Chapter I., “Ourselves and Our Island,” gives the author’s

IRELAND IN FICTION.

IRELAND IN FICTION

_A GUIDE TO_

IRISH NOVELS, TALES, ROMANCES,

AND FOLK-LORE

BY

STEPHEN J. BROWN, S.J.

_Author of A Reader’s Guide to Irish Fiction,

A Guide to Books on Ireland, etc._

Do chum glóire Dé agus Onóra na h-Éireann.

MAUNSEL AND COMPANY, LIMITED,

DUBLIN AND LONDON.

1916.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

PREFACE vii.

PREFACE TO _A Reader’s Guide to Irish Fiction_ (1910) x.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiv.

SIGNS, ABBREVIATIONS, ETC. xvii.

IRISH FICTION UNDER NAMES OF AUTHORS ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY 1

APPENDIX:

A.—SOME USEFUL WORKS OF REFERENCE 261

B.—PUBLISHERS AND SERIES 264

C.—IRISH FICTION IN PERIODICALS 270

D.—CLASSIFIED LISTS:

I.—HISTORICAL FICTION 273

II.—GAELIC EPIC AND ROMANTIC LITERATURE 279

III.—FOLK-LORE AND LEGEND 282

IV.—FAIRY TALES FOR CHILDREN 283

V.—CATHOLIC CLERICAL LIFE 284

VI.—HUMOROUS BOOKS 285

INDEX OF TITLES AND SUBJECTS 287

PREFACE.

It may be well to state at the outset in what respects the present work

differs from _A Reader’s Guide to Irish Fiction_ published in 1910, and

now out of print. The differences may be reduced to four:—

(1). The number of books dealt with is almost double that of the earlier

work.

(2). The arrangement is quite new. In the former work the books were

classified according to subject matter: in this they are arranged under

the names of the Authors, these names being arranged alphabetically.

Some lists are appended in which the books are classified as historical

novels, Folk-lore, Gaelic Epic and Romantic Literature, &c.

(3). A combined title and subject index has been provided, both of

which were lacking in the earlier book. Some new matter is given in the

Appendix, in particular some notes on fiction in Irish periodicals.

(4). In _A Reader’s Guide_, &c., a few notes on Authors were added at the

end. In the present work biographical notes on a large proportion of the

Authors are given immediately before the notes on their books.

Apart from these differences, the two works have the same scope and aim.

In both, the scope includes all works of fiction published in volume

form, and dealing with Ireland or with the Irish abroad, and such works

only. The present book, therefore, is not, any more than was the earlier

book, a guide to the works of Irish novelists—else, Goldsmith, for

instance, might surely claim a place. Neither is it, properly speaking,

a book of advice as to what is best to read. The aim has been to provide

descriptive notes of an _objective_ nature, to record facts, not to set

forth personal views and predilections. This is a book of reference pure

and simple; it neither condemns nor recommends. In this respect it

differs from several other guides to fiction which at first sight it

seems to resemble. The Abbé Bethléem’s most valuable _Romans à lire et

romans à proscrire_ has been mentioned in the former preface. Its title

proclaims its character. Of a similar nature are some works by members of

my own Order that have since come to my knowledge. It will be useful to

record their titles:

1. P. Gerardo Decorme, S.J.—Lecturas recomendables. (Barcelona:

Luis Gili). 1908.

2. P. Pablo Ladron de Guevara, S.J.—Novelistas malos y buenos.

Pp. 523. (Bilbao). 1910.

3. Was soll ich lesen? Ein Ratgeber [advice giver] für

Studierende (Trier), 1912.

4. Guide de Lecture. (Brussels). Second ed., 1912. A

magnificent 4to volume of 1032 pp., compiled by a Belgian

Jesuit, Fr. Schmidt, and constituting the catalogue of his

great Bibliothèque Choisie of 200,000 volumes.

No. 1 devotes only a chapter to fiction. No. 2 contains a critical

examination from a moral point of view of 413 Spanish writers, 1,220

French, 150 English, 98 German, as well as Russian, Belgian, &c. No. 3

devotes a section to _Schöne Literatur_ giving notes and bibliographical

details. Symbols are used to indicate the suitability of the books to

readers of various ages. The same plan is followed in No. 4, but to a

much fuller extent, and the whole work is on a larger scale.

Enough has been said, I think, in the former preface as to the object

aimed at in the notes. I have tried to make that object clear: I am far

from thinking that it has always been attained, even in this revised

work. Some of the excuses for incompleteness that held good for the first

steps into an almost untrodden field have no doubt ceased to have the

same force. I have had time to explore new ground, and to survey anew

that already occupied. On the other hand the years that have slipped away

since the former book have been filled by many duties that left little

time for literary work. Yet, though I am unable to say with confidence

that this work is bibliographically exhaustive, I trust that, for

practical purposes, for the purposes for which it is intended, it may be

found reasonably complete. For the achievement of even this result I can

by no means claim all the credit. My obligations to my numerous helpers

are very great indeed, as will appear from the Acknowledgements.

One further point needs to be dwelt upon—the non-inclusion of works

of fiction written in the Irish language. I cannot do better in this

connection than quote from the preface to a former work[1] in which this

same point came up for explanation:—“I have not included books in the

Irish language. My reasons for this are threefold. In the first place

my own knowledge of Irish is not yet sufficient to enable me even to

edit satisfactorily notes of books in Irish.... In the second place I do

not think that a bibliography of works in Irish should be made a mere

appendage or sub-section, as it would inevitably be, of a work such as

the present. Lastly, it may well be doubted whether the time be yet come

for doing this work in the way that it deserves to be done.” This last

reason is partly based on the fact of the great mass of Irish literature

still remaining in MS., a quantity probably much greater than what has

been printed and published. The publication of the National Library’s

bibliography is mentioned in the Appendix on Gaelic literature as an

additional reason for my omission of books in Irish.

Nevertheless, the omission of books in the Irish language from a Guide to

Irish Fiction remains an anomaly, one of the many anomalies produced by

the historic causes that have all but destroyed the Irish language as the

living speech of Ireland.

DUBLIN, _September_, 1915.

[1] _A Guide to Books on Ireland_, Part I. (Hodges & Figgis), 1912.

PREFACE TO A READERS GUIDE TO IRISH FICTION (1910).

The present GUIDE TO IRISH FICTION is intended by the Author as the first

part of a work in which it is hoped to furnish notes on books of all

kinds dealing with Irish subjects.

Before explaining the scope of this section of the work it may be well,

in order to forestall wrong impressions, to say at once what it is _not_.

In the first place, then, it does not lay claim to be a bibliography. By

this I do not mean that I am content to be inaccurate or haphazard, but

simply that I do not aim at exhaustive completeness. In the second place,

it is not a catalogue of books _by Irish writers_. Lastly, it does not

deal exclusively with books printed or published in Ireland.

The Author’s aim has been to get together and to print in a convenient

form a classified list of novels, tales, &c. (whether by Irish or by

foreign writers), bearing on Ireland—that is, depicting some phase of

Irish life or some episode of Irish history—and to append to each title a

short descriptive note.

Two things here call for some explanation, viz., the list of titles and

the descriptive notes.

As to the former, I have, with some trifling exceptions, included

everything that I have been able to discover, provided it came within

the scope of the work, as indicated above. It has been thought well to

do this, because a vast amount of fiction that, from an artistic or from

any other point of view, is defective in itself may yet be valuable

as a storehouse of suggestion, fact, and fancy for later and better

writers. For was it not worthless old tales and scraps of half-mythical

history that held the germs of “Hamlet” and “Macbeth,” “King Lear” and

“Othello”? There remains, indeed a large class of novels and tales that,

so far as one may judge, can serve no useful purpose. It may be thought

that with such books the best course to pursue is to allow them to

pass into merited oblivion. But it must be remembered that booksellers

and publishers will naturally continue to push such books because it

is their business to do so, and the public will continue to buy them

because it has ordinarily no other means of knowing their contents than

the publisher’s announcement, the title, or—the cover. A “Guide” would,

therefore, surely shirk an important portion of its task if it excluded

worthless books, and thereby failed to put readers on their guard.

Next, as regards the descriptive notes: there are three points which

I should wish to make clear—the source of the information contained

in these notes; their scope, that is, the nature and extent of the

information with which they purpose to furnish the reader; and, thirdly,

the tone aimed at throughout the work.

Information about the books has been obtained in various ways. A

considerable number have been read by the Author. Indeed, there are few

writers of note included in the Guide about whose works he cannot speak

from first-hand knowledge. Of the books that remain the great majority

have been specially read for this work by friends, and a full account of

the same written by them according to a formula drawn up for the purpose.

In all cases, except in a very few—and these have been indicated—the

wording of the final note is mine. In the few cases referred to, printed

reviews or notices of the books have been drawn upon, the source of the

note being mentioned in each instance.

A word about the _scope_ of the notes. My chief object in undertaking

this work was to help the student of things Irish. This object determined

the character of the notes. A few years ago there appeared in France

an excellent work, entitled _Romans à lire et Romans à proscrire_

(Cambrai: Masson), by the Abbé Bethléem, which has since passed through

many editions. In this work novels are classed _au point de vue moral_.

In the rare cases in which the books included in my list contain

matter objectionable from a moral or a religious standpoint, I have not

hesitated to remark the fact in the note. This was, however, but a small

part of the task. It will be clear likewise, from what has been said that

my object is not to attempt _literary_ criticisms of Irish fiction. Such

literary appreciations are to be found in other works already published,

accounts of several of which will be found in the Appendix. True, a

certain amount of criticism is often needed lest the account given of a

book should be misleading, but it has been avoided wherever it did not

seem to further the main purpose. This purpose, let me repeat, is, above

all, to give _information_ to intending readers. I have, therefore,

endeavoured, as well as might be, in the small space available, simply

to give a clear idea of the contents of the books. In a good many cases

I have further attempted an appreciation, or rather a characterization,

of the book in question, but this was not always possible nor, indeed,

necessary.

Of the tone adopted in these notes little need be said. I did not

consider that it would further my purpose to aim at that literary flavour

and epigrammatic turn of phrase affected, and with reason, by reviewers

in many periodicals. Moreover, to do so would have been inconsistent with

brevity. Then, I must disclaim all intention of saying “clever” things

at the expense of any book, however low it may deserve to be rated. I

have endeavoured to avoid, too, the technicalities of criticism. Lastly,

I trust the little work has not been rendered suspect to any class of

Irishmen by the undue intrusion of religious or political bias.

Apology might well be made here for the defects of the work. They will,

I fear, be but too evident. But it should be borne in mind that, with

the exception of Mr. Baker’s works, to which I cannot sufficiently

acknowledge my indebtedness, I have had no guide upon the way, since no

writer, so far as I am aware, has hitherto dealt in this way with Irish

fiction as a whole.

It may be asked, for whom especially this book is meant? In the first

place, I hope it may be useful to the general reader who wishes to

study Ireland. Next, it may help in the important and not easy task

of selection those who have to buy books for any purpose, such as the

giving of presents, the conferring of prizes in school or out of it, the

stocking of shops and libraries—in other words, booksellers, library

committees, heads of schools and colleges, librarians, pastors, and many

others. Again, it may be of some service to lecturers and to popular

entertainers. I have some hopes, too, that coming writers of Irish

fiction, from seeing what has been done and what has not yet been done,

may get from it some suggestions for future work. It may even help in a

small way towards the realization of a great work not yet attempted, the

writing of a history of Anglo-Irish literature.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

(_Reader’s Guide, etc._)

My best thanks are due, in the first place, to the authorities of

Clongowes Wood College, without whose constant aid and encouragement my

task would have been impossible.

Next, I wish to thank those publishers who courteously sent me copies

of a number of their books, viz., the Irish publishers, Messrs. Gill;

Duffy; Sealy, Bryers and Walker; Maunsel; and Blackie: and the London

publishers, Messrs. Macmillan; Nelson; Methuen; Dent; Chatto and Windus;

Burns and Oates; Sands; Blackwood; Nutt; Elliot Stock; and Smith, Elder.

I should like to give greater prominence to the publications of these

firms. The plan of this book prevents me from doing so but I may say that

this little work, which will, I hope, help to make known their books,

could not have appeared but for their generosity.

To those who, as already mentioned, have aided in the work by reading

books, and supplying information about them, my sincerest thanks are

hereby tendered. I should be glad, if it were possible, to express here

my obligations to each individually, but I must, for obvious reasons,

limit myself to this general acknowledgment. There are, however, some

whom, on account of special obligations on my part, I shall have the

pleasant task of thanking by name. To Mr. E. A. Baker, M.A., D.LITT.,

Librarian of the Woolwich Public Library, I am indebted both for kind

permission to quote from his books and for constant advice and suggestion

given with the greatest cordiality. To Dr. Conor Maguire, of Claremorris,

I owe most of my notes of books on Irish Folk-lore, and to Mr. Edmund

Downey, the well-known author and publisher, notes on Lever’s books,

together with many useful suggestions. Mr. Francis J. Bigger, M.R.I.A.,

of Belfast, the always ready and enthusiastic helper of every Irish

enterprise, has aided me with valuable advice and no less valuable

encouragement. Mr. J. P. Whelan, Librarian of the Kevin Street Public

Library, Dublin, has rendered me every assistance in his power. Dr. J.

S. Crone of London, Editor of the _Irish Book Lover_, has on several

occasions kindly opened to me the pages of his periodical. Lastly, I must

acknowledge here, with sincere thanks, much help of various kinds given

me by many members of my own Order, and notably, Rev. M. Russell, S.J.;

Rev. M. Corbett, S.J.; Rev. P. J. Connolly, S.J., and the Rev. J. F. X.

O’Brien, S.J.—the last of whom very kindly undertook the tedious labour

of revising my proofs.[2]

[_Additional (Present Work)._]

My obligations to my various kind helpers in the present work are even

greater than in the case of the former book, and I am at a loss for an

adequate expression of them. My thanks have, of course, been privately

conveyed, but there are some collaborators who have had so large a

share in the making of this book that I cannot but place on record its

indebtedness towards them.

For valuable work in the British Museum Library extending over a

considerable length of time I have to thank Mrs. Pearde Beaufort, Miss

C. J. Hamilton, and Miss G. B. Ryan. For much tedious labour in the

rearrangement of the matter contained in the earlier book, I am indebted

to the Misses Chenevix Trench (who also supplied many notes), and to Mrs.

O’Neill, of Dundalk. To Dr. Crone, whose readiness to help when any Irish

literary enterprise is afoot is inexhaustible, I owe many corrections,

suggestions, and additions, and the laborious task of revising my MS.

and correcting my proofs. Mr. Edmund Downey, of Waterford, has kindly

read part of the proofs. Many books have been read for me and notes

supplied by Lady Gilbert; Mrs. Concannon, of Galway; Mrs. L. M. Stacpoole

Kenny, of Limerick; Miss J. F. Walsh, of Derry; Miss R. Young, of

Galgorm Castle, Co. Antrim; Mrs. Macken, of the National University;

Fr. MacDwyer, of Killybegs; and, perhaps most of all, Fr. J. Rabbitte,

S.J., of St. Ignatius College, Galway. Mr. D. J. O’Donoghue, Librarian of

the National University, has given me many suggestions, as well as some

useful notes on fiction in Irish periodicals. Mr. Frank Macdonagh also

has been very helpful with notes and corrections. I owe likewise a debt

of gratitude to the authorities and the staff of the National Library

for their courtesy and helpfulness. Nor must I omit a word of thanks to

the publishers (including all the Irish publishers, and Messrs. Flynn,

of Boston), who, as on a former occasion, made my task much lighter by

supplying me with review copies of their books.

Lastly to all the others, and they are many, who have in various ways

given me help my very sincere thanks are hereby tendered.

For the matter contained in my notes on the Authors, I am much indebted

to Mr. D. J. O’Donoghue’s _Poets of Ireland_, and to the pages of the

IRISH BOOK LOVER.

[2] Through an unfortunate oversight the earlier work contained no

mention of much kind help rendered me by several students of St.

Patrick’s College, Maynooth, notably by Rev. J. Henaghan and Rev. J.

Pinkman, at present priests on the mission. I now gratefully acknowledge

this help.

SIGNS, ABBREVIATIONS, ETC.

b. = born.

c. (before dates) = approximately.

d. = died, daughter.

ed. = edition, edited, editor, educated.

q.v. = which may be referred to.

n.d. = no date printed in the book referred to.

_sqq._ = and following (years or pages).

=C.B.N.= = Catholic Book Notes.

=D.R.= = The Dublin Review.

=I.B.L.= = The Irish Book Lover.

=I.E.R.= = The Irish Ecclesiastical Record.

=I.M.= = The Irish Monthly.

=N.I.R.= = The New Ireland Review.

=T. Lit. Suppl.= = The Times Literary Supplement.

=C.T.S.I.= = Catholic Truth Society of Ireland.

=S.P.C.K.= = Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge.

=R.T.S.= = Religious Tract Society.

=Allibone= = Allibone’s _Critical Dictionary of English

Literature_.

=Baker= = Baker’s Guides (_see_ Appendix A) a 2 indicates

that the new ed. has been used.

=Krans= = Krans’s _Irish Life in Irish fiction_. (Appendix

A).

=Read= = _The Cabinet of Irish Literature._ (Appendix A).

=I. Lit.= = _Irish Literature_ in twelve Vols. (Appendix A).

=N.Y.= = New York.

The _place of publication_ has been mentioned in the case of books not

published in Dublin or in London. A list of the Irish publishers will be

found in Appendix B.

The _price_ of most new novels on first publication is 6_s._, not

net. When new fiction is issued at a lower price than that this price

is usually net. I have not thought it useful to insert the prices of

books no longer to be had otherwise than from second-hand booksellers:

second-hand prices are constantly varying. The publication _Book-Prices

Current_ might be usefully consulted in some reference library. The price

I have given is usually the latest price mentioned in the Publishers’

catalogue.

_Dates_ in square brackets, thus [1829], indicate dates of first

publication. Besides these I have mentioned the date of the latest

edition I am aware of.

The names of an Author placed within square brackets is an indication

that the name in question did not appear on the title page of the book to

which it is now affixed, the book having been published anonymously, or

under a pen-name.

Inverted commas are used thus “M. E. Francis” to indicate a _pen-name_.

The writers’ works are entered under the name most familiar to the

public, under Katharine Tynan and Rosa Mulholland rather than under Mrs.

Hinkson and Lady Gilbert. However, in the case of old books I have not

thought it useful to place the book under the literary disguise. I have

entered them under the real name, with a cross-reference. I fear that

perfect uniformity and consistency has not been secured, but hope that

the book’s usefulness—utility, and not scientific precision, has been the

aim—is not thus impaired.

