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V^l.Uu 7 ^>' ' '' ' ' " ^ ' I ■' [^ .\ ■ V >AT' v< V'K .^Vv \ m'.iyX .f \, v‘ • \ ava.'^ '• *vV> xttttViTv \{vA.Vm'i '' mJW ><:K \‘.v' *' y<» ,' H \ V^j '-7 ,*VV 7 ^V ';V^ ''^»vV’' 7 ' j 7 ,V 7 ->aJ>\^.i^‘; 7 rv. 7 ’‘¥ xV Aftw 7 ' » '■ -i-kviT'.’ '. '.•' .'■; i'vip, ^a.v.''^i^w 77 's{^’ 7 iA;- ^\.\.';^Var. \> 77 'Sj«^ ^7 '*A .... ;'vN jivi.’ ■ ■' *^'.*’^f^^y. •, ,'«\>+.u';i't'a7'k5»u.v.',\^ '(i*'- ,‘.vi*iV)?ir' sVi ai^'i^ ^7- •■ ' f’ ■• ' .^ * ' ,; \ ‘ ' ■ ’ 13 * ■ ' ■ '.r ' ' ■ ' ' 7' '■ ' *’, *' 1,'' ' V.-'j • ■ ' 'I ■*' \ ' ' 4 \A’\. V'\v'»^V‘’a luVii.. ,-i’.!v •{.■'^.f. x •.>' v-a,^ .t<\ .-Air’ hy * ' > vHtitS4 V^-';v>v;.iyO; .*i .5‘*';-iVv »' .•• Jr i.*'^ ,- ,.i '.. .aa '. ;Sv . vi' ..,1 ;'■=■’ •!<■.*■ :u SI*' I- «. a / ' "■ I t, . |V >• . M ' . V -P-:. r-:^ysii» •7fe.7 7/ •' \ », TO' ' ' '■ ' .'; ji, .,\±^ '. ' '■ • ^ 7 » '1 >*• ' i'A , ' 7 ''^ ;• •- • 'Vv ' .^.jJ ^ r.' '^' ■ V' ; %. ,:'7^ ' - -V'T- i ' V— T, w •■. • 7 1 ■■•'■••.'. ,. , ,-^ 7 '' '. J . V .^' ^ ‘ ^ ^ '* ■■ : ¥7 . ' y. ' "S '’;-. • i M > k '* t . .*.7 I • fTkv,-. jidiii'’’' *’ i ' 7'ax.r; tA' A 74/ 5 CONTENTS. Introductory Article by Historicua Page 5 Miss Charlotte G O’Brien Page 22 Letters from — Mr. Lecky ... 11 Lord Justice Barry Ex-Editor of Daily News 22, 23 23 Most Rev Dr M'Evllly 11 Rev Dr Greene 23 Dr Galbraith 11 Canon O’Neill, P P ' 23, 24 Editor PaU Mall Gazette... 11 Earl of Carnarvon 24 Dr Ingram, Trinity College 12 The Lord Mayor 24 Sir Robert Kane 12 Sir C G Duffy 24,25 Dr Shaw, T C D 12 Sir S Ferguson 25 Mr. Carton, Q C ..." 12 John Augustus O’Shea ... 25 Mr. Alfred Webb ..., 12 Rector ef Catholic University 26, 27 Father Meehan ... 13 Librarian of Hibernian Academy ... 27 Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Lieutenant 13 Mr John O’Leary 27, 28, 29 Dr M‘Cormack, Bishop of Achonry- 13 Mr. Justin M'Carthy, M P 29 Moderator of General Assembly ... 14 Judge O’Hagan 29, 30, 31 Dr Browne, President of Maynooth. College 14 President Queen’s College Mr T P O’Connor, M P ... 31, 32 ■ 32 Mr. Garnett, Librarian of British ■Museum 14 Dr Sigersou Martin Haverty . 32, 33, 34 34, 35 The Chief Secretary 15 Justin H McCarthy, M P... 35, 3 b Most Rev Dr Vaughan 15 Professor Baldwin 36 DrMoffatt 15 Ml-. George Atkmson, MB 36 Mr. William Johnston, M.P. 15 Mr. John O’Hart 37 Professor Freeman 15 Mr. ParneU, MP 37- Lord Monteagle 15 Canon U J Bourke ... ... 37 ■, 38, 39, 40 Mr. W J Fitzp.atrick 15, 16 Charles Dawson 40 Professor Dowden 16 Dr Croke, Archbishop of Cashel ... 41, Mr. Justice Stephen 16 Mr. W O’Brien, M P 41,: 42 Cardinal Newman 16 Mr. T M Healy, M P 42, 43 Sir Bernard Burke 16 Rev Canon Doyle ’ 43 Most Rev Dr Healy 16, 17 Lady F Dixie 43 Mr. O’NeiU Daunt 17 Mr. Oliver Burke, B L 43j 44 The MacDermot 17 Closing Article by Historicus 44 Canon Daniel 17 List of Twenty Books for Students Secretary of General Post Office ... 17 who purpose writing Irish History 53' Dr Thornley Stoker 17, 18, List of Twenty-three Books for Stu- Dr Kavanagh, P P ... 18, 19 ! ^ dents making a special study of •k Marquis of Hartington ... 19 Irish History • .h" 53 Bishop of Clonfert Professor Stokes 19 19, 20 List of Twenty^ Books for general Student 53 Rev Dr Delany, S J 'Eidiitor oi Irish Monthly ... 20 20, 21 List of Twenty Books for general Public in Ireland 53 Canon O’Rourke 21, 22 Catalogue and-^ndex of Reference bo 40 , 304 ? . • f i/, ■ J<; (f.- fi! ^ « ^•■' ' 'ri .:}):•* . V S, , ■'/A'l'.; y I’ .t!A ^ , ' ' ,t ‘ I ; ' V yiT ' i' , ,' V i ;-:0 ,:r , . • ■ -‘y :' . . ■- ' •>.. «»f I.- ' i , ?■ . i. I '■ ^ , V f'-U ' '■* '■ .■ V , »r . ' ' ■ A/. .■• u/l' • I h. .. \ ■, ^.7'- ^ ^ * ■ 0‘- '* ' ( THE BEST ITUNDKED ffilSIi BOOKS. BY HISTOBICUS. 9 Past history, .and especially the past his- tory of one’s own native country,” says Car- lyle — “ everybody may be advised to begin with that. Let him study that faithfully. Innumerable inquiries, with due indications, w'ill braTich out from it. He has a broad, beaten highway, from which all the country is more or less visible. There travelling, let him choose where he will dwell.” Taking these words as my text, let me at once say that inanylist of the best hundred Irish books — by which I mean books, or parts of books, written, no matter by whom, about Ireland or the Irish — the first place must be given to Mr. Lecky’s “History of England in the Eighteenth Century.” In the chapters (vol II, chaps 6 and 7, and vol IV, chaps 10 and 17) on Ireland in this great work, science and honesty have been for the first time combined in the writing of Irish history. These cliapters (ivith an important reference to the Anglo- M ornian settlement) deal with the condition — social, religious, and politfcal— of the Irish people from the commencement of the last century to 1782. The work is still unfinished, and in the concluding volumes we may hope to read the first great History of “Grattan’s Parliament” which has yet been published. Mr. Lecky possesses in an eminent degree the qualities essential to make an historian of the foremost rank. He has the faculty of research, the faculty of style, and an inherent love of justice. His references to authorities are always ample and his foot-notes full and scholarly ; so that it may be said that he not only carries a torch with which to light up the way of the student who follows him, but he supplies the student with a torch to strike out new paths if so minded. Transparent honesty, an ear- nest desire to be fair, and an anxiety to let 119 diet pertinent to his subject escape attention, are, combined with a brilliant style, the dis- tinguishing characteristics of one vv^ho is not only the greatest of Irish historians but among the greatest of living writers. As Mr. Lecky’s Irish c^^apters in his “ History of England in the Eighteenth Century,” areen- ^ titled to the foremost place among the best hundred Irish books, his “ Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland” is entitled to a place of distinguished merit. The sketches in this work of Swift, Flood, Grattan, and O’Connell are among the most intere.sting and valuable contributions to Irish history' which we possess. ’ Parting from Mr. Lecky, I propose to deal u”tl. all other Irish books, not generally in chronological order, or in order of merit, but a;T they occur to me while 1 write. Of books .dating to early Irish history i think Pro- ;essor Sullivan’s “Introduction” to O’Curry’s “ Manners .and Customs of the Ancient ['"ish” is the best. Mr. Richey’s “ Lec- •ures on Irish History” are very valuable, .tut have not generally obtained the atten- tion they deserve, owing perhaps to the fa.ct that they are printed in very indifi'erent type. A new edition, well brought out, is certainly much needed, and I believe that Mr. Richey was engaged in preparing such an edition a short time prior to his death. It may be hoped . some one will take up the unfinished task. Why not Professor Sullivan ? In re- ferring to the subject of early Irish history mention should be made of Sir Henry Maine’s “ Early History «>f Institutions,” which con- tains so admirable an account of the Brehon laws and the tribal system. Of course, the honoured name of O’Curry, who did so much to make the writing of early Irish history a scientific possibility, cannot be for- I G THE BEST II HIS DEED IRISH BOOK^. gotten, and every Irish student should regard the perusal of his lectures on the “ MSS Materials of Irish History,” and his “ Man- ners and Customs of the Ancient Irish ” as a patriotic duty. Dr Todd’s “ Life of St Patrick ” is a work which cannot be omitted from any list of books dealing with the early periods of Irish history. Of the general histories of Ireland, all are far below the scientific standard of the age. The best, upon the whole, however, are Leland’s from the Protestant, and Plowden’s from the Catholic side. Neither ought the Abbe M‘Geoghegan’s important work to be for- gotten, nor Gordon’s valuable history. “ The Annals of the Four Masters” must be men- tioned as the great source from which impor- tant materials for Irish history are derived, and may -be faced by students for whom Guicciardini and the galleys ^ikve no fears. In truth no general history of Ireland worthy of being placed among the productions of Lin- gard, Hume, Green, or Burton has yet been written. Pending its appearance, and, indeed, at all times. Sir John Davies’ masterpiece, “ A Discovery of the True Causes why Ireland was never Subdued,” Hallarn's profound chapter on Ireland in his Constitutional History, and Thierry’s excellent chapter on the Irish in his “Norman Conquest,” ought to be familiar to all Irish students. In con- nection with these works Mr. Monck Mason’s learned “ Essay on the Antiquity and Constitution of Parliaments in Ireland” should be studied. On this subject of general histories or re- views I cannot avoid mentioning a most admi- rable little book written a few years ago — Mr. Walpole’s “Kingdom of Ireland.” Of course Mr. Walpole’s work does not pretend to be a production of original research. The author read most of the books on the subject of Irish history, boiled down their contents, and has given us a narrative conceived in a spirit of fairness and written in an excellent style. I have no hesitation in saying that every student of Irish history cannot make a better beginning than with this valuable little book. Tiiose whoso minds have been saturated with Mr. Froude’s “English in Ireland” ought to take up Sir C. Gavan Duffy’s brilliant “ Bird’s-Eye View of Irish History.” This powerful sketch is, of course, written essentially from an Irish point of view, as Mr. Froude's work is v/.-itten, not so much, perhaps, from an Eng- lish, as from an Irish-Orange point of view. Sir Gavan Duffy has supplied the public with an admirable antidote to the poisonous pro- duction of the great English historian. Everyone who has suffered from Mr. Froude ought to take it. A reference to Sir C Gavan Duffy at once suggests Thomas Davis, whose essay on “ the History of Ireland ” should be as familiar as household words to every Irishman. M‘Gee’s “ History of Ireland” is an eminently readable book ; and Mitchel’s brilliant work on the same subject is as admirable a specimen of pure and vigo- rous Saxon English as may be found in the language. Passing from general histories or reviews to special periods, no book can be named dealing with the period from the Anglo-Norman settle- ment to the Tudor era which can be described as of the best, always excepting Davis’s book before mentioned. Coming to the Tudor Era, the best book certainly is Mr. Froude’s “ History of England,” the Irish chapters of which are excellent in every re- spect. It is needless to add that they ^ are conceived in a very different spirit to ' the brilliant libel to which reference has been al- ready made. With respect to this period, and indeed, generally, the Irish portions of Ranke’s “ History of England, ’’and Green’s “ History of the English People,” ought to be carefully studied. Spenser’s “ View of the^ State of Ireland” is, and deserves to be, a familiar work. Dr. Brewer’s “ Introduction to the Carew Calender of State Papers” is in- valuable, and all those who wish to learn something of the Plantation of Ulster and other subjects appertaming to the time should pefuse its interesting and instructive pages. Carew’s “ Pacata Hibernia” is im- portant as a contemporary record. Coming down the stream of history, the first work which next occurs to me is Carte’s “ Life of Ormonde” — a book of the greatest value. Clogy’s “ Life of Bedell” ought to be read by everyone who wishes to learn something of the career of a very beautiful character, and at the same time desires to bo in a posi- tion to refute the statement of Mr. Froude, • tliat the Irish are a race of sanguinary bigots. The standard book on the “ Cromwellian Settlement” is, of course, Mr. i^roudergast’s important work of that name. Omitting the t:ie best hundred irisji books. 7 name wf Mr. Locky, no Irishman lias laboured Ko assiduously in the field of original research and produced such excellent results as Mr. l*rendorgast. It is to bo hoped he is not rostin^i on his oars. The second part of his “ Tory War in Ulster*’ has not yet been written, and some jiajicrs from his pen lie practically and of necessity buried in the “Journals of the Archa3ological Society of Kilkenny.” It would be desirable to have ]\lr. Preiidergast’s fragments” collected and jmblished in a convenient and popular form. J^'acts about Ireland are so rare that those who gather them carefully and conscien- ti )usly should not cease to work and to pub- lish. The Cromwellian period should not be passed over without reference to Carlyle’s “ Cromwell” and Petty’s “Political Anatomy of Ireland,” both works of the greatest value. The best account of the Williamite War is, of course, to be found in the contemporary records of Story ( “ Jmpiartial History of Affairs in Ireland” and “A Continuation of the History of the War in Ireland,”) Burnet (“ History of His Own Time ”), and “ The Macarise Excidiura.” The following works relating to this period all deserve attentive study : — Macaulay’s “ History of England,” Hume’s “ History of England,” Harris’s “Life of William III.” From the Williamite period downwards we . have upon the whole more books, or mate- . rials for books, than during any other period, and some of the best of these were produced between the beginning of the eighteenth century and the Union, or soon after the Union. A host of familiar names may be mentioned ; — Swift (“Works”) ; Burke (“ Correspondence” “ Speeches,” and “Works”); Skelton (“Works”); Berkeley (“Works”); Boulter (“ Letters”) ; Grattan (“Speeches”); Molyneux (“ Case of Ire- land Stated”) ; Lucas (“ Addresses,”) ; Hutchinson (“ Commercial Restraints”) ; Arth/ur Young (“ Tour”) ; Campbell (“Philo- sophical Survey”) ; Dobbs’ (“-Essay on the Trade of Ireland’’); Prior (“List of Absentees”). Many other works to which we are mainly indebted to the writers or states- men of the eighteenth century, and all of which are excellent, may be enumerated ; thus, taking tliem at random, we have— Taaflfe, “ Observations on the §tate of Ire- land since the Settlement of 1691 O’Conor, “History of the Catholics;” Curry, “ Civil Wars ;” and “State of the Catholics;” Hardy, “Life of Charlernont ;” Father O’Leary, “ Works ;” Macartney, (Barrow’s “Life and Writings of Lord Macartney) Mountmorros;” “'J’ho Irish Par- liament.” The “ Autobiography” of Wolfe Tone de- serves a sentence, or several sentences, to itself. It is the perfection of \n autobio- graphy, frank and full, and written in a stylo eminently characteristic of the man — vigo- rous and original. Tone did not write his life with a view to what posterity might think of him. He wrote exactly what he was and what he thought, and did, and tried to do. We. have the whole man presented to us — “ warts” and all — not a feature is left out, not a cha- racteristic omitted. The portrait is simply perfect. His hatred of England, his love of adventure and fun, his abhorrence of injus- tice and shams, his boldness, ingenuity, strength of will, . restless energy, great shrewdness, irritable temper, indomitable courage, and immense intellectual resources — are all graphically delineated. Tone was far from being a perfect man, or a perfect patriot, but he had one great virtue, and it is that virtue which gives such a charm to his autobiograph}’- — he told the truth. Shoals, of pamphlets and such like literature, were issued from the Press during the eight- eenth century, and most of these are excel- lent. We shall mention as among the list “ Madden — Reflections and Resolutions proper for the Gentlemen of Ireland,’’ the admirable “ Letters from an Armenian in Ireland to his friends at Trebizonde,” the “ Letters of Guatimozin,” and the “Strong Box Open.” Neither must “ Barataria” or Barrington’s “ Rise and Fall” be omitted. Barrington, however, must not be taken as a grave and judicial historian. Between the Union and the Young Ireland movement ( which may be said to have in great measure made an epoch in Irish literary his- tory), the first place ought, perhaps, to be assigned to Sir George Come wall Lewis’s “ Irisli Disturbances.” Sir George Cornewall Lewis touched no subject which he did not ex- haust, and his “Irish Disturbances” forms no exception to the rule he usually followed. There is no more complete, authoritative, or fairer work on the Irish agrarian wars than this. Like Mr.Lecky, Sir George accumu- lates proofs, and at once commands the re- 8 Tim BBST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. spect and confidence of his readers. The next place must be assigned to De Beau- mount’s brilliant and powerfully interesting “Ireland; Social, Political, and Religious,” and the third to Newenham’s invaluable “View of Ireland,” &c.. Mr. Henry Grattan’s “ Life of Grattan” is a book of great value; and Wyse’s “ Catholic Association ’’ is the best account . we have of the struggle for Catholic Emanci- pation, though M^Cullagh Torrens’s “Life of Shiel ” should be read in connection with it. Three excellent books must not be for- gotten — William Parnell’s “ Apology for the Irish Catholics,” Sir Henry Parnell’s “Penal Laws,” and Scully’s “ Penal Laws.” The other works which occur to me, and most of which deal rather with social than political Ireland, are Wakefield’s “ An Account of Ireland,” a book of the' highest ^authority and greatest interest; Bicheno’s “ Ireland and its Economy,” Lady Morgan’s “ Patriotic Sketches,’’ “Absenteeism,” and “ Memoirs.” In 1842 a systematic eflfort was for the first time made to supply the Irish people with a popular literature. It is often asked what have the Young Irelanders done? It may be answered that they at least tried to make the people read and think. Their work cer- tainly was not in every respect of the best. They were not historians; they had not time to be historians- But, at all events, they at- tempted to create an historical taste. They tried to teach the Irish people that they had a country with no ignoble past; and it must be stated that, whether all they wrote on his- torical subjects will bear the test of modern scientific investigation or not, no sentiment in jn-ose or poetry escaped from them which was not pure and noble. “ The Library of Ireland,” “The Spirit of the Nation,” Davis’s “Poems” are certainly calculated to make the Irish people rebels. They are not calculated to n^ake them self-seeking or sordid. Of the writers in the “Li- brary of Ireland” the palm must bo awarded to Darcy M‘Geo (“ Art M‘Murrough,”) and John Mitchel (“Hugh O’Neil”). Of tlio poems in the “ Spirit of the Nation,” “Who Fears to Speak of ’98” is the best. And of cJio ])oets by whom Gavan Dufiy was surrounded in tlio Nation, Olajenco Mangau stands second to none among the men, and “Spe- ranza” is certainly entitled to the first place among the delightful warblers of her own se^. In writing of those who have sung about Ireland, it is not necessary to mention the immortal name of Moore : but I may call attention to the admirable “Lyrics of Ireland,” edited by Lover — a little book that deserves to be widely known. The mentioii of Young Ireland suggests “ Madden’s United Irishmen,” which is, of course, a standard authority on its subject. Of the books for which Youngireland was not responsible, a foremost place must be given to Kay’s “ Social Condition of the European People” — a work of scientific accuracy, and conscientious labour, and the Irish chapters of which are among the most valuable con- tributions to Irish social and economical history.. With respect to Mr. Kay we may at once state that his last work, “ Free Trade in Land,” cannot be omitted from a list of the best books about Ireland. It is replete with facts which have an important bearing on the great unsolved problem of Irish dis- content—the land. Coming to a later period, Mr. Mill’s “ Ireland and England ” is one of the best pamphlets written about Ireland. Nassau Senior's “Essays relating to Irelaird,” Mr. Godkin’s book on “ The Land War in Ireland,” and Mr. Butt’s “ the Irish People and the Irish Kind ” are excellent in every w'ay. Mr. Charles Greville’s the “ Past and Present Policy of England towards Ireland” is a work of unquestionable historical value, written with great care, and in an impartial and thoughtful spirit. M‘Lennan’s '‘Life of Thomas Drummond must be mentioned, if not for the excellence of the work, for the excollenee of the subject. The defects in Mr.M‘Lennan’s book are not due to the author’s want of sympathy with the subject, or want of capacity to do it justice, but from tlie absence of sufficient materials. A great life of Drummond can- not be written until access is i^ormitted to the papers at Dublin Castle in his time, and this access cannot be allowed for at least an- other ‘.fifty years. The mention of Drum- mond suggests Madden’s “Ireland and its Rulers” where a good sketch of the great Scotch-Irish administrator is given. No one desirous (»f reading all the best things that have been written or ajiokon about Ireland should neglect to possess himself 9 rill<: BEST nUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. of tho “ SpoGchea ” of Mr. liri<^^ht and Mr. Thorokl Ilogors (tlio e^litor of tlio published edition) would do a useful work in separating tho Irish speoclios from tho rest, and giving them to tlio public in a j)opular form. Those speeches ai*o historica in form, statesmanlike in substance, and in style models, as everyone knows, of tlio jiurest English. Mr. Goldwin Smith’s “ Irish His- tory and Irish Character” is an admirable work, and I should advise those who have been reading the latest productions of that gentleman to peruse it carefully, and thus turn from “Philip drunk to Philip sober.” Dr Sigerson’s “ Land Tenures” is a work worthy in every respect of its learned tiuthor. It is scientific and scholarly, and bears signs of great research, and much thought. Mr. Gilbert’s “Irish Viceroys” and “History of Dublin” are the production of one of the most reliable Irish writers of oiir time. Of Irish ecclesiastical historians the best are Brenan (“*EGcles. Hist, of Ireland”), am^ Lanigan (“Eccles. Hist, of Ireland’') at the Catholic side, andMant (“ History of the Irish Church”), Reid (“ History of the Irish Presbyterians”), and Killen (“Eccles Hist of Ireland”) at the Protestant side. In this con- nection Dr Moran’s “ Catholic Archbishops of Dublin,” and Dr Brady’s “ Irish Reforma- tion” should be mentioned as books written with great care and ability. Of books pub- lished within the past five or six years the first place must be given to Sir C Gavan Duffy’s “ Young Ireland” and “ Four Years’ of Irish History. ” These books are the best of their kind. They are history at first hand. Sir Gavan Duflfy was the founder of one of the most important movements in the annals of our country, and in these volumes he tells the story of that movement with great bril- liancy and power. At die risk of exceeding the limit which I had assigned myself, and committing an anachronism, T cannot avoid mentioning O’Callaghan’s “Irish Brigade,” a work of -real historical value. The books I have mentioned are mainly historical or politico-historical. I have chiefly confined myself to the “broad, beaten track,” as Carlyle says, “ from which all the country is more or less visible but there are by-paths which must not be lost to view. Tlie novelist who pourtrays national character and manners is in some degree historian too, and must not be forgotten. Mr. Rusk in has recently said that Miss Edgeworth’s three st,()ries, “ Ormond,” “ Ennui,” and “ Tho Abs nitee,” contain more essential truths about Ireland than can bo learned from any other source whatever. This is far too sweeping a statement, and would not be true of all the Irish novelists put together. But the insight of Irish character and .society which Miss Edgeworth and her fellow- workers in the regions of fiction give us must be regarded as a valuable aid to the acquisi- tion of knowledge about Ireland or the Irish. Miss Edgeworth, viewing Irish life from the standpoint of her own, tho landlord class, is always vivid in narrative, shrewd in observation, and sympathetic in feel- ing. That she understood or felt the character of the Irish peasantry as thoroughly as did Griffin, Banim, and above all Carleton may be doubted, but she certainly both felt and understood it to a very great extend. Eminently characteristic is the answer which she puts into the mouth of a peasant on being reprimanded by his master for giving a “ lift” to the owner of an illicit stilL “Is that the way Larry,” says Lord Colombre in “ The Absentee,” “you give a lift to the laws ?” “ If the laws, ’’replied Larry, “ would give a lift to me, maybe I’d do as much by them.” Miss Edgeworth understood the secret of the lawlessness of the Irish pea- santry. They did not help the laws, because, the laws did not help them. While, however,' Miss Edgeworth is generally read, and is popular in England, the Irish favourites are Banim, Griffin, and Carleton, who, upon the whole, may be regarded as the best autho- rities on Irish character. Griflfin’s “ Colle- gians” is a thrilling tale, and his “ Munster Festivals” is full of life and interest; both are familiar books in almost every household in the South of Ireland. Banim’s best novels are “The Nowlans,” “ Crohoore of the Bill- hook,” and “Father Connell;” and Banim is among the most pathetic and national of Irish writers or singers. As an artist, Lever is en- titled to a distinguished place among Irish novelists, but, as one who dealt chiefly in caricatures it is doubtful if his works ought to be reckoned among the “ best Irish’' books, His pictures of Irish life are always vivid, but fhe colours in which they are painted are not always true. There is plenty of Irish fun in “ Harry Lorrequer,” “Charles O’Malley,” and ' B j.-.. is£ST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. 7 0 ‘^Jack Hinton,” but not muck of Irish feeling. I have reserved, for the last, the best deline- ator of Irish character, especially the cha- racter of the Irish peasantry, Carleton, and 1 belieye that if what Mr. Ruskin hac( said of Miss Edgeworth’s books could, with accuracy, be affirmed of any Irish novelist, it would be applicable to Carleton’s “ Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry,” “ Fardarougha the Miser,” and “ The Emigrants of Ahadarra.” With Oarleton’s name I close this list of the “Best Hundred Irish Books,” con- scious of its shortcomings and imperfections, and, present it to the readers of the Freeman’s Journal., not for acceptance, but for discus- sion and amendment. The foregoing contribution by “ Historicus” was submitted to a number of notable men, including many whose judgment on literary questions is held in universal and deserved esteem. In bringing the article under their notice the object was, of course, to elicit the enlightened criticism of those whose words are of weight, that thus opinions might be collected of value to the student and of in* trinsic interest to the general public. The majority of those who were invited to ex- press their views responded in a courteous and sympathetic spirit. The result is the in- teresting contributions which, first published in the Freeman’s Journal, the Editor is now ^ enabled to present in collected and collated form in the present pamphlet. MJt. LECKY—'DR. MEVILLY—DR. GALBRAlTn^RIGnT JION. G. O. TREVELYAN— EDITOR OF PALL MALL GAZITTI'ET I 1\1U. LECKV. TO TIIK KDITOII <)1' TilK I'UKKMAN. Atheiuouiu Club Ijondon, March 19. Sir — T linvc very little to say in the way of criticism about the excee.dintrly coiunrehcn.sivo list of Irish books you have sent me, e.xcept that the writer has, i am afraid, most extravagantly overrated the first named on Ids list. I shall per- haps best meet your wishes by adding a few books which occur to me on the spur of the mo- ment. Colgan’s “Acta Sanctorum Hibernue” forms one of the'most interesting collections of lives of Saints in the world, and it is very shame- ful that it has not been reprinted and .translated. Iteeves’s edition of Adamnans “ Life of St. Co- lumba” is a work of the highesc historical im- portance. Car lyle wrvS, 1 rerpember, accustomed t(< speak of it with the warmest admiration. Tlie Avorks of Montalembert and O.