Page:Sermons in Irish-Gaelic - O'Gallagher.djvu/528

xvii history, could write the work—the second edition of which is now before us. The first of Irish scholars, and one of the most able and eloquent writers of the day; and what we admire more in the writer is the fire of patriotism which burns in every page of his book. It was this patriotism, this love of race, and creed, and country, which induced the Rev gentleman to undertake so stupendous a work, and never was a work so nobly conceived and bravely undertaken—better finished as is testified to by the unanimous voice of critics.

"The Aryan Origin of the Gaelic Race and Language" has thrown more light on the subject of ancient Irish history than all that had been written before it. It is not alone the information which the book contains, which is vast and varied, it is not alone the sound, logical, reasoning, forcible and uncontrovertible arguments which are everywhere to be found in support of our ancient prechristian civilization; it is not alone the elegant and masterly style of the composition that attracts the reader's attention and induces him to give his whole thoughts to the subject before him; but there is a pathos, depth of feeling and sentiment pervading every sentence of the whole five hundred pages, which stirs up the very soul, and brings the reader at once in sympathy of feeling and harmony of thought with the writer, which the most dexterous and laborious efforts of rhetoric could not accomplish.

While differing from many of the conclusions of the learned writer, we do not hesitate to say that the subject has been treated of in a manner which evidences a vast amount of original and painstaking research into a most interesting study, and is the most masterly work upon the subject we have ever perused. We would recommend its careful study not only by the philologist, but by those interested in the early history of their country.