The _publishers_ mentioned are, so far as I have succeeded in discovering

them, the publishers not of the first, but of the latest edition.

Books published under a pseudonym which obviously could not be a real

name, I have entered as anonymous, except where I have come to know the

real name, in which case it will be found under the real name, with a

cross reference from the pseudonym.

When the note depends mainly or exclusively on a single already published

authority or source, this authority or source is indicated at the end of

the note.

IRISH FICTION UNDER NAMES OF AUTHORS, ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY.

=ANONYMOUS.=

⸺ ADVENTURER, THE.

In Mitchel’s _Life of Hugh O’Neill_ there is a note in

reference to his wooing of Sir Henry Bagenal’s sister, stating

that a novel was published founded on this story, and entitled

_The Adventurer_. (Query in I.B.L., vol. iv., p. 161.) This

book does not seem to be in the British Museum Library, but

I have found in an old catalogue a book with the title “The

Adventurers; or, Scenes in Ireland in the Reign of Elizabeth,

1825.” This is probably the book referred to by Mitchel.

⸺ ADVENTURES OF FELIX AND ROSARITO, THE; or, The Triumph of Love and

Friendship. Pp. 58. (Title-p. missing). 1802.

The hero is one Felix Dillon. Though the story begins and ends

in Dublin, its scene is chiefly France, and afterwards Spain.

⸺ ADVENTURES OF MR. MOSES FINEGAN, AN IRISH PERVERT. (N.Y.: _Benziger_).

$0.30.

⸺ ALBION AND IERNE: A Political Romance; by “An Officer.” Pp. 192.

(_Marcus Ward_). 1886.

An allegory in which the personages stand for countries and

institutions. Ierne is of course Ireland, Albion is England.

Then there are minor characters, such as Dash, Dupe, Plan,

Sacrifice. Under this form the relations between the two

countries and the possible results of separation are exhibited.

Ends with the happy marriage of Albion with Kathleen, Ierne’s

sister, and the burial of the hereditary feud.

⸺ ANNA REILLY, THE IRISH GIRL. (N.Y.: _Pratt_). $1.50.

⸺ BALLYBLUNDER: an Irish story. Pp. 291. (LONDON: _Parker_). 1860.

Scene: the N.E. coast of Ireland, with its rugged rocks

and lofty cliffs. The plot concerns the kindly family

of “Ballyblunder,” on whose estate sheep are constantly

being killed. A priest instigates to the crime, and

encourages the perpetrators. Mr. Kindly’s son goes out to

track the sheep-killers; a friend of his is murdered, and

Brady, the murderer, falls off a cliff and is killed. The

Kindlys eventually sell the estate. Some social scenes are

interspersed. Written in a spirit of religious intolerance.

⸺ BALLYRONAN.

“A wonderfully interesting story, written in an easy, rattling

style, with cleverly conceived plot, abundant humour, and no

lack of incident. There is an unmistakably Irish atmosphere

about it, and it bespeaks an intimate personal knowledge of the

people, not only in regard to their speech, but also as to many

of their characteristic ways and customs.”—(_Press Notices_).

⸺ BLACK MONDAY INSURRECTION. Pp. 135-328.

Bound up with “The Puritan,” _q.v._ The story opens at Bandon

with the rescue of two of the principal characters who had

been kidnapped by Rapparees. Then follows the taking of Bandon

by McCarthy More. The battles of the Boyne and Aughrim, the

sieges of Athlone and Limerick are also dealt with, the two

latter being described in detail. Standpoint: Williamite. The

Irish are “barbarians,” “brave and savage bacchanalians;” the

Rapparees are “infernal banditti,” &c., but on the whole the

tone is not violent. Through it all runs an interesting and

curious story of the private fortunes of several persons. See

_The Last of the O’Mahonys_.

⸺ BOB NORBERRY; or, Sketches from the Note Book of an Irish Reporter; ed.

by “Captain Prout.” Pp. 360. Eighteen good illustr. by Henry MacManus,

A.R.H.A., and others. Dedicated to C. Bianconi. (_Duffy_). 1844.

The Author (Pref.) tells us that he has written the book to

vindicate the character of his countrymen, and to show Irish

affairs to Englishmen in their true light. Accordingly we

have, not so much a novel, as a series of crowded canvases

depicting nearly every phase of life in Ireland from a period

before the Union to the date of this book. It begins with

the marriage of the hero’s grandparents in Dublin at the

end of the 18th century (1780). We have a glimpse of penal

laws at work and of agrarian disturbances, but the Author is

especially at pains all through the book to set forth how the

law works in Ireland. There are swindling attorneys, bribed

and perjured jurors, packed benches, partisan judges, endless

proceedings in Chancery, and so on. Young Bob is sent first

to a private school, then to Stonyhurst (an account is given

of the Jesuits). He is first intended for the priesthood and

goes to Louvain, but finally becomes a reporter on a Dublin

paper. Here we have a picture of low journalism. Bob shows

up several frauds of self-styled philanthropists, describes

trial at Assizes of Lord Strangeways’ evicted tenants. This

brings in much about the agrarian question. The book ends with

his elopement to the Continent and marriage with Lady Mary

Belmullet. There are innumerable minor episodes and pictures.

There is no literary refinement in the style, and the colours

of the picture are laid on thickly.

⸺ BRIDGET SULLIVAN; or, The Cup without a Handle. A Tale. 1854.

⸺ BY THE BROWN BOG; by “Owen Roe and Honor Urse.” Pp. 296. (_Longmans_).

Illustr. by silhouettes. 1913.

An imitation of the Somerville and Ross stories, but with their

leading features exaggerated. For Flurry we have Fossy, for

Slipper Tinsy Conroy. Instead of by an R.M. the stories are

told by a young D.I. There is the same background of comic

and filthy peasants, the same general Irish slovenliness and

happy-go-luckiness, and universal drunkenness. The brogue is

made the most of. Moonlighters of a very sinister kind appear

once or twice. The incidents are such as hunting, racing, the

local horseshow, country petty sessions, &c. They are very well

told, with a jaunty style, and in a vein of broad comedy. There

is a chapter purporting to relate experiences in “The Black

North,” but for the most part the scene is West Cork. Some of

these sketches appeared in the BADMINTON MAGAZINE.

⸺ BYRNES OF GLENGOULAH, THE. Pp. 362. (U.S.A.)

“The incidents related in this tale really and truly occurred,

though not in the consecutive order in which they are placed”

... viz., “the trial and execution, in February, 1846, at the

town of Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, of Bryan Seery for the murder

of Sir Francis Hopkins, Bart.” “The characters introduced are

all real.” (Pref.) A sad and touching story of the heartless

treatment of the Irish peasantry by certain of the landlords,

picturing the deep religious faith of the former, and their

patient resignation in their sufferings. The plot, which is

vigorously worked out, centres in the execution of Bryan Seery

for the attempted murder of Sir Francis Hopkins, a crime of

which he was innocent.

⸺ CAVERN IN THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS, THE; or, Fate of the O’Brien Family.

Two Vols. 12mo. (Dublin, _printed for the Author_). 1821.

Told in letters between “Augustus Tranton” and “Sir Edward

Elbe.” Said on title-p. to be “a tale founded on facts.” Seems

to be a re-issue in a slightly altered form of THE UNITED

IRISHMAN, _q.v._ The story is related to “Aug. Tranton” by a

gentleman (O’Brien) who had been a U.I., and as a result had

lost all, and was then in hiding in a cave near the Dargle

river.

⸺ CHARACTERISTIC SKETCHES OF IRELAND AND THE IRISH. 16mo. Pp. 288.

(HALIFAX). 1849.

A reprint of an earlier publication by Philip Dixon Hardy,

the fourth edition of which appeared in 1842. Contents: I.

By Carleton:—“The Horse Stealers,” “Owen McCarthy,” “Squire

Warnock,” “The Abduction,” “Sir Turlough.” II. By Lover:—“A

Legend of Clanmacnoise” (_sic_), “Ballads and Ballad Singers,”

“Paddy Mullowney’s Travels in France.” III. By Mrs. Hall:—“The

Irish Agent,” “Philip Garraty.”

⸺ CHARLES MOWBRAY; or, Duelling, a tale founded on fact. Pp. 82. (CORK).

1847.

By the author of “The Widow O’Leary.” Dr. B., whose parents

live at Y. (probably Youghal), has a practice in England. He is

challenged to fight a duel by Sir J. C. He is killed, and his

parents both die from the shock. A dull little book, with much

moralising.

⸺ COLONEL ORMSBY; or, the genuine history of an Irish nobleman in the

French service. Two Vols. (DUBLIN). 1781.

In form of letters between the Colonel and Lady Beaumont,

couched in the most amatory terms. There is no reference to

Ireland and little to the history of the gallant Colonel: the

correspondence is all about the private love affairs of the

writers.

⸺ DUNSANY: an Irish Story. Two Vols. 12mo. Pp. 278 + 308. (LONDON.) 1818.

The principal character and a few of the others, _e.g._, Mrs.

Shady O’Blarney (!), happen to be born in Ireland, and there is

talk of the usual tumbled-down castle somewhere in Ireland, but

at this the Irishism of the story stops. The scene is England,

the persons wholly English in sympathy and education. A

sentimental and insipid story dealing chiefly with the marrying

off of impecunious sons and daughters. Interesting as giving a

picture, seen from an English standpoint, of the Irish society

of the day. No politics.

⸺ EARLY GAELIC ERIN; or, Old Gaelic Stories of People and Places.

(DUBLIN). 1901.

⸺ EDMOND OF LATERAGH: a novel founded on facts. Two vols. (DUBLIN). 1806.

Two lovers kept apart by cruel circumstances and villainous

plots meet at last and are happy. This thread serves to connect

many minor plots, which bring us from Ireland (near Killarney)

to England and then the continent and back again, and introduce

a great variety of personages. These latter are nearly all of

the Anglo-Irish Protestant gentry—Wharton, Wandesford, Peyton,

Ulverton, Blackwood, Elton—no Irish name is mentioned. Great

profusion of incident, but not very interestingly told. No

historical or social background. Relates rather a large number

of instances of misconduct. Speaks of “paraphernalia of Popish

doctrine,” yet one of the best characters is Father Issidore

(_sic_).

⸺ EDMUND O’HARA: an Irish Tale. Pp. 358. (DUBLIN: _Curry_). 1828.

By the author of “Ellmer Castle.” A controversial story of

an anti-Catholic kind. The hero goes to Spain to be educated

for the priesthood. He meets Hamilton, who indoctrinates him

with Protestantism. They are wrecked off the Irish coast. A

priest refuses them the money to take them home to the North of

Ireland, while the Protestants generously give it. He falls in

love with Miss Williams, who insists on a year’s probation so

that he may be sufficiently “adorned with Christian graces.”

But he dies, and she marries Hamilton.

⸺ ELLMER CASTLE. Pp. 320. (DUBLIN: _Curry_). 1827.

By the author of “Edmund O’Hara,” _q.v._ Henry Ellmer travels,

and comes back converted to convert his family. He causes only

anger and disturbance. They turn him out, and he departs with

a blessing. But after some adventures returns to his father’s

deathbed. Contains much controversial matter.

⸺ EMERALD GEMS. (BOSTON). 1879.

“A Chaplet of Irish Fireside Tales, Historic, Domestic, and

Legendary. Compiled from approved sources.”

⸺ FATHER BUTLER; or, Sketches of Irish Manners. 16mo. (PHILADELPHIA).

1834.

I am not sure whether this is the American edition of a little

Souper tract by Carleton (_q.v._) published by Curry in 1829,

in which Father Butler finally is convinced of the falsity of

his religion and becomes a Protestant.

⸺ FATHER JOHN; or, Cromwell in Ireland (1649); by “S. E. A.” Pp. 477.

(_Whittaker_, later _Gill_). Still reprinted. [1842].

A well told story, with a love interest and a mystery admirably

sustained to the end. The plot largely turns on the misfortunes

and sufferings brought about by Father John’s fidelity to

the secrecy of the confessional, a fidelity which the author

strongly condemns. The hero is a young Irish Protestant, who

before the close of the story has converted to his faith such

of the Catholic personages of the tale as do not rank as

villains. The moral of the story is the iniquity and falseness

of the Catholic religion, for which the author throughout

displays a very genuine horror. The author’s political

sympathies are Ormondist, but Owen Roe O’Neill is favourably

described. The massacres of Drogheda and Wexford are described.

It is “by the Author of ‘The Luddite’s Sister,’ ‘Richard of

York,’” &c.

⸺ FAVOURITE CHILD, THE; or, Mary Ann O’Halloran, an Irish tale: by a

retired priest. (DUBLIN). 1851.

⸺ FOLK-LORE AND LEGENDS (Ireland); edited by “C. J. T.” 16mo. Pp. 192.

(_Gibbings_). 1889.

A volume of a good popular series which includes vols. on

Oriental, English, German, American, and other folk-lores.

Thirty-three tales chosen from published collections, chiefly

Croker’s. A good selection. Humorous and extravagant element

not too prominent. Some in dialect. Some titles:—“Fuin”

(_sic_), “MacCumhal and the Salmon of Knowledge,” “Flory

Cantillon’s Funeral,” “Saint Brandon” (_sic_), and “Donagha,”

“Larry Hayes,” and “The Enchanted Man,” “The Brewery of

Egg-shells,” “The Field of Boliauns,” &c.

⸺ FORD FAMILY IN IRELAND, THE. Three Vols. (LONDON: _Newby_). 1845.

Ford, an English merchant comes to the west coast of Ireland

to pursue a business speculation in grain, and brings his

family. He is imprisoned owing to a misunderstanding, and his

daughter marries an officer, Macalbert, who becomes chief of

the pikemen, and eventually dies on the scaffold. Period: ’98,

soon after the landing of French at Killala. Point of view:

very sympathetic towards Ireland and anti-Orange. No religious

bias. A pathetic and a dramatic story.

⸺ FRANK O’MEARA; or, The Artist of Collingwood; by “T. M.” Pp. 320.

(DUBLIN: _McGlashan & Gill_). 1876.

Frank, of the tenant class, falls in love with the landlord’s

daughter, Fanny. Their love is discovered, and Frank finds

it best to emigrate to Australia. Here he has various

adventures—bush-rangers, gold-diggings, and so on. A comic

element is afforded by the sayings and doings of his man,

Jerry Doolin. Meanwhile F’s father and his friend, another

widower, contend for the favours of the widow Daly—rather broad

comedy—while Fanny, without losing her place in society, is

running a bookshop while waiting for Frank. All is well in the

end. A very pleasant story in every respect. “Collingwood” is a

village near Melbourne. Part of the story takes place at Bray.

⸺ GERALD AND AUGUSTA; or, The Irish Aristocracy. Pp. 320. (_Cameron &

Ferguson_). 6_d._ paper.

How Gerald, orphan son of Lord Clangore, is brought up in

London to be anti-Irish, while his sister is brought up by a

Mr. Knightly (a stay-at-home Irish squire absorbed in Ireland)

to love Ireland. How chance brings Gerald to Ireland where he

is quite won over to her cause. This chance is a wreck off the

W. coast of Ireland resulting in Gerald’s falling temporarily

into the hands of “Captain Rock.” Many amusing adventures and

situations follow. The author’s sympathies are all for Ireland,

but they are not blind or unreasoned sympathies. Very ably

written both in style and construction.

⸺ HAMPER OF HUMOUR, A; by Liam. Pp. 176. (_Gill_). 2_s._ 1913.

A series of character and _genre_ studies—the shy man, the

drunken driver who wakes to find himself in a hearse and thinks

it is his own funeral, the returned American, the magistrates

who do a good turn for their friends. In this last and in

several other sketches (notably in the two concerned with Cork

railways) there is a note of satire. There is plenty of genuine

humour to justify the title. The Cork accent is cleverly hit

off; practically all the sketches are more or less Corkonian.

⸺ HARRY O’BRIEN: a Tale for Boys. (N.Y.: _Benziger_. 0.25 net. _Burns and

Lambert_). 1859.

By the author of “Thomas Martin.” A little pious and moral

Catholic story. The scene is laid in London.

⸺ HERMITE EN IRLANDE, L’. Two Vols. 12mo. (PARIS: _Pillet Ainé_). 1826.

“Ou observations sur les mœurs et usages des irlandais au

commencement du xix siècle.” Interspersed with stories,

occupying a large part of the book. Titles:—“Le Cunnemara,”

“Le naufrage,” “Mogue le Boiteux,” “Le rebelle,” “La sorcière

de Scollough’s Gap,” “Les bonnes gens,” “Les cluricaunes,”

“Bill le Protestant,” “Turncoat Watt ou l’apostat,” “Le double

vengeance,” “Le retour de l’absent,” etc. These are obviously

taken for the most part from Whitty’s book, _q.v._

⸺ HONOR O’MORE’S THREE HOMES. (N.Y.: _Benziger_). 0.25 net.

⸺ HUGH BRYAN: The Autobiography of an Irish Rebel. (BELFAST). Pp. 478.

1866.

Scene: Valley of Blackwater, Lismore. Time: end of eighteenth

century (1798) and beginning of nineteenth century. May be

described as a Souper story. Purports to be a moving picture

of the last struggle of the Gael against the English Planter,

ending in failure, and resulting, in the hero’s case, in

conversion to Protestantism. He finally marries an escaped nun

whom he meets in an English town while engaged in slum-work.

⸺ IRISH BUBBLE AND SQUEAK, THE. Pp. 160. (LONDON: _Clarke & Beeton_).

1854.

“A selection [thirty-five in all] of the most popular Irish

tales, anecdotes, wit, and humour, illustrative of the manners

and customs of the Irish peasantry.” There is many a hearty

laugh in these stories, especially for ourselves, for in them

the Irishman always comes out on top. Some of the titles

are:—“Serving a writ in Ireland,” “Anecdotes of Curran,” “Irish

Bulls,” “Paddy Doyle’s Trip to Cork,” “Lending a Congregation,”

&c. &c.

⸺ IRISH COQUETTE, THE: a novel. Vol. I. 1844.

No more published. Scene: an old Castle in the South of Ireland.

⸺ IRISH EXCURSION, THE; or, I Fear to Tell You. Four Vols. Pp. 1205.

(DUBLIN: _Lane_). 1801.

How Mrs. M’Gralahan and family came to London and what they

heard and saw and did there. The Irish are represented as

dishonest, extravagant, and many other things, but all this

and more is to be remedied by the great panacea—the Union—and

the last of the four volumes closes with, “Bless the Beloved

Monarch of the Union.” Full of political discussions and of

lectures delivered to Ireland. What the Author “fears to tell”

us is not clear.

