fourth chair, which you are so competent to fill? and which is worth your acceptance £250 per annum. We Americans have paid for it, and we ought to have a voice in appointing a qualified person: at last one acquainted with grammar and critical [philo??ogy], not a mere [transcriber?] who is totally unacquainted with the Common technicalities of language, or with anything like classical learning.

I would advise you to call on Dr Newman, at your earliest convenience and explain to him the kind of learning the man possesses whom he is about to appoint to this distinguished chair: and show

[right page] how much more qualified you yourself are than that uneducated person, who is a mere peasant.

As I have taken immense trouble about collecting funds for this Catholic institution I have taken the liberty to address a few lines to Dr McHale on the subject and [scrutiny?] his attention to your claim.

You are an alumniu of St Jarlath's College and the best Irish critical grammarian in existence.

I shall take the liberty of waiting on you when