My brief trip in London added a new relationship. With this I've been successful in meeting two renowned future nationalists.
Mr. Griffith and I continued to exchange letters, mainly at my insistence since I want to drop a bomb in Ireland. We talked about Irish history, literature and the Gaelic language.
When I told him I wanted to publish a booklet based on our conversations and my ideas, he was ecstatic. He sent me draft of the booklet, it contained my thoughts on Irish mythology and literature, as well as praises and my appreciation of the Irish culture and the Gaelic language. I gave the 'ok' sign on the booklet, and I decided the name as well as its release on St. Stephen's Day, the day after Christmas.
On December 10th Arthur Griffith released an article on his newspaper, United Irishman. In it he details our meeting and conversation in London, it also includes a partial manuscript of our conversation omitting the parts about Irish statehood and our simple exchanges.
The article was a big hit, although United Irishman was only started this year, when an article about a foreign prince who seemingly loves Ireland came out, Irishmen flocked to read it, they were even more ecstatic that said foreign prince was the 6th son of the Kaiser.
When I first read the draft for the article, I decided to give it some flavor. The original article was simple and a faithful example of journalistic integrity, still I wanted Irish nationalism to bloom through this so I made changes that made it look like I had a crush on the Irish. With this, the article exploded even further, seeing interest from Northern Ireland all the way to the Irish diaspora in the United States.
After celebrating Christmas with my family, I awaited for the results of the first gamble of my new life.
On December 26th, St. Stephen's Day. The already festive streets of Ireland was made even hotter by the release of a certain booklet. The booklet's author was by now, well known all throughout Ireland thanks to the article by United Irishman.
The booklets name, Sinn Féin (We Ourselves).
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December 26th, 1899 // Cork, Ireland
Downtown Cork is festive. Walking down the streets one could see people wearing straw hats or old clothes. The center of the city is even more lively, with people watching the performances of traditional Irish sing and dance.
In the midst of this, a little boy is busy running around, enjoying as much of the festivities as possible. While exploring the festivities, the boy runs across a group of adults huddled around what looks to be a bookstore. His curiosity is peaked when he notices that the adults were grinning and laughing while reading a certain book.
"Excuse me mister, what's with the book?"
"Kid! This is the new booklet published by his highness Joachim."
"May I see?"
"Sure."
"We Ourselves by Joachim of Prussia."
"Hahahaha! I never thought I'd see a day when the Kaiser's son would write a book in Gaelic!"
"Really? Does the prince actually speak Gaelic, it might've just been a translation."
The man replies with a smirk.
"Boy. Haven't you read the newspaper, United Irishman's, article on the prince?"
"Sorry uncle I live in Rosscarbery, my family and I only got to Cork yesterday to celebrate St. Stephen's Day."
"Hahaha, a country boy aye, you should get a copy of this book before you get home then."
With the boy's overflowing curiosity. He proceeds to buy a copy of the booklet, along with a copy of United Irishman's December 10 newspaper.
After tightly packing his purchases, he runs back in search of his family. After reuniting with his family, they continue to enjoy the day's festivities.
Back in their lodgings, the boy first reads the newspaper. As he read the article, his excitement grew. Having been inspired by his teacher in school, the boy was already growing into a fierce patriot. When he learns that this German prince truly speaks Gaelic, something he barely speaks himself. He felt a mixture of shame and pride.
After finishing the newspaper, he quickly grabs the booklet and takes a look at it.
"Sinn Féin..."
The boy proceeds to read the book, but because it was more complicated, he had to read it even slower.
With his lack of knowledge he doesn't recognize much of what is being talked about. To the boy he only sees random people, random titles, and bits and pieces of what he recognizes as Irish mythology.
Despite this he clearly grasps the 'heart' of the writer. To him the author seemingly loves Ireland as much as he does. The young boy laments at his powerlessness when he realizes that a stranger across the sea is more knowledgeable about his own nation. Even more so when he realizes that said author was the same age as him.
But this sense of shame is soon replaced with overflowing pride. Isn't such an esteemed person so enamored with his nation? The idea that a person his age may help in achieving the dream of the Irish people fills him with a sense optimism and a newfound sense of duty.
Thus, in the eve of the new century. Michael Collins firmly engraves in his heart his newfound purpose, along with the prince whom inspired it.