⸺ IRISH FAIRY TALES. Illustrated by Geoffry Strahan. (_Gibbings_). 2_s._

6_d._

A neat little volume, prettily illustrated, suitable as a

present for children.

⸺ IRISH FIRESIDE STORIES, TALES AND LEGENDS. Pp. 400. (N. Y.: _Kenedy_).

63 cents. net. Illustr. 1910.

“It brings out very well the true Irish wit, for which that

race is famous.”—(_Publ._).

⸺ IRISH GIRL, THE: a Religious Tale. Pp. 102. (LONDON: _Walker_). One

engraving by Parris. 1814. Second ed. same year.

By the Author of “Coelebs Married.” The girl begins life in a

mud hut in the filthiest and most disgusting conditions. She

is found in a barn and taken in by kindly English people, and

after a little management becomes a Protestant at the age of

fourteen, and indeed quite a theologian in her way. A visit

to a church in Cork and to Ardman, near Youghal, where the

dust of St. Dillon is sold by the bushel for miracle purposes,

completes her conversion. The book is full of the vilest

slanders against the Catholic Church. The Irish are represented

as murderers and savages driven on by their priests.

⸺ IRISH GUARDIAN, THE: a Pathetic Story; by “A Lady.” Two Vols. (DUBLIN).

1776.

Told in a series of letters to Miss Julia Nesbitt, Dublin, from

Sophia Nesbitt, of “Brandon Castle,” in Co. Antrim, and from

Sabina Bruce, of “Edenvale,” Co. Antrim. The two Miss Nesbitts

fall in love, and the course of their love affairs forms the

chief subject of the letters. These are dated 1771. There is

some vague description of Irish places, but feminine matters,

chiefly, absorb the writers. To be found in Marsh’s Library,

Dublin.

⸺ IRISH LOVE TALES. (N. Y.: _Pratt_). $1.50.

⸺ IRISHMAN AT HOME, THE. Pp. 302. (_McGlashan & Orr_). Five Woodcuts by

Geo. Measom. 1849.

“Characteristic Sketches of the Irish Peasantry.” In part

reprinted from the DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL. “The Whiteboy” (1828)

Cahill, a _scullogue_, hanged an innocent man, for which the

Whiteboys cut out his tongue. “The Rockite” is a man who

took the oath of the secret society when drunk and had to go

through with the business. “The Wrestler,” description of the

Bog of Allen and of a wake. “The False Step,” a pathetic story

of an Irish girl’s ruin, her broken heart, and her mother’s

death. “The Fatal Meeting” (1397). How a Palmer meets Raymond

de Perrilleaux at St. Patrick’s Purgatory in Lough Derg, and

what came of the meeting. They nearly all depict wild times.

There is no religious bias, an absence of humour, and much

description of scenery.

⸺ IRISHMAN, THE; or, The Favourite of Fortune. Two Vols. (LONDON). 1772.

⸺ IRISHMEN, THE: a Military-Political Novel; by “A Native Officer.” Two

Vols. 12mo. (LONDON: _Newman_). 1810.

Title-page:—“Wherein the idiom of each character is carefully

preserved and the utmost precaution constantly taken to

render the ebullitionary phrases peculiar to the sons of Erin

inoffensive as well as entertaining.” Told in letters between

Major O’Grady and Major-General O’Lara, Miss Harriet O’Grady,

and Lady Arabella Fitzosborne. The letters are full of italics

and of the trifling gossip of fashionable or domestic life. The

personages all live in England. Letters from Patrick O’Rourke

to Taddy McLenna—heavy humour. Seem to contain no politics save

a passing reference to the war then (1808) in progress.

⸺ IRISH PEARL, THE: a Tale of the Time of Queen Anne. Pp. 98. (DUBLIN:

_Oldham_). 1850.

Reprinted from the CHRISTIAN LADIES’ MAGAZINE for 1847 and

published for charitable purposes. A religious tale of a

strongly Evangelical and anti-Roman character, in which Father

Eustace, the hermit of Gougane Barra, relates to Lady Glengeary

his own conversion to Protestantism and that of her mother.

Lady G., in her turn, relates her conversion to Lady Ormond,

who tells the story to Queen Anne.

⸺ IRISH PLEASANTRY AND FUN. Pp. 380. 9¼ + 7 in. (_Gill_). 3_s._ 6_d._ 16

illustr. by J. F. O’Hea. [1892] 1910.

Still reprinted without change, and is as popular as ever.

Seventy-two stories, fourteen anonymous, the bulk of the

remainder by Carleton, Lover, and Lever. Maginn, Maxwell, and

M. J. Barry are represented by two each; Irwin, Lefanu, Lynam,

Coyne, Sullivan by one each. Practically all the tales are

of the Lover (_Handy Andy_, _q.v._) type, genuinely funny in

their way, but broadly comic, farcical, and full of brogue. The

illustrations are some of them clever, but inartistic and of

the most pronouncedly Stage-Irish kind.

⸺ IRISH PRIEST, THE; or, What for Ireland? Pp. 171. 16mo. (_Longman,

Brown, Green, &c._). 1847.

“This sees the light with the earnest hope that it may

conciliate prejudice, disarm opposition....” The Author speaks

of his “intensest sympathy for a despoiled, neglected, ill-used

people.” Supposed to be a MS. given to a doctor in the W. of

Ireland by a doctor on his deathbed. Sentimental and emotional

in style. A rambling series of incidents in priest’s life,

with much moralising of a non-Catholic tone. Incidents of

land agitation given, without explanation of their causes.

Suggestions to make Ireland an ideal place, &c.

⸺ IRISH WIDOW, THE; or, A Picture from life of Erin and her Children; by

author of “Poor Paddy’s Cabin.” Pp. 205. 12mo. (LONDON: _Wertheim and

Macintosh_). 1855.

Like the Author’s former work, this deals with the religious

question in Ireland from a Protestant (Evangelical) standpoint.

But in this case the personages are drawn from the middle

classes, the causes of their enslavement to Rome being set

forth. It is full of religious controversy. See ch. xvi. “The

Fruits of an Irish Church Missions sermon,” and ch. xviii.,

“Priest and Landlords.”

⸺ JIM EAGAN. (N.Y.: _Pratt_). $1.00.

⸺ KATE KAVANAGH. (N.Y.: _Benziger_). 0.45 net.

⸺ LAST DROP OF ’68, THE: a Picture of Real Life with Imaginary

Characters; by “An Irish Bramwellian.” Pp. 127. (_Hodges Figgis_). 1_s._

1885.

Begins in Dublin, the teller being a Dublin lawyer, but nearly

all the incidents take place out of Ireland. All the personages

are more or less disreputable, including the teller, but

especially the hero, Helgate, who is a thorough blackguard. The

story consists chiefly in the doings of this latter, a drunken,

swindling wretch, who deceives foolish people and lives on

them. The writer does not seem to adopt any definite moral

attitude. ’68 refers to the _vintage_ of that year.

⸺ LAST OF THE O’MAHONYS, THE; and other historical tales of the English

settlers in Munster. Three Vols. (_Bentley_). 1843.

Contents:—1. “The Title-story.” 2. “The Physician’s Daughter.”

3. “The Apprentice.” 4. “Emma Cavendish.” 5. “The Puritan.”

6. “Black Monday.” Scene: Co. Cork and chiefly around Bandon.

All deal with troublous times of 17th century as seen from the

settlers’ point of view, with which the Author is in sympathy.

The Irish are painted in no flattering colours. Useful

historical notes are appended. Longer notices of Nos. 5 and 6

are given as specimens of the whole.

⸺ LEGENDS AND FAIRY TALES OF IRELAND. With 50 wood engravings. Large

12mo. (N.Y.: _Kenedy_). 63 cents net.

Being a complete collection of all the Fairy Tales published

by Crofton Croker and embodying the entire volumes of Kenedy’s

_Fictions of the Irish Celts_.

⸺ LIFE IN THE IRISH MILITIA; or, Tales of the Barrack Room. Pp. 255.

(LONDON: _Ridgway_). 1847.

The dedication (to O’Connell) is dated 1834, and the first

words of the book are “In the summer of 1833....” A very

eccentric book, intended by the Author (a lady) as a satire

on the “fashionable depravities of the times,” with intent

to “exhibit folly and vice to public scorn and reproach.”

(Pref.). She is out against proselytism, bigotry, hypocrisy,

aristocracy, race-hatred between Ireland and England, and all

abuses that bear heavily on the people. This book consists of

various parts:—I. “The Sojourner in Dublin”—a young Englishman

who lives in lodgings and tells what he sees and hears. II.

“The Modern Pharisees of the city of Shim-Sham in Ireland,”

in the form of a story. III. “Life in the Irish Militia”—a

fierce attack on the militia, especially a Northern and a Kerry

regiment. IV. “A Visit to Killarney.” V. An Allegorical Tale.

⸺ MAD MINSTREL, THE; or, The Irish Exile. (_Murray_). 1812.

⸺ MICK TRACY, THE IRISH SCRIPTURE READER; or, The Martyred Convert and

the Priest; by “W. A. C.” (_Partridge_). 3_s._ 6_d._ Illustr., but

without reference to the story. _n.d._

The hero is “a day labourer reared in the R.C. communion but

through mercy enabled to see its delusions and to escape from

them.” He is denounced by the priest and assaulted by the

parishioners. These are prosecuted, but the only result is

moonlighting, murder, and the kidnapping of converts. Yet the

converts multiply. The reproduction of the brogue is ludicrous.

See _Tim Doolin_.

⸺ MISTLETOE AND THE SHAMROCK, THE; or, The Chief of the North. (GLASGOW:

_Cameron & Ferguson_). 6_d._

In C. & F.’s “Sensation Series of Sixpenny Novels.”

⸺ MY OWN STORY: a Tale of Old Times. Pp. 168. (_Curry_). One illustr. by

Geo. Petrie, engraved by Kirkwood. 1829.

James O’Donnell is sworn in by a priest and joins the rebels,

but later he is made a “Bible Christian,” turns traitor, and is

eventually hanged. Period: some time in reign of George III.

The country about Fort nan Gall and the woods of Coolmore are

described.

⸺ NATIONAL FEELING; or, The History of Fitzsimon: a Novel, with

Historical and Political Remarks; by “An Irishman.” Two Vols. (_Dublin_).

1821.

A straggling story of the adventures in Ireland (Co. Mayo

and Dublin) and abroad of Edward F. Tells of the progress of

his wooing of Matilda, which is much interfered with by the

machinations of a wicked lord. There are also some minor love

affairs. Pp. 103 _sqq._ of Vol. I. contain some pictures of

Dublin life at the time, introducing public personages such

as the Duke of Leinster, Lady Rossmore, Mr. Justice Fletcher,

Alderman M’Kenny, &c. The hero goes to the U.S. and then to S.

America. The title of the tale seems to be due to his meeting

various peoples—Greeks, Argentiners, Chilians, &c.—fighting for

their national independence. See pp. 206, 217, 222. I failed to

come across Vol. II. Preface shows Author to be Nationalist in

his Irish views.

⸺ NICE DISTINCTIONS: a Tale. Pp. 330. (_Hibernia Press Offices_). 1820.

Scene: Co. Wicklow. The Courtneys of Glendalough Abbey have

a tutor named Charles Delacour, who makes friends with the

clergyman’s family—Mr. Vernon and his wife, son, and daughters.

Presented ultimately with a living, he marries Maria Vernon.

Many subordinate characters of no importance are introduced

into this invertebrate tale, the style of which is stilted and

unnatural.

⸺ OLD COUNTRY, THE: a Christmas Annual. Pp. 200. Demy 8vo. (_Sealy,

Bryers_). 1_s._ 1893.

Irish Stories (and Poems) by Katherine Tynan, F. Langbridge,

Dick Donovan, Edwin Hamilton, W. B. Yeats, Edmund Downey, Nora

Wynne, &c., &c.

⸺ OUTCAST, THE: a Story of the Modern Reformation. Pp. 172. (_Curry_).

1831.

The “Outcast” was educated for the priesthood, read Voltaire

and Rousseau, but did not finally awake to the error of the

Roman “system” until he had read _Italy_, by Lady Morgan. He

ceases to believe in Catholicism; is turned out by his father,

while his mother dies of a broken heart. There is a description

of the Slaney. Contains much that would be extremely offensive

to Catholics and some remarks about Confession and Mass that

would appear to them blasphemous.

⸺ PASSION AND PEDANTRY: a Novel illustrative of Dublin Life. Three Vols.

(LONDON: _Newby_). 1853.

A somewhat ordinary tale of the fortunes of young Charles

Desmond, an army officer, is made the vehicle for a careful and

detailed picture of manners and customs at the period, and for

a presentation of the Author’s views on things Irish, though

with little reference to politics or to religion. The plot,

such as it is, turns chiefly on the question whether Charles

will come in for his old uncle’s money and will, in spite of

whispering tongues, marry the lady—both of which he does. The

conversation of some of the personages is full of pedantry and

of quotations in various languages. Dublin life well portrayed

by a keen observer.

⸺ PEAS-BLOSSOM; by the Author of “Honour Bright.” (_Wells, Gardner_).

3_s._ 6_d._ 30 illustr. by Helen Miles. C. 1911.

“‘Peas-blossom’ may be described as a rollicking, respectable

Irish story, the names of the juvenile pair of heroes being Pat

and Paddy.... An exceptionally readable volume.”—(TIMES).

⸺ PHILIP O’HARA’S ADVENTURES [and other tales]. Pp. 144. (_Chambers_).

1885.

A young man’s adventures in the American Civil War. Only the

first story has the slightest connection with Ireland.

⸺ POOR PADDY’S CABIN; or, Slavery in Ireland. By “An Irishman.” Pp. xii.

+ 242. 12mo. (LONDON: _Wertheimer & Macintosh_). 2_s._ 6_d._ Second

edition. 1854.

“A true representation of facts and characters,” names of

persons and places being disguised. “His [the Author’s] aim has

been, along with a matter-of-fact representation of the real

state of things in Ireland, to exhibit in a parable ... a just

and true view of what the gracious dealings of the Almighty

always are.” (Pref.). A pamphlet in story form written against

the Catholic Church in Ireland and in support of the “Irish

Reformation Movement.” Appendix, giving with entire approval a

bitterly anti-Catholic article from the TIMES of November 29th,

1853 (?), and others of like nature from the MORNING ADVERTISER

(Oct. 22nd, 1853). The characters are drawn from the peasant

class.

⸺ POPULAR TALES AND LEGENDS OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. Pp. 404. (DUBLIN: _W.

F. Wakeman_). Illustr. by Samuel Lover. 1834.

Fifteen stories, including two by Carleton and one by Mrs. S.

C. Hall. Five are by Denis O’Donoho, three by J. L. L., and

one each by J. M. L. and B. A. P. Titles:—“Charley Fraser,”

“The Whiteboy’s revenge,” “Laying a ghost,” “The wife of two

husbands,” “Mick Delany,” “The lost one,” “The dance,” “The

Fetch,” “The 3 devils,” “The Rebel Chief, 1799,” &c., &c.

⸺ PRIESTS AND PEOPLE: a No-rent Romance; by the Author of “Lotus,” etc.

Three Vols. (LONDON: _Eden, Remington_). 1891.

“Lotus” is by I. M. O. A book inspired by the bitterest dislike

and contempt for Ireland. The views expressed by the young

English soldier (p. 101) seem throughout to be those of the

author. The interest turns almost entirely on the relations

between landlord, tenant, and League, and no effort is spared

to represent the two latter in the most odious light. It is the

work of a practised writer, and the descriptions are distinctly

good and the story well told. The brogue is painfully

travestied. The author is ignorant of Catholic matters.

⸺ PROTESTANT RECTOR, THE. Pp. 216. (_Nesbit_). 1830.

At the hospitable Protestant rectory even the priest is

received. This priest “performed several masses on Sundays”:

he is frequently drunk. He goes to Rome and, at the “fearful

sight” of the Pope treated as God, he recoils in disgust,

and is converted. On his return he is again welcomed at the

Rectory, where he converts many and dies a holy death.

⸺ PURITAN, THE. Pp. 134.

The interest of this story turns chiefly on the religious

differences of the times. The author is for “the calm and

rational service of the Church of England” as against the new

fanaticism of the Parliamentarians. The characters, such as

those of Obadiah Thoroughgood and Lovegrace, are well-drawn.

There is but little local colour and no description of scenery.

The scene is laid at Bandon, Co. Cork. Bound up in one vol.

with “Black Monday Insurrection,” _q.v._, being Vol. III. of

_The Last of The O’Mahonys_.

⸺ RIDGEWAY; by “Scian Dubh.” Pp. xx. + 262 (close print). (BUFFALO:

_McCarroll_). 1868.

“An historical romance of the Fenian invasion of Canada,” June,

1866. Introd. (pp. xx. close print) gives a view of Irish

history and politics from a bitterly anti-English point of

view. England has been “a traitor, a perjurer, a robber, and an

assassin throughout the whole of her infamous career.” Append.

gives in 5 pp. an “Authentic Report” of the invasion of Canada,

Fenianism is fully discussed, especially in ch. vi. Career of

Gen. O’Neill, ch. vii. A love story of an ordinary kind is used

as a medium for politics and historical narrative.

⸺ ROBBER CHIEFTAIN, THE. Pp. 342. Post 8vo. (_Duffy_). 2_s._ [1863].

Still in Print.

Scene chiefly Dublin Castle. Cromwellian cruelties under Ludlow

depicted, and early years of Restoration. The Robber Chieftain

is Redmond O’Hanlon, the Rapparee. The Ven. Oliver Plunket is

also one of the characters. Some incidents suggest Catholic

standpoint, but in places the book reads like a non-Catholic

(though not anti-Catholic) tract. The hero and heroine are

Protestant. Full of sensational incidents, duels, waylayings

by robber bands, law court scenes, tavern brawls. Also many

repulsive scenes of drunkenness among the native Irish, and

of murder, wild vengeance, and villainy of all kinds. Hardly

suitable for young people.

⸺ ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST, THE. Pp. 298. (_Curry_). One illustr. by

Kirkwood. 1827.

A Catholic boy, Doyle, risks his life and saves a Protestant

boy from drowning. The boy’s father out of gratitude offers to

send Doyle to T.C.D., guaranteeing that “he will not have to

make even a temporary renunciation of his religion.” But the

priest refuses, and soon Doyle becomes a Protestant.