^anam should also be read in connection with this branch and period of Irish hLstory, and als-i the works of Petrie and of Miss Stokes on Irish architecture. On the Tudor period, let me mention Mr-. Bagwell’s ex- cellent history published last year — a work of singular impartiality and research. To the long list ot 18th-century books I would add the works of Henry Brooke ; the three raosx admirable county histories of Smith (Cork, Limerick, and "Waterford), which Macaulay spoke of as among the best works of the kind he had ever read; and Crump’s “ Essay on the Employment of the People,” which throws much light on the social and industrial condition of the time. I do not notice on your list the great name of Goldsmith, and “ Historicus” ought also not to have forgotten one of the purest, sw-eetest, and most truly na- tional of cotemporary Irish poets — Aubrey de "Vere. Among representative works of fiction may I put in a word for a very lecent arrival, Miss Lawless’s charming story “ Hurrish — y our obedient servant, W. Lecky. THE MOST -REV. DR. M'EVILLY, Tuam, March 20. The Archbishop of Tuam highly approves of the idea put forward in the proof of an article about to appear in the Freeman's Journal with which the Editor has kindly favoured him relative to pub- lishing and recommending works illustrating the history of our country. The Archbishop would not venture to ofiFer any opinion as to the merit of the books bearing on Irish history, con- ' tained in the article in question, as, indeed, he never saw or read very many of them. But he has fuU confidence in the ability and critical powers of the writer in the Freeman as to the excellence and merits of the works referred to. The Archbishop would, indeed, be sincerely glad to see the idea fuUy carried out, as there are but few branches of knowledge in which our people seem less versed, owing to the want of books and suitable opportunities, than in the history of their own country. The Archbishop sincerely hopes the project may prove successful. It is worthy of the patriotism of the Freeman's Journal to initiate it. DR GALBRAITH, TRIN ITY COLLEGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Trinity College, Dublin, 21st March 1886. I have read over the proof, and was much pleased. Such an article is calculated to be very useful in guiding young students of Irish hisbrny, tlio number of which I liope will increase daily. 1 do not know of any book of importance not mentioned by “ Historicus,” except perhaps “ Rinuccini,” translated by Miss Hutton. — Yours faithfully, Joseph A. Galbraith. THE RIGHT HON GEORGE OTTO TREVELYAN, MP, SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND, TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 8 Grosvenor-crescent, London, 20th March. Sir — I am capable of very much enjoying tlie disquisition of “ Historicus” ; but I am singularly illfitted to supplement it, for I never read except for pleasure, and consequently I read few books, and those very often. As far as my reading coincides with his, he appears to be a consummate critic. The Irish books which I place among the very choicest reading .are — The Autobiography of AVolfe Tone, the Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, which has the same freshness and spontaneity as a picture of Ireland, which Tour- guenietf’s “ Recits d’un Chasseur” has as a picture of Russia; Lecky’s “ Irish Leaders,” the Appen- dices in Arthur Young’s “Ireland,” and (though, perhaps, an IrLsliman would not agree with me), Anthony Trollope’s first, and in some respects his best, work. “ The Macdermots of Ballycloran.” Barrington has a great attraction, principally from the defects of the writer, who is one of those authors whose weaknesses make him read- able; but, as the book goes on, it gets ever worse, till it is worthless. “ Fynes’ Morrisson’s Tour in Europe between 1590 and 1^00” is as valuable as any book in existence; but his Irish experiences never interested rne at all in proportion to his European travels. “ Barry Lyndon” can hardly be called specially an Irish book. Its merit is purely literary; but in its own. way it has never been surpassed. I shall get “Mitchel’s History of Ireland,”. on the authority of “Historicus”; for the little I have read of Mitchel fully bears out the- epithets he applies to that most nervous writer. — I remain, sir, yours faithfuRy, G 0 Trevelyan, THE EDITOR OF THE PALL MALL GAZETTE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Northumberland-street, Strand. The editor of the Pall Moll Gazette presents his compliments to the editor of the Freeman's Journal, and begs to thank him for the proof of “ The best Hundred Irish Books.” The list seems to the editor of the PaJl Mall Gazette to be a most useful one, and does a work which he has often wished to see done. As soon as the article appears in the Freeman s Journal it shall (with the editor's permission) be quoted from in the Pall Mall Gazette. But as few English readers will have time t«> read the best 100 Irish books, would not “Histcif cus” pick out for us the best six or twelve ? March 19, 12 THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS, DR. INv.'RAM, OF TRINITY COLLEGE. 38 Upper Mount-street, March 19, 1886- Dr Ingram presents his compliments ta fciie Editor of the Freeman s Journal, and begs to say that he has read the article which has been sent him in proof. Its author seems to be both well- informed and fair-minded; but Dr Ingram is so much occupied with other work that he cannot consider with any care the great number of lite- rary judgments which the article contains. SIR ROBERT KANE. Sir Robert Kane presents his compliments to the Editor of the Freemans journal, and has read with much interest the copy of the article on the best 100 Irish books, which was sent to him in proof by the Editor for perusal. Sir Robert Kane agrees on the whole with the opinions expressed by the Editor on the respec- tive merits of the books referred to, but would have included the works of Sir Samuel and Lady Fer- guson, or the ‘‘ Early History (Legendary) of Ire- land” and the “ Lays of the Western Gael,” althoiigh, of course, they have no historical authority. Sir Robert Kane believes that any person hav- ing attentively read the 100 books recoin tnended by the Editor of the Freeman’s Journal, should have acquired an amount of information, and the means of forming a fairly-balanced judgment re- garding the history, spirit, and manners of the people of Ireland, such as very few of even the best educated people have hitherto possessed. Sir Robert Kane hopes that so good a course of instruction, advocated by so powerful and so popu- lar an authority as the Freemen’s Journal, will be extensively availed of by the people. 44 Fitz william-place, Dublin, 20th March, 1886. DR. SHAW, TRINITY COLLEGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN, School of Law, Trinity CoUega, Dublin, March 19, 1886 Dear Sir — I feel much complimented by your sending me an advanced copy of the article that is to appear on the best books about Ireland. I don’t think that I shall have time at my command to join in tlie dis- cussion which will doubtless arise out of your article on this very interesting subject; but I would suggest at once that you should add two books to your list. One is Mrs S Atkinson’s ‘ Life of Mary Aikenhead,” which pour trays the social life of Dublin during the first third of tlie present century, and does so with extraordinary vividness and insight (Mr. Lecky sets great value on this book); and ( he other is Mr. Barry O’Brien’s recent “ Fifty Years of Irish Concessions.” To the novels, also, I would add the Hon Emily Law- less’s “ Hurrish.” Her Irish dialect is not very accurate, but her cliaracter-drawing is full of truth and charm. Her young heroine is as new in fiction lis it is true, I believe, in the actual womanhood of Ireland. 1 am rather surprised at your omission of all reference to Mr. Justin McCarthy’s ” History of the Present Iteign.” There is a good deal about Ireland in it. Miss Hickson has cleared upa difll'-^ culty in (, lie records of the Irish outburst of 1641. ' What about Edmund Burke’s “ Letters on thi Trade of Ireland, the Penal Laws,” &o ? Then tliere are, besides Mill and Fclcrd, whom you mention, Malthus, Thornton, Newenham, and A Atkinsim {vide his rernai-ks on the Dublin Press, end of last century, admirable !) and a most in- structive glance at the rural society of our mid- land counties in Mudford’s ‘’ Life of the Dramatist Cumberland (Goldsmith’s contemporary) ; and there are Father Meehan’s works, which earned for him a high distinction from the Pope. I think a course of study in Irish history ought to include a series of visits to the museum of the R I A, with Sir William Wilde’s Catalogue — or, better still, a friend who knows the ropes, I at- tach a higher value than you do to Charles Lever’s Irish novels*. He knew Ireland well ; and I know that it was not( “ Harry Lorrequer ” and such farcical pictures bf Irish life that he plumed him- self on. One of his . favourites was “ Luttrel of of Arran” — Yours vei-y truly, ^ G. F. Shaw. • MR CARTON, Q C. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 20th March, 1886. Sir — I return you the proof article which you were good enough to send me. It strikes me as being very well done, and likely to do much good. I do not agree with the criticism that ‘‘ the Library of Ireland, the Spirit of the Nation, Davis’ Poems, are certainly calculated to make the Insh people rebels.’’ Neither do I agree that “ Who fears to speak of ’98 ” is the best, or anything like the best, of the poems in the “Spirit of tho Nation.” In addition to the books mentioned, I would suggest the fol- lowing. Amongst the historical sketches a place might be given to Father Meehan’s “ FKglit of the Earls,” and “ L’lrlande Sociale Politique et Re- ligieuse,” by De Beaumont. The late Father Shearman’s “ Life of St Patrick” ought to go side by side with Dr Todd. In poetry, Denis Florence M'Carthy ought to be mentioned; and “ Inisfail,” “ The Legends of St Patrick,” and “ The Foray of Queen Meave,” by Aubrey de Vere. These three Works contain many choiee pictures from Irish history, and especially the Catholic side of it, I think Hayes’ “ Ballads of Ireland” entitled to a place. I think it is the best collection of Irish ballads we have. Of recent books, I think” New Ireland,” by A M Sullivan, worthy of mention. I am very glad to see the article calls attention to the late Mr. Richey’s admirable lectures, I agree with the writer that they are not known as they deserve. 1 think special mention should also be made of “ The Ballad Poetry of Ireland,’ edited by Sir C G Duffy, and “ Romances and Ballads of Ireland,” edited by Hercules Ellis, and* published by James Duffy. I have to repeat, that I consider the article very well done and likely to do good service for Irish history and literature. — I am, very faithfully yours, 11. P. Carton. MR^ ALFRED WEBB. Dublin, 20th March, 1886. Dear Sir— You ask my opinion regarding the best hundred Irish books. “ Ilistoricus” ably opens the (juestion. 1 cannot better answer than by jotting down those I would recommend. No two people could agree as to the same list, ami no one could make out the same list two months running. If I had to pick out throe, 1 would FR. MEEHAN— THE LORD LTEVT '.NAET—BISIlOr OF ACllONRY. J3 chooso “ Ko vtiiig:” translated by P Mshony; “Wolfo Tone’s MtjiiioirH,” and “Ferguson’s Lays.’’ If I were to re roinnumd throe to a yoiing Nation- alisb tliey would bo “ Walpole’s Kingdom of Ireland.’’ “ Faweett’s Political Econo ruy,” and “ Smyth’s Lectures on the French Uevolution.’’ — Yours truly, Alfukd Webb. Oenkual Reference — Philips’s Irish Atlas, Joyce’s Names of Places, Murray’s Handbook, Lewis’s Topog. Die., Census List of Townlands, Hall’s Ireland, Thompson’s National History, An Irish Flora, O’Reilly’s Irish Dictionary, Joyce’s Grammar, Lodge’s Peerage, Burke’s Peerage, List of Irish Landowners, Irish Census, A Biographical Dictionary, Thom’s Directory (16). Rom.anck — Croker’s Fairy Legends, Joyce’s Celtic Romances, Drummond’s Minstrelsy (3). Ancient and Ecclesiastical — Brehon Laws, Maine’s Institutes, O’Curry ’s Manuscript Mate- rials, O’Curry ’s Manners and Customs, Petrie’s Round Towers (5). Ecclesiastical — Lannigan, O’Hanlon’s Saints, Todd’s St Patrick (3). General Histories — Froude’s England, Har- ris's Ware, Harertv, Keating, M‘Gee, O’Donovan’s Four Mi't^sters; Richey’s Lectures, Sullivan's St.ory of Ireland, Walpole, Green’s History of the English People (10). Historical and Biographical, chronologically arranged — Ferguson’s Ireland before the Con- quest, Haliday’s Scandinavian Dublin, Wars of the Gaedhil with the Gaill, Giraldus Cambrensis (Bohn’s Translation), Calendar Irish State Papers, 1171—1610, Gilbert’s Papers relating to 1641, Temple’s Rebellion, Dr John M’DouneU’s Civil War of 1641, Carlyle’s Cromwell, Prendergast’s Cromwellian Settlement, William Edmundson’s Life, Parnell’s Penal Laws, Molyneux’s Ca.se of Ireland, Swift’s Drapier’s Letters, Froude’s English in Ireland. Lecky’s History of Eighteenth Century, Lecky’s Leaders of Public Opinion, Young’s Tour, Grattan’s Memoirs by his Son, Wolfe Tone’s Auto- biography, Barrington’s Rise and Fall, Madden’s United Irishmen, MaxweU’s Irish Rebellion, Caatiereagh Memoirs, Cornwallis’s Correspondence, Swift MacNeiU's Irish Parliament, Luby’s O’Con- nell, Maguire’s Father Mathew, Devon Commis- sion Report, Friends, Relief Report, 1846-1847, O’Rourke’s Famine of Pirn’s Condition and Prospects, Speeches from the Dock, M'Carthy’s History of Our Own Times, Sullivan’s New Ireland, Duffy’s History of the Young Ireland Movement, T M Healy’s Why there is an Irish Land League (37). Poetry — Ahingham, D’Arcy Magee, Davis, Duffy’s Ballad Poetry, Ferguson’s Lays, Mangan, Moore’s Melodies, Spirit of the Nation, Sullivan’s Penny Readings, Williams’ Poetry of Ireland (10). Novels and Tales — Carle ton’s Tales and Stories, Miss Carey’s Castle Daly, Miss Edge- ao-v\ th’s Absentee, Griffin’s In vasion, 'The CoUegian s. Miss Charlotte G O’Brien’s Light and Shade, Mrs Hartley’s Flitters and Tatters, Hogan, M P, Miss Ferrard (9). Music — Stevenson’s Moore’s Melodies, Joyce’s Ancient Irish Music (2). Specially Suitable at Present — Fawcett’s Political Economy, Local Government in Cobden Club Series, Kaye’s Free Trade in Land, Smyth’s Lectures on the French Revolution (Bohn); Sum- ner’s Protectionism — the Ism which teaches that Waste makes Wealth. (5). In all 100. FATHER MEEHAN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE KREEVIAN. SS Michael and John’s, Marc-h 20. Dear Sir — I have carefully read your projected series of Irish historical works, and have no hesi- tation in pronouncing it admirable and most judicious. I regret that some of my own contributions to Irish lore do not figure ill the series. “The Kil- kenny Confederation,’’ “Flight of the Earls,’’ &c, &c, have been extolled by the Freeman at tlie time of their publication. — Truly yours, C P Meehan. THE LORD LIEUTENANT, EARL OF ABERDEEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FBEEMAN. The astle, Dublin, March 23.* Dear Sir — I am desired by the Lord Lieute- nant to acknowledge the receipt of your letter forwarding proof of article on “The Best Hun- dred Books,” for which his Excellency is very much obliged, and which he will read with great interest. — Yours truly, Alfred E. Turner. THE BISHOP OF AOHONRY. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN, BaUaghadereen, 22nd March, 1886. My DEAR Sir — I have been from home since Saturday, and quite unable until just now to read your article. I am sorry to say that my know- ledge of books is too scant to justify me in giving an opinion, but I will venture to offer a few suggestions. 1. It strikes me that perhaps you over-estimate Lecky. 2. Dr Todd gets too prominent a place. Car- dinal Moran has done much more, and ought, I think, have a leading place in your list. Dr Todd seeks to make St Patrick a kind of Protestant, and the ancient Church of Ireland independent of the See of Rome. Cardinal Moran and Dr Gargan (Maynooth) confute him. 3. Colgan (Acta, etc) has no place in your article, and his work is the great authority on Irish hagiology. Adamnan is omitted, so is Lynch (Archdeacon of Tuam) and Ware, and O’Fiaherty, and Hardiman, of Galway. Dr Petrie, too, is left out. 4. What about Goldsmith, and Dean Swift ? 5. Rev C P Meehan and the Rev Denis Murphy, S J, are living authors who have done admirable work in the field of Irish history. So has Father (Canon) John O’Hanlon, who is engaged in writ- ing the “ Lives of Irish Saints.” 6. If you mention English authors, why not give a word to the BoUandist Fathers (“ Acta Sanctorum ”), who have written so much on Ireland, and (jount Montalembert’s “ Monks of the West,” and Abbe (afterwards Bishop) Perraud’a book on Ireland ? 7. And lastly, how is it that you have not in- cluded A M Sullivan’s golden little book, “ The Story of Ireland ?” Were I able to take more time, and defer this to a later post, I might suggest other names. I congratulate you upon the extensive and intimate knowledge of books and general literature so well evidenced in this article of “ Historicus.” — Be- lieve me, my dear sir, yours very faithfully, ^ F J MacCormack. 14 THl. BEST HVNDRED IRISH BOOKS. THE MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. The Manse, Ballinasloe, 22nd March, ’86. Dear Sir — I have read with great interest the advanced copy of your able article on “ The Best Hundred Irish Books.” With many of the books mentioned I have no intimate acquaintance, but so far as I am able to judge, your remarks, with one of two abatements from my point of view, are most judicious and impartial. Presbyterians, in common with others, have suffered from the partial and partisan character of the historians of former times, and they gladly welcome every effort to shed forth light on the true records of our country. I heartily join you in the opinion that a good general history worthy be placed alongside the productions of Hume, Green, and others, is still a desideratum. — With best respects, believe me faithfully yonrs. The Moderator of General Assembly. THE PRESIDENT OF MAYNOOTH COLLEGE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, March 21st. Dear Sir — I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, your advanced copy of “ The Best Hundred Irish Books.” “ Eistoricus” has done his work well, supplying a useful and instructive analytical list of a hundred books in the very small space within which he has had to conhne so large a sub- ject. Such a list, however, from the very nature of the subject, will appear defective to the many who win scrutinise it from different standpoints. Thus, when dealing with the early periods of Irish his- tory, to pass over in silence Harris’s Ware’s “An- tiquities,” “ Bishops,” and “ Irish Writers Col- gan’s “Acta Sanctorum,” Reeves’ “Adamnan’s Life of St Columba, ” Lynch’s “ Cambreusis Eversus,” translated by the Rev Dr Kelly ; and contributions of members of the Royal Irish Academy will seem to some a grave omission. Then, when the “ broad and beaten highway” of Irish history is to l be little less excellent than the pictures which Carleton himself has drawn — 1 am faithfully yours. THE LIBRARIAN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. British Museum, March 20. Sir — I do not feel competent to revise, except by supplementary suggestion, the list of books furnished by “ Historicus,” to whom I feel in- debted for much valuable information. In say- ing this, I must not be understood to express an abstract apiiroval of all the books indicated, but merely to agree with the compiler that all, or nearly all, on one ground or another, deserve a place in a standard Irish library. I should be re luctant to criticise omissions without knowing on what grounds they have been made, or whether they are merely accidental. It may have been thought that works not treating of Ireland as the principal subject should be excluded. As, however, Macaulay’s History of England is very rightly named, “Historicus” will agree that a similar compliment ought to be paid to Professor Gardiner for the portions of his great history re- lating to the Ulster Plantation and the massacre of 1641, to be followed by the Cromwellian Con- quest and Administration. The portion of the Wellington Despatches relating to Ireland, and the Correspondence of Castlereagh and Cornwallis should be included on a similar principle. The omission of Miss Hickson’s “ Ireland in the Seven- teenth Century,” and of Bagwell’s “ Ireland under the Tudors,” can only be accidental. There is also a class of compilations not pretending to literary merit, but still indispensable I may instance Ryan’s “ Biographia Hibernica,” Reed’s “IriMi Cabinet” (the only approach to an Irish literary history, so far as I know), the col- lective Lives of the Lord Chancellors, and the Anecdotes of the Irish Bar. The mention of Skelton among authors tre iting of the social state of Ireland suggests the extreme desirable- ness of republishing his tracts on this subject apart from his theological writings, and also that the biography of him prefixed to his coUeited works deserves enumeration among Churcn his- tories as a most vivid picture of the Protestant Church of Ireland in the eighteenth century. Miss Cusack’s work on St Patrick might also be added to this division. Returning to books on the social condition of Ire'and, 1 would suggest the addition of Dr Thom us Campbell’s “ Tour ” and remark that Mr. Alliugham’s “Laurence ■l^loomfie'd,” unaccountably omitted by “ His- coricus,” might figure almost equally well in this department, or, among poerns. Petrie’s claasioal work on the Round Towers of Ireland should cer- tainly be included. Coming to imaginative literature, it is extraordinary that Mr. Ruskin, in recommending Miss Edgeworth’s Irish novels, should iiave omitted “ Castle Rackrenb,” by much the most racy and spirited, and, indeed, a work of genius of a very high order- I should have thought that Le /er’s “Knight of G Wynne” merited special mention from its historical inte- rest. Mr. De Vere’s poems on Irish themes and Mrs Hartley’s pictures of Dublin life deserve a place. But of all Irish works of imagination, by far the best are those which belong to the i-emote past. No other count- v has so beautiful legen- dary literature. I would bring out Joyce’s Irish Legends, with additions from kin bed sources in the cheapest possible form, and place them in the hands of every boy and girl in tlie country — Hoping that tbose remarks may bo useful I re- main, sir, yours very faithfully, ’ Ric/raiiD G vrnkit. R Browne, TUB cniBF SBJCRET A RV— DR. VA (rc/HAN—DR. M OFF ATT— MR. WM. 15 JOHNSTON, M.L\—TROF. FREEMAN— LORD MONT EAGLE. THE CHIEF SECRETARY. 95 Elm Park OanlenR, South Kensington, S W, March 20, 188(5. Mr. JohnMorley presents his compliments, ami hogs to thank the editor of the Freeman’ K Journal for his very interesting list of Irish books. THE MOST REV DR VAUGHAN. St llede’s College, Manchester, March 20, ’86. The Bishop of Salford presents his compliments to the Editor of the Freeman's Journal, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of the paper on “ The Best Hundred Irish Books.” The Bishop feels that his opinion on this paper, which the Editor asks him to express, can have no value or impor- tance whatever, for the simple reason that the Bishop has so means of knowing how far the list is complete, or how far the writers’ judgments are correct. But he is pleased with the idea — tlie more knowledge and means of reference are brought to our doors respecting Ireland at the f»reseut moment, the better. Though Mr. Lecky’s History is tainted by a strong rationalistic spirit, his marveUouB chapters on Ireland cannot be spoken off too highly. They ought to be read by everyone, especially by every Englishman, who has not yet read them; and they deserve the high and first rank assigned to them by “Historicus”. It seems odd that Major Reilly’s interesting work finds no place in the “ Hundred Best Irish Books.” DR MOFFATT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PREEMAN. Queen’s College, Gahvay, 20th March. ’Dear Sir — The subject of the article with which you favoured me is a large and difficult one, and it is clear that “ Historicus” has brought to the consideration of it ample knowledge and breadth of view and a fair and impartial spirit. It woldd be impossible, I think, to propose a betterlist of books, and students of history should feel deeply indebted to “ Historicus ” for his comprehensive and practical scheme of an Irish Historical Library.-— I am, dear sir, yours faithfully. T W Moffatt, MR. WM. JOHNSTON, M.P. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. House of Commons, 19th March. Sir — I have the honour to acknowledge the re- quest of the editor of the Freemans Journal that 1 should give my opinion on “ the Best Hundred Irish Books.” I presume that to be “Irish books,” in the sense of the Freeman s Journal, they should be written by Irishmen, printed on IrLsh-made paper, and published in Ireland. In this case I have not sufficient information to give an opinion on the subject. Probably the Freeman will give a list of such books, and I may then be in a better position to satisfy the editor. — I am, sir, your obedient servant, Wm Johnston. PROFESSOR IREEMAN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 16 St Giles, Oxford, March 20th, 1886. Sir — I was asked some time back, like rnanj other people, to make a list of the “ best hundreu' books.” I declincd,fon the ground that I shoul 1 likely give most undue proportion to my own subjects, and that my opinion would be of nc value on any others. I feel still less competent to draw out a list of specially Irish book.s. — Believe me, yours faithfully, Edward A. Free.man. LOUD MONTEAGLE. 17a Onslow-gardens, S W, 19th March, ’86. the editor OF THE FREE.MAN. Dear Sir — In reply to your favour of yester- day, asking my opinion on the best hundred Irish books, I regret to say that my reading has not been sufficiently extensive to make my opinion of any value, but I can testify to the liberal spirit in which “Historicus” has addressed himself to his task. — Yours faithfully, Monteagle. MR. W. J. FITZPATRICK, F.S.A., M.R.I.A. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 49 Fitzwdlliam-square, Dublin, March 23. Dear Sir — I should have returned in due course the proof which you were so good as to submit to me, but I did not think that the article would have appeared so soon. The list evinced great boldness and power, as Well as a considerable acquaintance with Irish books. I thought, however, that some of the works by English hands might perhaps have been omitted in favour of home manufacture. None of your correspondents have made men- tion of “ (jurran and His Contemporaries,” by Charles Philips, which Dr Madden describes as “ the best book yet written of the best of Irish- men” {United Irishmen, v ii, p 586). The valuable works of my late friend John D’ Alton have not been noticed, nor has Archdale’s “Monasticon Hibernicura ; the same author’s edition of “ Lodge’s Irish Peerage,” in eight volumes, 1789; Ware’s Works, O’Conor’s “Military Memoirs of the Irish Nation,” Monck Mason’s Book on Swift and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Hardiman’s “ Gal- way,” “ The Reliques of Father Prout,” or O’Brien’s and Petrie’s books on the Round Towers — both urging wholly opposite conclusions. It is a ques- tion whether that grand work “ The Antiquities of Ireland,” by Francis Grose, F S A, ought to have been overlooked. Grose was an Englishman, but he is buried in Drumcondra graveyard — and as his bones were claimed by Ireland, so, perhaps, might we claim the man. “ Historicus” justly recommends Dr Moran’s “Lives of the Catholic Archbishops of Dublin.” One volume only appeared many years ago, and I have heard that the author does not mean to complete the work. One of your correspondents makes’ honourable mention of Maxwell’s “ Irish Rebellion/’ but I do not think it holds any rank as an authority, being a rechauffe of sensational episodes from Musgrave’s “ History,” a work so slandeious of the national character that even the Vi( ero of the day. Lord Cornwallis, publicly repudiated it. Maxwell’s compilation was what his friend Lever called a “ pot boiler,” and simply answ^ered the personal need of the hour. A book revealing much more truth and genius is the “ History of the Rebel- lion,” by Edw Hay, afterwards Secretary to the 16 TRE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. Catholic Board. Barrington’s “ Historic Memoirs of the Irish Nation,” and his “ Rise and Fall,” have hardly received the attention to which their merit entitles them. Thirty years ago I asked Mr. (now Sir) Gavan Duffy what book he would recommend as an example of style, and in a letter, which I have still preserved, he replied that Bar- rington’s “Rise and Fall” affords a very fine specimen of historic and biographic composition. It is the “ Personal Sketches of his Own Time” that abounds in “ weaknesses.” None of your contributors have as yet named the powerful “ Letters of Dr Doyle on the State of Ireland” — of course, I do not mean the remark- able letters included in the “ Life of Dr Doyle,” a work which The Register of last Saturday much too indulgently embraces in the list of “The best Hundred Catholic Books.” — Yours faithfully, W J Fitzpatrick, F S A. PROFESSOR DOWDEN. