The million-peopled city
Garwood, John
1853
Even the Good Qualities of the Irish cause them especially to need Faithful and Judicious Counsel and Visitation.
But there is a dark as well as a light side to the picture. | |
261 | Even the natural good qualities of the Irish require disci- pline and the frequent word of the faithful and judicious friend to prevent their leading them astray. They have, for example, great fluency in speaking, and express them- selves with far more ease and gracefulness than the English. They are never at a loss for words, and they speak with a glow and warmth which reaches the heart. Now even the most phlegmatic Englishman is sensible of the truth of the sayings of, that the tongue, although so little a member, is always ready to "boast great things," is more difficult to control than the mighty ships " driven of fierce winds," or to tame than the most unruly " beast, or bird, or serpent," and, like a small spark, kindles a great fire. Is it to be wondered at, then, that, in reference to the natives of the sister isle, the expression has become a proverbial one among ourselves-" Irish brawls?" |
So, also, the Irish excel the English in their imaginative faculties. But what valuable talent can more need to be directed aright, and what class of persons more require a Christian visitor of judgment and experience, than those who have been possessed by God with such a gift ? | |