⸺ SAINT PATRICK: a National Tale of the Fifth Century; by “An Antiquary.”

Three Vols. (EDIN.: _Constable_). 1819.

A romance of love and vengeance and druidical mysteries into

which St. Patrick enters as one of the _dramatis personæ_.

There are plenty of exciting incidents, some fine scenes, and

a very good picture of druidism in the fifth century. Very

well written but for the unfortunate introduction of modern

Irish brogue and Scotch dialect. The religious point of view

is Church of Ireland, and there is an effort to represent the

Christianity of those days as essentially different from the

Catholicism of these. Scene: chiefly Tara, Dunluce, the Giant’s

Causeway, the Bann.

⸺ SEPARATIST, THE; by “A New Writer.” Pp. 323. (_Pitman_). 6_s._ 1902.

The love story of Stella Mertoun, who is a Royalist, and Philip

Venn, who is on the Parliamentary side in the Civil War. Only

a small portion of the action takes place in Ireland. The

author’s sympathies are with the Puritans, but the bias is not

pronounced.

⸺ SIEGE OF MAYNOOTH, THE; or, Romance in Ireland. Two Vols. (CHELSEA:

_Ridgeway_). 1832.

A very long novel with a rather confused plot, but containing

good scenes. Purports to be a MS. given to her descendant by

the old Countess of Desmond, who has fallen on evil days, and

relating stirring incidents of the Desmond wars and of the

rebellion of Silken Thomas, including the attack on Desmond

castle by the Butlers, the defeat and capture of Lord Grey in

Glendalough, the escape of Lord Thomas Fitzgerald from the

Black Castle of Wicklow, and the siege and betrayal of the

Castle of Maynooth. Written on the whole from the Irish point

of view.

⸺ SIR ROGER DELANEY OF MEATH; by “Hal.” Pp. 228. (_Simpkin, Marshall_).

6_s._ 1908.

The Sir Roger of the story (he is “10th baron Navan”) is an

elderly married man, blustering, cursing, lying, cheating,

but described in such a way that one does not see whether the

author means him for a hero or not. He falls in love with Lady

Kitty, who is in love with somebody else. Sir Roger tries to

get the latter into disreputable situations. They fight a duel,

and the curtain falls on Sir Roger mortally wounded. The book

is quite devoid of seriousness.

⸺ SMITH OF THE SHAMROCK GUARDS; by “An Officer.” (_Stanley Paul_).

⸺ STORIES OF IRISH LIFE, PAST AND PRESENT; by “Slieve Foy.” Pp. 160.

(_Lynwood_), 1_s._ 1912.

Ten stories, amusing and pathetic, some of which have appeared

in the WEEKLY FREEMAN and the IRISH EMERALD.

⸺ STORY OF NELLY DILLON, THE; by the author of “Myself and my Relatives.”

Two Vols. (LONDON: _Newby_). 1866.

Nelly Dillon, daughter of a Tipperary farmer, is abducted in

suspicious circumstances by a former lover, who is a Ribbonman

and illicit distiller. She is disowned by her parents but

befriended and sheltered by Bet Fagan, a fine character. The

latter prevails upon the abductor, when under sentence of

death, to clear Nelly Dillon’s character in presence of the

parish priest, who afterwards tells the facts from the altar.

The parents wish to receive Nelly back, but she rejects their

advances and dies. A sad story, well told, and with a healthy

moral.

⸺ TALES AND LEGENDS OF IRELAND. Two Vols. (CORK: _Bolster_). 1831.

“Illustrative of society, history, antiquities, manners, and

literature, with translations from the Irish, biographical

notices, essays, etc.”

⸺ THOMAS FITZGERALD THE LORD OF OFFALEY; by “Mac Erin O’Tara, the last of

the Seanachies.” Three Vols. (LONDON). 1836.

“The first of a projected series illustrative of the history

of I.” (Title-p.). See also Introd. (pp. xxx.) containing some

interesting remarks about Irish historical fiction. Claims to

“give the history as it really occurred.” The book is a quite

good attempt to relate the rebellion of Silken Thomas in a

romantic vein (though with no love interest) and to picture

the times. The conversations, though somewhat long-drawn-out,

are in very creditable Elizabethan English, redolent of

Shakespeare. Opens with a description of Christmas in Dublin in

1533. The Author is not enthusiastically Nationalist, but is

quite fair to the Irish side.

⸺ TIM DOOLIN, THE IRISH EMIGRANT. Pp. 360 (close print). (_Partridge_).

3_s._ 6_d._ Illustr. Third ed., 1869.

By the Author of “Mick Tracy” (_q.v._). Tim, son of a

small farmer in Co. Cork, as a result of his conversion to

Protestantism, has his house burned down and his cattle killed.

He emigrates to U.S.A., but soon passes to Canada, and helps to

repel the Fenian raid. He is joined by his family, and all live

happily at Castle Doolin. Less offensive than “Mick Tracy” in

its allusions to religious controversies.

⸺ UNITED IRISHMAN, THE; or, The Fatal Effects of Credulity. Two Vols.

(DUBLIN). 1819.

A United Irishman who had escaped from Dublin Castle by

the heroism of a sister, tells the tale of his woes to an

Englishman, who meets him by accident. The latter in turn tells

his story, equally woeful. The writer seems to be a Catholic

and to sympathize more or less with the United Irishman. The

book contains material for a good story, but it is told in a

rambling manner, without art, and is full of sentimentality. No

attempt to picture events or life of the times.

⸺ VERTUE REWARDED; or, The Irish Princess. A New Novel. Pp. 184. 16mo.

(LONDON: _Bentley_). 1893.

This is No. III. in Vol. xii. of “Modern Novels,” printed for

R. Bentley, 1892-3. Dedicatory Epist. “To the Incomparable

Marinda.” (Pref.) “To the ill-natured reader.” A petty foreign

prince in the train of William III. falls in love with an Irish

beauty whom he sees in a window when passing through Clonmel.

The story tells of the vicissitudes of his love suit. It is

eked out by several minor incidents. Nothing historical except

the mention of the siege of Limerick.

⸺ VEUVE IRLANDAISE ET SON FILS, LA; Histoire véritable. Pp. 36. (PARIS:

_Delay_). 1847.

A little Protestant religious tract telling how a poor Irish

widow was brought round to Protestant ideas by means of Bible

readings.

⸺ WEIRD TALES. Irish. 256 pp. 18mo. (_Paterson_). [1890].

Eleven tales selected from Carleton (“The Lianhan Shee”), Lover

(“The Burial of O’Grady”), Lever, Croker (“The Banshee”), Mrs.

Hall, and J. B. O’Meara, together with some anonymous items.

⸺ WILLIAM AND JAMES; or, The Revolution of 1689; by “A Lady.” Pp. xiv. +

354. (DUBLIN). 1857.

“An Historical Tale, in which the leading events of that ...

period of our history ... are faithfully and truly narrated.”

Introduces William III., James II., Tyrconnell, Sarsfield,

Richard Hamilton, &c. Describes Boyne and Aughrim. Scene

chiefly Co. Fermanagh. Tone strongly Protestant (there are

digressions on religious matters), but without offensiveness to

the other side. It is a rather rambling, ill-connected story,

the work of a prentice hand. The initials of the author seem to

be J. M. M. K.

=[ABRAHAM, J. Johnstone]=, a native of Coleraine. B.A., 1898; M.D.,

T.C.D., 1908; a consulting Surgeon in London; now serving in R.A.M.C.

Author of _The Surgeon’s Log_.

⸺ THE NIGHT NURSE. Pp. 318. (_Chapman & Hall_). 6_s._ Fifth edition.

1913. 2_s._

Life in a Dublin hospital, carefully observed. Sex problem of

“the greater and the lesser love,” studied in a distinctly

“biological” way. As foil to the main characters, who are

of the respectable Protestant classes, we have “R.C.’s” of

a most undesirable type, and, in the background, the wholly

disreputable Irishry of a western town. The four plagues of

Ireland are Priests, Politicians, Pawnbrokers, and Publicans,

according to one of the personages. The medical interest is

prominent throughout. By the same Author: _The Surgeon’s Log_.

=ADAMS, Joseph.=

⸺ UNCONVENTIONAL MOLLY. Pp. 320. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ 1913.

The young heir of the old rackrenting absentee comes (from

Cambridge) incognito among his tenantry in the West and lives

their life. He meets the heroine who gives its title to the

book—with the expected result. The rest is a series of little

episodes—fishing in a western mountain-stream, a day’s shooting

on a moor, a sail on Clew Bay, a petty sessions court, a

matchmaking, a fair, &c., &c., all with a splendid setting of

Western scenery. Might be written by a sympathetic and kindly

visitor who had enjoyed his holiday.

=ALEXANDER, Eleanor.= Born at Strabane, daughter of the late Dr.

Alexander, Archbishop of Armagh (d. 1911), and of Mrs. Cecilia Frances

Alexander, both of them well known as poets. Educated at home. Has

written verse for the SPECTATOR and for other periodicals. At the

outbreak of war was preparing for publication a collection of Ulster

stories illustrative of the peculiar humour of the North. Her _Lady

Anne’s Walk_, a miscellany of historical reminiscence woven round a place

and one who walked there long ago, contains an excellent bit of Ulster

dialect—the talk of the old gardener.

⸺ THE RAMBLING RECTOR. Pp. 344. (_Arnold_). Third impression, 1904.

(N.Y.: _Longmans_). 1.50.

A story of love, marriage, and social intercourse among

various classes of Church of Ireland people in Ulster. Draws

a sympathetic picture of clerical life, the hero being a

clergyman. Every character, and there are very many interesting

types, is drawn with sure and distinct traits. There are no

mere lay figures. John Robert is a curious and amusing study

of a certain type of servant. Full of shrewd observation and

knowledge of human nature, at least in all its outward aspects.

Very well written. By the same author: _Lady Anne’s Walk_, _The

Lady of the Well_, &c.

=ALEXANDER, Evelyn.=

⸺ THE HEART OF A MONK. Pp. 318. (_Long_). 6_s._ 1910.

The love story of Ivor Jermyn, who for reasons connected with

an hereditary family curse is induced by his mother to become a

Benedictine. During a vacation five years after his profession

he meets his former love at a country house, and a liaison

is formed. Taxed with this by his rival, the shock makes

him see the family “ghost”—the “old man of horror.” A fatal

illness results, and he leaves the field to his rival. Written

pleasantly and lightly. Shows little knowledge of Catholic ways

and doctrines.

⸺ THE ESSENCE OF LIFE. Pp. 320. (_Long_). 6_s._ 1911.

Youth is “the Essence of Life,” as exemplified in the heroine’s

crowded moments in the social life of Dublin and London,

closing with her marriage with Lord Portstow, but shadowed by

the tragedy of a beautiful actress, who turns out to be her

mother. The novel does not rise above the commonplace.—[TIMES

LIT. SUPPL.].

=ALEXANDER, L. C.=

⸺ THE BOOK OF BALLYNOGGIN. Pp. 315. (_Grant, Richards_). 6_s._ 1902.

Stories of a miscellaneous kind, mostly humorous, told in a

pleasant and readable style. Shows little knowledge of Irish

life. The peasantry are treated somewhat contemptuously. The

interest at times turns on the absurdities of Irish politics

and of Irish legal proceedings.

=ALEXANDER, Miriam (Mrs. Stokes).= Born at Birkenhead. Educated at home,

except for a short period at Alexandra College, Dublin. Has almost

finished another novel, dealing this time with modern Irish life. Was

much interested in the Gaelic League till alienated from it by recent

events.

⸺ THE HOUSE OF LISRONAN. Pp. 312. (_Melrose_). 6_s._ 1912.

A tale of the Williamite wars. Dermot Lisronan vows vengeance

on the brutal Dutchman who has driven him from his ancestral

home and been the death of his mother. The book is the story

of that vengeance. Dermot by a strange fatality marries the

daughter of this Dutchman, and some fine psychological and

human interest is afforded by the struggle in her mind between

love (the love of Dermot’s once bosom friend Fitz Ulick)

and wifely duty. The book is full of exciting and dramatic

incidents and situations, and never flags from the lurid

beginning to the tragic close. The characters are clearly drawn

and they are worth drawing:—Bartley, the Hedge-schoolmaster;

Taaffe, the besotted coward, sorry product of Williamite rule;

Father Talbot, the devoted priest of penal days; Barry Fitz

Ulick, a kind of Sir Launcelot, and the rest. William III.

is painted in darkest colours, and the penal days that he

inaugurated are shown in their full horror, though as an offset

to this we have a picture of the persecution of Huguenots in

France.

N.B.—This novel gained a 250 guinea prize by the unanimous

award of three competent judges. Six editions were sold in less

than two months.

⸺ PORT OF DREAMS, THE. Pp. 351. (_Melrose_). 6_s._ 1912.

Dedication: To Caitlín ni Houlihan. A stirring and vivid

romance of Jacobite days (18th century) in Ireland, containing

some intensely dramatic episodes, _e.g._, the escape of Prince

Charles Edward. There are many threads in the narrative,

but the chief interest, perhaps, centres in a Jacobite who,

having served the cause well for twenty years, finds himself

confronted with the spectre of physical cowardice. To save

the cause from disgrace, his cousin Denis takes his place on

the scaffold. The girl marries Clavering for the same reason,

not for love. The author interrupts her narrative at times to

express her views on Celticism (for which she is enthusiastic),

religious persecution, and modern degeneracy.

⸺ RIPPLE, THE. Pp. 367. (_Melrose_). 6_s._ 1913.

Opens in Mayo (Achill scenery described), but soon shifts to

Poland and then to France. Adventures of Deirdre van Kaarew

(daughter of a recreant Irishman who has Dutchified his name

and turned Protestant), who has followed her brother to rescue

him from the designs of a hated kinsman. She falls in love

with Maurice de Saxe (of whom a careful and vivid portrait is

drawn), and the story of this “friendship” takes up much of

the book. She refuses him in the end, and marries the hated

kinsman. A fine plot, full of dramatic incidents.

⸺ MISS O’CORRA, M.F.H. (_Melrose_). 6_s._ 1915.

Miss O’Corra, who has become a rich heiress, leaves her

English home and comes to hunt in Ireland. She is quite

ignorant of equine matters, and various amusing difficulties

beset her. She meets her fate in the person of a young Irish

sportsman.—(_Press_).

=ALEXANDER, Rupert.=

⸺ MAUREEN MOORE: a Romance of ’98. Pp. viii. + 355. (_Burleigh_). 6_s._

1899.

A well told story, introducing Lord Edward and the other

leaders. Maureen, an American, is the niece of John Moore, who

is driven into rebellion by the persecution of the “Yeos.”

His two sons, one a captain in the army, the other a priest,

also join the rebel ranks. A love interest with cross purposes

pervades the story. Larry Farrell is a great character,

performing wonderful deeds of bravery and having equally

wonderful escapes. The book leans entirely to the rebel side.

The fight at New Ross and the atrocities of Wexford are vividly

described.

=ALGER, Horatio.= Author of over fifty books for Boys.

⸺ ONLY AN IRISH BOY. (N.Y.: _Burt_). $0.75. 1904.

=ANCKETILL, W. R.=

⸺ THE ADVENTURES OF MICK CALLIGHIN, M.P.: A Story of Home Rule; and THE

DE BURGHOS: A Romance. Pp. 243. (_Tinsley_). Seven rather rough illustr.

1874. Second ed., Belfast, 1875. 1_s._

1. Mick Callighin leaves Ballypooreen, somewhere near the

Galtees, of which there is a fine description, for Dublin and

then London. He meets his future wife in Kensington Gardens.

The plot is slight, but there is a good deal of pleasant wit,

many political hits, and much satire, not of Home Rule but of

Home Rulers.

2. Arthur Mervyn meets Col. de Burgho and his daughter, home

from Italy. An Italian count, who is also a pirate, carries off

Nora, but she is rescued and married to Arthur. A pretty story,

with some good descriptions of life among the better classes in

the West of Ireland.

=ANDREWS, Elizabeth, F.R.I.A.=

⸺ ULSTER FOLKLORE. Pp. 121. (_Stock_). 5_s._ net. Fourteen illustr.,

mainly from photos. 1914.

A series of papers read before local learned societies or

contributed to archæological journals. An endeavour to deal

with the folk belief in fairies from an archæological point of

view. The conclusion is that the “souterrains” were originally

the abode of a primitive pigmy race. Imbedded in these pages

(the outcome of much personal research) are many good fairy and

folk stories.

=ANDREWS, Marion.=

⸺ COUSIN ISABEL. Pp. 147. (_Wells Gardner, Darton_). 1_s._ 6_d._ Two

illustr. 1903.

A tale, for young people, of the Siege of Londonderry, the

hardships of the defenders, and their brave patience. Isabel,

a veritable angel of mercy for her uncle and cousins is

a pleasant study. Another fine character is old Geoffrey

Lambrick, drawn from a quiet life and his tulips into the smoke

of battle.

=[ARCHDEACON, Matthew].=

⸺ LEGENDS OF CONNAUGHT, TALES, &c. Pp. 406. (DUBLIN: _John Cumming_).

1829.

Seven stories:—“Fitzgerald,” “The Banshee,” “The Election,”

“Alice Thomson,” “M’Mahon,” “The Rebel’s Grave,” “The

Ribbonman.” “Almost every incident in each tale is founded on

fact.” (Pref.). The first story (165 pp.) depicts Connaught “in

a wild and stormy state of society” towards the close of the

eighteenth century, and records the wild deeds and memorable

exit of the very widely known individual who is its hero.

⸺ CONNAUGHT: a Tale of 1798. Pp. 394. (DUBLIN: _printed for M.

Archdeacon_). 1830.

The Author was “from infancy in the habit of hearing details

of ‘the time of the Frinch’” ... and has “had an opportunity

of frequently hearing the insurrectionary scenes described by

some of the Actors themselves.” (Pref.) The Author is loyalist,

but not bitterly hostile to the rebels. The rebellion is not

painted in roseate colours, but it is not misrepresented.

Humbert’s campaign is vividly described, but history does not

absorb all the interest. The love story (the lovers are on

the rebel side) is told with zest, and there is abundance of

exciting incident. Quite well written.

⸺ SHAWN NA SAGGARTH, THE PRIESTHUNTER. (_Duffy_). 6_s._ 1843.

A tale of the Penal times.

=ARCHER, Patrick, “MacFinegall.”= Born at Oldtown, North County Dublin,

about fifty years ago. Lives in Dublin, where he is a Customs Official.