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Winstead, Temple road, Rathmines, March 21, 1886. Sir — Accept my thanks for the proof of the in- •teresting article by “ Historicus ” on “The Best Hundred Irish Books.” Not having made any special study of Irish history, except for one very brief period, I am unwilling to offer any sugges- tions on the subject of the article — Your obedient servant. Edward Dowdbn. % MR. JUSTICE STEPHEN. March 20th, 1886, Mr. Justice Stephen presents his compliments to the Editor of the Freeman's Journal, and thanks him for the interesting paper enclosed m his letter. Mr. Justice Stephen regrets that he is not in a position to express any opinion on its con- tents. HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL NEWMAN. March 23, 1886. Cardinal Newman feels the literary compliment paid him by the editor of the Freeman's Journal in the request contained in his letter just re- ceived, but is obliged to reply that he has neither strength nor leisure equal to so serious an under- taking. SIR BERNARD BURKE, ULSTER KING OF ARMS. Sir Bernard Burke presents his compli- ments to the editor of the Freeman's Journal, and begs to thank him for the “ proof” of “ 11 is- toricus’s” able essay. Sir Bernard has read it with the greatest interest. It is full of information — the pn>duction of an accomplished critic, fair and impartial. A brilliantly-written pamphlet, “ Irish Pa.stand Present,” by Right Hon J Witsovi Croker, wap published about sixty or seventy years ago “Historicus” might mention it. Tullamaine House, Dublin, 21st March, 1886. THE MOST REV. DR. HEALY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Dear Sir — I can only make a few hurried re- marks on your article on “TheBest Hundred Irish Books.” That several of those which the writer has nanaed should be regarded by any one as the “ best,” or “ amongst the best,” does not speak well for Irish literature. I think in the first place the article might be more appropriately headed : “ The Best Hundred Books on Irish History,” for, with the exception of two short paragraphs on the Poets and Novelists^ the entire paper deals with historical writers. It is very true, as the writer observes, that we have no History of Ire- land, either Civil or Ecclesiastical, worthy of the names. Such histories are yet to be written, but materials are daily accumulating, and the fit time has hardly yet arrived ; when, how’ever, the time is come and the matter shall be ready, I have no doubt the man will not be wanting. I cannot, therefore, blam? the writer of your article if amongst his hundred authors ho has enu- merated some histoi'ians who are altogether un- worthy of that name, who never consulted or cared to consult the original authorities, and who give us as genuine history their own crude and meagre conceptions, sometimes of real and semetimes of purely imaginary events. But when he reckons, and justly reckons, O’Donovan, O’Cuny, and Todd, as amongst the Fathers of Irish His- tory, he certainly should not have omitted all reference to two great names — Petrie and Reeves. The “ Essay on the Round Towers ” is one of the most learned and impartial w orks on Irish history that have ever been written, and Adamnan’sLife of Columba, edited by Dr Reeves, should occupy a place on the book-shelves of every Irish scholar. These two works are not popular treatises, it is true, but they are simply indispens- able as sources of information for every student of Irish history. Carte’s “Life of Ormond” is valuable as a compilation of facts and documents, but quite untrustworthy as an authority on the politico-religious questions of the tim?. The reader who wdshes to be thoroughly acquainted with that stormy Cromwellian period will take care to read Father Murphy’s “ Cromwell in Ire- land,” as well as Mr. Prendergast’s “ Settlement,” and Carlyle’s “ Cromwell.” I cannot endorse the eulogy W'hich the w'riter passes Tone’s “ Auto- biography.” It is certainly written with vigour and animation, but it is not a work which on the wEvle I should venture to recommend for the perusal of young Irishmen. The observations on the literature of the Young Ireland movement — from 1842 to 1848 — are just and appropriate. Even those who might be most opposed to the political views of that band of patriots cannot deny them the glory of having made these disas- trous years tlie most brilliant epoch m Irish literary history. There has been notiiinc: like it before or since. Their genius stirred the soul of the entire nation, and moves it still. Davis and Duffy, Mangan and M'Gee, were all true poets In my opinion, however, Mangaii is the foremost of those sons of sf Maynooth, and Dr Kenehan’s “ Collections” will also be found indispensable aids to the study of Irish ecclesiastical history. I am inclined c<» agree with Mr. Kuskin in his estimate of Miss Edgeworth’s novels. Griffin, Eanim, and Carle- ton are, however, more racy of the soil; and, al- though the latter especially is sometimes coarse and vulgar, no objections can, I think, betaken to any of these novelists on tho score of morality. I cannot, however, undertake to say the same of all the other writers referred to in the article. With the views of many of these writers Catholics will necessarily disagree: nor can w'e recommend their indiscriminate perusal to all. But even the most objectionable amongst them would be profitable reading in comparison with the filthy and debasing literature that is too often vomited from the Press both in England and ®n the Continent. ►t* John Healy. MR. O’NEILL DAUNT. Kilcascan, Bally neen, county Cork, 22nd March, 1886. Mr. Daunt begs to offer his thanks to the editor of the Freeman’s Journal for the paper supplied by “ Historicus,” containing a list of books for useful popular reading, Many of the books men- tioned Mr. Daunt would have recommended. He would add “ Peter Plymley’s Letters,” by Sidney Smyth. Also the Debates in the Irish Parlia- ment from 1779 to the Union ; also several good anti-Union pamphlets, which would help to in- crease the knowledge of the merits of the Irish cause and to stimulate the national spirit. These could probably be procured at some of the nume- rous old bookshops in Dublin. It is scarcely right for an author to refer to his own produc- tions, yet Mr. Daunt may venture to mention a collection of his ” Essays on the Irish Question,” which Messrs Gill are at present printing. A M SuUivan’s “ Story of Ireland” and T D Sullivan’s “ Story of England” are both good books for Irish readers. THE MacDERMOT, Q.C., SOLICITOR- GENERAL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 10 Fitz william place, March 23rd. Dear Sir — I have to thank you for the ad- vanced proof with W'hich you favoured me of the contributior by “Historicus” to the formation of a list of the Best Hundred Irish Books. I read his paper with much interest and advantage. No one can fail to find in it a valuable and impartial guide to what is best in Irish history and litera- ture, nor fail to recognise in the choice of works made and the graceful judgment passed upon them the presence of an accomplished critic. To 8up[)lement the list of “ Historicus” would require some little time for consideration, which later on I may be able to afford. — Yours truly, MacDermot. CANON DANIEL, P.P. TO TMK KUITOK OK THE KKEKMAN. St Nicholiis’, FranciM-stieet, March 23. Dear Sir — I have to thank you very much b-r your kindueBH in including me amongHt those to whom you sent, in proof, the very valuable and interesting article by “ IliHtoricus ” on the select tion for reading of the Best Hundred Books in Irish literature. 1 regret to say that my accjuaintance with Irish literature (properly so called) is of the slightest, and would not justify me in sharing prominently in the discussion startecl by “ Historicus.” 1 have read his article with the greatest pleasure, and I hope, with some profit. Any suggestions that I could venture to offer as sujiplemental to his ex- haustive list have been anticipated to-day by your various correspondents, especially by my friend Mr. Alfred Webb. — Yours faithful!}', Jas Daniel, P P. THE SECRETARY, GENERAL POST OFFICE. General Post Office, Dublin , 23rd March, 1886. Mr. CresweU presents his compliments to tho Editor of the Freeman's Journal, and begs to thank him for letting him see a proof copy of the article on ‘‘ The Best Hundred Irish Books.” Mr. CresweU was prevented by his many engagements from reading it until this morning, and he now sees it has appeared in the journal. He read it with great interest ; it is very able and instructive, and cannot fail to be of much value to all who desire to study the history and literature of Ireland. DR THORNLEY STOKER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 16 Harcourt-street, Dublin, March 20th.- Dear Sir — I am much obliged to you for the advance proof of the article about to appear in the Freeman's Journal on the Best Hundred Irish Books, and for your wish that I should express my opinion on it. I am sorry that limits, both of knowledge and time, prevent me pronouncing a criticism of any particular value. A perusal of the work of “ Historicus ” has made me even more sensible than I have always been of the ne- glect which attaches to the study, in Ireland, of literature which is Irish in the sense of the writei, that is to say deals with Ireland or Irish questions; for I see the names of a number of books which I have never read and which make me re- new an often felt regret that in the education of the youth of this island it has, in the past at all events, been rather a fashion to boycott our Irish history as something more curious than beautiful, and as not properly belonging to the ordinary lines of learning. In fact, while we have been stimulated to a study of the history of nearly every great foreign nation, we have, to put it in the most feeble way, been allowed to neglect that of our own country, and have failed to learn tlie lessons we might from its history, romance, and tradition; its persecutions and patriotism; its misfortunes and its faults. This has been the direct outcome of an ascendancy social, religious, and educational, which, existing in the person of e( class, has sought for centuries to extinguish everything that was kindred to the soil and its people. Not to speak of the black darkness of C is THE BEST II UNDllED IRISH BOOKS. the past, what is tiie answer if we ask, where, even in our own times, have the history and tra- ditions of onr country found proper teaching and exposition ? In what schools and centres of Jearning have they found the place they merit among Irishmen ? They have been the spcial pursuit of persons whose very interest in them has stamped them in the general estima- tion of the upper classes as either useless or dis- loyal. They have been the property and the pride ot a few, and to these few we may offer our hom- age for their preservation. At the present mo- ment I venture to say that more knowledge of Irish history would be found among the children attending National schools than among the off- i spring of the gentry in their classrooms and seminaries. The outcome of this is a po verty in national historical literature which con rasts with the voluminous and valuable records of other coun- tries oncehogreater in their art or civilisation than we were. “Historicus” has therefore to choose from a list which has ccnnpelled by its paucity the in- clusion of some works the merits of which may be open to question. While on the whole I admire his critical selection, I notice the omission of books which would fain see included. “ Petrie on the Pound Towers,” Dr Todd’s “ Wars of the Gaedhill and the Gail,” the late Lord Dunraven’s “ Ecclesiastical Architecture,” and Father Mee- han’s Earls of Tyrone and TyrconneU,” are books for the many as well as for the few. Monck- Masou’.s “History of St Patrick’s Cathedral,” and Halliday’s “ Scandinavian Kingdom of Dublin,” have an interest more than local; while Hardiman’s “History of Galway” may be read elsewhere than in the “ City of the Tribes.” If a selection is to be made calculated to be of use tc-i all classes of readers, Mr. Challoner Smith’s gi at catalogue of British Mezzotint Portraits has a claim, be- cause it deals with an art largely Insii both as to its artists and its subjects. When I had rea l the list of books propounded by “ Historicuff,” I asked myself with that jealousy w^hich makes every man who has a science or an art thil^k his own tlie true profession, why no Cfiention was made of medicine or the cognate sciences, which have bad such great exponents in this city. But I reflected that if I proposed to insert in tJie list even thefamous worksof Cheyne, Harri- son, Jacob, Grave.s, Stokes, Todd, or Robert Smith, which in3,ve given new viowvs to the world of medi- cine, and made the Dublin school famous over the whole globe, I would but stimulate the devo- tee at some other altar to favour us with a list of writings on conic sections or the dillerential calculus, or on the atomic weight of certain giiscs, or tlie spectrum of a certain planet, and so 1 re- main silent to protect myself from that specialism which 1 would fain inflict on others, and only say wdiat I do on tuo subject, lest my silence should bo construed into disloyalty. 'I'he part of your corresj>ondent’8 article to which 1 am most inclined to take exception is, however, tiLs inclusion in his list only of books alx.ut Ireland, for he thus excludes the best literature hei- sons have [>roduced It is true tliat writings on general sub- jects are the fnopc'rty of the wliole woidd of letters, and are cosmopolitan latlu'r than Irish. Still the ))roductions of the genius of a country a)e always claimed as its own, whatever their subject n may lx;, juxi it seeins t,o itie tliat our homo maiiufactur., ju this re poet is one wo should jealously lay hold of. In this respect! miss many names from the list. Bunting’s Iri.sk Music, Anster’s Faust, and the poems of Parnell, without laying claim to the mixed nationality of Felicia Hernans, are works with which we should cherish the connection, and Sir Samuel Ferguson still sustains our history of song. The plays of Steele, no less than his splendid English, and his service to the W'orld by the introduction of periodic literature, are inheritances of letters not to be forgotten ; and the “ Tatler” and “ Spec- tator” should find a place on every Irish bookshelf. In our own day we had in Sir William Wilde a writer whose best work has been of his country as well as in it. Annmg other books his “ Boym and Blackwater ” should be read by everyone Irksh, and his Catalogue of Celtic Antiquities in the Irish Academy is a work of surprisitig labour and learning, and_ enough in itself to constitute a re- putation. W ithin the last few years Mrs Hartley has added an element to our national litera- ture as distinctive as that of Bret Harte is to America, and “Flitters, Tatters, and the Coun- sellor ” is only one to be named of several of her writings which should not be omitted from a re- presentative list. What has the Rev Francis Mahouy done that the “ Reliques of Father Prout” should be omitted from the list? Surely it is an Irish possession in the best sense of the word, both as to authorship and redolence of the soil ? Sheridan has a claim on the admiration^ not only of his countrymen, but of the whole world; and finally, sir, in the sweetest and greatest of our writers we have one who has few equals and no superiors in the literature of any land', and the other nations may well be jealous that Oliver Goldsmith w.as an Irishman born and bred. — Yours faithfully, W Thornlky Stoker. REV. DR. KAVANAGH, P.P., KILDARE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Kildare, March 24th. Dear Sir — I read with interest, and shall pre- serve very carefully “ Historicus’ ” most interest- ing list of “The Best Hundred Irish Books” which you so kindly sent me. I missed from that list Father Denis Murphy’s “Cromwell in Ireland,” one of the most perfect monograms in the language. Sir John Pope Hen- uessy’s “ Sir Walter Raleigh in Ireland” should also have a place in the list. I also expected to fii;d William Parnell’s “ Ireland in 1807 ” and Sir Henry Parnell’s “ Ireland in 1827,” Dr Doyle’s ^‘Letters to Lord Liverpool on the State of Ire- land” and bis “ Catholic Claims.” I know nothing equal to Dr Doyle’s twelve letters for vivid and eloquent descriptions of Irish abuses of the day. I was also 8<*rry to see Tha^keiay’s “ Irish Dramatists ” omitted. HD .ketch of Gold- srnitli is unrivalled. Few Englislmien so truly appreciated the Irish character, with all its defects and its many virtues, as the gi-eat novelist, II is big heart wjus biimful of kind and toiuler sympathies with Ireland. Even in his “ Sketch Book,” when he sometimes says hard things, ho assures us (and 1 believe him) that lie does no| speak with acorn or ill feeling, Imt witli hearty sympathy and goodwill. After I\l r. Knskin an j Mr. Cowell, few Fnglislimen foiiiied so jn.'U an estimate of tlie Iri.sli c.hararter as JVlr. 'iliai kery. MAllQUIS OF IIARTINGTON— BISHOP OF CLONFEllT— PROFESSOR STOKES. 10 If tlio apeechoa of >Ir. I’rij'lit are on your list, why are Mr. Gladstone’s excluded ? Mr. Hri;.:ht’8 speeches on Irish Buhjects are very good; hut, euu)[)ared with the speeches of Mr. Gladstone ou the Irish Church and t.lie Irish Land queskons, they are as the tinklinc: of a small bell compared w'lth the booming of an 80-ton gun. I regret I must dissent from some of " llis- toricua's” criticisms —his estimate of Plowden, for example, Plowden is one of the last books I would put into the hands of a young Irishman to learn the history of his country. — I am faithfully youis, Ja.mes Kavanagu. D D, P P. THE MARQUIS OF HARTINGTON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FBEEIIAN. , oushire House, Piccadilly, W, March 21, 1886. Lord Hartington presents his compliments to the Editor of the Freeman's .Journal, and regrets the delay in replying to his letter. Lord Hart- ingten has read with interest the proof of the ar- ticle on “ The Best Hundred Irish Books,” but lie does not think that his opinions on an Irish literary question would be of any value. THE BISHOP OF CLONFERT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Loughrea, March 24. Dear Sir — Though not sufficiently an expert to pronounce judgment ou the merits of many of the works selected by “ Historicus,’’ I have no hesitation in expressing my cordial approval of the object the editor ©f the Freeman has in view. So far as I understand it, your desire is to stimulate the reading public to cultivate, by means of the most available truthful channels, an acquaintance with our sad but interesting his- tory, too often distorted by prejudice or bigotry, as also with the character of our people, too fre- quently made the subject of caricature and mis- representation. If, by the use of authentic re- cords and the agency of a healthy literature, the Irish story and the characteristic traits of our long-suflfering people are even now placed in their proper light, the Freeman will have deserved well of the country and earned additional claim to our confidence and gratitude. I make free to suggest that Canon O'Rourke’s book on the “ Great Irish Famine” and Maguire’s “ Irish in America ” should find a prominent place in the list furnished for readers. Both are truthful and thrilling records of episodes that have left landmarks never to be effaced, and that form the foundation of organic changes in our social and political system, of which -we appear to be only on the very thi'eshold. — FaithfiUlly your.s, ►P Patrick Duggan. PROFESSOR STOKE'^. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Trinity College, March 22. Sir— I have read the advance proof of the article ou t*he Best 100 Irish Historical Works, and have admired its comprehensive and tolerant spirit, the only spirit, indeed, worthy of the his- torical student. There are, however, some works which I would add to it. It is difficult in dealing with such a subject and with such a comt)i ehen- sive article to bo (;uite sure that any particular book has not been already inentioned. I Mhall therefore make no attempt to sujiply its lacuna*, but oflTer suggestions Jis they occur to me. 'I’ak- ing the subject from a chronological point of view we V)egin \.'ith St Patrick. You have mentioned Dr Todd’s Ijife; I should be inclined to add the Rev Mr. Hogan’s Extracts from the Book of Ar- magh in the Analecta Bollandiana, puldished at Brussels some three or four years ago, and Mr. Hennessy’s translations of the Tripartite Idfeand of the works of the national saint in Miss Cusack’s Life of St Patrick. The Rev Robert King’s Church History of Ireland is an accurate and learned work from an opposite point of view, while Mr. Skene’s Celtic Scotland is just as learned and yet more modern and more interesting. Cardinal Moran, again, in his essays on “ Early Irish Church History,” is the only writer who has utilised Wasserschleben’s learned work ou Irish Canon Law. Mr Warren’s “ Celtic Liturgies” deals with a somewhat obscure side of our Church his- tory, which has gained a special interest for us since the late additions to the manuscript trea- sures of the Irish Academy, Dr Reeves’s edition of Adamnan's “ Life of Columba” is extremely valuable for its iUustrations of life in the sixth and seventh centuries, illustrated as it has been within the last twelve months on many important points by Butler’s “Coptic Churches of Egypt.” Dr Reeves’s “Antiquities of Down and Connor,” and his edition of Primate Colton’s “ Visitation,” are also most learned and iustructive. The “ Life of Columbanus” and the works of that ancient saint are very interesting as showing the learning of Bangor in the seventh century, a topic wliich the career of John Scotus Erigena abundantly confirms. The “ Life of Malachy, Archbishop of Armagh,” by St Bernard; the story of “ Burni; Njal,” by Sir George Dasent ; and Dr Todd’s “ The Wars of the Gaedhel and the Gael” in the Master of the Rolls series, together with Mi. Hennessy’s “ Chronicon Scotorum” in the same series, are essential to the knowledge of Ireland between the tenth and the thfrteenth centurie.s. O’Hanlon’s “ Life of St Laurence O’Toole” and “ Lives of the Irish Saints,” together with Col- gan’s “ Acta Sanctorum,” shed much liglit upon the same period. Ussher’s “ Historical Wor£s,” again, are authorities used and ac- knowledged by all parties. His singu- lar historical acumen and judgment have been strikingly illustrated by Bishop Lightfoot’s new work on St Ignatius and St Polycarp. The latest historical Investigations only confirm the judgments of our Irish scholar 250 years ago. IBs “ SyUoge Veterum Epistolarum Hibernicarum” is a curious repertory of Epistles bearing on Irish history a thousand years ago. Mr. Gilbert’s volume of Dublin Municipal Records, and his Chartularies of St Mary’s Abbey, both published in the Rolls Series, are important contributions of our 13th century literature. The printed Sta- tutes of the Irish Parliament shed much light on our history. To these I would add Sir S Ferguson’s Annual Reports, and his contribution to St Patrick’s bi.story, lately printed in the Transactions of the Irish Academy. I have confined myself to early times, for I am sure many will deal with our later history. I may, however, notice among those which throw hjut ou the last two centuries Archbishop King s 20 THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. “ State of the Irish Protestants,” Dean Davies’s Journal of the Wars of William III, in the Cam- den Society’s series ; Life of James Bonnell, Accountant-General of Ireland under James II, William III, and Queen Anne; Mrs. Delany’s Auto- biography, a charming picture of Dublin Life in the 18th century ; Life and Times of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon; Webb’s Dictionary of Irish Biography, a most useful and accurate pub- lication, which might, however, be much enlarged in a new edition, as many winters noticed by Ware find no place there: Life and Times of Lord Clon- curry, and Amherst’s “ Histofy of Catholic Emancipation” (just published). I may notice, in conclusion, the sad want of local histories amongst us. Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo, Armagh, and Drogheda are the only towns which on the spur of the moment I can recollect as having developed such. I know bookmaking is not a thriving or paying trade, but surely our Young Men’s Societies might well devote their rural leisure to collecting the history of the past w'hile the loeal Press would give it immortality. The country clergy ot both churches have abundant leisure and ample material at hand. They might surely utilise it in such studies. A little has been done in this direction, but not much. Cogan’s Meath, Butler’s Trim, Brady’s Cork, Cloyne, and Ross; Joly on the Old Bridge of Athlone, Histories of Kilmainhara, Kildare, and Down, the names of whose authors I do not just now' recall, show how much might be done. In the ” Meath Parochial Magazine” I have been myself striving to show what could be made of such an historic spot as Athlone. How much more might be done if only men could unite amidst all their differences in the most entrancing of all studies — the study of the past ? George T. Stoke.s. P.S. — I do not think you have noticed Sir Wil- liam Wilde’s learned Appendi.v to the Census Reports of 1851 or 1861 (I forget which) on the plagues which have desolated Ireland- His book on the Boyne and Blackwater are also full of charming Irish history. Lord Dunraven’s work on Irish Architecture and Petrie’s Christian In- scriptions of Ireland are most accurate and im- pcu’tant- REV DR. DELANY, S J. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. University College, St Stephen’s-green, Dublin, March 21, 1886. Dear Sir — I have read with much interest the very suggestive and able paper of ‘‘ Historicus,” and beg to thank you lor your courteous invita- tion to express my opinion regarding the “ Best Hundred Irish Books.” Even were I well v(;rsed in Irish history, which unfortunately I am not, it would take more time than 1 can command to offer any detailed criticism worth reading on so long a list of books, many of which 1 have never read. In reading, as in other things, each person is guided largely by his own tiistes, :rs well as by the special wants of hi.s work in life; and thus it haf)pens that, though I have read, as most ])cople do, a fair quantity of history, 1 must confess, yacc Carlyle and “ Historicus,” that historical works have not held the (ir.st place in my reading. 