Irish literature." Some critics have even claimed that the "Cúirt" is the only modern Gaelic work entitled to European fame. The first adequate edition of the "Cúirt" was that by the late Professor Stern ("Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie," 1904) who executed his work with the thoroughness of the German scholar. The German version of the "Cúirt" was an admirable achievement. An edition of the "Cúirt" which is prepared, printed and published by Irishmen is now at last presented to the Irish public, and Brian gets his due in his own country.
Those who approach this work in the proper spirit will derive from it all the delight of a literary voyage of discovery. They will discern things hardly realised before as to the possibilities of Irish poetry and Irish metres. They will rejoice in this work as in the fresh country-side, where there are, without doubt, mud and slimy ponds, but also glorious fields and healthy growth and the singing of birds. They will see in it the work of a broad, joyous, independent spirit, full of calm strength. They will see in it an art as perfect, natural and seemingly unconscious as the growth of a noble tree on the banks of Loch Gréine. In short, if one dare use such a simile of a Gaelic poet (and surely one may; for we are all Greeks, however we deny it) they will feel in it the true spirit of Pan. And that spirit is one that never gets away from the earth and the drossy animal life, but it is still a spirit of health and vigour and mirth that has to be reckoned with by all.
PIARAS BÉASLAÍ.