⸺ THE HUMOURS OF SHANWALLA. Pp. 162. (_Gill_). 2_s._ 6_d._ Frontisp.

photo of Author. [1906]. New edition, 1_s._ 6_d._ 1913.

A series of sketches exhibiting the humorous side of village

life in the North County Dublin district, or thereabouts.

Quite free from caricature; in fact tending to set the

people described in a favourable light, and to make them

more appreciated. There is a portrait of a priest, earnest,

persevering, and wholly taken up with his people’s good.

Thoroughly hearty, wholesome humour.

=ARGYLE, Anna.=

⸺ OLIVE LACY. Pp. 365. (PHILADELPHIA: _Lippincott_). 1874, and earlier

editions.

Scene: Wicklow during rebellion. Story told in first person

by Olive Lacy, a peasant’s daughter, adopted into a country

gentleman’s family. Castlereagh and Curran are introduced. A

good specimen of the latter’s table talk is given. Olive’s

father becomes a United Irishman, is betrayed by a foreign

monk (who goes about in a habit and cowl!), escapes, is

rearrested, and finally is shot. A general description of

the rising is given. Tone, healthy. Story well told, but for

some improbabilities. Wrote also: _Cecilia; or, The Force of

Circumstances_. N.Y.: 1866; _Cupid’s Album_; _The General’s

Daughter_.

=ARTHUR, F. B.=

⸺ THE DUCHESS. (_Nelson_).

Scene: mainly in Donegal. Standpoint: Protestant and English.

Not unfair to peasantry. A pleasantly told little story. The

hero implicated in Fenian movement, and arrested, escapes from

prison through the cleverness of his little daughter, “the

Duchess.”

=[ASHWORTH, John H.]= Author of _The Saxon in Ireland_.

⸺ RATHLYNN. Three Vols. (_Hurst & Blackett_). 1864.

A young Englishman, son of “Admiral Wyville,” takes up and

works a property in a remote district in Ireland. Told in first

person. The chief interest seems to lie in jealousies and

consequent intrigues arising out of love affairs.

=“ATHENE”= _see_ =HARRIS=.

=AUSTIN, Stella.=

⸺ PAT: A Story for Boys and Girls. (_Wells Gardner_). 2_s._ 6_d._ Illustr.

“One of the prettiest stories of child life. Even the

adult reader will take a great liking to the lively Irish

Boy”—(CHRISTIAN WORLD). By the same Author: _Stumps_,

_Somebody_, _Tib and Sib_, _For Old Sake’s Sake_, &c., &c.

=“AYSCOUGH, John” [Mgr. Bickerstaffe Drew].= The Author is a Catholic

priest (a convert), now (August, 1915) acting as a chaplain in the

British Army in France. He is one of the best-known writers of the day.

⸺ DROMINA. Pp. 437. (_Arrowsmith_). 6_s._ 1909.

The Author brings together in a queer old castle on the

Western coast the M’Morrogh, descendant of a long line of

Celtic princes, his children by an Italian wife, his French

sister-in-law, a band of gypsies of a higher type, whose king

is Louis XVII. of France, rescued from his persecutors of the

Terror and half-ignorant of his origin. These are some of the

personages of the tale. It is noteworthy that not one of the

characters has a drop of English blood. I shall not give the

plot of the story. The last portion is full of the highest

moral beauty. The lad Enrique or Mudo, son of Henry M’Morrogh

(whose mother was an Italian) and of a Spanish gypsy princess,

is a wonderful conception. When the Author speaks, as he does

constantly, of things Catholic (notably the religious life and

the Blessed Sacrament) he does so not only correctly but in a

reverential and understanding spirit. The one exception is the

character of Father O’Herlihy, which is offensive to Catholic

feeling, and unnatural. The moral tone throughout is high. One

of the episodes is the seduction of a peasant girl, but it is

dealt with delicately and without suggestiveness.

=BANIM, John and Michael “The O’Hara Family.”= John Banim (1798-1842) and

Michael Banim (1796-1876) worked together, and bear a close resemblance

to one another in style and in the treatment of their material; but the

work of John is often gloomy and tragic; that of Michael has more humour,

and is brighter. They have both a tendency to be melodramatic, and can

picture well savage and turbulent passion. They have little lightness of

humour or literary delicacy of touch, but they often write with vigour

and great realistic power. The object with which the “O’Hara” Tales were

written is thus stated by Michael Banim: “To insinuate, through fiction,

the causes of Irish discontent and insinuate also that if crime were

consequent on discontent, it was no great wonder; the conclusion to be

arrived at by the reader, not by insisting on it on the part of the

Author, but from sympathy with the criminals.”

P. J. Kenedy, of New York, publishes an edition of the Banims’

works in ten volumes at seven dollars the set.

=BANIM, John.=

⸺ JOHN DOE; or, The Peep o’ Day. 1825.

The story of a young man who, for revenge, joins the

Shanavests, a secret society, terrible alike to landlord,

tithe-proctor, and even priest. The first of the _Tales by the

O’Hara Family_, republished separately by _Simms & M’Intyre_,

1853; and _Routledge_, _n.d._

⸺ THE FETCHES. (_Duffy_). [1825].

A gloomy story, turning on the influence of superstitious

imaginations on two nervous and high-strung minds. The fetch is

the spirit of a person about to die said to appear to friends.

The story is somewhat lightened by the introduction of two

farcical characters.

⸺ THE NOWLANS. Pp. 256 (close print). [1826], 1853, &c.

The temptation and fall of a young priest, resulting in misery

which leads to repentance. Contains some of Banim’s most

powerful scenes.

⸺ PETER OF THE CASTLE. Pp. 191. (_Duffy_). [1826].

A sensational and romantic tale. The opening chapters (by

Michael Banim) give a detailed description of country

matchmaking and marriage festivities at the time, c. 1770.

⸺ THE BOYNE WATER. Pp. 564. (_Duffy_). 2_s._ [1826]. Many editions since.

In this great novel, which is closely modelled on Scott, scene

after scene of the great drama of the Williamite Wars passes

before the reader. Every detail of scenery and costume is

carefully reproduced. Great historical personages mingle in the

action. The two rival kings with all their chief generals are

represented with remarkable vividness. Then there are Sarsfield

and Rev. George Walker, Galloping O’Hogan the Rapparee, Carolan

the bard, and many others. The politics and other burning

questions of the day are thrashed out in the conversations.

The intervals of the great historical events are filled by the

adventures of the fictitious characters, exciting to the verge

of sensationalism, finely told, though the _deus ex machina_

is rather frequently called in, and the dialogue is somewhat

old-fashioned. The wild scenery of the Antrim coast is very

fully described, also the scenes through which Sarsfield passed

on his famous ride. The standpoint is Catholic and Jacobite,

but great efforts are made to secure historical fairness. The

book ends with the Treaty of Limerick.

⸺ THE ANGLO-IRISH OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. Three Vols. (_Colburn_).

[1828]. Republ. in one volume by Duffy in 1865 under title _Lord

Clangore_.

Opens in London. Several members of Anglo-Irish Society are

introduced—the Minister (Castlereagh) and the Secretary (Wilson

Croker). There are long disquisitions on Emancipation, the

conversion of the peasantry, &c. Gerald Blount, younger son of

an Irish peer, has all the anti-Irish bias of this set. Flying

after a duel he reaches Ireland, where he has many exciting

adventures with the Rockites. Finally he succeeds to the title

and settles down. The “double” (or mistaken identity) plays

a part in this story, as in so many of Banim’s. A meeting of

the Catholic Association with O’Connell and Shiel debating is

finely described, also a Dublin dinner-party, at which Scott’s

son appears. The early part is somewhat tedious, but the later

scenes are powerful.

⸺ THE CONFORMISTS. Pp. 202. (_Duffy_). [1829].

Period: reign of George II. A very singular story, whose

interest centres in the denial under the Penal Laws of the

right of education to Catholics. A young man, crossed in love,

resolves to become a “conformist” or pervert, and thus at once

disgrace his family, and oust his father from the property.

⸺ THE DENOUNCED; or, The Last Baron of Crana. Pp. 235. (_Duffy_). [1826].

(_Colburn_). 1830. (N.Y.: _Benziger_). 0.75.

Deals with the fortunes of two Catholic families in the period

immediately following the Treaty of Limerick. Depicts their

struggles to practise their religion, and the vexations they

had to undergo at the hands of hostile Protestants. The tale

abounds in incident, often sensational. There is a good deal in

the story about the Rapparees.

⸺ THE CHANGELING. Three Vols. Pp. 315 + 350 + 414. (LONDON). 1848.

Published anonymously. Preface tells us it was written some

few years before date of publication. Scene: City of Galway

and Connemara (including Aran). The main plot is concerned

with the mystery surrounding the heir of Ballymagawley, got

out of the way in early childhood by the present owner, Mr.

Whaley, but returning in disguise to claim his rights. The

interest is threefold:—First, Mr. Whaley’s awful secret unknown

to the daughter, whom he loves with his whole soul, and who

returns his love, and the desperate efforts he makes to avert

the revelation; 2nd, the study of character: Clara Whaley,

high-souled, intellectual, unworldly, scorning fashion and

flirtation, the astute worldly intellectual Hon. Augustus

Foster, the empty-headed Miss Fosters and so on; 3rd, a series

of quite admirable and amusing vignettes of the _petite

bourgeoisie_ of Galway—the vulgar and showy Mrs. Heffernan

with her absurd accent, the match-making Mrs. Flanagan (an

inimitable portrait), the mischief-making Peter Harry Joe,

Considine the Butler, the consequential Captain O’Connor, and

the endless flirtations of the marriageable young ladies. The

peasantry are well drawn, but it is quite an outside view

of their life. The conversations are clever, but sometimes

tediously long, as are also the Author’s reflections.

=BANIM, Michael.=

⸺ CROHOORE OF THE BILLHOOK. (_Duffy_). [1825].

Has been a very popular book. The action lies in one of the

darkest periods of Irish history, when the peasantry, crushed

under tithe-proctor, middleman, and Penal laws, retorted by the

savage outrages of the secret societies. One of these latter

was the “Whiteboys,” with the doings of which this book largely

deals. The Author does not justify outrage, but explains it by

a picture of the conditions of which it was an outcome. A dark

and terrible story. The scene is Kilkenny and neighbourhood. It

must be added that most of the characters savour strongly of

what is now known as the “stage Irishman.”

⸺ THE CROPPY. Pp. 420. (_Duffy_). 2_s._ Still reprinted. [1828].

Opens with a long and serious historical introduction. There

follow many pages of a love story of the better classes which

is, perhaps, not very convincing. Samples of the outrages by

which the people were driven to revolt are given. Then there

are many scenes from the heart of the rebellion itself, some

of them acquired from conversation with eye-witnesses. The

attitude is that of a mild Nationalist, or rather Liberal,

contemplating with sorrow not unmixed with contempt the savage

excesses of his misguided countrymen. The rebellion is shown

in its vulgarest and least romantic aspect, and there are

harrowing descriptions of rebel outrages on Vinegar Hill and

elsewhere. The one noble or even respectable character in the

book, Sir Thomas Hartley, is represented as in sympathy with

constitutional agitation, but utterly abhorring rebellion. The

other chief actors in the story are unattractive. They have

no sympathy with the insurgents, and the parts they play are

connected merely accidentally with the rebellion. There is much

movement and spirit in the descriptive portions.

⸺ THE MAYOR OF WINDGAP. Pp. 190. (_Duffy_). [1834].

Romantic and sensational—attempted murders, abductions, &c. Not

suitable for the young. Interest and mystery well sustained.

Scene: Kilkenny in 1779. There was a Paris edition, 1835.

⸺ THE BIT O’ WRITING.

This is the title-story of a volume of stories. First published

in London, 1838. It may be taken as typical of Michael Banim’s

humour at his best. It is a gem of story-telling, and, besides,

a very close study of the ways and the talk of the peasantry.

The “ould admiral,” with his sailor’s lingo, is most amusing.

It was republished along with another story, _The Ace of

Clubs_, by Gill, in a little volume of the O’Connell Press

Series, pp. 144, cloth, 6_d._, 1886. The original volume, with

twenty stories, is still published by Kenedy, New York.

⸺ FATHER CONNELL. Pp. 358. [1840].

The scene is Kilkenny. The hero is an Irish country priest. The

character, modelled strictly (see Pref.) on that of a priest

well known to the author, is one of the noblest in fiction.

He is the ideal Irish priest, almost childlike in simplicity,

pious, lavishly charitable, meek and long-suffering, but

terrible when circumstances roused him to action. Interwoven

with his life-story is that of Neddy Fennell, his orphan

protégé, brave, honest, generous, loyal. Father Connell is

his ministering angel, warding off suffering and disaster,

saving him also from himself. The last scene, where, to save

his protégé from an unjust judicial sentence, Father Connell

goes before the Viceroy, and dies at his feet, is a piece of

exquisite pathos. There is an element of the sombre and the

terrible. But the greater part of the book sparkles with a

humour at once so kindly, so homely, and so delicate, that

the reader comes to love the Author so revealed. The episodes

depict many aspects of Irish life. The character-drawing is

masterly, as the best critics have acknowledged. There is Mrs.

Molloy, Father Connell’s redoubtable housekeeper; Costigan,

the murderer and robber; Mary Cooney, the poor outcast and her

mother, the potato-beggar; and many more. The Author faithfully

reproduces the talk of the peasants, and enters into their

point of view. Acknowledged to be the most pleasing of the

Banims’ novels.

⸺ THE GHOST HUNTER AND HIS FAMILY. (_Simms & M’Intyre_). [1833]. 1852.

Still published by P. J. Kenedy, New York: 75 cents. An

intricate plot skilfully worked out, never flagging, and with a

mystery admirably sustained to the end. Gives curious glimpses

of the life of the times (early nineteenth century), as seen

in a provincial town (Kilkenny). But the style often offends

against modern taste. The book soon turns to rather crude, if

exciting, melodrama. Moreover, though the Author is always on

the side of morality, there is too much about abduction, &c.,

and too many references to the loose morals of the day to make

it suitable reading for certain classes.

⸺ THE TOWN OF THE CASCADES. Two Vols. Pp. 283 + 283. (_Chapman & Hall_).

1864.

Scene: sea-board town in West. A powerful story in which the

chief interest is a tragedy brought about by drink. The town

seems to be Ennistymon, Co. Clare. The characters belong to the

peasant class, and of course are drawn with thorough knowledge.

The work could easily go in one not very large volume.

=“BAPTIST, Father”= _see_ =Mgr. R. B. O’BRIEN=.

=BARBOUR, M. F.=

⸺ THE IRISH ORPHAN BOY IN A SCOTTISH HOME. Pp. 87. (LONDON). [1866]. 1872.

“A sequel to ‘The Way Home,’ &c.” A little religious tract

(Protestant) in story form.

=BARDAN, Patrick.=

⸺ THE DEAD-WATCHERS. Pp. 83. (MULLINGAR: _Office of_ WESTMEATH GUARDIAN).

1891.

“And other Folk-lore Tales of Westmeath.” The author is a

member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries. Intended as a

contribution to folk-lore. But the title-story (54 pp.) is a

fantastic story told in melodramatic modern English, and has

little or no connexion with folk-lore. The remainder consists

of ghost stories, spirit-warnings, superstitions, chiefly of

local interest. Appended are a few explanatory notes of some

value.

=BARLOW, Jane.=

⸺ IRISH IDYLLS. Pp. 284. (_Hodder & Stoughton_). 6_s._ [1892]. Ninth ed.

(N.Y.: _Dodd & Mead_). 2.00. 1908.

Doings at Lisconnell, a poverty-stricken little hamlet, lost

amidst a waste of unlovely bogland. These sketches have been

well described as “saturated with the pathos of elementary

tragedy.” Yet there is humour, too, and even fun, as in the

story of how the shebeeners tricked the police. The illustrated

edition contains about thirty exceptionally good reproductions

of photographs of Western life and scenery.

⸺ KERRIGAN’S QUALITY. Pp. 254. (_Hodder & Stoughton_). 6_s._ Eight

Illustr. [1893]. (N.Y.: _Pratt_). 1.75. Second edition.

In this story the peasants only appear incidentally. The main

characters are Martin Kerrigan, a returned Irish-Australian;

the invalid Lady O’Connor; her son, Sir Ben; and her niece,

Merle. The story is one of intense, almost hopeless, sadness,

yet it is ennobling in a high degree. It is full of exquisite

scraps of description.

⸺ STRANGERS AT LISCONNELL. Pp. 341. (_Hodder & Stoughton_). 6_s._ [1895].

(N.Y.: _Pratt_). 1.75.

A second series of Irish Idylls, showing the Author’s

qualities in perhaps a higher degree even than the first. A

more exquisite story than “A Good Turn” it would be hard to

find. Throughout there is the most thorough sympathy with the

poor folk. The peasant dialect is never rendered so as to

appear vulgar or absurd. It is full of an endless variety of

picturesqueness and quaint turns. No problems are discussed,

yet the all but impossibility of life under landlordism is

brought out (see p. 15). There are studies of many types

familiar in Irish country life—the tinkers; Mr. Polymathers,

the pedagogue (a most pathetic figure); Mad Bell, the crazy

tramp; and Con the “Quare One.” It should be noted that, though

there is in Miss Barlow’s stories much pathos, there is an

entire absence of emotional gush.

⸺ MAUREEN’S FAIRING. Pp. 191. (_Dent_). Six Illustr., of no great value.

[1895]. (N.Y.: _Macmillan_). 0.75.

Eight little stories reprinted from various magazines in a very

dainty little volume. Like all of Jane Barlow’s stories, they

tell of the “tear and the smile” in lowly peasant lives, with

graceful humour or simple, tender pathos. The stories are very

varied in kind.

⸺ MRS. MARTIN’S COMPANY. (_Dent_). Uniform with _Maureen’s Fairing_.

[1896]. (N.Y.: _Macmillan_). 0.75.

“Seven stories, chiefly of a light and humorous kind, very

tender in their portrayal of the hearts of the poor. There

is a touching sketch of child-life and a police-court

comedy.”—(_Baker_).

⸺ FROM THE EAST UNTO THE WEST. Pp. 342. (_Methuen_). 1_s._ 8vo. Cloth.

First ed., 1898; new ed., 1905.

The first six of this collection of fifteen stories are tales

of foreign lands—Arabia, Greece, and others. The remainder deal

with Irish peasant life. They tell of the romance and pathos

that is hidden in lives that seem most commonplace. “The Field

of the Frightful Beasts” is a pretty little story of childish

fancies. “An Advance Sheet” is weird and has a tragic ending.