1 prefei’ llomei and 1 Icmosthcrnes b) Thucy- dides; and Xenophon, Cice.ro, and Virgil to bivy and Tacitus; Dante to Guicciardini; Molieio to RoUin; Shakespeare and Scott to Hume and Ma- caulay. In the same way, though our Irish epic is still unwritten, and much as I admire the excellent work done in Irish history by Mr. Lecky and other writers named by “ Historicus,” I own that I should place Irish poetry and Irish oratory in the first places on my list of Irish books. And this preference is not one of mere literary form. I believe them to be of greater intrinsic importance, even historically. Some one said recently — I forget who — that “ the best histt>rie.s are mostly fiction, whilst the best fictions are mostly histor 3 ^” I do not at all endorse the cynical epigram, and I hold that many of our recent books on Irish history are in the fullest sense historical, and de- serving of all credit; but we have only to recall how the facts that we see from day to day with our own eyes are recorded — say in the pages of the leading journals, by writers who are “all honourable men;” and we shall realise that gifts of imagination and invention may find a scope sometimes in our histories as well as in our novels — indeed, our bookshelves offer us some brilliant examples of the exercise of such gifts upon Irish history in the near and distant past. But, dealing even with writers of undoubted veracity and of great learning and research, and measuring the value of books not by their abstract intrinsic worth in the judgment of highly edu- cated men, but by the broad standard of their potency for good on the minds of a people, and by their influence on the people’s destinies, I believe that the poets and orators of a nation must always take rank before its historians, however accomplished. The songs of a nation do not merely reflect its chaiacter, as history does less vividly — they are one of the most potent forces in moulding it>; and the words of a nation’s orators make at times great epochs in her history, whilst they remain often the best record of these epochs. Apart from this question of rel.ativo precedence, in which very many, no doubt, will agree rather with “ Historicus” and Carlyle, I think the list given is a very good one, and emiuCntly suggestive, i miss from it some names that I expected to find — Colgan, Petrie, Dr Doyle, and some other’s; and, amongst more recent books, Montalembert’s volume of the Irish Monks, Fr Murphy’s ‘‘ Crom- well in Ireland,” Sullivan’s ” New Ireland,” Barry O’Brien’s “Fifty Years of Concession,” O'Connor’s “ Parnell Movement,” and a few others, chiefly poets. But on the other h;^id, “Historicus” mentions many books of which I know nothing, and I am therefore not in a posi- tion to form a comparative judgment of his omission. Thanking you for the very instructive paper, and the discussion provoked by it, believe me yours fafthfully, William Del any, S J. THE EDITOR OF THE IRISH MONTHLY. TO THE EDITOR OK THE 1IIVEW\N. St Fi-ancis Xavier’s, Dublin, March 21. Dear Sir — “ Historicus” used to bo Mr. Ver- non Harcourt, but I KiqipohO Sir Williiun Hnr court lias given up jiscudonyms and journalism. CAXON O'ROURKE, P.P. 21 His Irinh namesake seems to me to bo too true to his name, confining his choice of books too mucii to liistory. Towards tlie end indoe» slain by their opponents.” On the Crom- wellian period Carlyle is mentioned but not “ Cromwell in Ireland” by the Rev Denis Murphy, S J, whose historical candour edified even the Saturday Review’, and, stranger still, the learned Presbyterian, the Rev George HiU, is neglected as an authority on the Plantation of Ulster. But among the notable books omitted I put first of all Mr. Alfred Webb’s “ Compendium of Irish History” — a work of vast research and great impartiality, furnishing in a clear, terse, and un- affected style, sufficiently fuU and accurate infor- mation about almost every part of Irish history and almost every person connected with Ireland. Mr. Webb’s name reminds me of the mor practical and more general list of Irisb books which he has appended to his comment oa “ flisto- ricus.” Both he and “ Historicus ” seem to take poetry and fiction merely as illustrations of Irish history and character. This puts out of conside- ration such graceful writers as Miss Julia Kavanagh, Miss Kathleen O’Meara, etc. Even in this view how has Mr. Webb omitted Aubrey de Vere’s “ Legends of St Patrick,” “ Inisfail,” and “ The Sisters ?” Mr. Alfi-ed Graves deserves praise in this context. The son of a Protestant bishop shows a very commendable sympathy with the feelings of the Irish peasant in such songs as “ Father O’Flynn.” So does Mr. AUingham in his “ Laurence Bloomfield,” and many of his lyrical pieces. I hold, however, that “ the best Irish book” in any department of literature is the book which, being written by an Irishman, reflects the greatest credit on Ireland, no matter what the theme may be; and I therefore believe Judge O’ Hagan’s splendid translation of “ The Song of Roland” to be among the very foremost triumphs of Irish talent in our time, or at anytime. On the same principle, making a suddentransitiontothe depart- ment of biography, I venture, in spite of kinship, to claim a high place for Dr C W Russell’s “ Life of Mezzofanti, ” w&ich the Italians themselves haA^e adopted as the standard biography of their Polyglot Cardinal As 1 have inentiojied biography, I may omphaHise Dr Sluiw’s statement that Mr. Lecky holds in high esteem Mrs Atkinson’s admirable “ Life of .Mary Aikenhead, Foundress of the Irish Sisters of Cliarity.” Is sufficient credit given hi Dr Daniel Griffin for his excellent biography of his brotfier ? Gerald Griffin’s “ Collegians” is the one book tlmt is never omitted in a list of Irish novels. The other names on a very limited list might perhaps be (Goldsmith’s “ Vicar” stands apart) Miss Edg- worth’s “ Ciisble Rackrent,” Banim’s “Father Con- nell,” Lever’s “ Knight of Gwynne,” Miss Keary’s “ Castle Daly,” King’s “ Wearing of the Green,” Charles Kickham’s “ Knocknagow,” Richard Dow- ling’s “ Mystery of Killard,” Miss Brew’s “ Chronicles of Castle Cloyne,” and MLss Mulhol- land’s “ Hester’s History,” or, as the last is not easily procurable, “ Marcella Grace,” by the same author. A selection of the best and brightest of Carleton’s shorter stories would be a boou; but we cannot name him without adding our belief that with the faith of his childhood he lost much of the refinement, purity, and reverence which are required in an interpreter of Irish character and feeling. I am surprised that so sympathetic an Irishman as Mr. Webb includes in his list tales written in a coarse, cynical spirit that commends them only to English readers; while Mr. Lecky, and even Dr Shaw, praise a very unamiable, not to say atrocious, picture of an Irish peasant mother as true to life as the caricature of Irish dialect, which. Dr Shaw confessed, “ is not very accurate.” Mr. Webb among his poets has omitted Denis Florence MacCarthy, whose best poems are easily procurable in a cheap popular edition. He ought to have found room for the two latest comers — Katherine Tynan’s “ Louise la Valliere and other Poems,” and Rosa MulhoUand’s “ Vagrant Verses” — both of them sure of a permanent place in our Irish literature. No list of “ The Hundred Best Irish Books” should leave out that work of real genius, John Mitchel’s “Jail Journal;” and I would claim a place also for the Rev Joseph Farrell’s “ Lectures of a Certain Professor.” — Yours truly, Matthew Russell, S J. CANON O’ROURKE, P P, MAYNOOTH. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. St Mary’s, Maynooth, 24th March. Dear Sir — Will you kindly allow me to say a few words on the above question. My remarks will not so much refer to particular books as to the general bearings of the subject. 1. It seems to me that the best and most practical thing for one to do who wishes to make himself acquainted with any subject is to begin with the best handbook he can procure on it. Should his time and tastes lead him to rise to higher studies in the same line, he can then proceed to the quartos and folios ; it is all very well tosetdown in a list such books as “ The Four Masters,” “ Fyne’s Morrison,” “Harris’s Ware,”&c: but no person who has business to attend to can afford time to study them, so copious, so uninteresting to the general reader. And even if one could be found with courage enough to undertake the task and accom- plish it, he would have only mastered fragments of Irish history after all. In fact, these and such books are not so much intended to be read through as to be referred to as authorities when found necessary. 2. I know desultory reading ii very common in history as in other things; but THE BEST II VN BRED IRISH BOOKS. ?2 to a great exoeut it is loss of time. Keep to your handbook, and refer to the more copious works when you have need of them. These remarks, I may be told, refer to beginuer.s only. I speak with some experience when I say that very many begin to study Irish history late in life, and too many nevei begin it at all. A beginner is a beginner at any age, and if “ His- toricus ’’ will quietly and silently cast about for information on the subject, he will be astonished at the number of otherwise well educated people who have never mastered a decent handbook of their counti’y’s history. What object can there Vie in talking about “ The Four Masters” and *• Harris’s Ware” to such people ? We have two excellent handbooks of Irish his- tory quite available — Havarty’s “ History of Ire- land,” and Darcy M‘Gee’s “ Popular History of Ireland.” Without at all disparaging the latter, I prefer the former, because it has copious notes and references. I dismiss the leading Irish novelists in a few words. The Baniras and Gerald Grifi&n have done noble and national work in this line. Carleton is wonderfully graphic as far as his knowledge and observation went, but they were limited to a por- tion of Ulster; besides he sometimes asperses the character of his fellow-countrymen in order to spice his stories for the English market. I sup- pose tlie fine novels of the Banims and Gerald Griffin are scarcely read now. They are too pure and healthy in tone for the novel readers of to- day, whom nothing seems capable of satisfying but the thinly veiled immorality and the blood- and-murder sensationalism of the modern novel. — Your obedient servant, John Can. O’Rourke, P.P. MISS CHARLOTTE O’BRIEN. ’ Ardanoir, Foynes. Dear Sir — I can in no sense claim to be a student of Irish or any other literature, but this list gives the names of books relating to Ireland, or by Irishmen, in which I have found consider- able interest.— Yours faithfully, Charlotte G O’Brien. I only speak of these as individually interest- ing to me, not as “ best” books. Works issued by Ossianic Society : — Book of the Dean of Lisraore. This refers to Scotch Gaelic poems, but they are in so many cases nearly identical with the Irish I think we may fairly include it. Standish O’Grady’s Philosophical History of Ireland. Joyce’s Old Celtic Romances, Joyce’s Dei rd re. , Montalembert’s St Columba. Ferguson’s Lays and Irish Poems. Daly’s Jacobite Relics. Pacata Hibernia. Maine’s Aiicient Law. Prendergast’s Cromwellian Settlement. Pope Heunessy, Sir Walter Raleigh. Spencer’s State of Ireland. Sir John Davies. M'DoniieU’H Ulster War. O’ Hagan’s Song of Roland. Wilde’s Memoirs of Swift. That terrible paper of Swift’s in wliicli he sug- gCHts the devouring of Irish children — 1 forget tlie u.unc. Sheridan’s plays. (Sheridan, hitherto uj»- claimed, I think). Goldsmith’s works. Lecky’s History and Leaders of Public Opinion. Grattan’s Speeches. Life of Flood. A very old Irish Dictionary, of which the title is lost, which is full of curious old English words and country phrases, &c. Past and Present Policy of England towards Ireland. English Misrule and Irish Misdeeds, A De Vere. “Mary Tudor,” Sir A De Vere. Poems, A De Vere and Sir S De Vere. Mangan’s Poems. Mrs S C Hall’s Ireland, Edgeworth’s Novels. Castle Daly, Miss Keary. The Collegians, Griffin. Lever's St Patrick’s Eve. Uncle Pat, Upton. Sir C G Duffy’s two vols. M'Carthy’s History of Our Own Times. J B O’Reilly’s Poems, HuU’s Geology, Ireland. Moore’s Cybele Hibernica. I may be allowed to mention what I think a beautiful life, thoug’n of my father’s sister, Har- riet Monsell, by Carter, Spirit of the Nation, and generally the song literature of Ireland and Joyce’s Irish Melodies. LORD JUSTICE BARRY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 3 Fitzwilliam-square. Dear Sir — I thank you very much for your courtesy in sending me the proof of the article by “ Historicus” on Irish books and works relat- ing to Ireland, and your flattering request for my opinion. I do not profess to have read all the books mentioned ; many of them I have not looked into for years ; some of them I read with a spe- cific purpose, which, doubtless, engrossed my at- tention more than the literary merits of the work; and some of them it wouxd be difficult to discuss, without the risk of appearing to express, however indirectly, an opinion upon matters of a politico- polemical character, wliich, since I have had a seat on the judicial bench, I have studiously avoided doing. In these circumstances it is obvious that I could not attempc any detailed analytical or comparative criticism of the list or its contents, Speaking from memory, 1 would observe in p iss- ing that unless for students having very much time at their disposal, it may be found that some of the books specified treat with unnecessary elaboration of propositions once disputed, but for long passed into truisms; of theories long ago con- clusively accepted or finally rejected; of contro- versial details, important in their day, but in the lanse of time banished from practical thought, submerged in the tide of human events, for all wliich class of topics a briefer consideration might in general suffice- But however all this may be, the article of “ Historicus” manifests on the whole deep reading, profound thought, cultivated taste, and keen judgment, and must neces- sarily constitute a most valuable guide to every one desirous of studying the his- BX-EDlTOn OF TUB DAILY NBWS^'-^ltBV. DR. GREENE-- CANON (/NEILL, l\l\ T^»ry, political ami social, ami the literature of oar eountry. I do not think I violate my rule against at- tempting any detailed criticism by stating that at the first cursory perusal I noticed the otuissiou of the liistorienl works of Rev C P Meelian, and Mr. Justin M'Carthy’s “History of our own Times-” — Your obedient servant, CuARLES R Barry. THE EX-EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS. Sir — I am in a })osition rather to profit by than t-o criticise the suggestions of “ Historicus ” as to the best Hundred Books in which to study Irish history. He writes from a knowledge to which I can make no pretension. At best I can only, in deference to your courteous request, supplement his apparently judicious and well selected list by one or two additions here and there such as a reading much inferior to his supplies to me at the moment. The student of Spenser’s “ Social State of Ireland ” might find profit as well as pleasure in associating with it the passages in the Faery Queen iu wliich the contemporary state of that country is depicted. The Lord Deputy, Sir Arthur Grey, whom Spenser accompanied to Ire- land, is, by an obvious imitation of the name, tlie “ righteous Artegal ” of the poem. The giant Talus, with his iron flail, by whom he is aided in his conflict with the demagogue giant Grantorto, lepresents the Elizabethan and Spenserian doc- trine that force is a remedy— a doctrine not yet extinct. To the biographical illustrations of Irish His- tory mentioned by “ Historicus,” Thomas Moore’s Memoirs of Lord Edward Fitzgerald and of She- ridan, and Mr. Fitzpatrick’s Life of Bishop Doyle may perhaps be conveniently added. Moore’s History of Ireland, in Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclo- paedia, is a bright, rapid, and sympathetic narra- tive, though not possessing any of the great qua- lities of research and reflection which give value to the Irish chapters of Mr. Lecky’s “ England in the Eighteenth Century.” Mr. Philip Harwood (formerly editor of the Saturday Review) is the author of a ‘‘ History of the Irish Rebellion of 1798” which has literary merit, and is a writer in a tone by no means “loyalist” or ‘’English,” in the improper and party sense of those words. The “ Life of Lord Plunket,” by his grandson, the Right Hon David Plunket, M P, isa well executed narrative of a gieat career. The speeches which are reproduced in it of the illustrious lawyer and statesman against the union with England have a lasting interest as oratory, as w’ellasat the present moment a revived interest in politics. The same may be said of the speeches of the great Whig statesmen, and notably of Charles James Fox, who as members of Lord Rockingham’s Adminis- tration in 1782 gave recognition on the part of England tr> the Parliamentary independence of Ireland. The “ Cornwallis Correspondence” is the most authentic record of the manner in which the rebellion was suppressed and the Legislative Union was accomplished. In economical discussion, the chapters on Ire- land in the late Mr. W T Thornton’s “ Plea for Peasant Proprietors” maintain much of their j original instructiveness. The essays on Ireland, tho late ProfenHor Clide Leslie’s “ Land Systems of England, Ireland, and the Continent,” are even more valuaMc. Mr. Leslie shows with great force how the supplanting of small farms by large jaisturage holdings has withered up the local centres of internal industry and commerce in Ire- land. 'rhe decline ot tlie surrounding population has impoverished the little towns which were the markets and rallying points of the district. 'J'he economic essays «>f the late Professor Cairnes on Irish questions have an authority which entitles them to rank with the writings of Mr. J S Mill. I ought, perhaps, to apologise for the poverty of these suggestions, but tliey are all that at tlie moment present themselves to me. — 1 am, sir, your obedient servant, Frank H Hill. 3 Morpeth terrace, Victoria street, London, S W, March 25th. REV DR GREENE, BELFAST. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. St Malachy’s Presbytery, Belfast, 19 th March. Dear Sir — I am very much obliged for ad- vanced copy of valuable article by “ Historicus.” The idea seems t<> be one likely to do an enormous amount of good by creating wlndesome criticism and causing many to study more accurately and minutely the social and political history of Ire- land. I am sorry thar such works as Sullivan’s “ New Ireland,” Father Meehan’s “Flight of the Earls,” Justin McCarthy’s “ History of Our Own Times,” and Archdall’s “ Monasticon Hibernicum,” are not enumerated in the list. The article will, I believe, be found most use- ful by furnishing subjects for interesting and in- structive debate, and con quently ofstudy, to our various literary societies, such as the Young Ireland Literary Societies, etc. In fine, I may state that “Historicus” has written at the proper time, and written well, — Sincerely yours, J P Greene, D D. CANON O’NEILL, P.P. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FRE.EMAN. St John’s, Oloutarf. Dear Sir — Having read with mucli interest tlie learned paper of “ Historicus,” as well as the many valuable contributions of his critics, you will permit me, I trust,, to express the painful surprise with which I sought in vain for any notice of the greatest of the works of one who is certain to be regarded in the future as the highest living authority on questions of Irish mediyeval as well as more modern history, the illustrious Car- dinal Moran. 1st. It seems truly amazing that no one has hitherto noticed the marvellous record of the most thriUiiig period of Irish story, the “ Spici- legium Ossorieuse,” the compilation of which cost its learned author more than twenty years of laborious research amidst the forgotten treasux’es of the Vatican, of St Isidores, of Bottio, of Timancas, of the Bodleian, and of the “ State Paper Offices.” I have been assured by an eye- witness that the deciphering and transcribing of even one of those invaluable documents cost Dr Moran days of ceaseless labour, and yet the won- derful compilation, which throws so lurid a light 24 THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. on the dai’keat period in our checquered story stems either forgotten or unknown, even to those who show such acquaintance with Irish literature as “Historicus” ox his commentators ! 2nd. With no less surprise have I missed from tlie list Cardinal Moran’s “ Koth’s Analecta,” which, did it contain nothing more than the as- tieee of work. What is meant by the best books? Is it tlie most instruc- tive, the most entertaining, those that exhibit tlie linest literary style, or tliose that arc best cal- culated to imiirove the minds and morals of those who read them ? “ Historicus ” does not indicate for us what is his siandiiid of excellence. His definition of what to his mind constitutes an •‘Irish book” is pel feci ly novel and soim'what astonishing. “ Irish Looks,” he SI y.^, ' by which 1 mean books, or parts of books, written, no matter by whom, about Ireland or the Irtsh.” Thi.s extraordinary definition brings into the category of Irish books every lampoon and libel on Ireland and the Irish people published in England or in any other part of the world. It includes every book written, no matter by whom, published no matter where, dealing with no matter what subject, if it contains a chapter, conceived in no matter what spirit, re- lating to Ireland and the Irish people. Under cover of this wide definition he brings into his list such “ Irish books” as Thierry’s “ History of the Norman Conquest,” Froude’s“History of England.” Green’s “History of the English People,” Goldwin Smith’s Essays, John Bright’s Speeches, Macau- lay’s History of England, Hume’s History of Eng- land, and so on. It is only a wonder he did not include several volumes of Punch ; they contain a good deal “ about Ireland and the Irish.” Some of the historical works above mentioned have very honest and even sympathetic references to the condition, at various times, of the Irish people ; but to designate them as “Irish b*ooks” is simply absurd. Of the really Irish books mentioned by “ Historicus,” some are of slight literary merit, others are, in parts at least, coarse and disgusting caricatures of “Ireland and the Irish,” and have done much to fix in the Eng- lish mind an utterly false idea of the typical Irish peasant. Passing from the article of “ Historicus” I will only say that as your numerous correspon- dents are rapidly adding to his list of “ The Best Hundred Irish Books,” I shall name only tw'o or three that up to this time have not been men- tioned; — Thom’s Directory and “Bunting’s and Petrie’s Collections of Irish Music.” T D Sullivan. SIR CHARLES GAVAN DUFFY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Dear Sir — You invite my opinion on the able and exhaustive paper on Irish Books written by “ Historicus,” and I must begin by expressing iny regret that he did not fortify it with hi.s name. It must be a name worth printing, for I am much mistaken if Viere be a dozen men in the island who possess the minute knowledge which ho exhibits of the materials upon which a serious student of Irish history must meditate. But I fear he commits a mistake in discharging tliis he of special knowledge on the people as a guide to their reading. It is a guide for students douDtless, and a highly valuable guide, but out of the hundred books lie specifies there are not ten which are not removed from the range of popular enjoyment either by their price, their rarity, or uieir intrinsic importance. Carte’a Ormond, foi example, would cost as much as a hundred volumes of popular literature, or two hundred of the “ Universal” and ‘‘ Woild” libraries, wliicli are in vogue just now on the other side of tlie channel. His hundred books could not be bought for £50, and unfor- tunately it is difficult to coax an Irishman of the industrious classes, wlio constitute the bulk of read' rs iis well as the bulk of the nation, to spend more than a shilling or two at a time on any book whatever. “ Historicus” has done such good work that it is worth much time ami pains to perfect it, and 1 venture to suggest that he should frame two lists one for a student’s Irish library, the other of works rcoommeuded for general reading in Ire SIR SAMUEL FERGUSON— JOHN AUGUSTUS O'SHEA. 25 land. The number need not uoceHKarily be a hundred, or any tixed bum, but just tlie \)ookb proper in eacli cose. And it would greatly incieose the value of any such lists if the )>rice of each volume were specitied, wliether it WJis in current ciroulation or procurable only at wecond liand. If this bo done, suggestions might be gathered from various quarters to amend, or con- tirm, or ct)inplete his scheme, and I for one will gladly lend a hand. Since Sir Robert Peel printed the catalogue of his Irish books, more than half a century ago, there has been no careful classihed list of this sort distributeil into histori- cal eras, and the materials iiave increased prodi- giously. Many of the books suitable for popular reading have fallen into complete disuse ; it would not be difficult to publish fifty shilling volumes of fiction, bii)graphy, and poetry now little known, which w'ould win their way to the national heart. How few of the present eneration have read, for example. Lady Mor-s gan’s “ O’Donnell ” or Sir Samuel Ferguson’a ‘ Hibernian ISiglits’ Entertainment,” or Fur- long’s Poems,” or “ Billy Bluff,” that pungent satire upon “ The Divine Right of Squires,” for which mainly a patriot Presbyterian minister was hanged ninety years ago ? I am very busy at this moment, and throw out these suggestions hastily; but I have thought long and often on the subject of revising and classifying our native literature, and if they prove of any value I will gladly develop them on some future occasion. C G AVAN Duffy. Cimiez, Alpes Maratimes, March 26. SIR SAMUEL FERGUSON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 20 North Great George’s-street, 25th March. Dear Sir — I have read the extract from the Free- man's Journal on which you are good enough to in- vite my opinion. So far as the task of pointing out one hundred good Irish books is practicable, the author has, I think, selected most of the best ex- amples; but I miss in Polite Literature the name »)f Mr. Aubrey de Vere, whose poems on Irish subjects are of high excellence, and ought to be generally known to our countrymen. My own views on the subject of a National Irish literature have not undergone any change since I gave ex- pression to them before the Royal Irish Academy at its stated meeting of 30th Nov, 1882. It will, therefore, be understood that I regard one hun- dred as at present an unattainable limit for Irish books of the class in question. — Very faithfuDy yours, Saml Ferguson. JOHN AUGUSTUS O’SHEA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. London, March 27. Dear Sir — As one of the vice-presidents (»f an Irish Literary Club, which is trying to get together the nucleus of a sound and attractive library — sound and attractive, I say, for the one forfeits half its value without aid of the other — l am deeply interested m the inquiry you have started as to the Best Hundred Irish Books. In Sir John Lubbock’s list of the best hundred of any literature, but four Irish authors figure — Swift, with “ GuUiver’s Travels;” Goldsmith, with “ The Viiar of Wakefield;” Sheridan, with his three great plays, and Burke. To me it seems that the dtdiniiion restricting Irish books to tho.