24 OCTOBER 1925, Page 18

THE TEACHING OF IRISH [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR, —A school inspector told me that he was inspecting a school in Kerry. The teacher was proud of his Irish and of the children's knowledge of it. He asked them why St. -Patrick preached in Irish, and was going on evidently to en- courage the right answer, when the Inspector stopped him with, " Let them answer at once." Silence. At last a little boy said, " There was a great craze for Irish at that time." Another Inspector in Kerry told me that the children had been reciting " Let Erin remember . . . ere her faithless sons betrayed her." He asked, " Who were they ? " After a long pause a small boy said, "Please, Sir, the Master." " Why do you say that of your teacher ? " " He joined the Free State." —I am, Sir, &e.,