⸺ FROM THE LAND OF THE SHAMROCK. Pp. 318. (_Methuen_). 5_s._ (N.Y.:

_Pratt_). 1.75. 1900. (N.Y.: _Dodd & Mead_). 1.50.

Fourteen stories, some humorous, some pathetic, including some

of the author’s best work. There is the usual sympathetic

insight into the eccentricities and queernesses of the minds

of the peasant class, but little about the higher spiritual

qualities of the people, for that is not the author’s province.

Among the most amusing of the sketches is that which tells the

doings of a young harum-scarum, the terror of his elders.

⸺ THE FOUNDING OF FORTUNES. Pp. 335. (_Methuen_). 1_s._ Cloth. 8vo.

[1902]. New ed. 1906.

The tale of how Timothy Galvin, a ragged urchin living in

a mud cabin and remarkable only for general dishonesty and

shrewd selfishness, is given a start in life by an ill-gotten

purse, and rises by his mother wit to wealth. The study of the

despicable character of the parvenu is clever and unsparing.

Other types are introduced, the landlord of the old type,

and two reforming landlords, who appear also in _Kerrigan’s

Quality_. The book displays Jane Barlow’s qualities to the full.

⸺ BY BEACH AND BOGLAND. Pp. 301. (_Fisher Unwin_). 6_s._ One Illustr.

1905.

Seventeen stories up to the level of the author’s best, the

usual vein of quiet humour, the pathos that is never mawkish,

the perfect accuracy of the conversations, and the faithful

portrayal of characteristics. The study in “A Money-crop

at Lisconnell,” of the struggle between the Widow M’Gurk’s

deep-rooted Celtic pride and her kind heart, is most amusing.

As usual, there are delightful portraits of children.

⸺ IRISH NEIGHBOURS. Pp. 342. (_Hutchinson_). 1907.

Seventeen stories of Irish life, chiefly among the peasantry.

They have all Miss Barlow’s wonted sympathy and insight, her

quiet humour and cheerful outlook.

⸺ IRISH WAYS. Pp. 262. (_George Allen_). 15_s._ Sq. demy 8vo. Sixteen

Illustr. in colour. Headpieces to chapters. 1909.

Chapter I., “Ourselves and Our Island,” gives the author’s

thoughts about Ireland, its outward aspect, the peculiarities

of its social life, its soul. It includes an exquisite

pen-picture of Irish landscape beauty. The remaining fourteen

sketches are “chapters from the history of some Irish country

folk,” whom she describes as “social, pleasure-loving,

keen-witted,” but “prone to melancholy and mysticism.” The last

sketch is a picture, almost photographic in its fidelity, of

a little out-of-the-way country town and its neighbourhood.

The illustrations are pretty, and the artist, who, unlike many

illustrators of Irish books, has evidently been in Ireland, has

made a great effort to include in his pictures as much local

colour as possible. Yet it seems to us that un-Irish traits

often intrude themselves despite him.

⸺ FLAWS. Pp. 344. (_Hutchinson_). 6_s._ 1911.

Embroidered upon an exceptionally involved plot—four times we

are introduced to a wholly new set of characters—we have the

author’s usual qualities, minute observation and depiction of

curious aspects of character, snatches of clever picturesque

conversation, an occasional vivid glimpse of nature. But in

this case the caste is made up of spiteful, petty, small-minded

and generally disagreeable personages. They are nearly all

drawn from the middle and upper classes in the South of

Ireland, Protestant and Anglicized. The snobbishness, petty

jealousies, selfishness of some of these people is set forth

in a vein of satire. The incidents include an unusually tragic

suicide.

⸺ MAC’S ADVENTURES. (_Hutchinson_). 6_s._ 1911.

Eight stories in which Mac, or rather Macartney Valentine

O’Neill Barry, who is four years old in the first and six in

the last, plays a leading part. Indeed he is quite a little

_deus ex machina_, or rather a good fairy in the affairs of his

elders. Mac is neither a paragon nor a youthful prodigy. He

is just a natural child, with a child’s love of mischief and

“grubbiness,” and full of quaint sayings. Bright and genial in

tone.—(_Press Notices_).

⸺ DOINGS AND DEALINGS. Pp. 314. (_Hutchinson_). 6_s._ 1913.

Thirteen stories, all but one (the longest) dealing with

peasant life in the author’s wonted manner. Perhaps scarcely so

good as some of her earlier collections.

⸺ A CREEL OF IRISH STORIES. (_Methuen_). 1_s._ Cloth. 8vo. (N.Y.: _Dodd &

Mead_). 1.25.

The first of these, “The Keys of the Chest,” is a curious

and original conception, showing with what strange notions a

child grew up in a lonely mansion by the sea. The story of the

suicide is a gem of story-telling. “Three Pint Measures” is a

comic sketch of low Dublin life.

⸺ ANOTHER CREEL OF IRISH STORIES. Published, I believe, in U.S.A. (On

sale by _Pratt_: N.Y.). 1.75.

=[BARRETT, J. G.], “Erigena.”=

⸺ EVELYN CLARE; or, The Wrecked Homesteads. Pp. viii. + 274. (DERBY:

_Richardson_). 1870.

“An Irish story of love and landlordism.” Crude melodrama with

all the usual accessories—a landlord, “Lord Ironhoof,” and an

agent, “Gore”—eviction, agrarian murders, a disguised priest,

and secret Mass, a poteen still, an elopement, a changeling

brought up in wealth, a lover supposed drowned, and an innocent

man unjustly convicted. No sense of reality. Scene: West of

Ireland, _c._ 1850. Several anachronisms.

=BARRINGTON, F. Clinton.=

⸺ FITZ-HERN; or, The Irish Patriot Chief. Pp. 122. (GLASGOW: _Cameron &

Ferguson_). _n.d._

Scene: Galway Bay. Crude melodrama, without historical

significance. Wicked married bishops, scheming foreign monks,

and coarse fat friars are the villains of the piece. But

the hero, a smuggler of noble birth, always escapes from

their clutches, and finally marries the heroine. Specimen of

dialect:—“Arrah, gorrah, avic, father John, it’s the Pope o’

Rome ye bate, out and out.” (p. 13).

=BARRON, Percy.=

⸺ THE HATE FLAME. Pp. 382. (_Hodder & Stoughton_). 6_s._ 1908.

The story of a noble life wrecked by racial hatred. The hero,

a young Englishman, Jack Bullen, fights a duel, in Heidelberg,

with an Irish student, and kills him. This deed comes in after

years between him and the Irish girl (cousin of the slain

student, and pledged against her will to vengeance by his

father) whom he was to marry—and this through the plotting of

her rejected lover and a priest. Bullen had, for the upraising

of the Irish people, started a great peat factory in Ireland,

and it had prospered. This work is wrecked by the same agency

that ruins his private happiness. Throughout the book the

Author attacks all the cherished ideas of Irish Nationalism and

of the present Irish revival, and sets over against them the

ideals of England and his personal views. Much bitterness is

shown against the priests of Ireland. The scene-painting and

the handling of situation and of narrative are very clever.

There is nothing objectionable from a moral point of view.

=BARRY, Canon William, D.D.= Born in London, 1849. Educated at

Oscott and Rome. He is a man of very wide learning, a theologian and

a man-of-letters, known in literature both by his novels (_The New

Antigone_, &c.) and by important historical and religious works. Is now

Rector of St. Peter’s, Leamington.

⸺ THE WIZARD’S KNOT. Pp. 376. (_Unwin_). 6_s._ Second ed. (N.Y.:

_Pratt_). 3.00. 1900.

Dedicated to Douglas Hyde and Standish Hayes O’Grady. Scene:

coast of South-west Cork during famine times, of which some

glimpses are shown. There is a slight embroidery of Irish

legend and a good deal about superstition, but the incidents,

characters, and conversations have little, if any, relation

to real life in Ireland. It is mainly a study of primitive

passions. It might be described as a dream of a peculiarly

“creepy” and morbid kind. It is wholly unlike the Author’s _New

Antigone_.

=BAYNE, Marie.=

⸺ FAIRY STORIES FROM ERIN’S ISLE. Pp. 131. (_Sands_). 2_s._ 6_d._ net.

Illustr. by Mabel Dawson and John Petts. 1908.

Pretty and attractive picture-cover. Six little stories told

in pretty, poetic style, one about a fairy changeling, another

about the mermaids. The “Luck of the Griddle Darner” is in

pleasant swinging verse. So is the “Sleep of Earl Garrett.”

Though intended for small children, none of the stories are

silly.

=BENNETT, Louie.= Born in Dublin, educated there by private tuition and

in London. Has done some journalistic work, but is chiefly interested

in social questions, in particular the woman’s movement and pacifism.

Resides near Bray, Co. Wicklow.

⸺ THE PROVING OF PRISCILLA. Pp. 303. (_Harper_). 1902.

Scene: varies between Mayo and Dublin. Story of an ill-assorted

marriage. The wife, daughter of a Protestant rector, is a

Puritan of the best type, simple, religious, and sincere. The

husband is a fast man of fashion, who cannot understand her

“prejudices.” After much bickering they part. Troubles fall on

both. In the end his illness brings them together again—each

grown more tolerant. Quiet and simply but well written, with

nothing objectionable in the treatment.

⸺ PRISONER OF HIS WORD, A. Pp. 240. (_Maunsel_). 6_s._ Handsome cover.

1908. New edition. 1s. 1914.

“A tale of real happenings” (sub-title). Opens at Ballynahinch,

Co. Down, in June, 1797. A pleasant, exciting romance, written

in vigorous and nervous style. A young Englishman joins

the Northern rebellion. He pledges himself to avenge his

friend taken after the fight at Ballynahinch, and hanged as

a rebel. The story tells how he carries out the pledge. The

only historical character introduced is Thomas Russell. His

pitiful failure in 1803 to raise another rebellion in Ulster is

related. The little heroine, Kate Maxwell, is finely drawn.

=BERENS, Mrs. E. M.=

⸺ STEADFAST UNTO DEATH. Pp. 275. (_Remington_). Frontisp. by Fairfield.

1880.

“A tale of the Irish famine of to-day.” Period: 1879-80. Place:

Ballinaveen, not far from Cork. Black Hugh, a kind of outlaw

of the mountains is the hero. He had loved Mrs. Sullivan

before she married the drunken, worthless Pat. He promises her

when she is on her deathbed to care for the children she is

leaving, and the worthless husband. Hugh takes the blame of the

latter’s crime, and is hanged in Dublin. The family is rescued

by benevolent English people. A well-told, but very sad story.

The people’s miseries are feelingly depicted. Standpoint of a

kind-hearted Englishwoman who pities, but does not in the least

understand Ireland.

=BERTHET, Elie.=

⸺ DERNIER IRLANDAIS, LE. Three Vols. 16mo. (BRUXELLES: _Meline_). 1851.

Ireland in the eighteen forties. Abortive rising under one of

the O’Byrnes of Wicklow (_Le dernier Irlandais_). O’Connell

looms in the background as the opponent of all this. The

rebellion, which at once fizzles out, is the result of an

insult to O’Byrne’s sister by a _roué_ named Clinton. O’B.

flies to Cunnemara (_sic_) with Nelly Avondale, daughter of the

landlord of Glendalough, is besieged there in a fortress. Nelly

returns to marry the above-mentioned _roué_ and O’B. flies.

The Author is evidently not consciously hostile to Ireland,

but he is totally ignorant of it. The peasants are travestied.

They are all drunkards, slovenly, sly, mean, lawless. Some

descriptions of scenery in Wicklow and Connemara.

=BERTHOLDS, Mrs. W. M.=

⸺ CONNOR D’ARCY’S STRUGGLES. (N.Y.: _Benziger_). 2_s._ 1914.

=BESTE, Henry Digby, 1768-1836.= Son of the prebendary of Lincoln. Became

a Catholic 1798. An interesting biographical sketch of him (largely

autobiographical) is prefixed to the novel here noticed. It includes a

full account of his conversion.

⸺ POVERTY AND THE BARONET’S FAMILY: An Irish Catholic Novel. Pp. xxxii. +

415. (LONDON: _Jones_). 1845.

Bryan O’Meara, son of a poor Irish migratory labourer, is

educated as a gentleman by Sir Cecil Foxglove, of Denham,

near Grantham, in gratitude for the rescue of his child by

Bryan’s father. Coming to man’s estate, and being refused by

the Baronet’s daughter he returns to his father’s people at

Athlone, where for some time he plays at being a farmer’s

lad—and at rebellion. But a fortunate chance puts great

wealth into his hands, and he returns to marry the Baronet’s

daughter. Interesting glimpses of Catholic life in penal days

(the story opens in 1805) when Catholicism was at the lowest

ebb in England. The DUBLIN REVIEW says (1848, Vol. xxiv., p.

239): “The hero is a pious pedant, a truculent fellow, and a

self-conceited proser. The story itself is purposeless; bitter

in sentiment, and swamped in never-ending small-talk.” The

“small-talk,” however is, if anything, over-serious and moral.

=“BIRMINGHAM, George A.”= Rev. James Owen Hannay, M.A., Canon of St.

Patrick’s Cathedral (1912). Born 1865, son of Rev. Robert Hannay, vicar

of Belfast. Educated at Temple Grove, East Sheen; Haileybury; T.C.D.

Curate of Delgany, Co. Wicklow. Rector of Westport, 1892-1913. Has

resigned this cure in order to devote himself to literature. Is a member

of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. He has shown himself

equally at home in political satire, humorous fiction and historical

fiction. He is in sympathy with the ideals of the Gaelic League, and

has actively shown this sympathy. He seems on the whole Nationalist in

his views, but has nothing in common with the Parliamentary Party. His

earlier books showed strong aversion for the Catholic Church, but, except

perhaps in _Hyacinth_, he has never striven to represent it in an odious

light, and he is an enemy of all intolerance.

⸺ THE SEETHING POT. Pp. 299. (_Arnold_). 6_s._ 1904.

Main theme: the apparently hopeless embroilment of politics

and ideas in Ireland. Many aspects of Irish questions and

conditions of life are dealt with. Many of the characters are

types of contemporary Irish life, some are thinly disguised

portraits of contemporary Irishmen, _e.g._, Dennis Browne,

poet, æsthete, egoist; Desmond O’Hara, journalistic freelance

(said to be modelled on Standish O’Grady); Sir Gerald

Geoghegan, nationalist landlord; John O’Neill, the Irish

leader, who is deserted by his party and ruined by clerical

influence; and many others. All this is woven into a romance

with a love interest and a good deal of incident.

⸺ HYACINTH. (_Arnold_). 6_s._ 1906.

An account, conveyed by means of a slight plot, of contemporary

movements and personages in Ireland. Most of these are

satirized and even caricatured, especially “Robeen” Convent, by

which seemed to be meant Foxford Mills, directed by the Sisters

of Charity (see NEW IRELAND REVIEW, March, 1906). A grasping,

unscrupulous selfishness is represented to be one of the chief

characteristics of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

⸺ THE BAD TIMES. Pp. 312. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ [1907]. New edition, 1_s._

1914.

Period: chiefly Isaac Butt’s Home Rule movement. Stephen

Butler, representative of a landlord family of strong

Nationalist sympathies, determines to work for Ireland. He

joins the Home Rule Party, but he hates agrarian outrage, and

so, through the Land League, becomes unpopular in his district

in spite of all he has done. The author introduces types of

nearly every class of men then influential in Ireland: a priest

who favours and a priest who opposes the new agrarian movement,

an incurably narrow-minded English R.M., an old Fenian, and so

on. The impression one draws from the whole is much the same

as that of the _Seething Pot_. The Author’s views are strongly

National, and there is no bitter word against any class of

Irishmen, _except_ the present Parliamentary Party.

⸺ BENEDICT KAVANAGH. Pp. 324. (_Arnold_). 6_s._ 1907.

Dedication in Irish. Foreword in which the Author states that

by “Robeen” Convent he did not intend Foxford (cf. _Hyacinth_).

A criticism of Irish political life, free from rancour, and

from injustice to any particular class of Irishmen, showing

strong sympathy for the Gaelic League, and all it stands for.

The hero is left at the parting of the ways, with the choice

before him of “respectability” and ease, or work for Ireland.

The book should set people asking why is it that Irishmen—no

matter what their creed or politics—cannot work together for

their common country?

⸺ THE NORTHERN IRON. Pp. 320. (_Maunsel_). Bound in Irish linen. 1907.

New ed. at 1_s._, 1909. Cheap ed. (_Everett_), 7_d._, 1912.

Scene: Antrim; a few incidents of the rising woven into a

thrilling and powerful romance. Splendid portraits—the United

Irishmen James Hope, Felix Matier, and Micah Ward, the loyal

Lord Dunseverick, chivalrous and fearless, Finlay the Informer,

and others. Vivid presentment of the feelings and ideas of

the time, without undue bias, yet enlisting all the reader’s

sympathies on the side of Ireland.

⸺ SPANISH GOLD. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ 1908. Cheap ed., 1_s._ (N.Y.:

_Doran_). 1.20.

A comedy of Irish life, full of the most amusing situations.

Scene: a lonely island off the coast of Connaught, in which

treasure is hidden. The action consists of the adventures of

various people who come to the island—an Irish chief secretary,

a retired colonel, a baronet, a librarian, a Catholic priest,

and a Protestant curate. This last, the Rev. J. J. Meldon, is

a most original creation. There are touches of social satire

throughout, but without bitterness or offensiveness.

⸺ THE SEARCH PARTY. Pp. 316. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ 1909. (N.Y.: _Doran_).

1.20.

“How a mad Anarchist made bombs in a lonely house on the west

coast of Ireland, and imprisoned the local doctor for fear lest

he should reveal the secret. Mr. Birmingham’s irresponsible

gaiety and the knowledge of Irish character revealed in

his more serious fiction carry the farce along at a fine

pace.”—(TIMES LIT. SUPPL.).

⸺ LALAGE’S LOVERS. Pp. 312. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ (N.Y.: _Doran_). 1.20.

1911.

The main idea—in so far as the book is serious—may be stated

thus:—How much can one young person (aetat 14 _sqq._) of

perfect candour and fearlessness do to upset the peace of

comfortable people, who are jogging along in the ruts of

convention and compromise. Lalage begins with her governess,

then tries the bench of bishops, but causes most consternation

by disturbing an election with her Association for the

Suppression of Public Lying. The whole is full of fun and

laughter. L. has been well described as “an especially

enterprising and slangy schoolboy in skirts.”

⸺ THE MAJOR’S NIECE. Pp. 302. (_Smith, Elder_). 6_s._ 1911.