-e which concern Ireland and the Irish, and, therefore, ex- cluding two out of these fimr names, is unduly narrow. ^I’he display of Irish genius in any field of originality or research should touch us nearly, inasmucli as it enhances legitimate Irish pride, and stimulates honest Irish ambition. And, to be candid, I would not willingly j-emove O’Dono- van’s “ Merv Oiisis,” or Molloy’s “ Adventures of Peg Woffington,” from my shelves to make room for many of the authorities on our faded gran- deurs whom “Historicus”euumerates. Irish history may be his hobby, and a respectable hobljy it is. He has a perfect right to ride it to the death, and by my word he exercises the right. Some of the works he alludes to I never heard of, and I am a man of more than average reading. Their want I have never felt, nor, I may venture to add, will anybody outside the circle of those who pi-efer the dead past to the living present. It is not to the study of “ Tacitus” the Germany of to-day Owes its unity; it*is not by much poring over me diaeval fasti modern Italy has been elevated into more than a geographical expression. I consider the time spent on “The Annals of the Four Masters,” which are mainly a tedious chronicle of exaggerated faction -fights, time thrown away. In thus delivering myself I may be bringing an old house over my ears, but I am accustomed to the process and have precedent. Samson committed suicide in that way, and was thought to have done well. Well, “ Historicus” has given a praise- worthy selection according to his fancies, and his omission of many volumes which others treasure must be taken as an accident inseparable from his labour of love. To each his own taste. Mr. Alfred Webb’s list fits more nicely to my taste. I will only hint, amongst volumes which should not be overlooked, Moore’s “(Life of Sheridan,” the Abbe Perraud on Ireland, Leon de Wailly’s “ SteDa et Vanessa,” W J Fitz- patrick’s compilations — capital memoires pour servir — Mitchel’s “ Last Conquest of Ireland (Perhaps),” The Speeches of Meagher and Sheil, the poems of JF O’Donnell and Katherine Tynan; and when we reach the novels inter alios, Kick- ham’s “ Knocknagow,” Dowling’s “ Mystery of Killard,” and Basil’s “ Wearing of the Green;” nor should patronage of O’Connor’s “Parnell Move- ment” be withheld until death sanctifies the writer. As to the Irish drama, there is not a syl- lable. Eheu! Under the limits assigned by by “ Historicus,” we must assent that we have it not. Your critic will forgive me for appearing hypercritical when I teU him that it is because I set such high esteem upon his guidance and feel such an anxiety that our people should be set on the right path. I hope to live to see a regene- rate Ireland, w'here every town of three thousand souls will have its gymnasium, baths, band, enter- tainments, and lecture hall, and a library nor of 100, but of 1,000 best books. But, if these books are to be counted by tens, foremost bought should be a good agricultural manual, Kane’s “ Industrial Resources,” and “ Every Man his own Mechanic.” The need of technical educa- tion is imperious; history and letters can bide their turn. We must put the stomach in order before we can hope to enrich the intellect. — Faithfully, John Augustus O’Shea. D 2G THE BEST IIVNDRED IRISH BOOKS. THE RECTOR OF THE CATHOITC UNIVERSITY. TO THE EDITOH OF THE FREEMAN. Catholic Univerdity of Ireland. March 28. De.vr Sir — I regret to say that I have never made a special study of Irish history, and there- fore the remarks which I venture to offer, in defer- ence to your kind invitation, must be taken simply as coming from an ordinary reader, interested in the subject, but not specially qualified to deal with it. What strikes me first, on looking over the essay of Historicus, is that I miss from his list .some books which I had been accus- tomed to regard as standard authori- ties, and others, of a more popular kind, which had been familiar favourites of my own. Of the former class, the most prominent that occur to my mind are Colgan’s “ Acta Sanctorum,” Harris’s edition of Ware, Archdall’s “Monasticon,” Petrie’s “ Round Towers,” Dr Renehan’s “ Collec- tions,” the publications of Cardinal Moran, and Father O’Hanlon’s “Lives of the Irish Saints.” An omission more remarkable perhaps than any of tliese is Adamnan’s “ Life of St Columba,” edited by Dr Reeves. This is a book of unique merit, giving as it does a quaint and authentic picture of ancient monastic life in Ireland; and it has been edited with scrupulous care, and an erudition that leaves nothing to be desired. Coming to books of more general interest, I think that Moore’s “ History of Ireland ” and Montalembert’s “Monks of the West” are de- serving of a place in an Irish historical collection; also the inimitable “ Letters of Peter Plymley,” by Sydney Smith ; the admirable monograph on “Cromwell in Ireland,” by Father Murphy, S J ; the IrLh poems of Mr. Aubrey de Vere, the “ Flight of the Earls,” by Father Meehan ; the Speeches of Grattan and of Shiel ; and the “Dissertations on Irish History,” by the Rev Dr Kelly, of Maynooth, one of the most devoted and laborious students of Irish ecclesiastical literature. I have looked in vain, among the books noticed by your critic, for Mitchel’s “Jail Journal” and lus ‘ Last 0 mqueat of Ireland.” They are old favourites of mine, and I would certainly claim for them a place on any list of Irish historical books. John Mitchel deserves to be ranked, I think, among the very best writers of English prose that Ireland has produced in the present century; and his great powers of vivid conception, of picturesque narrative, and of vigorous ex[)ros- sion ai>pear to greatest advantage in the two volumes I have mentioned. No doubt, the views put forward in these volumes are, in some respects, extreme; but if we were to exclude from our col- lection all record of extreme opinions we should exclude a good deal of Irish history. Swift and Burke are entitled to a fore mo.st rank amongst Irish writers. “ To lose Swift and Burke out of our mind’s circle of acquaintance,” says Mr. Matthew Arnold, “ is a loss indeed, and a loss for which no conversance with contemporary pro.se literature could make up.” And it happens fortunately for us that they are both at tlieir best when they write upon Ireland, Nevertheless, I think that the reference of Historicus to these great writers is too vague to he (piite Satisfactory. Ho refers generally to Swift’s Works, and to tlie corrospoiiJence, speeches, and works of Burke; forgetting, appaj-ently, that he had hira.self limited his collection to “books about Ireland or the Irish.” I would suggest, then, as more strictly appertaining to the subject, “The Drapier’s Letters,” by Swift, and a selection from Burke, lecently published, in one volume, by Mr. Matthew Arnold, entitled “ Letters, Speeches, and Tracts on Irish Affairs.” I vvil] close my list of omissions with the “ Irish Essays’’ of Mr. Matthew Arnold himself, a volume which has not hitherto, as it seems to me, received the attention it deserves. “ English people,” says the author, “keep asking themselves what one ought to do about Ireland. The great conten- tion of these essays is that in order to attach Ire- land to us solidly, English people have not only do something diflTofent from what they have done hitherto, they have also to hs .something different from what they have been hitherto.” I will only add that the essays furnish to public men a thoughtful and suggestive treatment of a great political problem, while to the student of litera- ture they are eminently attractive for the grace and beauty of their style. So far I have considered this subject on the lines followed by “ Historicus,” in his able and interest- ing dissertation. I should like now to look at it. for a moment, from a somewhat different point of view. What is a good book ? and what is it that entitles one book to be considered better than another ? Let rne quote the words of a great critic, which have been floating in my mind since this discussion was first sst on foot. “ That book is good in vain,” said Samuel Johnson, which the reader throws aside. He only is the. m:ister who keeps the mind in pleasing captivity ; whose pages are perused with eagerness, and in hope of new pleasure are perused again ; and whose conclusion is perceived with an eye of sorrow, such as the traveller casts upon departing day.” Now, I would ask, how many of -b >c)ki coma3nlel by Historicus com3 up to Johnson’s ideal ? It will be admitted, I think that a large proportion of tliem, if tried by his test, would soon be relegated to the class of “good in vain,” so far as the bulk of readers are con- cerned. We must distinguish, I think, two very differ- ent kinds of books which are entitled to a place in a good historical collection: those which fur- nish the raw material of history, and those which weave together this material into a finished work of art. The former are indispensable t-o the student; the latter only can attract and fix the attention of the general reader. And it is evident that books of tiie latter class demand for their production much higher and rarer intel- lectual gifts. Patientlabour. combined vvithasound judgment, may accumulate valuable stores of learning, and pile them up in ponderous volumes. But it needs the inspiration of genius to impart life and animation to the dry facts of history, to light them up with the play of fancy, and to invest them vvith that charm of style and grace o^ diction vvhich seize on the faculties of the reader, and hold the mind “ in pleasing cap- tivity.” It strikes me, then, that it would be a useful and acceptable work, if I'rom the ample materials now before us, some compet“nt hand wei'e to com- pile a much shorter list i>f “ best books,’’ in which literary excellence should be regarded as the first condition of merit. Such a selection would re- <|uire, no doubt, very special qualil’cations — «)U the one hand, a wide knowledge of books, on the TA DR Alii AN OF THE R IL A— MR. JOHN O'LEARy. other, a cultivated literary tnate. But, for tliia very rooHon, it is just the kind of selection wliich the general reader is least able to make for him self. I regret, I must own, that your critic ronfitiad his range of vision so strictly historical liuoks : for it seems to me that, while there is no lack of patient and laborious students in the department of history, the highest tiualities of Irish genius have been expended more freely in other fields of literature — in poetry forinstance, in rhetoric, in philosophy, in comedy, and in fiction. Nevertheless, even within the limits prescribed by “ Historicus,” I feel confident that it would not be difficult to find, say forty books illustrating Irish history and character, which would fairly come up to the lofty ideal of John- son, though I cannot admit that such a collection would have any exclusive claim to the title of “the best Irish books.” — Yours faithfully, Gerald Molloy. THE LIBRARIAN OF THE ROYAL HIBERNIAN ACADEMY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Dear Sir — I think you ought to be very much gratified at the effect “ Historicus” has produced, and the x'esult will be an immense advance in Irish literature of all descriptions and the repro- duction of many works long forgotten and too long neglected. * I wi.uid suggest to “Historicus,” from an art point of view, the addition to his list of Moore’s Melo- dies, illustrated by Maclise, and O’Neill’s Irish Crosses. The old Dublin Penny Journal might also have a place. P Vincent Duffy, R H A, Librarian. MR. JOHN O’LEARY. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREE. MAN. Loudon, March 25th. Dear Sir— One of the first things to notice about “ Historicus” is that the title of his paper seems somewhat of a bull. There is no question of the best books or of Irish books, but merely of a hundred more or less good, and certainly mostly useful, books on Ireland by Irishmen, Englishmen, Scotchmen, and others. However, it is little matter about the title. A rose by any other name, &c. I come to the books themselves, and I am haupy to find myself in nearly perfect agreement with “Historicus” about the first name in his list. Mr. Leeky is, as an historian, every- thing Historicus says he is, and indeed far more. Alas that the politician should fall so far siiort of the historian. As I write in the capital of the enemy I read a speech of Mr. Lecky, delivered in the same place* There is in this anything indeed but an inheient love of justice, anything but “ an earnest desire to be fair,” and anything, I am sorry to add, but “ trans- parent honesty.” I still sincerely believe Mr. Lecky to be honest, but I must candidly confess that i do not understand why he should appa- rently so suddenly set up as such a staunch Unionist. His letter in the Times, however melancholy, was in a measure intelligible, but his speech at Kensington seems quite on the same p’ain as the utterances as the Saundersons, ChurchiUs, Arnold Forsters, and other maligners, native and foreign, of the Irish race. But enough, or perhaps more tlian enough, about Mr Lecky. lb saddens me lioyond me isuie to feel constrained U\ say even so iiiiioh, for the proiynt partisan ot English wrong can make me altogeihijj* forget the piiHt ujrholder of Irish right. Before 1 p iss from Mi*. L' cky, however, 1 take exception to fiis V>eiiig talked of as “among the greatest of livrng writer's — ”1 suppose “ Historicus” meaufl writers in English — hirt even then the praise is exaggerated, for Mr, Lecky as a writer is not within even measurable fb'stance of such men as Newman, lluskiri, Froudo, not to talk (rf others who might easily be mentioned. I roughly agree too with the second paragraph of “ Historicus’s” article, but I utterly disagree wrth the reason assigned for Mr. Jtichey not Vjeing so well- known as he ought. The chief fault in this paragraph, a serious one enough, how- ever, is one rather of omission than commission. It is odd that the honoured name of 0’ Curry should not have suggested the inti- mately as.sociated and perhaps equally honoured name of O’Donovan, John O’Donovan, if not by name at least by his work, comes in indeed in the next p;rragraph, for I suppose “ Histr>ricus” in talking with douVjtful facetiousne.ss about the “Annals of the Four Masters ” meins to recom- mend to his readers John O’Douovan’s transla- tion of that great work. There is no need to say more here of John O’Donovan, who rhould always be mentioned with his eminent brother-in-law as one of our two greatest Irish scholars and anrj- quariaus. Most of his works are, it is pretty well known, to be found in the colleetious of the Irish Archaeological, Celtic, and other learned Irish societies, and in the more ooseure and mor-e un-come-at*able pages of longsincs dead and buried magazines, such as the old Dublin Penny Journal and the mere recent Duffy’s Hibernian, I write this last title doubtfully, but it is a matter of no earthly consequence, save that it is always of some consequence to be as accurate as one can be and in this connection I must remind the readers of the Freeman that I am writing currento calamo, with not too easy (to a lazy man) access to books, and with the object mainly of such more or less superficial criticism of “ Historicus” as the con- ditions of the case will warrant, and without any ])reterrsion to anything like an exhaustive treat- ment of his sufficiently wide theme. And talk- ing of criticism brings me back to “ Hisfcoricus’s ” third paragraph, and the astounding sentence which closes it — “ In truth, no general history of Ireland worthy of being placed among the pro- ductions of Lingard, Hume, Green, or Barton, has yet been written.” This means, but somewhat insufficiently, and altogether incorrectly ex- presse.s, an undoubted fact, that nobody has written a history of Ireland at all comparable to Lingard’s, Hume’s, or Green’s histones of England, or Barton’s History of Scotland. Most of what is said in tliis paragranh is correct, but might it not be said of aU the general histories of England as well as Ireland, save perhaps Gr'een’s, that they “ are far below the scientific stAndAs-d .of the age ?” I fancied, too, that M‘Geogbirc:'itn.r.''.t her than O'Connor, was considered “on -v-ho e the best” on the Catholic side. I soeak dubiously here because I must con fess to having foui>c M‘Geo- ghegan rather heavy and weartsorue wh«n read or tried to r ead him some thirty or more years ago, and I da uotkuow* that I have ever done more than dip into Plowden. Here too, or in the succeeding p.iragniph, I expected to find some mention of 28 THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. Haverty, and was altogether disappointed not to find some slight mention of a little book which, if my memory does not strangely deceive me, is one of the most readable, and on the whole fair books on Irish history. I am alluding to Taylor’s “ Civil Wars of Ireland,” somewhat queerly so called, but really an abstract of Irish history from the Norman Conquest to the Union. In one short paragraph we have Sir John Davis, Monk Mason, Hallam and Thierry jumbled together on some principle of association utterly unintelligable to me. I agree, however, with what IS said about Davis and Thierry (save that the “ excellent chapter ” should be excellent chapters), but I do not see anything that is “ pro- found ” in Hallam, and have, unfortunately I suppose, not read Monk Mason. For the fifth paragraph I have little to say that might not take the shape of praise and general agreement, though here, as nearly everywhere “His - toricus” has an odd and somewhat unsystematic w'ay of bringing men and books together. There seems to be a very general consensus of opinion as to the merits of Mr. Walpole’s Kingdom of Ire- land, but I do not exactly understand what “His- toricus’ means by administering Sir Gavan Duffy as the antidote to Froude. I fancied that Mr. Lecky was a much more proper and more potent antidote, as he deals fully with a period which can be only glanced at in Duffy’s bird’s eye view. It reads oddly, by the way, that this last “ is of course, written essentially from an Irish point of view.” Yes, of course, but who needed to be told this ? Did anybody expect that Sir Gavan Duffy would write from a Kamschatkan or lunar “ point of view” ? Here, as indeed throughout his valuable paper, “Historicus” shows that he is not only nothing if not historical, but that he is, I fear, an historian of somewhat Dryasdustian proclivities. M‘Gee’s and Mitchel’s histories are somewhat too highly spoken of. They neither gave any mea,sure of the men, being both hastily compiled — Mitchel’s, as 1 learned either from himself or his publisher, in the almost incredibly short period of three months. But why does not “ Historicus” put among his best books lather Mitchel’s “Last Conquest of Ireland (Perhaps),” and, above all, his “ Jail Journal,” which is, to my mind, in the mere matter of style, the best Irish book written in my time ? But I fear “ Historicus” sets small value on this little matter of style. Of the rest of this paragraph I have little to say, save that, in talking of the calendering of State papers, “ Historicus” makes no mention of the valuable introduction to the State papers of James I by Dr Russell and Prendergast to what I understand to be a very valuable work of Gilbert on the War of the Confederation period. However, per- haps I have more fault to find with “ Historicus” here for sins of commission than omission. I do not see why such books should have a place at all among the hundred best books, but if they are to have a ))lace, I think many quite as valu- able Jis some given by “ Historicus,” but which I have no time to pick out now, might eiusily be culled from the various Society publications — the Irish and Kilkenny Archaeological, Celtic Ossianic, and the like. With the books given in the sixth ijaragraph I have no fault to find, save that, if my memory does not greatly deceive me, Jfardy’s “ Charlernont ” is a stilted, wearisome, and comparatively valueless book. On tlic seventh paiagraph 1 have only two re- marks to make. I heartily concur in what His- toricus says about Tone’s Memoirs, but I do not in the least see why he should not have added Barrington’s “ Personal Recollections” to his “ Rise and Fall,” or> if he wished, substituted the first for the last. I can leave the eighth paragraph pass with the remark that the Abbe Perraud’s book might per- haps be added to De Beaumont’s. It is by no means equal to it, but it deals with Ireland at a later period, and has much good matter in it. The ninth, tenth, and eleventh paragraphs might w^holly pass, but that I cannot even guess why Lady Morgan’s three books should find a place in the best hundred or even the best thousand Irish books. But if people have plenty of time on hand, and are not thinking of best books at all, they might read with profit and amusement her “ O’Briens and O’Flaherties,” and if time were almost unlimited and addiction to fiction excessive one might even read her “ O’Donnell.” The twelfth paragraph I must deal with very cursorily. I should have to write columns to deal satisfactorily with it. But perhaps as I have said so much elsewhere about Young Ireland and Young Irelanders I may let the matter mostly slide here and now. 1 may say, however, that “ Who fears to speak of ’98 ?” is not the best song of the “ Spirit of the Nation,” though it is perhaps the best in spirit, and that Speranza “ is certainly not entitled to the first place among the delightful w'arblers of her own sex.” “ Mary” is entitled to the first place, “ Eva” to the second, and “ Speranza” at most to the third. If “M'Lennan’s ‘Life of Thomas Drum- mond’ must be mentioned,” why should the “ Cornwallis” and Castlereagh correspondence be passed over ? Men who want to know of ’98, not to talk of other things, must con- cern themselves much with these books. 1 think, too, that Ireland could very well spare Mr. Bright’s speeches; though possibly English literature could not- The recommendation to read Mr. Bright is the odder in that we are no- where told to read Curran, Plunket, O’Connell, or Shiel. Mill’s pamphlet on “ Ireland and Eng- land” is, no doubt, a valuable one; but surely should have no place among a hundred best books, and is in no way comparable, from an Irish point of view, with such a pamphlet as Holmes’ “ Case of Ireland Stated.” Senior, too, should have no place in this list. I am sorry to say I have read much of this man, and, as far as I can at all remember, he knows little about Ireland, and cares less. Dr Sigersou’s “ Modern Ireland” might be added to his “ Land Tenures,” if the question were only of good books; but when the elemeiu of arithmetic is brought to bear on the matter, there is, of course a difificulty here, as there is, 1 should say, in at least one-fourth of the books mentioned by “ Historicus.” “Of books published within the past live or six years,” to take a phrase from “ Historicus,” one of the most useful is Mr. Barry O’Brien’s “ Fifty Years’ Concessions to Ireland;” but taking the arithmetical test, I am in no way ])reparcd to say it should be put among the best hundred books, or rather I am pre]iarod to say it should not. Another very good recent book, though a very different one, is Sir J(Jin Pope Hen- nessy’s “ Raleigh in Ireland.” Tliis little book is excellent both in sj)irit and style, and 1 mention it here chiefly because I do not think it has at- tracted all the attention it desorves. 1 am happy MR. JUSTIN M'CARTIIY, M.P.— JUDGE O' HAGAN. 29 to 1)6 able nearly entirely to agree with the two liiHt paragraphH of “ Uistoricus;” in fact 1 sub- 8t,antially saiil the same things myself the otlior day in Cork. And now I shall close, at least for the present, with a few general remarks, I have lather “discussed and amended” (at least I think so) “ Historicus,” as he desired, than given my own notions about the beat books. This I did in a inannerin my Cork lecture, “ Historicus” is quite in his role in giving an undue inning to history, and as Ireland is not strong in histories proper, however rich she is in materials for history (many of the books mentioned by “ Historicus ” being merely this), his list makes a ftir poorer show than if he had swept impartially over the whole wi'de held of Irish literature. Why, for instance, is there no word about our charming Goldsmiths and Steeles, and our perhaps uncharming, but certainly eminently amusing, Congreves and Far- quhars ? No word either about either of the De Veres, Ferguson, Joyce, or any of our other mas- ters of song, save such as were incidentally spoken of in connection with the Young Ireland move- ment and certain collections of poetry — a class of books, by the way, with which “ Historicus,” natu- rally enough perhaps, seems very imperfectly acquainted. I had meant to have given the names of Petrie Montalembert, and Bagwell: but I see from your first batch of correspondence, which I have had only time to glance over as yet, that Mr. Lecky lias anticipated me. There are two O’Connors besides the one mentioned by “ Historicus,” who are quite in his line, and must have been left out by mistake — 1 mean Charles O’Connor, of Ballynegar, and Dr O’Connor, the Librarian, of St Omer’s. Then, perhaps,! might as well end this lengthy communication with the name of a most un-Dryasdustian sort of man, the celebrated apostle of sweetness and light. There are very good things in Mr, Matthew Arnold’s essay on “ Celtic Literature,” as in many other papers of his on Ireland and things Irish; he is always more or less suggestive and mostly very sympathetic, if occa- sionally, as is almost invariably the case with his countrymen, more than a little patronising. I had meant to try and include Mr. Butt and some others and to add on many names; but time and patience fail me, and, after all, when all is said, the list must be allowed to be eminently sugges- tive, and when discussed and amended will give us, if not the hundred absolutely best books on Ireland, at least a hundred very good books. — Yours truly, John O’Leary. MR. JUSTIN MCCARTHY, M.P. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 20 Cheyne Gardens, Chelsea, March 26. Dear Sir — I have been reading with much in- terest the letters in your columns about the best hundred Irish books. I confess that, for myself, I should rather ask what are the best hundred books written by Irishmen or women than what are the best hundred books written about Ireland by any authors of no matter Avhat country. “Historicus” seems to me, even on his own chosen line, to be somewhat unsatisfactory. Some of' the very best books written about Irelaiid are German; some of the most sympathetic poems written about Ireland are German. “Historicus” does not mention any of these. That is inteU-i- gible enough. He was evidently thinking mainly of books about Ireland written in the Kngiish language. One fact in the controversy snrpriKCR me be- yond measure. That fact is the little account that is taken of the writings and speeches of Burke. 1 had to look carefully over the corre- spondence in order to assure myself that tljo name of Edmund Burke was mention ;d even once. 1 hope I shall not horrify any of my countrymen if I venture to express the opinion that Burke is the one only front-rank man whom Ireland has yet contributed to the literature of the world. Swift was a great man, but I cannot regard Swift as an Irishman. Sheridan was a marvel of versatility; but the “ School for Scandal” is not on a level with Aristophanes or even with Ben Jonson or Moliere. But in Burke we have a man who in his sphere of political and philosophical literature was never surpassed. His fame grows day by day. He thought out the principles of political economy before Adam Smith, and suggested the Darwinian theory before Darwin, and even before Goethe. The best books about Ireland are, I think, after all, the Irish legends. Any man who wants to understand the country must study them. The hundred best books either about Ireland or by Irish authors have yet to be written. Irish genius has for the last two centuries had to em- ploy itself in producing what painters call “ pot boilers” for the English market. When our country is quickened by a new national life I hope we shall see the springs of her genius soon breaking into flow. For hundreds of years she has had no chance. Her condition has been in a certain sense curiously like and curiously uvilike that of Greece. For many centuries Greece was absolutely silent in literature. Her Turkish masters did not want any such stuff for them- selves and would not allow it for the Greeks. Now in the freedom of Greece her literature begins to breathe again. With England and Ire- land the case is different. Englishmen loved lite- rature and wanted the best that Irishmen could contribute — but wanted it for their own purposes and their own market. The genius of Greece w'as therefore absolutely voiceless for generations, the genius of Ireland found tongue for the Eng- lish public. — Faithfully yours, Ju.sTiN McCarthy. JUDGE O’HAGAN. TO THE EDITOR Ot’ THE FREEMAN. Upper Fitzwilliain street, 29th March. Sir — When “ Historicus” speaks of the best hundred Irish books he means the best hundred books, not necessarily by Irishmen, but on Ireland, irrespective of the nationality of the authors. This is shown as well by what he includes as by what he excludes. His very title implies that there are other books on the same subject, but books which he does not rank amongst the fore- most hundred. Therefore the only legitimate criticism on his catalogue is to say that some of the books mentioned by him ought to be replaced by others. On this idea I w'ould name some which possibly may, unobserved by me, have been already mentioned by your correspondents, and first “ Geraldus Cambrensis.” The Welsh priest, Gerald Barry, clever and learned but rxin- ceited, and what we term a prig by natwr*^ c«me so TUB BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. over to Ireland at tlie time of the ipvasion full of bitter anti-Irish prejudice, and of an illimitable credulity. With these two grains of salt all that he says must be taken. Still to any discerning reader he throws great light on the Ireland of the 12th century. A translation of the book appeared in Bohn’s series. Next I Would name the work of his antagonist (five cen- turies after him), Dr Lynch’s “ Cambrensis Dversus,” republished by the Celtic Society, with the translation of Dt Kelly, of Maynooth. Con- cerning the time before the invasion, on which so much that is valuable has been written by your correspondent, I will only add a word in favour of Miss Stokes’ beautiful work on “ The Early Christian Architecture of Ireland,” a book marked by a deeply devotional spirit as well as by refined taste and mastery of the subject. Coming down to the wars of the 17th century and the Confedera- tion of Kilkenny, a prominent place must be given to the letters and despatches of the Nuncio Kinu- ccini, published at Florence in 1845, and after- wards translated into English by the lamented Miss Annie Hutton. Bearing on the same period are the memoirs of Lord Castlehaven, written w'ith scant sympathy for the Irish, though he fought on their side, but throwing considerable light on the military causes of the shortcomings of the Irish in the war from the point of view, so to speak, of a soldier of fortune. I have not yet found time to read Mr. Bagwell’s recent book on “ Ireland under the Tudors,” but I look forw'ard with much interest to its perusal. King Henry VIII had more statesmanlike ideas on the subject of t.iie Government of Ireland than any monarch of England since. He meant to conciliate the Irish chiefs, and bind them to the Crown, while he left them free in their patriarchal lordship over their people. What destroyed this idea was the atti- tude assumed by the dominant power on the vital question of religion. “ Historicus ” gives great pgid just praise to Sir John Davies’ “Discovery of the True Causes why Ireland was never Sub- dued.” It is a composition of wonderful pith, brevity, and force. But another emanation from tiio same pen should be mentioned — namely. Sir John Davies’ despatch to Cecil Lord Salisbury in 1610, giving an account of his own iniquitous pro- ceedings in Fermanagh when the new policy of extirpation and transplantation was inaugurated — a document which sheds more light upon the true causes of the Ulster rising, thirty years after, and its excesses, than any other I know. I concur with “ Historicus” also in his praise of the “ political arithmetic” of Sir WiUiam Petty, the army surgeon of Cromw'ell, who after- wards became tlio surveyor of the Down Survey, and who was so little neglect- ful of his private interests that it Wiia pithily said of him that he became “ inonarcli of all he surveyed,” at least of a considerable share of it. The history of the I7th century is beyond ceirs Acts and Ordinances,” and the two Acts of Settlement piisscd after the restoiation of King Charles 1 1 These, of course, cannot be tertne-l b«iokfc, tney contemporary records indispensable* V' the studenti of history. I am glad to see that Fatner Meehan courageously stood up for his own works on 17th century subjects, the “ Confederation of Kil- kenny,” “ The Flight of the Earls,’' and the “ Franciscan Monasteries,” all of winch win our admiration and sympathy. Concurring with much of the laudatory criti- cism of “ Historicus,” I cannot follow him in hia praise of Mr. Froude’s chapters on Ireland in his earlier work, “ The History of England.” Froude’s account of iShane O’Neill shows an utter inability to comprehend the man or the time. His com- ment on the first attempt of the Earl of Sussex to murder Shane may fairly seek its fellow. After giving Sussex’s letter written to Queen Elizabeth, informing her of his having suborned an assassin tr “serve her Highness” by murdermg ShaneO’Neiil, the historian adds the following — “ English ho- nour like English coin lost something of its purity ir the sister island.” And what are we to thiuK of the information of tiie writer who could speak of the great code of Brehon laws as being “ a con- venient system which was called law, but w’bi.ch in practice was a happy contrivance for the compo- sition of felonies,” Mr. Froude had read Spen- ser’s poor dialogue of “ Eudoxus and Irenaeus,” and had read nothing else on the subject. I regret that Mr. Greene, of whose “ History of the English People”” Historicus” speaks highly, and in the main justly, follows the [)revalent fiction by speaking of the massacre of tens of thousands of Protestants at tlie outbreak of the insurrection in October, 1641. Dr John M'Donnell has effectually dis- posed of that fable. His book is a remarkable one coming from any one, as the work of a non- agenarian it is wonderful. Dr Ferdinanclo Warner’s history of that war, written in the middle of the last century, is somewhat heavy reading, but it is done with much pains, and wonderful impartiality, considering his time and position. Coming down to 1798 we miss the “ Pieces of Irish History,” written shortly after by two of the principal actors, Thomas Addis Emmet and MacNeviu, and also the “ Personal Narrative” of Teeling. it is superfluous to men- tion Moore’s “ Lord Edward Fitzgerald.” Now, as to our orators. Great speeches when published ought, I conceive, to find a place amongst the best of a nation’s books, unless Demosthenes and Cicero be banished from those of Greece and Rome. Lord Byron says, somewhere ui his journal, “I doubt if we, English, have anything properly called oratory, but the Irish have had a great deal.” Nothuig in English prose equals tho music of some of Grattan’s sentences. Grattan, Curran, Lord ITunket, Shell, O’Connell, Thomas Meagher, liord O’Hagan — the speeches of these men are not mere materials. They are achievements to which Ireland can point with pride in the face of the nations. Surely also the Life of Curran by his son ought to be given, and above all the brilliant and interesting sketches of the Irish Bar, by Shell and tlie younger Curran, and tlie other os.'