Colekat, generally I agree with what you say here.
Your last sentence, "If there was a gathering of all these…." is the subjunctive voice. It should be "If there were a gathering of all these…" I grant that few pay any attention to such now days.
Your last sentence, "If there was a gathering of all these…." is the subjunctive voice. It should be "If there were a gathering of all these…" I grant that few pay any attention to such now days.