Rev. J. J. Meldon in new situations. Major Kent expects from

Australia a grown-up niece, who turns out to be a naughty

little girl of ten. Mr. Meldon had made innumerable plans for

the reception and treatment of the young lady. How does he face

the new situation? There are capital minor characters—Doyle the

hotel keeper, and Father MacCormack, and the housekeeper, Mrs.

O’Halloran.

⸺ THE SIMPKINS PLOT. Pp. 384. (_Nelson_). 2_s._ net. (N.Y.: _Doran_).

1.20. 1911.

Scene: “Ballymoy.” Problem: how to get rid of Simpkins, a

meddlesome busybody. The interest of the plot mainly turns

on the amusing manœuvres of Rev. J. J. Meldon (the hero of

_Spanish Gold_) to marry Simpkins to a mysterious “Miss King,”

a lady supposed to be identical with a Mrs. Lorimer, recently

acquitted, against the opinion of the Judge, of the murder

of her husband. Full throughout of fun, clever talk, and

deftly sketched character study. Sabina Gallagher, Sir Gilbert

Hawksby, and Major Kent are all well done, and there is no

mistaking the nationalities.

⸺ THE INVIOLABLE SANCTUARY. Pp. 370. (_Nelson_). 2_s._ 1912.

How Frank Mannix comes for vacation to Rosnacree (in the

wildest west of Ireland) in all the glory and dignity of a

Haileybury prefect. How, owing to a sprained ankle, he is

obliged to spend the time sailing in the bay with Priscilla,

his fifteen-year-old madcap cousin. How various exciting

adventures follow, including the finding, in most unexpected

and comical circumstances, by a Cabinet Minister of his

daughter, who had eloped with a clergyman, and how Frank and

Priscilla were responsible for the reconciliation. Told with

all the Author’s sense of fun and _flair_ for comic situations.

But why must _all_ Irish peasants appear as liars?

⸺ THE RED HAND OF ULSTER. Pp. 318. (_Smith, Elder_). 6_s._ Cheap ed.,

6_d._ 1912.

How an Irish-American millionaire runs a revolution in Ireland,

sweeping into his plans the rabid Orangemen, who are in deadly

earnest, the Tory M.P. who only meant to bluff, and members of

the Irish Tory aristocracy who meant nothing in particular.

Of this class is poor Lord Kilmore, who tells the story, and

was an unwilling actor in the whole business. The book is a

mixture of shrewd satire (_e.g._, Babberley, M.P., the Dean,

and McConkey) in which all parties receive their share, and of

Gilbertian extravaganza. The _dénouement_ is both amusing and

unexpected.

⸺ DOCTOR WHITTY. Pp. 320. (_Methuen_). 6_s._ 1913.

Types and humours of a west Connaught village—the P.P., the

Protestant Rector, Colonel Beresford, Thady Glynn, proprietor

of “The Imperial Hotel,” chairman of the League, and popular

demagogue, J.P., general philosopher, and “ipse dixit” of the

village, and then the Doctor himself, genial, sociable, “all

things to all men” to an extent that gets him into fixes, and

that is not easily reconcilable with the moral order. There are

broadly comical situations from which the Doctor extricates

himself, and emerges radiant as ever. The seamy side of Irish

life is depicted in the Author’s usual vein of satire.

⸺ GENERAL JOHN REGAN. Pp. 324. (_Hodder & Stoughton_) 6_s._ Second ed.,

1913.

A very slight plot, centering in the erection of a statue to

an imaginary native of Ballymoy. The real interest lies in the

Author’s satirical pictures of Irish life, and in his humorous

delineations of such types as Dr. O’Grady, Doyle the dishonest

hotel-keeper, Major Kent, whom we have met in _Spanish Gold_,

Thady Gallagher, the editor of the local paper, and a rather

undignified and not wholly honest P.P. The thesis, if there

be any, would seem to be that the Irishman is so clever and

humorous that he will allow himself to be gulled, and will even

gull himself for the pleasure of gulling others.

⸺ MINNIE’S BISHOP, and Other Stories of Ireland. Pp. 320. (_Hodder &

Stoughton_). 6_s._ 1915.

Not all of these stories deal with Ireland, and those that do

are very varied in character. Some are in the Author’s most

humorous vein, others are more serious in tone. In several he

pokes fun at Government methods in the West, and some show the

comic side of gun-running, despatch-riding, and other Volunteer

activities. In the background, at times, is a vision of the

hopeless poverty of the Western peasant’s lot.

=BLACK, William.= Born in Glasgow, 1841. One of the foremost of

English nineteenth century novelists. Published his first novel 1864;

thirty-three others appeared before his death in 1898, at Brighton, where

he had long resided.

⸺ SHANDON BELLS. Pp. 428. (_Sampson, Low_). 2_s._ 6_d._ [1883]. (N.Y.:

_Harper_). 0.80. New and revised ed. 1893.

Scene: partly in London, partly in city and county of Cork. A

young Irishman goes to London to make his fortune. Disappointed

in his first love, he turns to love of nature. The book has all

the fine qualities of W. Black’s work. Sympathetic references

to Irish life and beautiful descriptions of Irish scenery in

Cork. Willy Fitzgerald, the hero, had for prototype William

Barry, a brilliant young Corkman and a London journalist.

=“BLACKBURNE, E. Owens.”= Elizabeth O. B. Casey, 1848-1894. Born at

Slane, near the Boyne. Lived the first twenty-five years of her life

in Ireland; then went to London to take up journalistic work. In 1869

her first story was accepted, and in the early seventies her _In at

the Death_ (afterwards published as _A Woman Scorned_) appeared in THE

NATION. To the end she used the pen-name “E. Owens Blackburne.” Other

works of hers were _A Modern Parrhasius_, _The Quest of the Heir_,

_Philosopher Push_, _Dean Swift’s Chest_, _The Love that Loves alway_.

“Her stories are mostly occupied with descriptions of Irish peasant life,

in which she was so thoroughly at home that she has been compared to

Carleton. They are for the most part dramatic and picturesque; and she

understood well the art of weaving a plot which should hold the reader’s

interest.”—(_Irish Lit._).

⸺ A WOMAN SCORNED. Three Vols. (_Tinsley_). [1876]. Also one Vol.

(_Moxon_). 1878.

Out-at-elbows Irish household—upper class—brother, sister, and

young step-sister (the heroine) Katherine. Captain Fitzgerald

falls in love with Katherine. The elder sister (the woman

scorned) filled with jealousy plots to marry K. to a rich

elderly suitor. The plot miscarries, and she dies a miserable

death. Scene: near the Boyne. Some good descriptions of river

scenery.

⸺ THE WAY WOMEN LOVE. Three Vols. (_Tinsley_). 1877.

Hugh O’Neill, a Donegal man, after an unsuccessful career as

an artist in London, settles near Weirford (Waterford). He has

two daughters—Moira, handsome, proud of her ancient lineage and

a poet, and Honor, plain and domestic. The story is concerned

with the loves of these two. Local society cleverly hit off.

Local newspapers and their editors come in for a good deal

of banter; several real characters, thinly disguised, being

introduced. Brogue very well done.

⸺ A BUNCH OF SHAMROCKS. Pp. 306. (N.Y.: _Munro_: “_Seaside Library_”).

[1879]. 1883.

A collection of tales and sketches, illustrating for the most

part the gloomier side of the national character, viewed,

apparently, from a Protestant standpoint. In one, “The Priest’s

Boy,” there is much pathos.

⸺ MOLLY CAREW. Three Vols. (_Tinsley_). _n.d._ (1879).

A tale of the unrequited love of an Irish girl of talent, but

of humble origin, for a selfish and ruffianly English author

named Eugene Wolfe. She falls in love with him as a child and

then, in young womanhood, falls still more deeply in love with

the ideal of him which she forms from his books. Nothing can

kill or even daunt this love, and for its sake she undergoes

the supremest sacrifices, but all in vain. The two chief

characters are carefully and consistently drawn, and there are

some dramatic scenes. The action passes chiefly in London,

whither Molly Carew had followed her ideal.

⸺ THE GLEN OF SILVER BIRCHES. Two Vols. (_Remington_). 1880. (N.Y.:

_Harper_). 1881.

Nuala O’Donnell’s extravagant father has mortgaged his estate

in the Donegal Highlands, near Glenvich (The Glen of Silver

Birches). A scheming attorney tries to get the family into his

toils, and to marry N. The scheme is defeated, and N. marries

Thorburn, an English landlord, who has bought the neighbouring

estate. Some good characters, _e.g._, kindly old Aunt Nancy and

N.’s nationalist poet cousin.

⸺ THE HEART OF ERIN: An Irish story of To-day. Three Vols. (N.Y.:

_Munro_: “_Seaside Library_”). [1882]. 1883.

Standish Clinton, a clever speechmaker, raises himself to a

foremost position in Parliament. Getting into higher social

circles he breaks with his faithful Mary Shields. The mystery

of his birth is cleared up in the end, and he succeeds as

lawful heir to the family mansion of the Hardinges. The

campaign of the Land League, with which the Author is in

sympathy, forms the background. The famous letter of Dr. Nulty,

of Meath, is cited as an argument for land reform. Interesting

picture of the peasantry.

=BLAKE-FORSTER, Charles Ffrench.=

⸺ A COLLECTION OF THE OLDEST AND MOST POPULAR LEGENDS OF THE PEASANTRY OF

CLARE AND GALWAY.

⸺ THE IRISH CHIEFTAINS; or, A Struggle for the Crown. Pp. 728, demy 8vo.

(_M’Glashan & Gill_). 1872.

An account, in the form of a tale, of the Williamite Wars, from

the landing of James II. at Kinsale to the surrender of Galway,

with all the battles and sieges (except Derry). Into this is

woven large sections of the family history of the O’Shaughnessy

and Blake-Forster clans of Co. Galway. This latter story

is carried past the Treaty of Limerick down to the final

dispossession of the O’Shaughnessys in 1770. It includes many

episodes in the history of the Irish Brigade in France and of

the history of the period at home (including the Penal Laws and

the doings of the Rapparees). A surprising amount of erudition

drawn from public and private documents is included in the

volume. The notes occupy from p. 429 to 573. An Appendix,

pp. 574 to end, contains many valuable documents, relating

largely to family history, but also to political history. The

standpoint is Jacobite and national.

=“BLAYNEY, Owen,” Robert White.=

⸺ THE MACMAHON; or, The Story of the Seven Johns. Pp. x + 351.

(_Constable_). 6_s._ 1898.

Founded on a County Monaghan tradition. Colonel MacMahon

escaping from the defeat at the Boyne entrusts his infant son

to John M’Kinley, a settler. The boy grows up, falls in love

with M’Kinley’s daughter, and after unsuccessfully pleading

his cause with the father, abducts her. M’Kinley calls to

his aid six other settlers of the name of John, pursues the

fugitives, seizes them, and hangs MacMahon on the windmill at

Carrickmacross. A powerful story giving a faithful picture of

the times. Ulster dialect good.

=[BLENKINSOP, A.]=

⸺ PADDIANA; or, Scraps and Sketches of Irish Life, Past and Present. Two

Vols. (_Bentley_). [1847]. Second ed. 1848.

By the Author (an Englishman, _see_ p. 2) of _A Hot Water

Cure_. Contents:—1. “Mr. Smith’s Irish Love.” 2. “Mick Doolan’s

Head.” 3. “Still-Hunting.” 4. “A Mystery among the Mountains.”

5. “The Adventure of Tim Daley.” 6. “Mrs. Fogarty’s Tea

Party.” 7. “A Quiet Day at Farrellstown.” 8. “A Duel.” 9.

“Mr. H⸺.” 10. “The Old Head of Kinsale.” 11. “Barney O’Hay.”

12. “Headbreaking.” 13. “Cads, Fools, and Beggars.” 14. “The

Mendicity Association.” 15. “The Dog-Fancier.” 16. “Dublin

Carmen.” 17. “Horses.” 18. “Priests: Catholic and Others.”

19. “An Irish Stew.” Vol. II.—1. “Executions.” 2. “Ronayne’s

Ghost.” 3. “The Last Pigtail.” 4. “The Green Traveller.” 5.

“Larry Lynch.” 6. “Potatoes.” Then (pp. 142-275) follows “Irish

History”—scraps from various Irish annals and histories, told

in a facetious and anti-Irish spirit. All the old calumnies are

raked up and set down here. The Author concludes that the Irish

are an uncivilized people, and that their national character

is “a jumble of contradictions.” The stories are told with

considerable verve.

=BLESSINGTON, Countess of.= Marguerite Power, born near Clonmel, 1789,

daughter of Edmund Power and Ellen Sheehy. In 1818 she married the Earl

of Blessington, and became a leader of society in London, afterwards in

Paris, and then again in London. Wrote upwards of thirty books—novels,

travel, reminiscences, &c. Died 1849.

⸺ THE REPEALERS; or, Grace Cassidy. (LONDON). [1833].

“Contains scarcely any plot and few delineations of character,

the greater part being filled with dialogues, criticisms, and

reflections. Her ladyship is sometimes sarcastic, sometimes

moral, and more frequently personal. One female sketch, that of

Grace Cassidy, a young Irish wife, shows that the Author was

most at home among the scenes of her early days.”—(_Chambers’_

CYCLOPÆDIA OF ENGLISH LITERATURE).

⸺ COUNTRY QUARTERS. Three Vols. (LONDON: _Shoberl_). [1850]. Port. Second

ed. 1852.

In Vol. I., pp. iii.-xxiii., memoir of Author by M. A.

P. Scene: South of Ireland (descriptions of Glanmire and

references to Waterford and to the Blackwater), among county

and garrison people. There is a great deal about their

courtships and marriages, much small talk and pages of

reflections. Grace, the heroine, is loved by two officers,

friendly rivals. Mordaunt makes Vernon propose. V. is refused,

but M. is too poor to marry. However, after many vicissitudes,

Grace is united to M. Full of sentimentality.

=BLOOD SMITH, Miss=, _see_ =“DOROTHEA CONYERS.”=

=BODKIN, M. M’Donnell, K.C.=; County Court Judge of Clare since 1907.

Born 1850. Son of Dr. Bodkin, of Tuam, Co. Galway. Educated at Tullabeg

Jesuit College; Catholic University. Was for some years Nationalist

M.P. for North Roscommon. Besides works of fiction, has published an

historical work on Grattan’s Parliament. Resides in Dublin.—(WHO’S WHO).

⸺ POTEEN PUNCH. (_Gill_). 1_s._ 1890.

“After-dinner stories of love-making, fun, and fighting,”

supposed to be told in presence of Lord Carlisle, one of the

Viceroys, in a house at Cong, whither he had been obliged to

go, having been refused a lodging at Maam by order of Lord

Leitrim. The stories are of a very strong nationalist flavour,

some humorous, some pathetic.

⸺ PAT O’ NINE TALES. (_Gill_). 1894. (N.Y.: _Benziger_). 0.90.

Stories of various kinds, all pleasantly told. The first

and longest is a pathetic tale, introducing an eviction

scene vividly described. Among other stories there is “The

Leprachaun,” humorous, and told in dialect; a “ghost” story; a

story of unlooked for evidence at a trial; a tale of Fontenoy,

&c. The last, “The Prodigal Daughter,” is, from its subject,

hardly suitable for certain classes of readers.

⸺ LORD EDWARD FITZGERALD. Pp. 415. (_Chapman & Hall_). 1896.

The story of the earlier years of Lord Edward is woven into the

love-story of one Maurice Blake. Pictures Irish social life

at the time in a lively, vivid way. Hepenstal, the “walking

gallows,” Beresford and his riding school, the infamous

yeomanry and their doings, these are prominent in the book. The

standpoint is strongly national. “History supplies the most

romantic part of this historical romance. The main incidents

of Lord Edward’s marvellous career, even his adoption into

the Indian tribe of the Great Bear, are absolutely true. Some

liberties have, however, been taken with dates.”—(Pref.).

⸺ THE REBELS. Pp. 358. (_Duffy_). 2_s._ [1899]. (N.Y.: _Benziger_). 0.60.

1908.

Sequel to _Lord Edward_. Later years of Lord Edward’s life.

Shows Castlereagh and Clare planning the rebellion. Shows us

Government bribery and dealings with informers. Some glimpses

of the fighting under Father John Murphy, also of Humbert’s

invasion and the Races of Castlebar. A stirring and vigorous

tale, strongly nationalist.

⸺ SHILLELAGH AND SHAMROCK. (_Chatto_). 3_s._ 6_d._ 1902.

Short stories dealing mainly with the wild scenes of old

election days. Pictures of evictions and the old-time

fox-hunting, whiskey-drinking landlord. Always on the peasants’

side. Tales full of voluble humour and “go.” The peasants’ talk

is faithfully and vividly reproduced.

⸺ IN THE DAYS OF GOLDSMITH. Pp. 309. (_Long_). 6_s._ 1903.

A panegyric of Goldsmith, dealing with the part of his

life spent in England. Conversations introducing Reynolds,

Beauclerk, Johnson, etc., the latter’s talk recorded with

Boswellian fidelity. A picture, too, of the life and manners of

the day drawn with such frankness as to render the book unfit

for the perusal of certain classes of readers.

⸺ PATSY THE OMADHAUN. Pp. 260. (_Chatto_). 3_s._ 6_d._ (N.Y.:

_Benziger_). 0.60. 1904.

A dozen short stories, in which the village tailor recounts the

exploits of Patsy, who proves to be by no means the fool he

seems, and extricates himself and his friends from all kinds

of comical situations. All told in broadest brogue. Somewhat

farcical comicality.

⸺ TRUE MAN AND TRAITOR. (_Duffy_). 1910.

The career of Robert Emmet from his Trinity days to his tragic

end, told in the Author’s usual spirited fashion. Emmet is

represented as an able and practical organizer, but the story

of his love for Sarah Curran is not neglected. The historical

facts are thoroughly leavened with romance—Emmet’s perilous

voyage to France in a fishing-hooker, the detailed accounts of

his interviews with Napoleon, the character of Malachi Neelin,

the traitor: these and many other things are blended with the

narrative of real events.

=[BOLES, Agnes], “J. A. P.”=

⸺ THE BELFAST BOY. Pp. 464. (_Nutt_). 5_s._ 1912.

Opens in Belfast during the great riots of twenty-five years

ago. The hero, falsely accused of murder, flees to South

Africa, where he becomes a millionaire, and is known as “The

Belfast Boy.” The heroine, when she is going out to marry him,

omits to mention that she is leaving a son and his father (the

villain) in Belfast. These are conveniently got rid of, one by

lightning, the other by lightning-like small-pox. Several real

persons are introduced as personages in the story. Many of the

incidents are sensational, there is much dialect, and the style

in places is far from refined. An intense love for Belfast and

its surroundings pervades the book.—(_Press Notices_).