^ays in the same volumes. Shell’s account of the Clonmel Assizes of 1828, and of the Clare Election are models of narrative, clear, vivid, impressive. 1 say nothing of our poets, iui 30 many of your c.oi respondents have dealt wnth them. There aeftins to be a cousensuB tliat tho four Irish poets in the first nuik since Moore ar» Mangan, Sir S For]ijU8''.c, TrlAcCKrthr, and D« ^'oI•e. For the mwiSoii I am sLlMjt ko do THE PRESIDENT OF THE QUEEN'S COLLEGE. CORK our writers of fiction, tlioup:h some among them have few warmer admirers than myself. i trust that Sir Charles Duffy will collect and give to the world the best of his essays in the old Nation, and that some capable hand will do the same for Mitchel. There is a paper by Mitchel written in the despairing time of the famine of 1847, and bearing the simple title of “ Irish Guide Book,” to which for beauty of description and depth of pathos 1 hardly know an eciual. It IS ditlicult to read it v/ithout tears. — 1 am, yours, John OTIaoan. TEE PRESIDENT OF THE QUEENS’S COLLEGE, CORK. TO THE EDITOH OF THE FREEMAN. Queen’s College, Cork, 27th March. Sir — I have to thank you for a copy of the article of “ Historicus” on “The Hundred Best Books,” which I have read with much pleasure. Absence from home and other causes have, how- ever, prevented me until now from responding to your courteous invitation to offer some observa- tions on that list. In the meantime your corre- spondents have supplied most of the omissions and additions which I might have noted. “Historicus,” so far as I gathered from the books named by him, appears to limit, and I think wisely, the scope of his selection to history and biogranhv, including poetry, fiction, &c. only so far as tiie'y illustrate historical events, and the customs, habits, and character of the Irish people. He prepared his list evidently with the view of giving, not an exhaustive catalogue of books, but one which would indicate the scope of his inquiry, the impartiality that should govern the selection of the books, and suggest to correspondents nume- rous gaps which they were expected to fill, and thus bring before the Irish public as com- plete a list of books on Irish history as would serve to guide the various classes of students in their studies of the subject. Many of the books I'ecommended are rare and expen- sive. Some are written in Latin, and conse- quently not accessible to the majority of readers Others, again, are voluminous and would require more time to read than most people can devote to such a task, even supposing them sufficiently interesting to induce anyone to consult them, ex- cept for reference, or as store houses of facts. Before a suitable selection of one hundred or any other number of books could therefore be made at all we should first consider who are to read them. There are two distinct classes of readers of historic literature. First, there are those whe only want to have such a general acquaintance with the history of their country as every educated man and woman should possess. This classof readers, outof which the other class is evolved, want books which shall give them the results of historical investigations in a compendious, readable form — the best being those in which the narrative of facts is most trust- worthy, the inductions sound, and the conclusions unprejudiced. The second class comprise students who desire to examine for themselves the printed materials from which the books of the first cla,ss have been compiled. The few who develop into historical investigators, and extend their investi- gations to original documents, manuscript as well as printed, have to make their own list of books. The list of “ Historicus ’ contains many books :il of the first chiFS. There is, however, ample mar- gin for additiou.s Ah rcgardu ancient hikI uiediicval hiatory there i« aregat want of books which could be recommended. That {)criod of our history i« still in a Btale of chaos ; deitie.'i and heroes rule a« kings, fight battles, or make law.s at periods so remote, yet so correctly fixed, to the exact year, that tlie foundation of Koine ia a comparatively modern event. In some books, too, the long exploded Plucnician col, after the’*/ arc Tlioiu'sDirocLorj, Lhu klULuti b m. siGERsoy. r,:i of Uie Uciilrn, many Btatisiical and other Blue Hooks, annals, and uiiiiilar compilations of ancient and modern facts, whether relatinpf to the nation %t large or to individuals. Brief biographical notices, cyclopjcdias, the simple enumeration of historical events, are properly denizened in this category. They have no claim to be throned amongst the best books, inasmuch as the works included in these two groups of word-books and fact-books have, in truth, no right to be counted amongst books proper. If they were to be ga- thered in, so also should “scores” and “tallies.” On the other hand, fact-books may be of the greatest importance in their way, as when they furnish the raw-materials of history. Lastly comes the most important class, includ- ing all true and real books, the class, namely, of Thought-books. In these we have not only words and facts, but the living intellect of man moving, marshallinc', and endowing them — as the angel troubled the still waters of the pool, giving them great new powers. A piece of mechanism, such as Babbage’s calculating machine, might produce records that could be classified under one of the other categories, but not under this. The phono- graph receives the impressed vibrations of sounds and repeats them. The book of- fers a record of invisible, inaudible, and intangible thought, and enables us to perceive the intellectual and emotional activities of individuals and of nations, remote or near in time and space. Its importance wdll depend on the importance of the subject, and on the power and fidelity of the inteUect at work. Of course there is a wide series of varied workmanship. The literary foim, since the first song of Amergin, has been of such general interest and so attractive that it must always stand in the front rank. But it should not exclude from sight science which, from the early speculations of St Virgil as to the Antipodes, and of Dicuil on the measurement of the earth, to the last lecture of our Astronomer Eoyal, or to the works of Salmon, Haughton, and Casey, &c, has fiourished, whenever it was pos- sible to flourish, in this country. Undoubtedly, with such a classic in existence as the work of Graves, not to mention others, medi- cine has a right to recognition. There is mind in such a work. “ Hisk>ricus,” however wa.s o^uite within his right in omitting all special studies, whether ecclesiastical, legal, medical, or scientific, which are not necessarily within the competency of the general reader. Certainly he has done wonders in tlie depart- ments of his^-« ry and polite litei-ature which he iias chosen. It is not to be assumed that he men- tions accessible books only, or that he wishes us to take without scrutiny or cpiestion the works he names. Sir John Davis was one of the most un- scrupulous of lawyers, whose aim was quite difi'erent from what seemed the purport of his words, yet no doubt his writings deserve to rank amongst typic.al works. Others also if they do not depict the country depict th-amselves, and some do both. i’erhaps a clearer conception of the treatment of the subject by “ Historicus” may be obtained il we saparate that subject into its component sections. We shall then have — 1st. The section <»f Oaedhlic or Celtic Literature. 2nd. Of Norse-Trigh Literature. 3i'd. Of Norman-Irish, A iglo-lrish, and Neo-Irish, or modern Irish ].i.rerature. 4lh. Continental-Irish, and 5th, li’ish-Aineri.v.in and Irish -Australian Literr-lure, “ Ilirttorious” has given the key to the Tjiteralure of the Celtic Bection by his mention of Dr W K Sullivan’s “ Introduction” to O’Currv’s Lectures. It is not merely the best book on the subject — it is unique. If the author had devoted as much ability learning, energy, and time to any German, French, Fngli.sh, or Aineiicnn suh ject, the Government and jjcople would have emulated each other in offering him the recogni- tion accorded to patriotic genius. In Ireland, how many knew of its importance or of its very existence until a few days ago? He could scarcely be asked to edit Mr. Richey’s lectures. But anyone who, like myself, takes an earnest in- terest in Irish industrial advance, and who is aware of Dr Sullivan’s reports on exhibits from Dargan’s to the recent Cork Exhibition, would urge that he should edit his own scattered con- tributions, that so much valuable work might become accessible and operative for instruction. But, though the key to Celtic literature be given in this “ Introduction,” and in O’Curry ’s Lectures, more is required. Lord Carnarvon haw noted tlie deficiency. It is a strange thing, but true, that a large portion of Irishmen, chiefly tho^e of the cities, have not the remotest conception of the mental world of millions of their fellow-countrymen in the western half of tliis island. Yet foreign scholars are conversant with its cosmography. This is because the elements of Celtic literature ,are ignored at home, or only identitied with the dry dust of annals or the grimacing distortions of comic guides. It would be otherwise were the “Three Sorrows of Story” familiar to the mind; or, at the least, if the “ Fate of the Sous of Usnach” were, as that beautiful and pathetic classic deserves to be, a household book in Ireland. Though publislied, with a translation, a generation or two ago, it is scarcely obtainable, for there is no recent edition. The “ Sick-bed of Cuchulain” and the “Fate of the Children of Lir,” both of which appeared in the Ailantls. with trans- lationa by O’Curry; the “Battle of Moira,” the “ Battle of Moyleana,” published by societies now extinct, should likewise be read. The great heroic tale of the “Tain-Bo,” or Cattle Spoil of Cuailgne — tlie Irish Iliad — is, I believe, as yet only accessible in the specimen edited by Dr W K Sullivan, the “Fight of Ferdia,” and in Sir Samuel Fer- guson’s metrical works. All down the ages such and similar productions, with the Ossianic lays and legends, have lived in the me- mory, occupied the thoughts, and helped to form the character of the Gaedhlic-speaking millions of our people. Even the tales which children love, and for which our city children depend on London, are widely different, and strange to, urban ears as those of the “Arabian Nights.’ They are not obtainable in Ireland, for Irishinen have neglected the rich folk-lore of their country. In Campbell’s “Tales of the Western Highlands,” however, I came upon legend after legend which I hadheard from Donegal reapers m the harvest fields of Tyrone. To these should be added Kennedy’s “ Fireside Stories ” — well recited tales, the com- mon literature of children over wide districts of Ireland. Those Celtic heroic and other tales may be supplemented by Keating’s History, Lady Ferguson’s Legendary History, O’Grady ’s History, Croker’s Legends, and Joyce’s Early Celtic " Romances. But, when he can, the reader should go to the original, or to a close transla- tion. He will find a fascinating home-picture of ancient d:ivs in Adumnan’s Life of St Columb- rili: DLST JIUNDRED ir.lSU BOOKS. kiUe, eiiid ol>tv.in a solid fo;nd?.t:on for Li* g'/ii.'es by an «xa;ah-.ation of the Brchon L&Tva. With re- spect to Uio second eectif-ri, we cannot omit some of the Scandinavian Saga* iixmi amongst the best book* on Ireland. The Landnama Bok of Iceland gives important informatjon as to the interco”r8e between the peoples of tl»*i two islands; like in- formation is found in various other Sagas, and the Saga of Burnt Njal is ind!;>pBusable. to the student of Irish history. Besides it should be remembered that Dub'in, Waterford, aud Lime- rick, with considerable territory besides, were Norse for generations, and had a Norse literature, i^ossibly at a future time, when it is at length understood that the Norse-Irish, who built churches and had a hierarchy and saints, were really good Catholic Christians, and not perpetual pvigans, they vvill receive some other recognition than coinec of denunciation. The third section is one which “ Historicus” has made his own. It was, of course, impossible that he should be perfect in the eyes of all, nr that he should make no omissions. Most of those have been supplied, and probably the supiply has been in excess of the demand. His definition of Irisfi Books, as books or parts of books written no matter by whom, about Ire- and or the Irish, is somewhat cramping. It ad- mits all references made by strangers, but it ex- cludes much excellent Irish workmanship. The historical portion of this section has been amply discussed, but a few books or tracts might still be mentioned, such as Robert Paine’s “ Briefe Description,” published in 1856. As tlie work of an “ Undertaker” who renders justice to the Irish character it is of exceptional value. A series of family histories, such as that of the Earls of Kildare,” and a series of county his- tories may perhaps be placed in the category of fact-books. The History of Derry, produced under the Ordnance Survey, and containing the researches of O’Donovan and others, is remark- able as the first and only exemplar of a series, for which the MS materials were f>repared, and are preserved. In poetry, the names of Aubrey de Vere, AUingham, aud Graves have been mentioned; to these should be added the name of T C Irwin, who has created a style of pictorial and pathetic poetry altogether his own. In polite literature, whilst of course reinstating Goldsmith, Sheridan, Ac, in their proper position, we should insert the works of Sheridan Leianu, a writer as vigorous as Blackmore at liis best and much more vei satile; and unque^tiouably no citv or foreign reader can form a faithful idea of Irisli country life amongst the peasantry, with its humour, pathos, and per- vading quiet, who does not know Charles Kick- ham’s works. As regards the fourtli section, it is worth noting that there are several German and French books relating to Ireland, and that the Spanish poet Calderon devoted one of ,his dramas to St i’atrick’s Purgatory, in Lougli Derg. “ Ireland in 1862,” by the Abbe Perraud, Professor of the Sorl)onne and subsequently Bishop of Autun, is an important work by one who came and studied the state of the countiy with scrupu- lous exactness. The Abbe Domemeoh’s “Voyage Legendaire” is worth notice. Published in l‘aris, the “ .Memoirs of Myles Byrne ” give th< highly interesting recollections of one who took part in the outbixsak of 'f/*?, and wlio Bnbseo'iently fcftrved as a diHtinguished suldier of the Iritsh Lejion of Ilupoloon J, wliicli succeeded Uie Irieli Brigade of tlie Monarchy. Some works repre-* sentative of the section of Irish-American and Irish-Australian literature would be desirable. J F Maguire’s work on the Irish in America, Daviu’s “ Irish Canadian,” “ Judge Therry’s Memoirs,” and Sir C G Duffy’s “ Australian Speeches ” (if he would but edit them) might supply this want. Reverting to the general question, art seems to have been unconsciously excluded. Yet what country can offer a combination of art and litera- tare superior, or even equal to, Moore’s Melo- dies, illustrated by Maclise? In order that a 8 cr anger should obtain, in brief, something like an adequate conception of this c-'antry and of its inhabitants there are eight books with which he might begin — first, the reproductions of ancient Irish illuminated manuscripts, edited by Mr. Gilbert. From this he would proceed to the works of Petrie and Miss Stokes on architeoture, etc. Second, the “ Fate of the Sons of Usnach,” as an example of the Irish heroic tale. Third, Sullivan’s “ Introduc- tion,” which should be published senarately, as an independent study of the Celtic State. Fourth, the speeches of Henry Grattan, as examples of Irish oratory. Fifth, Sir Charles Gavan Duffy’s work, which brings ancient and modern history into continuity by the hands of a states- man who has made history. Sixth, Moore’s Melo- dies, illustrated by Maclise. Seventh, Bunting’s “Ancient Music of Ireland.” And, eighth, Sir Robert Kane’s “ Industrial Resources of Ire- land,” a work of vital importance, inasmuch as it is the demonstration of Ireland’s claim to progress. The work of “ Historicus” has done excellent satvice in stirring up an interest in matters per- ineriiig to Irish literature. You might supple- ment this work by instituting an inquiry as to the diffusion of books throughout the various counties and provinces of Ireland. Laing points out that Iceland, with but 56,000 inhabitants, pro- duced more literature in one century than the major part of Scotland (or of many English shires) in all time, and this literature was well diffused. What can be said for our own country ? Granting all that can be demanded as regards the obstacles which have impeded the cultivation and spread of literature over tlie land ir the past, it is surely possible that more might be accom- plished in the present. At all events, I ven- ture to propose this question for consideration — Has not the time arrived in Ireland for the revival of literary taste and the diffusion of knowledge amongst a people once so ardently de- voted to its pui’suit ? — Yours faithfully, GkORGE SlGEUSON, M.D. MR. MARTIN HA VERT Y. TO THK KDITOH OF THE FREEMAN. Ki.Xig’s Inna Library, Heurieita st. Mt Dear Sir — I feel highly flattered by your invitation to give my opinion on tlie ext>-emcly interesting subject so ably placed before yonr readers by *' Historicus.” The works onutnerated, and in general very judiciously characterised, by him, together with those suggested in the letters of the many distinguished persons who have fol- lowed Imn in your columns, would form such a collection of books relating to Ireland as might, I think, be ilecmcd, if iu)t exhaustive, at loti^^tamply buffici«.nfc for a very usisful Irish library. 1 I'cel Mil. JUSTIN IIUNTLY MCCARTHY, M.P. S') that you have rondorod a most valuable service to the country by iiitroducing this matter to the public. It is a subject to which attention was urgently re juired. 'I’he department of Irish literature »ii which I personally feel the dee]>est interest is tiiat of history and antiquities, and 1 regret to say that it is the one upon which our people have exhibited the most indiliereuce. liven the best educated Irishmen seem to care a great deal more about the history of other countries than that of Ireland, which they are too often inclined to think either too unpleasant or too insignificant to study. The discussion, however, whicli you have opened iu the Frt man's Journal will arouse an interest in the subject that will compel people to think and read a great deal more about it. Many of us can I'eniember the impulse given to Irish literature by the brilliant young Ireland writers some forty years ago, and tfie contemporary light shed upon it by the learnea writers of the Archaeological and Celtic Societies; but a great deal of the fever then created has since died away, and we may well look with satisfaction on any effort for its revival at present. A great deal has been done in late years to supply materials for Irish history. Our library shelves are piled with volumes of State papers relating to Ireland, which were previously stored away in Government offices, and Irish documents of the utmost interest have been discovered by the indefatigable diligence of Mr. Gilbert in private libraries, and published in the “ Historical MSS” Collections; but it is well to know, in order to reconcile us to our previous knowledge, that the broad facts of Irish history were pretty well known be^■o]e, and that the flood of light shed upon them by the new documentary evidence serves chiefly to render our knowledge of them more authoritative, and to confirm statements ot early Irish writers, to which Englishmen had re- fused to give credence until they became con- firmed from their own official archives. History written without research is of very secondary value. Written at ti»’st hand, it may be taken on the writer’s own authority, for what that may be worth ; but iu aU that the historian is not cognisant of himself, we expect him to refer us to the authority for his statements. We have some very eloquently written books on Irish history, with scarcely a single reference to an original authority from beginning to end, but the denciency in this respect is overlooked for the sake of the brilliancy of the style, or the eclat of tlie writer’s name. In a book of practical utility, however, we expect to find not only correctness, if not eloquence of style, but evidence of research, and such reference to authorities as will enable us, if so inclined, to read more on the subject from original sources. Perhaps I am wandering somewhat from the object to wliich my letter should be conflned, but I cannot resist the wish to avail myself of the opportunity you so kindly afford me to ex- press my gratification at the movement iu Irish literature you have set on foot, and, at the same time, to suggest a few honest truths to my countrymen. Ill-natured folk say we aie not a book-buying people, nor a book-read- ing people. Books must be very cheap indee<; when we buy them; but I trust that you will have induced many of your readers to try and acquire a» many as they can of the hundred best Irish books, and to read them. I do not think it necessary on my part to suggest any list of books in addition to those so well enumerated by “ His- toricub” and his distinguished commentators. With the MS catalogue of “ books relating to Ire- land in the Library of King’s Inns,” now before me, it would not be difficult to extend the list from a Imudied to ten times that number, but I think the list so carefully compiled by Mr. Webb in the Freeman of the 23rd inst, and extending to tlie precise hundred names, might be made, with a few emendations, to answer ever practical pur- pose. It is very methodical and very nearly com- plete. I would, however, add one book especially to it — namely, Mr. Webb’s own “Compendium of Irish Biography,” the very best thing of the kind on the same scale ever attempted in our literature. It is written in a thoroughly Irish spirit, is the result of vast labour and re.search, and contains an amount of Irish history and bio- graphy which we would find it very difficult to make out for ourselves. — Faithfully yours, Martin Havertt. MR. JUSTIN HUNTLY M'CARTHY, M.P. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. House of Commons, March 27. Dear Sir — I have read with great interest the paper by “ Historicus” and the animated and at- tractive correspondence which has come breathing at its heels. A student of many literatures, Iri.sh iterature has remained and must always remain, the nearest and deai-est to me; but if I had not been prompted by your kind invitation I should scarcely have ventured to add any opinions of mine to those of the divines, scholap, and states- men who have agreed or disagreed wnth the author of the original paper. However, being so prompted, I^find that I have something of my own to say. I must speak with aU the strength and all the admiration at my command — and I am amazed that there should be any need for me so to speak — in favour of two illustrious names wliich have not received due justice in the correspondence. One is that of a great poet, the other that of a great orator. James Clarence Mangan is one of the greatest poets on the roll of Irish literature. Thomas Francis Meagher is one of the most bril- liant orators that has ever appealed to the spirit and fostered the progress of national liberty. Even the praises of Mitchel’s generous and elo- quent voice seem inadequate to do jus- tice to the genius of the poet wffio has made our old Irish songs a possession for ever “ unto all the generations of men,” and who stands as a lyrist of flawless beauty of formi and exqui- site perfection of idea with Rufinus and Ronsard, with Tibullus and Tennyson, with Hafiz and Heine, As for Meagher, I should like him to be to the students of Irish oratory what Demos- thenes was to Athens, what Cicero was to Rome, and what Vergniaud was to the wandering stars of the Gironde. I must also plead most earnestly for the an- cient legends of Ireland, not merely in the ad- mirable popular form of Professor Joyce, but in their original shape, and whenever possible in their original language. They deserve a place in universal literature with the oic poems ofher -^fHellas, with the stately epics of Rome, and ivith that magnificent record of National myths, “ The Shahnameh of Firdusi.” I have already testiuc-u my admiration for these legends of ours by the 30 THE best HVNDRED IRISH BOOKS. space I have accorded to them in my ‘‘Outline of Irish History.” I propose to express that ad- miration yet more strongly in the longer work on which I am engaged, and which I hope some day to finish^ — Believe me, sincerely yours, Justin Huntly McCarthy. PROFESSOR BALDWIN. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. Dear Sir — I owe you an apology for having so long delayed my acknowledgment of the “ proof” of the clever paper of “ Historicus” on books re- lating to Ireland. I plead as my excuse pressure of work. I confess that the little I had to say has been much better said by others. I would be quite at home in naming and criticising the best books on subjects which have been my own special study. On other subjects my reading has been of a very general character, I have glanced through most of the books on the list. In the main I agree with the criticism passed by “Historicus” on those which I have read. One gentleman has said that there ought to be some principle of classification. I would, with great diflBdence, offer a few remarks «>n the books which, in the present aspect of our affairs, possess the deepest interest. As an earnest studentof Irish history and Irish politics I would say with “ Historicus” that Leoky deserves our praise, but I would give the premier place to Burke in any list of Irish authors. Burke was an intellec- tual giant. He never lost an opportunity of ad- vocating what he believed to be the truth. To his writings we owe many of the enlightened views that have prevailed among the best of our modern statesmen. If we except the popular edition of liis speeches in the [ series of Irish Orators pub- lished by the late Mr. Duffy, no issue of any of his great works has been published in Ireland in my time. I would rank Berkeley next to Burke as a great thinker. He is read even less than Burke, His metaphysics are often difficult, if not obscure ; but they afford evidence of great power, while such works as the “ Querist” are masterpieces in tlieirown way. I wouldjput Swift in thesame class. Great men like these have left us works which enable us to understand our political rights and duties as citizen.s. 1 would like to see a good selection from their writings in the hands of every Irishman. I venture to say that in the works of these great men would be found materials for working out the solution of the serious problems with which we are now brought face to face. Burke would legislate in a way which would secure to every man what is legitimately his and protect him in the enjoyment of it as long as he used it in away in which competent and fair- minded jurists could not discern any policy hos- tile to the interests of society. — Youis faithfully, Tiios Baldwin. MR GEORGE ATKINSON, M B. TO THE EIHTOR OK THE FREEMAN. 84 Drurncondra road, 27th March. Dear Sir — 1 thank you very much for your kind u/ttentiou in sending me a proof of the re- markably able essay of " ilistoricus ’ on the Best Hundred Irish Books. I have read and re-read his observations with pleasure and profit. Most of his opinions I heartily concur in. Some of his conclusions I might hesitate to adopt, though - am not qualified by special study to boldly chal- lenge their soundness. The animated discussion which has been kept up by your correspondents since the views of “ Historicus” were put must satisfy you, Mr. Editor, that a good work was done in starting the subject; while he also, I think, must be well satisfied, for evidently his main object was to awaken attention and stimulate inquiry rather than to draw up a list perfect in every respect. I venture to point out some omissions which appear to me unaccountable. For instance, how did “ Historicus” forget to name and place in the foremost rank of Irish books, the Life of Sir William Rowan Hamilton ?” This is the record of the career of a man born and edu cated here; living, working, teaching in the country from first to last; and leaving behind him a truly illustrious name to be inscribed on the list of Ireland’s most gifted sons. His discovery ofjthe calculus of Quseternions made him famous in the world of science, and it is acknowledged that his contributions to the scientific societies of Ireland and England were some of the grandest specimens of the higher analysis. He was a member of most of the scientific societies of Europe and America, and was enrolled a member of the Im- perial Academy of St Petersburg for his services in the integration of dynamical equations. The life, of which two volumes have appeared, will soon be completed by the publication of a third volume. Thejwork contains Hamilton’s splendid lectures, a mass of valuable letters, and a quantity of the poems which he, the mathematican and astro- nomer, took delight in composing. Besides we have in these volumes copious and interesting memorials, letters, &c, of the Edgeworth family, the De Veres, the Dunravens, and a host of learned and distinguished contemporaries and compatriots. And, lastly, the bio- graphy is written with great ability, per- fect sympathy, and faultless taste, by the Rev R Percival Graves, a worthy member of a family that deserves to be held in high honour in Ireland — 'their native land. Among other omissions, I note Mr. Alfred Webb’s invaluable “Compendium of Irish Bio- graphies;” the four vol. issue of Wills’ “ Irish Nation,” wuth its portraits and genealogical charts; Dr Stokes’ admirable “Life of George Petrie;” Mr, Bagwell’s “Ireland under the Tudors;” Mr, Fitzpatrick’s “ Memoirs of Dr Doyle” and Lord Cloncurry;” Miss Stokes’s “Irish Architecture;” Mr. Halliday’s “ S*;iudinaviau Dublin,” so judiciousl}" edited by Mr. Prender- g.ist; Dr Joyce’s “ Irisli Names of I’laces,” and Father Meehan’s historical works. For all these I would certainly find a p^ace in a list of best books written by Irishmen and dealing with Irish subjects, whether biographical, historical, or an tiquaiian. About lighter literature I have nothing to say, exce))t that when some good friend to the cans*; ])ublishes a collection of the Best Hundred I’oems composed on Irish themes by Irishmen and Irish women, we shall have a hook which every son of Ireland will ])lace among his own prime favourites. — I am, dear sir, very faithfully yours, Gi ohje Atkinuon, xVi.G. MR. JOHN O'UART—MR. PARNELL, M.P.— CANON ULICK BOURKK. 37 THE AUTHOR OF “IRISH PEDIGREES.” TO TIIK KDITOU OK THK KUKEMAN. Ringsend School, Ringsend, 25th March. Dkau Sir — Many thanks for the proof of “ The lioab Hundred Irish Books,” by ” Historicns,” wliich you so kindly sentmo. While “ Historicus” deserves great praise for his patience, labour, and research in the compilation of that very interest- ing paper, there are, in my opinion, many works on Irish literature, racy of the soil, which he might have mentioned. Some of these works, however, are named in the correspondence on the subject which you have published in to-day’s and yesterday’s issues of the Freeman . — Yours very faithfully, John O’Hart, MR. PARNELL, M.P. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. House of Commons, April 2. Dear Sir — I have received your kind inquiry as to my views on the interesting question of the “ Hundred Best Irish Books.” I have seen your selections with the greatest interest, and I have also read the numerous and very valuable contri- butions to the subject from your correspondents. Without exfuessing any definite opinion of my own as to the merits of your selection, for I do not feel that such an opinion would be of much weight, I will content myself by saying that I be- lieve the discussion in your columns will prove of great importance, and will afford valuable in- formation otherwise unattainable to many thou- sands. — Yours truly, Chas S Parnell, CANON ULICK BOURKE P.P., M.R.I.A. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. Claremorris, March 29th, 1886. Dear Sir — Accept my best thanks for having sent me an advanced proof of the able essay by “,Historicus” on the subject “ The Beat Hundred Irish Books,” or, rather, as I must take it from his own views — the hundred beat books relating to Ireland and to her people. Its publication in the pages of the Freeman's Journal has been earlier than I had expected. His Lordship the Bishop of Achonry has given expression to the thought that came to my mind directly on reading the praise lavished on Lecky’s writings in reference to Ireland — that what he did write has been over-estimated. The rarity of such honest writing by pro-English historians in treating of Ireland and her children in the past has, like water in a desert land, added immensely to the literary and historic value of Lecky’s views in his “ History of England ” in the eighteenth century, and his “ Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland.” With some of your distinguished contributors I eagerly share surprise at the very ample extension given by “ Historicus ” to the complex term “ Irish Books ” — meaning books, or parts of books, written, no matter by whom, about Ireland or the Irish. For my own part, I am pleased with the definition, for it enables one to haul within his literary net all sorts of books relating to Ireland and her people, and then he can sit leisurely on the shore of his own home, and select, according to taste, a hundred which bo sets store by, and make thorn the nucleus of a good Irish lilnary. I see tliat one critic in the issue of Saturday last (27th March) is quite out of sorts when “ Historicus ” h:iH not named tho valuable work, “ Specilegium Ossoriense,” a series of extracts relating to" Ireland dur- ing tlio ‘‘Cromwellian Campaign,” copied from documents in the Vatican liibrary, Rome, and other sources, and edited by Car- dinal Moran. This work, so lauded by tho critic, does not, after all, say much that is not already known regarding Ireland and things ecclesiastical. The readers of the ‘‘ Speci- legium” should be familiar with Latin, Italian, S('anish, mediaeval French, and Queen Anne Eng- lish, or rather the quaint language spoken and written connected with the Elizabethan period. It appears, at all events, that parts of books written no matter by whom and in any language fell, in tho opinion of the writer or critic, under the defini- tion of “ Irish books,” as expounded by “ His- toricus.” Others who have written claim as “ Irish ” books those regarding Ireland or her people, though the works be in Latin, French, German, Italian, old English, or Irish of tho early, middle, or modern periods. Judge Barry well observes some of the works namerl by “ Historicus ” treat of propositions once dis- puted, but not so any longer. Those works were accordingly of only ephemeral interest. Mere knowledge of the title and purport of such works is enough ; take for instance much of what has been written by Swift. “ Controversial ” details regarding the “ Union ” or “ Emancipation,” are now of no value. All that has passed away. Tho events remain. Able writings like those of Ed- mund Burke, or the speeches of Grattan, ivill al- ways be read with pleasure, not for the events recorded so much as for the beauty and the grace of the language in which they have been clothed. The able essay of “ Historicus ” has received praise on the score that it is impartial. On this head I too wish to bestow praise ; nevertheless I should not like to recommend Dr Todd’s Life of St Patrick without telling my readers to purchase a copy of Dr Gargan’s able critique of that work — or the volume, “ St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland,” by my friend Father WiUiam Bullen Morris, priest of the oratory* I should not like to see “Hibernia Expugnata ” — written by Cambrensis in the twelfth century —recommended for a place amongst any hundred books, good or bad, and the able work “ Cambrensis Eversus,’’ from the pen of our countryman. Rev John Lynch, Archdeacon of Tuam (born A D 1600), so full of real history, denied a place. One of the best books in its way that can be put into a student’s hands is “ Cambrensis Eversus,” trans- lated by Rev Dr Matthew Kelly of Maynooth, and edited with original text by him, in the years 1849-52 (3 vols, price 30s). Along with the Life of Bishop Bedel, I should like to have that of the Lord Primate, Dr Oliver Plunkett, written by Cardinal Moran, a small volume, yet, like the Life of Hugh O’Neill, by Mitchel, one replete with interest. Bedel and Plunkett flourished in the same century, and are symbols of opposing inter- ests and of religious life in the seventeenth cen- tury. Miss Charlotte O’Brien will, I feel con- vinced, thank me for telling the title of the “ Very Old Irish Dictionary,” fuU of curious old English words and country phrases, “ which in her copy has been lost.” It is “The English-Irish Diction- ary,” compiled by Father Connor Begley, and 38 THE BEST JIVMEED IRISH BOOKS. edited by Hugh Buidhe MacCurthi, published in Paris Anno 1732. It is commonly known as Mac- Curtin’a “ English-Irish Dictionary,” the first ever published. Sir Charles G Duflfy suggests that two lists of the best Irish books be formulated — one for the Students’ Irish Library, the other of works for general reading. 1 have made a selec- tion of the best hundred Irish books, not for general reading, but for the student of Irish history, or the young historian. The works in this list will show what Ireland has been in the days before Niall the Great, and during the golden age of Catholic Ireland from A D 432 to 800, and during the incursions of the Lakemen or tlie Norsemen; again in the period of the re- naissance from AD 1014 to 1172; and next to the penal period; and from the commencement of the penal period to the present. The thanks of Irishmen at home and abroad, and of Irishmen unborn, are due to the Free- man's Journal, and in their name I offer the grateful thanks of a people whose his- tory has hitherto been to a great extent ne- glected. — I remain your faithful servant, U J Canon Bourke, PP, M R I A. A LIST OF THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. Ancient Laws of Ireland, known as the Brehon Laws, the Seanchus Mor ; the Book of Aichill, 3 vols. Dr Keating’s Ireland, edited with notes by John O’Mahony. Haverty, New York, 1857. O’Curry ’s Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish, edited by W K Sullivan, 3 vols. The first volume as introduction is from the pen of W K SuUivan, 1878. Lectures by O’Curry on the MS Materials of Ancient Irish History. Dublin : James Duffy, 1861. Sir William Wilde’s Beauties of the Boyne and Blackwater. In this work the writer gives an account of the pre-Christian mounds situate on the banks of the Boyne. They present an an- ti:juify considerably beyond three thousand years. Sir WiUiam Wilde’s Loch Corrib. The fight be- tween the Fir-Breg and the Tuatha De Danann is recorded in this volume. ^ir Henry Maine’s Lectures on the Early History of Institutions. Loudon : Murray, 1875. Dr. Petrie’s Tara Hill — Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy ; vol 18, Part II, 1839. Every Irish scholar should have a copy. Dr Petrie’s Round Towers of Ireland — The Eccle- siastical Architecture of Ireland. Hodges and Smith, Dublin, 1845. The Four Masters — The Annals of the Kingdom f)f Ireland, translated, with notes, and edited by Dr O’Donovan, 6 vols. A Series of County Maps, say that by Philips or that by Dr Joyce. Sir William Wilde’s Catalogue of the Royal Irish Academy. A week’s stu^y of all that is to be seen in the Royal Irish Academy will add much to the knowledge of any student of Irish anti- quities. The Transactions (some volumes) of the Royal Irish Academy. The Transactions of the Kilkenny Archscological Society. The Volumes published by tlio Ossianic Society, Transactions of the Gaelic Society. The Celtic Society and Archaeological Society vo- lumes. The Ulster Archaeological Society. One volume of the work done by the Ordnance Survey of Ire- land — The County of Londonderry. Golonel Colby, superintendent ; Hodges and Smith, 1837. This is the only volume of the rich mine of literary and antiquarian wealth dug up by the staff of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland. The History of County Londonderry was too good to have had it published. The landed pro- prietors at the time felt the bitterness of the truth told in its pages, and contrived by Par- liamentary pressure to put a stop to the pub- lication of the MS records connected with the other thirty-one counties. But are these records to be had ? Certainly, In the Royal Irish Academy there are about one hundred MS volumes in quarto, three, and in some instances four volumes, relating to each county, containing an account of the pa f saints and scholars ? As an omen that we are on the eve of such a blessed change I am inclined to welcome the very interesting topic which has been so successfully started by “ Historicus.” — I remain, my dear sir, very faithfully yours, Charles Dawson. P S — If books are made by leave.s, tlion wo should not forget the admirable leaflets on poli- tical and social topics published by Mr. Edmund Haivey, of Waterford, and distributed by liim over the United Kingdom. If ))Oor in general literature compai-cd with England, wo are espe- cially so in that practical and social clas.s repre- sented by iSmilea, and such essays as those of the Cobdeu Club, G F Heath, &c, Ac. 77/7; ARCHBISHOP OF CASH ICL-MR. WM. O'BRIEN, M,P. 41 THE ARCHBISHOP OF CASHEL. TO TII15 EUITOll OT-’ THE KIlElCMAN. The Palace, Thurlea, April 4. My Dear Sir — I had fully dotermiued, from the post, and for very valid and obvious reuBoiiH, not to take any part in the diacuasion so ©ppor- tunely raised by “ Ilistoricus” about the best hundred Irish books. Your courteous impor- tunity obliges me to break that resolution. The fact is that I have always had, and still have, very odd and, possibly, very unorthodox views about books. I do not see, for instance, much need of, or any great good that can come from, most of our modern publications, excepting always those of a purely scientific, statistical, or matter-of fact character. To these I may add the biographies of really great men, which, if well written and veracious, cahnot fail to afford pleasure and bo profitable. But the mountain of dissertation, speeches, rhymes, reviews, essays, romances, and soforth that have seen the light since 1 became of an age to read them, are not, as a rule, of much value in my eyes. Modern works on divinity, too, save in so far as they give us the more recent decisions of the Holy See, are little better, I believe, than feeble transcripts of the great past masters in that truly wonderful science. Even this small measure of commendation cannot, I fear, bo extended to the greater part of such Sunday, Lenten, and other discourses as have been printed and put into circulaciou within this century. Ascetic works. Church histories, whether local or universal, and even modern liturgical publications, with a few well-known ex- ceptions, cJad subject, moreover, to the qualifica- tion already advanced in respect of books gene- rally, have little to specially recommend them, and are no great improvement, if any, on their predecessors. Irish history since the English invasion I cannot bear to read, and never could. Making all allowance for some bril- liant pages, it is to we a cheerless chronicle of disaster, disappointment, and defeat. One good work, anyhow, on any subject, or branch of a sub- ject, is quite enough for an ordinary man to possess and master ; just as one really good dish at table, if slowly and temperately partaken of, will be found to be far wholesomer, and in every way more nutritious, than would be a dozen dainty courses hurriedly and copiously con- sumed. I know, to be suie, that if a man is not more or less up in the literature of the day, and able to say something about the leading publications that are issuing hourly from the pres , he will straight- way be set down as a noodle or a nobody, and that even the stupidest and silliest of his drawing- room or other acquaintances must appear to ad- vantage in comparison with him. But drawing- room and social critics generally should be held of small account in this matter. They are the swallows of literature. They touch many things just with the tip of their wing, skimming fleetly over the surface of books, but rarely picking up any useful nutriment from them; and they end, for the most part, after long years of miscella- neous and desultory reading, by being the merest retailers of other people’s wares utterly incapable of manufacturing anything saleable or serviceable themselves. I do not, however, deny that at times, and under certain circumstances, it would be well for one to be able to talk with ease and confidence about book-makers and books. I can give a case iii point. 1 happened, some time ago, to form one of a rather respectable dinner party. The host alone was [lorsonally known to me. fi'he repast duly over, and tlio tongues of the company (say twelve in number) being fairly let loose under the genial influence of a full blown festivity, an as piring young barrister present, who, I regret, but am not surprised to hear, has never been burdened with briefs, started, as if casually, ({uite a learned dis- cussion, but which I have now reason to know was all arranged beforehand, about the dates, chief characteristics, and relative merits of Shakes- peare’s plays. I had read Shakespeare of course, years ago, and had forgotten all about it. But as 1 have a natural horror of appearing to be what I am not, and possess but little of the critical faculty, I thought it prudent to hold my tongue altogether, and so held it until the dis- cussion had come to a close. I manifested, mean- while, no doubt, in a very high degree, what Car- lyle rather comically calls the “silence of stu- pidity;’’ and, doubtless, when J retired, as I soon aftewards did, the learned litterateurs that I left behind me must hs.ve piqued themselves greatly on their superior knowledge and capabilities. Under the above circumstances, I suppose it would have been a decided advantage to me to be more bookish than I was ; but, after all, what benefit could I otherwise have derived from the fact that I held at my fingers’ ends the d aes of Shakespeare’s plays, and could fix with minutest precision the literary value of each ? What I desire, then, to convey is this, that we prate too much about books and ponder too little on them ; that one ounce of practical “ common sense ” — that is, the equilibrium of the faculties-^applied to the ordinary business of this life, and even of the next, is worth ten hundred weight of learned, and espe- cially amtiquated, lore; that a thorough know- ledge of one good history of Ireland (say Magee’s), supplemented, if you will, by a few such works as Duffy’s “ Young Ireland,” “ Four Years of Irish History,” and T P O’Connor’s “Parnell Movement,” is quite enough of Irish History for any ordinary Irishman; that the “ Ballad poetry of Ireland ” and certain speeches delivered from the dock by Irish patriots are far more inspiring and useful reading for the masses of our people than Ware or Harris; that Mitcliel’s “Jail Journal” affords us more appropriate food for thought than does Macaulay’s History of England; that Michael Davitt’s plain prose and practical philanthropy are more to be admired than Lecky’s flowing periods and vacillating policy; and that it is infinitely better to make history, even in a small way, than to read, or write, folios about it. — I remain, my dear sir, your very faithful servant, T W Croke, Archbishop of Cashel. MR. WM. OBRIEN, M.P. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. House of Commons, April 3rd. Dear Sir— I have been obliged to put off my answer to your kind invitation so long that I am glad to find that whatever additions I wculd have suggested to the catalogue of “ Historicus” have been suggested already, and a great many other books on historical materials have been brought F 42 Till. BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. under notice (especially iii the suggestive letter of Mr. Justice O’Hagan) which are outside the range of my (of late years, at all events) scant and hurried reading. The hundred books you pro- posed to amass seem to be growing dangerously near to a thousand, and I am afraid that to most men to whom it is not given to enjoy lives of learned leisure there will come a sigh that life is not long enough to turn so great a mass of trea- sure to account. I don’t know whether the ex- perience of others confirms my own feelings that, with books as with mankind, you may have any number of acquaintances, but only a few fajthful lifelong friends. Three-fourths of the books named by your various eminent correspondents are helps to the understanding of that Irish his- tory which, unhappily, is not to be found in any single book. It would very much reduce the mass of needful reading, as weU as do other and priceless service to our country, if among the young students whom this discussion may allure to the fascinating love of Irish historical research (now opening up in a hundred new and varied aspects) there should be one who will yet give Ireland a history which will assimilate what is best in Dr W K Sullivan’s investigations of the social conditions of pnmitive Ireland, tested by the most recent results arrived at by the Celtic philologists of Germany and France; condense M‘Qeoghegan’s opulent details of our golden age; do for each of the dramatic centuries since the Norman Conquest what Mr. Lecky’s Irish chapters have done for the eighteenth; depict, by the help of memoirs like those of Tone and Byrne, and Moore’s Lord Edward, and the State papers al- ready disclosed in the Castlereagh and Cornwallis Correspondence, or the still more interesting ones to be, perhaps, yet disclosed, the events, sad and glorious and shameful by turns, which brought about the Union ; extract from mountains of newspapers and tombs of Parliamentary reports the thirty years of Irish history which is the history of O’Connell ; go to Mitchel’s lightning pages and Sir C G Duffy’s books for pictures of the ghastly tragedy in which it closed ; consult Mr. Barry O’Brien’s books and Mr. T P O’Connor’s for the properunderstanding of thepolitics of ourown day; and blend that whole wcmdrous story with the critical faculty of Dr Sullivan, the sympathy of Judge O’Hagan, and the bright and limpid narra- tive power of Mr. Justin M‘Carthy. Such a work would be our proudest national possession. Until its hour arrive, it seems to me that monographs on particular passages of Irish history, after the type of Sir J Pope Hennessy’s “ Baleigh in Ire- land” — accurate in statement, and charming in style — are best calculated to attiact to our sad annals that warmth of human interest in which the Irish history of the future must have its birth. Historical tracts apart, I am afraid that the answer to the question as to the best hundred Irish books, in the sense of a distinctively Irish literature, must be that there are not a hundred Irish books. The beginnings of such a literature were made by Davis. Gerald Griffin, liad he fallen on more propitious days, might have enriched it imtneasuarably more even than he did. In the touching peasant idylls of Charles Kick- ham, and in some *>f T D Sullivan’s songs, there are truer intimations than I know of anywhere else in our day of a vein of indigenous Irish thought and feeling, as strongly marked as the difl’ereiice between ” Murty Hynes” and “In Memoriam.” For Mitchel’s “ Jail Journal,” I need not say that I share the enthusiasm dis- played by so many of your correspondents. It is a book that is well worth transportation to have been the author of; and it is, though coloured by Carlyle’s influence, as much nobler than anything that Carlyle wrote as Timon of Athens was a nobler being than Apamanthus. But aU these form not a literature, so much as the promise of a literature in the coining days, wiien aU tlie generous young energies that have had to spend themselves hitherto in action and suffering in the Irish cause, will be free to expand and blossom into aliterary activity worthy of the wealth of im- agination, intellect, and range of emotions with which Providence has endowed our race. — Yours faithfully, William O’Brien. MR. T. M. HEALY, M.P. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Dear Sir — My views on the list made by “ Historicus ” are not of much value. I have not read half his selections, and unless a prize were offered for the “ Best Hundred Readers,” I think many similar confessions should continue to be made. What really great books cease to pass current on the bookseller’s counter and stow themselves on library shelves ^ No popular book list should be made to include volumes practically out of the reach if not beyond the range of the million. Still for students’ purposes, “Histori- cus ” has done good service, and the discussion you have started will have permanent value. Now- a-days one is continually prayed by English cor- respondents for “ some books on the Irish Ques- tion to enlighten Englishmen.” Tested by the standard of utility for such a purpose (a poor one of course) John Bull’s demand for a pocket manual on Ireland would not be satisfied by many of the W'orks referred to. Duffy’s, Mitchel’s, and Sullivan’s books, perhaps, would be best for such inquirers. I was glad to learn lately that Ml-. Wm DiUou, B L, lias employed his leisure in far ofif Colorado in making a compilation of the fugitive writings of John Mitchel. No more pious task was ever undertaken by a Nationalist, and no patriot’s memory ever better deserved such solicitude. Father Meehan has been doing a similar service for the lesser known writings of Mangan, and it is deplorable that there is so little literary activity ainougst us at present, and in- deed so little encouragement for it. The strife of politics is too tierce in this generation. Let us hope the next will have the benefit of our struggles in more ways than one. Still wo are not entirely barren. The massive strength of tho poems of Sir Samuel Ferguson cannot be too highly admired, and they have a purely Celtic flavour most grate- ful to those who refuse to believe in the divine in stitution of the meridian of Greenwich. John F O’Donnell (“Caviare ”) should not have been for- gotten, and his verse well deserves to be rescued from tlie forgotten pages of the i)ress. The songs of Alfied Bercival Graves are thorouglily Irish and genuine. No one can better handle the Gaelic idioms which our poasanti-y import into English speech. By tlie way, why does no one make a pai>er on tlio effect of Irish on the Eng- lish spokeu in Ireland and America ? 