=BOVET, Madame.=

⸺ TERRE D’EMERAUDE.

=BOWLES, Emily.=

⸺ IRISH DIAMONDS: A Chronicle of Peterstown. Pp. 219. (_Richardson_).

1864.

A story of landlord and tenant, of illicit distilling, and

of proselytising. A Bible reader, an agent, and the sister

of a landlord are the villains of the piece. Tone strongly

Catholic and anti-Protestant. There is a love interest and a

certain amount of adventure, which are not made subordinate

to the pictures of Souperism. In 1878 a writer in the DUBLIN

REVIEW said of it: “It has not been surpassed since it was

written.... The characters are so well drawn that even those

in barest outline are interesting and individual.... Told in

the brightest, most natural, and most quietly humorous way.”

Miss B. published more than a dozen other books, largely

translations.

=BOYCE, Rev. John, D.D.= [From _Inishowen and Tirconnell_, by W. J.

Doherty]. Born in Donegal, 1810. Ordained, Maynooth, 1837. Emigrated to

U.S.A., 1845. Died 1864. Besides the three novels mentioned in the body

of this work, he published lectures on the Influence of Catholicity on

the Arts and Sciences, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth, Charles

Dickens, Henry Grattan, &c.

⸺ SHANDY MAGUIRE; or, Tricks upon Travellers. (N.Y.: _Pratt_). 1.75.

[1848]. Also (_Richardson_) 1855, and _Warren_, Kilmainham, _n.d._

“First appeared in a Boston periodical, with the pen-name of

Paul Peppergrass. It attracted at once the attention of Bishop

Fenwick of Boston. Dr. Brownson, in his QUARTERLY REVIEW,

pronounced upon the book the highest eulogium, and assigned

to the writer a place equal if not superior to any writers of

Irish romance. _Shandy Maguire_ was recognised by the London

Press and the DUBLIN REVIEW as a work of great merit. It has

been successfully dramatized and translated into German” (from

_Inishowen and Tirconnell_, by W. J. Doherty).

⸺ THE SPAEWIFE: or, The Queen’s Secret. [1853]. Still in print. (BOSTON:

_Marlier_). 1.50.

Begins at Hampton Court. The facility with which Father Boyce

makes Nell Gower, the Scotch Spaewife (a woman gifted with

second sight), discourse in broad Scotch dialect, in contrast

with the stately and imperious language of Elizabeth, displays

an unusual power of transition. No finer character could

be depicted than Alice Wentworth, daughter of Sir Geoffrey

Wentworth, the representative of an old English Catholic

baronetage, who suffered persecution under Elizabeth; whilst

Roger O’Brien, attached to the Court of Mary Queen of Scots,

affords an opportunity of presenting the high-spirited and

brave qualities that ought to belong to an Irish gentleman.

Elizabeth appears in anything but a favourable light.

⸺ MARY LEE; or, The Yankee in Ireland. (U.S.A.). (N.Y.: _Pratt_). 1.75.

(BALTIMORE: _Kelly & Piet_). 1864. Pp. 391. Frontisp. by J. Harley.

The last story written by this Author, for whom see General

Note. It is considered to display an intimate knowledge of

Irish character and to contain an excellent description of the

typical Yankee. The scene is Donegal. Time 185-.

=BOYLE, William.= Born in Dromiskin, Co. Louth, 1853; educated St. Mary’s

College, Dundalk. Has written many poems, songs, and plays, including

some of the best of modern Irish comedies. The atmosphere of his stories

is thoroughly Irish and their humour and pathos are genuine.

⸺ A KISH OF BROGUES. (_O’Donoghue_). Pp. 252. 2_s._ 6_d._ 1899.

The humour and pathos of country life, Co. Louth. The Author

knows the people thoroughly, and understands them. There is

much very faithful character-drawing of many Irish peasant

types and a few good poems.

=BOYSE, E. C.=

⸺ THAT MOST DISTRESSFUL COUNTRY. Three Vols. (_F. V. White_). 1886.

A tale of love and marriage. Scene: first in Wexford, opening

with pleasant pictures of country-house life and merry-making.

Then there is an account of some minor incidents of the

rebellion, viewed from loyalist standpoint, with insistence on

savage cruelty of rebels. Then the scene shifts to London, and

thence to Dublin, where we have pictures of life in military

society. Finally, the scene is transferred to Tuam, where word

is brought of Humbert’s campaign in the West. Pleasant style,

but the conversations, full of chaff and nonsense, are long

drawn out. Author says in preface that the incidents are taken

from private letters or accounts of eye-witnesses.

=BRAY, Lady.=

⸺ EVE’S PARADISE. (_Wells, Gardner_). 6_s._ Etched frontispiece and

title-page.

“Lady B.’s descriptions of child life are admirable,

well-observed, and cleverly done.”—(PALL MALL GAZETTE).

⸺ A TROUBLESOME TRIO; or, Grandfather’s Wife. (_Wells, Gardner_). 2_s._

6_d._ Second ed.

=BRERETON, F. S.=

⸺ IN THE KING’S SERVICE. Pp. 352. (_Blackie_). Attractive cover. Eight

Illustr. by Stanley L. Wood. (N.Y.: _Scribner_). 1.50. _n.d._ (1901).

Exciting adventures, abounding in dramatic climaxes, of an

English cavalier during Cromwell’s Irish campaign. Chief scenes

of latter described from English cavalier standpoint. Burlesque

brogue. Juvenile.

=BREW, Margaret W.= Wrote much for the IRISH MONTHLY and other Irish

periodicals.

⸺ THE BURTONS OF DUNROE. Three Vols. Pp. 934. (_Tinsley_). 1880.

Scene: Munster _c._ 1810, also Dublin and (in third vol.)

Spain, when the hero, William Burton, takes part in the

Peninsular War. Robert marries beneath him, and is disinherited

by disappointed father, who had meant him for his cousin

Isabella. Rose, Robert’s wife dies. Robert goes to the wars,

and returns covered with glory to marry Isabel and settle down

in respectable prosperity. Conventional and a little dull. Much

brogue as comic relief to the prevailing appeal to the tender

feelings.

⸺ CHRONICLES OF CASTLE CLOYNE. Three Vols. (_Chapman & Hall_). 1886.

Highly praised by the TIMES, the STANDARD, the MORNING POST,

the SCOTSMAN, &c., &c. The IRISH MONTHLY says: “It is an

excellent Irish tale, full of truth and sympathy, without

any harsh caricaturing on the one hand, or any patronizing

sentimentality on the other. The heroine, Oonagh M’Dermott, the

Dillons, Pat Flanagan, and Father Rafferty are the principal

personages, all excellent portraits in their way; and some of

the minor characters are very happily drawn. The conversation

of the humbler people is full of wit and common sense; and

the changes of the story give room for pathos sometimes

as a contrast to the humour which predominates. Miss Brew

understands well the Irish heart and language; and altogether

her “Pictures of Munster Life” (for this is the second title

of the tale) is one of the most satisfactory additions to the

store of Irish fiction from _Castle Rackrent_ to _Marcella

Grace_.”

=[BRITTAINE, Rev. George].= Was Rector of Kilcormack, Diocese of Ardagh.

Died in Dublin, 1847. The ATHENÆUM of December 14, 1839, said of the

first three works mentioned below: “The sad trash which is here put

forward as a portraiture of the social condition of the Irish peasantry

needs no refutation; in his ardour to calumniate, the Author has

forgotten that there are limits to possibility, and that when they are

overstepped the intended effect of the libel is lost in its absurdity.”

All this writer’s books seem to have appeared anonymously.

⸺ CONFESSIONS OF HONOR DELANY. Pp. 86. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). 1_s._ 6_d._

[1830]. Third ed., 1839.

She admits getting a pension as a reward for “turning.”

⸺ IRISH PRIESTS AND ENGLISH LANDLORDS. Pp. 249. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). [1830].

Second ed., 1839; others 1871, 1879.

“By the author of _Hyacinth O’Gara_.” A priest has authority

from a bishop to marry a girl to a man against her will. She

refuses, and subsequently dies—a martyr for the Protestant

faith.

⸺ RECOLLECTIONS OF HYACINTH O’GARA. Pp. 64. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). 6_d_. Fifth

ed., 1839.

The above three books were originally written by Rev. Geo.

Brittaine, Rector of Kilcormack, Co. Limerick. They were

“re-written and completely revised” by Rev. H. Seddall, Vicar

of Dunany, Co. Louth, and published by Hunt, London, 1871.

They are frankly proselytising tales designed “to give a

true picture of the Irish peasantry, and how priestcraft has

wound itself into all their concerns.” (Pref.) The peasantry

are represented as exceedingly debased, the priesthood as

conscienceless and selfish tyrants. Religion is practically the

sole theme throughout. There is practically no reference to

contemporary questions. One reviewer says: “There is nothing

more graphic in all the pages of _The Absentee_, or _Castle

Rackrent_ than the account of Kit M’Royster’s disclosures to

his brother, the Popish Bishop, about the heretical purity

of their niece; or the description of Priest Moloney’s

oratory about the offerings at the funeral of old Mrs.

O’Brien.”—CHRISTIAN EXAMINER.

⸺ IRISHMEN AND IRISHWOMEN. Pp. 219. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). 1831.

⸺ JOHNNY DERRIVAN’S TRAVELS. Pp. 36. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). 6_d._ [1833].

Second ed., 1839.

Not religious in subject. Deals with Irish amusements,

drinking, &c.

⸺ MOTHERS AND SONS. Pp. 297. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). 1833.

A lady turns Methodist at the age of 44. The Author thereby

takes occasion to condemn dyed hair and wigs, and many other

things. The story includes a murder of which a Curate is the

victim. The murderer dies howling for the priest.

⸺ NURSE M’VOURNEEN. Pp. 33. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). Second ed., _c._ 1839.

⸺ THE ELECTION. Pp. 331. (DUBLIN: _Tims_). 1840.

Election manœuvres described. There is a murder in the story.

Tone very anti-Catholic.

=[BRONTE, Rev. Patrick, B.A.].= 1777-1861. A county Down man, father of

the famous novelists.

⸺ THE MAID OF KILLARNEY; or, Albion and Flora. Pp. 166. (_Baldwin_).

[1818]. 1898.

Albion, an Englishman, visits Killarney, and falls in love with

Flora Loughlean. The tale exhibits the anti-Catholic bias of

the time.

=BROOKE, Richard Sinclair, D.D.= (1802-1882). Incumbent of Mariners’

Church, Kingstown, afterwards Rector of Eyton. Published several volumes

of verse and prose. Father of Stopford Brooke.

⸺ THE STORY OF PARSON ANNALY. Pp. 429. (_Drought_). 1870.

A long, rather involved story, in part reprinted from DUBLIN

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE. It contains some excellent descriptions of

Donegal scenery—Glenveagh and Barnesmore.

=BROPHY, Michael=, ex-Sergeant, R.I.C.

⸺ TALES OF THE ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY. Pp. xx. + 192. (DUBLIN: _Bernard

Doyle_). 2_s._ [1888]. 1896.

Intended as the first volume of a series. Introduction gives

a condensed history of the Force. This is followed by a long

story founded on facts—“The Lord of Kilrush, Fate of Marion,

and Last Vicissitudes of Lord Edward Fitzgerald’s Estate.” This

tells how Sub-Constable Butler, a real “character,” bought in

the Encumbered Estates Court the property of Lord Edward near

the Curragh of Kildare, but was subsequently dispossessed—a

curious tale, containing much out-of-the-way information,

including an enquiry into the parentage of Pamela. Then follow

“Episodes of ’48” (Ballingarry, &c.), and “The Story of a

Sword,” (8 pp.) Sub-Constable Butler and Sub-Inspector Tom

Trant are amusing personages.

=BROWN, Rev. J. Irwin.= Minister of the Scottish Church in Rotterdam, and

son of Rev. Dr. Brown, of Drumachose, Derry, in his time a well-known

public speaker, and a defender of the Irish tenant farmers.

⸺ IRELAND: Its Humour and Pathos. (ROTTERDAM: _J. M. Bredee_). 1910.

The book contains some racy stories, and is bright and readable

throughout.—I.B.L.

=BRUEYRE, Loys.= Born in Paris, 1835. A French folk-lorist,

Vice-President of the _Société des Traditions Populaires_. A frequent

contributor to French folk-lore periodicals.

⸺ CONTES POPULAIRES DE LA GRANDE BRETAGNE. Pp. 382. (PARIS: _Hachette_).

Contains 100 tales. A very few are English (chiefly Cornish),

none are Welsh. The majority are Scotch (largely from

Campbell’s collection) but there are a good many Irish, taken

from Croker and Kennedy. The book is entirely in French.

=BUCHANAN, Robert=, 1841-1901. Born in Staffordshire, son of Robert

B., “Socialist, Missionary, and Journalist.” Educated at Glasgow.

Published many volumes of poetry and several plays, among others a

dramatised version of Harriett Jay’s _Queen of Connaught_ (_q.v._). In

1876 published his first novel—_The Shadow of the Sword_. Many others

followed. In 1874 he settled at Rosspoint, Co. Mayo, but left Ireland in

1877. _Father Anthony_ was written during this period, but not published

till later. _See_ the notice in D.N.B., and the LIFE, published in 1903,

by Harriet Jay, his adopted daughter.

⸺ FATHER ANTHONY. (_Long_). 6_s._ Sixteen illustr. Many editions. 1903.

New edition, 6_d._ 1911.

Scene: a country village in the West of Ireland. Father Anthony

is a young priest, who for his brother’s sake has sacrificed

a career in the world to devote himself to God’s poor. He

finds himself called upon in virtue of his sacred office to

keep the secret of the confessional when by a word he could

save his brother from the hangman’s hands. The pathos of the

young priest’s agony of mind is depicted with great power and

sympathy. The other priest, Father John, is drawn as the true

parish priest of the old type, blood and bone of the people,

jovial, homely, lovable and beloved. The Author, though alien

in faith and race, tells us that he knew intimately and loved

both priests and people during his stay in Ireland.

⸺ THE PEEP-O’-DAY BOY: A Romance of ’98. (_Dicks_). 6_d._ _n.d._

A conventional sensational tale, little above the “shilling

shocker,” with oath-bound societies meeting in under-ground

caverns, abductions, informers, an absentee landlord, the

Earl of Dromore, whose daughter loves the expatriated owner,

The O’Connormore, and soforth. The three chapters on the

insurrection are from Cassell’s _History of Ireland_. The story

is scarcely worthy of this Author.

=BUCKLEY, William.= Born in Cork, and educated there at St. Vincent’s

Seminary and the Queen’s College. His first literary work appeared in

MACMILLAN’S MAGAZINE. Resides in Dublin.

⸺ CROPPIES LIE DOWN. Pp. 511. (_Duckworth_). 6_s._ 1903.

Scene: Wexford, the year of the rising. The Author banishes

all romance and artistic glamour, and deals with the horrors

of the time in a spirit of relentless realism. Quite apart

from historical interest, the book is thrilling as a story of

adventure. The tone is impartial, but the writer clearly means

the events and scenes described to tell for the Irish side.

The NEW IRELAND REVIEW says that “it sketches the origin

and course of the Wexford insurrection with a conscientious

accuracy which would do credit to a professed historian”; and

it praises the Author’s “exceptional literary ability” and the

“intense reality of his characters.” “Rather more than justice

is done to the English authorities (_e.g._, Castlereagh),

to the Irish Protestants, and even to the government

spies.”—(_Baker_, 2).

⸺ CAMBIA CARTY AND OTHER STORIES. Pp. 230. (_Maunsel_). 1_s._ 1907.

Close descriptions of lower and middle classes in modern

Youghal. In places will be unpleasant reading for the people

of Youghal. Picture of Cork snobbery decidedly unfavourable to

Cork people, and on the whole disagreeable and sordid.

=BUGGE, Alexander=, Professor in University of Christiania, ed.

⸺ CATHREIM CELLACHAIN CAISIL: The Victorious Career of Cellachain of

Cashel. Pp. xix. + 171. (_Christiania_). 1905.

The original Irish text, from the Book of Lismore, is edited in

a scholarly way and accompanied with an English translation,

notes, and index. There is an interesting introduction. It is a

story of the struggles of Cellachan and the Danes in the tenth

century.

=BULLOCK, Shan F.= Born Co. Fermanagh, 1865. Son of a Protestant

landowner on Lough Erne. Depicts with vigour and truth the country

where the Protestant North meets the Catholic and almost Irish-speaking

West. There is at times a curious dreariness in his outlook which mars

his popularity. But his work is “extraordinarily sincere, and at times

touched with a singular pathos and beauty.... He writes always with

evident passion for the beauty of his country, and an almost pathetic

desire to assimilate, as it were, national ideals, of which one yet

perceives him a little incredulous.”—(_Stephen Gwynn_).

⸺ THE AWKWARD SQUADS. (_Cassell_). 5_s._ 1893.

The Author’s first book. Has all the qualities for which his

subsequent books are remarkable. It is a study of the people

of his native country—the borders of Cavan and Fermanagh—their

political ideas, general outlook, humours and failings,

their peculiar dialect and turns of thought. Four stories in

all:—“The title story,” “The White Terror,” “A State Official,”

“One of the Unfortunates.”

⸺ BY THRASNA RIVER. Pp. 403. (_Ward, Lock)_. 6_s._ Illustr. 1895.

The experiences of two lads on an Ulster farm in the district

where the Author lays nearly all his scenes. There are many

clever studies of peasant types. The hero is an Englishman, an

amusing character. The story of his unsuccessful love-affair

with the “Poppy Charmer” is told by one of the lads familiar

to us as Jan Farmer. There is no approach to anything

objectionable in the book. Chapter XXI., “Our Distressful

Country,” is good reading.

⸺ RING O’ RUSHES. Pp. 195. (_Ward, Lock_). 1_s._ 6_d._ (CHICAGO:

_Stone_). 1.00. 1896.

A cycle of eleven stories dealing with various aspects of

Ulster life in the neighbourhood of Lough Erne. In “His

Magnificence” an enriched peasant returns to his native

village and tries to show off his grandeur. “Her Soger Boy”

recounts a mother’s innocent fraud and her soldier lad’s savage

retaliation.—(_Baker_, 2).

⸺ THE BARRYS. Pp. 422. (_Methuen_). 1_s._ Full-sized cloth. 1899. (N.Y.:

_Doubleday_). 1.25.