'I'hen we have Miss Katherine Tynan, who has po exquisitely set to sacred and patriotic subjects the volup- VFJiY REV. CARON DOYLE, P.P^LADY FLORENCE DIXIE— MR, <)LIVER J. RURKE, B.L. tuous cadences of a modern English Bchool, and who, being fortunately young, is certain to do good work for us in the future. How many hun- dred bookists know the dainty “ Oscar and l']va” of T C Irwin, or ‘‘Unspoken Words,” by Bovle O’Reilly ? The Irish Penny Readings might be commended as volumes which ountain many admirable selections from Irish authors in prose and verse, not otherwise ejisily accessible, Mr Alfred Webb’s Compendium of Irish Biography is, in another way, a perfect treasure, and must have cost him a lifetime of research and a world of pain. A real history of Ireland has yet to be written, and will not be undertaken except with the encouragement begotten of an emancipated people. I regret very much the sluggishness of the Royal Irish Academy. It does as little for ancient Irish literature as Trinity College does for modern learning (pace our good friends Galbraith and Houghton). There is, moreover, a smack of pedantry over much of what passes by the name of “ learning” with us, and occasionally some bos- thoonery. Other correspondents have fitly filled such gaps as “Historicus” may have left; and you will add to the service conferred on your readers if a selection be made and republished in a handy form of the letters on this subject. — Yours truly, T M Hbalt. VERY REV CANON DOYLE, PP, RAMSGRANGE. TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMAN. Presbytery, Ramsgrange, Arthurstown, April 5. DearSir — I have been honoured long since by the receipt of “ Historicus,” but as the minnow is out of place amongst whales, 1 deemed it more dis- creet to keep out of “ the swim,” as my little canoe might get crushed amongst the ironclads, and thought it safer not to launch it in the midst of their evolutions. Now, however, that the heavy ordnance has been discharged, and the bray of the trumpet is dying away on the breeze, the penny whistle and the pop-gun may be a variety. It seems to me, of all the learned, eloquent, and in- teresting communications on the subject, that of Sir C G Duffy is the best and most practical. I don’t take that gloomy view of our past which seems to oppress some of your most distinguished correspondents. I believe when the ample mate- rials now being disentombed and collected are placed in the hands of a gifted and accomplished historian, the story of Ireland wih be one of the most attractive and edifying in the history of the world. Our defeats and disasters are just as in- telligible as those of other nations overwhelmed by the superior force of cruel and unscrupulous enemies. On theirs was the Saxon and guilt.” But, sir, there is one boast (^’‘8% gloriari oportet, non exptdii quidem"' ) in which we can indulge, given to no other nation under the sun — our sufferings and sacrifices for the holy Catholic faith. Ip oHier countries many suffered, num- bers were tortured, but aU our people were put to the rack and the gibbet; so that, in simple truth, Ireland is the martyr nation of Christendom. This, I know, counts for very little in the estima- tion of an infidel world, but it is of vast import- ance to dear old Catholic Ireland. 1 congratulate my young friends on the many 'ueautiful books and instructive papers they now can procure for the merest trifle, but w'liich were not to be had for love or money in my early days, I am auxious tluvt some one more skilled than I can pre.su me to bo would draw up a list of books for the young, for liegiuners, and for that large and ever-increasing class who wish to know the history of their native land, but who have neitber money nor time to devote to the luxury of a na- tional library ; wealthy and learned leisure will be able to select for itself. — Dear sir, yours obediently, Thomas Canon Doyle, P P. LADY FLORENCE DIXIE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. Sir — Throughout the interesting discussion which the able compilation of books by “ Histori- cus ” has elicited in your columns, only a few correspondents have referred to the best Irish books for British readers. As I think this is a very important point, I trust you will forgive me for naming nine books, which I believe are the very best that any Britisher ignorant of Ireland’s history and cause could read, and having done so come enlightened tliereon. The nine works in question are — 1st, Haverty’s History of Ireland. 2nd. Mitchel’s History of Ireland. 3rd. The Rise and FaU of the Irish Nation, by Sir J Barrington. 4th. Ireland and her Agitators, by W J O’Neill Daunt. 5th. Ireland under English Rule, by The Abbe Perraud. 6th. Young Ireland, by Sir Charles Gavan Duffy. 7th. Four Years of Irish History, by Sir C Gavan Duffy. 8th. New' Ireland, by A M Sullivan. 9th. The Parnell Movement, by T P O’Connor. There are of course many others that might be read with advantage, but the above works carry on the chain of Irish History from one period to another, and supply information on nearly every event of importance, and on nearly every ques- tion affecting the position of Ireland and her re- lation to England. The Britisher who makes himself acquainted with their contents cannot plead ignorance of the Irish Question. — Your obedient servant, Florence Dixie. MR. OLIVER J. BURKE, B.L. TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN. 25 Morehfginptou-road, Dublin, 3rd April, 1886. Sir — One of thebestirish novels — “Untenanted Graves,” by Charles Kickham — unsurpassed in its delineation of Irish character, should not be for- gotten in selecting “The Best Hundred Irish Books.” Neither should we forget Mr. Justice “O’Hagan’s Ballads,” nor his “ Song of Roland.” In his preface to that charming poem the learned Judge has displayed much of research, and has thrown a flood of light on the early history of the immediate successors of Charlemagne. Morley’s Edmund Burke is also well worthy of place. So is the “ French Revolution,” by John George MacCarthy, and the History of 44 THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. Lord Edward Fitzgerald, by Mr Creari, B L. Then the Transactions of the Royal Irish Aca- demy, Walker’s Irish Bards, Hardiman’s Irish Minstrelsy, Howard’s Revenue Exchequer (Irish), where the reader will find an amazing amount of information upon Irish inquisitions, patents, sur- veys, maps, confiscations, forfeitures, &c. Sir William Betham’s Constitutional History^ of Ire- land, Sir Bernard Burke’s “ Extinct Peerage,” and here I may incidentally mention that a mine of learning lies hidden and unprinted in the manuscript volumes of the “ Ordnance Survey.” The last time that I had occasion to consult these works of priceless value they were kept in a bookcase in the Royal Irish Academy. Whether they have since been drafted over to Sir Samuel Ferguson’s, Q C, care in the Rolls Office I know not ; but this I know, that if consumed by fire their information could never be replaced. Here you will find three volumes given to each county — viz., the Inquisi- tions in English, the Patents and the Antiquities. The Inquisitions tempore Elizabeth and James I. give a great amount of learning on the Irish fami- lies, Irish properties, confiscations, fisheries, titles, abbeys, abbey lands, &c. In the Antiquities, the reader has the opinions of John O’Donovan, Petrie, and of other able Irish antiquarians that were employed on that survey. As my hand is in, I mention, State Papers temp Henry VIII. to James I.,” where the reader will have told to him better than in any history the persecutions of the Catholic clergy in Ireland — witness “ the Trial of Darby O’Hurley, Catholic Archbishop of Cashel,” where Adam Loftus, Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, had him put to the torture by pouring boiling pitch into his boots to discover if he were consecrated to the archbishopric by the Pope’s authority and in places beyond the seas. One or two other works I shall mention, and these are Walker’s Hibernian Magazine and the Irish Penny Journal, as also the “ History of Ireland,” by Sir Richard Cox, Lord High Chancellor of Ireland, and last and not least, the “ History of Ireland,” by Martin Haverty, sub-librarian of the King’s Inns, who I have the privilege of numbering, amongst my old and sincere friends. — I have the honour to remain, your obedient servant, Oliver J Burke, B L, Knight St Gregory the Great. I now proceed to consider the very inte- resting correspondence on the subject of ‘‘ The Best Hundred Irish Books,” and to try, as far as I can, to give effect to the suggestions of the distinguished and able men who have joined in a discus- sion which may, I hope, prove useful to the students of Irish History. Dr Healy, in his excellent letter, fairly observes that “ the article might be more appropriately headed ‘ The Best Hundred Books on Irish History.* ” But, as a matter of fact, I adopted, with a qualifying adjective, a popular heading, because it was popular ; and, anticipating criticism, I endeavoured to fortify myself by starting with the quotation from Carlyle, and adopting the nom de plume of ‘ ‘ Historicus,” so that I might, as far as it was possible, suggest at the outset what the head- ing did not clearly suggest — the precise nature of my paper. In addition, I endeavoured to make my position clear by stating that by Irish books I meant “ Books or part of books written, no matter by whom, about Ireland or the Irish.” But I must not conceal rny opinion that historical books are the best ; and I agree with Carlyle that ^‘everybodf should bo advised to begin with the history of his own country.” 1 had, besides, a special reason for directing, so far as I was able, II. the attention of Irishmen to the his- tory of Ireland. Without going into the question of causes, which would, of course, be quite outside the scope of this paper, it is mard- fest that the study of Irish history has been and is much neglected. If the statement of Sir C Gavan Duffy be accurate — and there is no more competent judge of the subject — that there are not a “ dozen men in the island” capable of drawing up a decent list of Irish historical books, the fact is appalling. Dr Healy, in his letter — of which one cannot speak too highly, having regard to its direct- ness and suggestiveness — says, “ that several of the books which ‘ Historicus’ has named should be regarded by anyone as the best, or among the best, does not speak well for Irish Literature ;” and he adds, “ I cannot blame the writer of your article if amongst his hundred authors he has enume- rated some historians who are altogether unworthy of that name, who never consulted, nor cared to consult, the original autho- rities, and who give us as genuine history their own crude and meagre conceptions, sometimes of real, and sometimes of imagi- nary, events.” Those words are courageous and true, and, if his Grace permit me, I beg to tender him my thanks for using them. I had in my mind, in writing 45 THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. iny paper, views such as those expressed by Sir Gavan Dufty and Dr Healy, and it was my aim to draw up a list of books which, having regard to tlie meagre materials at my dispo- sal, might on the whole be useful to those desirous of knowing, with such an approach to accuracy as is fairly attainable, a little at least of Irish history. Dr Healy hits the nail on the head when he speaks of men “ who never consulted, nor cared to consult, original authorities.” This, beyond all doubt, is tlie vice of many writers of Irish historical books. Of course it is the vice of a great many other writers too, but I have nothing to do whh other writers now. Nothing, strikes one more forcibly in looking through our historical literature than the absence of any attempt to be exact. Men spend the time in turning sentences wllich they ought to devote to verifying facts. The vicious process is like this : — Somebody writes a book “ with- out consulting original authorities.” A few years later some one else takes up the same subject, and writes another book, quoting as an authority for his facts the first book, and so on ; others succeed, each quoting the previous text books, and not one of those writers ever dreams that the way to write history is to fling text books to the winds, and go straight at the original documents. Let there be no mistake about the fact. There are writers of Irish “history” who got “ puzzled” over a list of books with which every historical student is familiar, and who would be as much “at sea” in a muniment room as a ballet-girl on the judicial bench. Some one has asked “What is the meaning of the ‘ best’ books ?” In my opinion, histories. And who are the best historians ? Men who possess the faculties I have ventured to as- cribe to Mr. Lecky— men who have the “ faculty of research, the faculty of style, and an inherent love of justice.” Judged by this test, the majority of the historians I have named must not be regarded as of high rank. Yet without Leland, Plowden, and Mac- Geoghegan, such as they are, we would be in a very much more wretched plight than we are at present. M’Gee and Mitchel cannot in strict- ness be regarded as historians ; but under peculiar difficulties they did good work. Mitchel, I think, possessed the historical faculty in a marked degree ; and could he have devoted the necessary time, and made the necessary researches, he would, I believe, liavo written a history of Ireland as charming as Macaulay’s England. But, as Dr Healy gjiyg — and every sentence in his letter betrays the thoughtfulness of a cultivated gentleman and an enlightened patriot— we are at present only at the stage of collecting materials for writing Irish history. “ When the time is come, and the matter shall be ready, I have no doubt the man will not be wanting.” I share the hopes and desires thus expressed by Dr. Healy. Several of your correspondents draw attention to the fact that in limiting my paper to books about “ Ireland or the Irish” I have shut out some of the best Irish books, in the sense of books written by Irishmen. This, of course, is quite true, and I felt its force in writing my paper. But I believed that, even at the risk of raising a hornet's nest about me by giving no place in my list to the name of Goldsmith, by shutting out that splen- did poem “The Forging of the Anchor,” by consigning to the shade for the moment the “charming” Steele and “ the amusing” Con- greve and Farquhar ; yet that, upon the whole, it would be better for Irish students to turn their attention, in the first instance, to Irish history. Afterwards, of course, they might plunge into the literature of the whole world. They should begin, but not end, with the study of Irish history. This was my view : it is my view still. I still preach from Carlyle’s text. With these general observations I shall now notice in detail the letters of your cor- respondents so far as space will permit. Dr Garnett, formerly the courteous Head Superintendent of the Reading-room of the British Museum, and the ever-ready and ency- clopgedic scholar, names three books which he kindly says I must have omitted by “accident. ’ As a matter of fact there are certain books (which I shall presently mention! that were “accidentally” omitted, but not the ones pointed out by Dr Garnett. The ones so mentioned are ‘ ‘ Bagwell’s Ireland under the Tudors” (also . mentioned by Mr. Lecky), Gardiner’s History, and Miss Hickson’s “ Ireland in the 17th Century.” I had thought ot Mr. Bagwell, and at first con- ^ 'jidered he ought to have a place on my list. But on second thoughts I said “No.” It is quite clear that my second thoughts were not “best,” and I shall be glad now 4G THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. to amend my list by the addition of Mr. Bagwell’s history. Mr. Gardiner did not occur to me — an act of unpardonable re- missness, for he stands in the foremost rank of historians. With regard to Miss Hickson, I very much regret that I am not able to en- dorse Dr Garnett’s views. This lady’s work is certainly valuable in material, but not his- toric in spirit. But that she should be men- tioned by Dr Garnett is ample compensation to her for being omitted by me. The only books which were “ accidentally” omitted are — Beeves’ (Adamnan) “Life of St Columba” (for my acquaintance with which I am in- debted to Mr. Lecky, as I am indebted to him for my acquaintance with many another good “Irish” book); Cornwallis Corre- spondence, Castlereagh Correspondence, Montalembert’s Monks of the West, Russell and Prendergast’s “ Preface ” to the State Papers, “ Irish Series,” 1603-1625; Harris Ware (“ Antiquities”). All others were omitted by design, or, as in the case of Gardiner, because they had not entered my head at the moment of writing. I pass from Dr. Garnett to Mr. Alfred Webb. Mr. Webb has approached the sub- ject in his usual business-like and painstak- ing manner. I may approve or disapprove of his list, for, as he truly says, “ No two people could agree as to the same list;” but there can be no question as to my indebted- ness, and as to the indebtedness, if I may say so, of the readers of the Freeman's Jour- nal, to him for his thoughtful and helpful con- tribution to this discussion. I shall take his list in detail. With respect to the books of “ General Reference,” I agree with him about Joyce’s “Names of Places,” and Lewis’s “Top. Die. ;” and certainly “ Thom’s Directory” is ascorehouse of valuable information of a certain {practical kind. It ought, 1 am free to say, have a place in the library of every Irish politician and publicist. But I should omit the rest of the works of “ Reference,” and I shall take the liberty of adding instoad of them a book which I have found to be of great use — Wel»b’s “Compendium of Irish Biocrraj)hy. ” Considering that I have found this book of grtiat use, 1 ought, perhaps, to have given it a ])lace in my list. But I left it out for “ar limet-ical ’ reasons,” to use Mr. O’Leary’s ph 1 respectiug the omission of DrSigorson’s “hiodeni Ireland.” This book of Mr. Webb — “The Compendium of Irish Bio- graphy ” — is eminently characteristic of the author — unpretending, but invaluable. It ought to be on the shelves of every Irish politician, publicist, and student. Under the title “ Romance,’’ Mr. Webh mentions Croker’s Fairy Legends, Joyce’s Celtic Romances, and Drummond’s Min- strelsy. Of these three, if Mr. Webb will permit, I shall select Joyce’s “ Celtic Ro- mances,” a charming book, and containingmore real Irish “ history” than some portly volumes dignified by that name. Of “Ancient and Ecclesiastical History,” Mr. Webb mentions Brehon Laws, Maine’s Institutes [sic, Early History of Institutions], O’Curry’s MSS Ma terials, and Manners and Customs; and Petrie’s Round Towers. Of these all except Brehon Laws and the Round Towers are on my list. I shall omit the Brehon Laws now. as well as previously, and for the same reason, because the average student wiU, I think, be content with the excellent account given of them in Maine’s admirable work on “ Early Institutions.” Dr Petrie’s work should certainly be placed on a list of the “best books about Ireland,” if not on the “ best hundred.” Of the three books on Mr. Webb’s “Ecclesiastical” list, I have already mentioned “ Lanigan” and “ Dt Todd.” Of Mr. Webb’s ten “General Histories,” I have mentioned six. I am not sure that Harris Ware should be classed as general history, but it certainly should be on a list of the “ Best H undred Irish Books, ” and has, indeed, as I have already stated, been accidentally omitted by me. I cannot add any of the other histories on Mr. Webb’s list. Keating is the only book I should think of adding. But the great defect of Keating is that he does not draw the line with sufficient clearness between the legendary and verifyable portions of Irish history. The other General Histories named by Mr. Webb are Harverty’s “ History” and Sullivan’s “Story of Ireland.” Of the thirty -seven “His- torical and Biographical” books mentioned by Mr. Webb, I have already mentioned twelve — viz, Carlyle’s “Cromwell,” Prendorgast’s “ Cromwellian Settlement,” ParuelTs “ Penal Laws,” Swift’s Works, Locky’s “ England” and “ Leaders,” Young’s “Tour,” Grattan’s “ Memoirs,” Molynoux’s “ Case of Ireland,” Duffy’s “Young Ireland,” Tone’s “Auto- biography,” Barrington’s “Rise and Fall,” TUE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. Maddoii's “ United Irlslimen.’’ Of the rest 1 shall add, as Mr. Webb suggests, “ Giraldus Cambronsis.” I thought carefully over this writer, but decided on omitting liim, for ho seems to me to liave been remarkably .H otli(!rs of your correspondents, wlio have givyii us not merely criticism, but light — I have already accepted Adamnan, Colgan, and Ware. I shall try and find a place for the others, but I am afraid it must not be in the “ Best Hundred.” Mr. John Morley must be excused for not giving us any “liglvt,” as he is at the moment better employed in giving our English fellow- subjects “leading.” I regret that Mr. William Johnston, M P, has not given us a little light either; and there is no excuse for him. I had expected that he would at least have named Walker’s “ Journal of the Siege of Derry ” — an ad- mirable chronicle of one of the most brilliant episodes in the military his- tory of the world. Poor Walker ! gallant fellow ! Even in his day he was badly treated by Mr. Johnston’s political an- cestors, and Mr. Johnston forgets him now. Walker, as we all know, fell at the Boyne. “ He was shot,” says Story, “ a little beyond the river, and stripped immediately, for the Scotch-Irish that followed our camp were got through already, and took off most of the plunder.” They might at least have spared the hero of Derry. I have to thank Mr. John O’Leary for his long and painstaking letter. I wish, indeed, he had undertaken the work which I have en- deavoured to do. To paraphrase what Sir C. Gavan Duffy has said respecting my list, I feel no hesita- tion in asserting that there are not three men in Ireland who could draw up a better list of Irish books than the former editor of the Irish People. I am not sure, however, that he does himself justice in the letter before me. He says that M‘Gee’s History and Mitchel’s do not “ give any measures of the men.” I do not think that Mr. O’Leary’s letter gives us any measure of him. There is too much criticism and too little light in it. I am bound to say this, for, with Mr. O’Leary’s vast know- ledge of Irish books, I think there is a duty imposed on him, some time or other — I do not say now — to give us a paper in one of the magazines on Irish literature worthy of his talents and erudition. I do not understand what Mr. OTicary means by stating that I “astound” him in saying, “In truth, no general history of Ireland worthy of being j)lacod among the productions of liingard, Hume, Green, or Burton has yet boon written !” Ho admits that this is an “ undonbti'd fart,” but adds, “ might it not bo said of nil the THE BEST IIUNDliEJJ JJtHSIl BOOKS. 41 ; general Kistoriesof England?” Certjiinly; but what is the point — wiiat is tlio cause of astonisli- ment ? I have pointed out tliat tlio Irish are in a worse position than tlio English in respect to general histories. This is an “undoubted” fact. How is it aflected by the other undoubted “fact” tliat lluines, Lingards, Burtons, and Greens do not jostle each other in tlio Strand or Prince’s-street ? Mr. O’Leary finds M‘Geoghegan “rather he.avy and wearisome.” I am afraid Mr. O’Leary likes his history as children like their physic, with the sugar on; though, per- haps, 1 leave myself open to the retort that I like it without any sugar at all. Perhaps I do. 1 like facts clearly, dispassionatel}', stated. In the first rank I place the “faculty of re- search:” in the second or the first, “an inherent love of justice;” and in the last, “style.” Nay, if I can get the “ faculty of research” and the “ love of justice” 1 am prepared to dispense with “styje,” so far as it is supposed to include the picturesque. In this respect, 1 stand “ naked and not ashamed.” And 1 have no hesitation in saying that it would Ijo an improvement to many “ Irish” books if they had more body and less clothes. We do not want the facts of history to be illuminated by pyrotechnic literary dis- plays. We want them to be set forth in a clear and even mild light, which will not dazzle the student, and which will give no false effects. M'Geoghegan has, upon the whole, fairly stood the test of time. Why does Mr. O’Leary name Taylor's “ Civil Wars of Ireland,” “ somewhat queer ly so called” ? It was “ somew'hat queer” to call this print the “ Civil Wars of Ireland,” but nothing like so queer as to call it by its present title, a “ History of Ireland.” This production first appeared in “ Constable’s Miscellany” under the title Mr. O’Leary gives it. But it was subsequently re-published under the more ambitious title of “ history”? But whether in “ Constable’s Miscellany” or out of it, Taylor's book is about as unreliable a “ history” of Ireland as Inis ever been written. He was a man, judging by his his- tory, “ who never consulted nor eared to consult an original authority.” Let me give an instance of his way of writing history. Eeferring to the battle of the Boyne, he says that William (after the battle) viewed the Enniskilleneis “with contempt, not un- mingied with hatred.” He also says that whon the news of Walker’s death re:ich<‘d the Englisli King, he brutally said (I do n(»t remember the exact words, but they were t.o the effect) “What business had he there ?” Now, both these statements may be true, but Mr. Taylor gives not a scrap of autliority for thorn. Not a single footnote, not a single reference to any book or paper of any kird whatever. I do not mean to say that a popu- lar historian ought to give footnotes or refer- ences for every statement. But he certainly oughtfor every statement likely to be disputed ; and Mr. Taylor’s .statement about William III. and the Eimiskilleners and Walker will not pass witi out challenge. Again, Mr. Taylor says that the Enniskill- ners “ galloped from the field;” bnt he does not give one scrap of authority for this state- ment either. Suppose Mr. Johnston, M B, asks for the proof of this grave imputation on the courage of his political ancestors, where will Mr. Taylor be ? “ Who will hold the stakes?” said the Yorkshire man, who had suddenly fallen into the company of a number of “ swell mobsmen” at the Derby. “ Oh, the Captain will hold the stakes,” said one of his new flash companions, pointing to the most distinguished gentleman of tlie group. “ Ay,” said the Yorkshire man, “ but who will hold the Captain?” Who will guarantee Mr. Taylor? If a man wants to write popular history, let him confine himself to setting forth unquestionable facts in popu- lar language. But if he makes controvertible assertions, then let him mass his authoritie.s on the instant. I agree with Mr. O’Leary about Sir Pope Hennessey’s book, and thank him for remind- ing me of it. I do not think I have spoken “too highly’’ of M‘Geeand Mitchel. I have only said “ M'Gee’s History is eminently readable,” and that Mitchel’s is “ brilliant,” and as “ admirable a specimen of pure and vigorous Saxon -English as may be found in the lan- guage.’’ I think this is true. I left out the “ JailJournal” and “ The Last Conquest of Ireland (Perhaps)” for “ariihmetical”reasons, as Mr. O’Leary suggests. I had to make a selection of the three, and I considered the “ History” the most suitalile for ray pai3er. Mr. O’Leary is quite right in mentioning Plunket’s and Curran’s Speeches, but I deliberately omitted CConnell’s, because we have no cdi'^ioii of them worthy of the man. G’Connell’o speeches have yet to be carefully collected and ediied, as a r.o THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS, t life of him worthy of his frenius and public services has yet to be written. Mr. O’Leary properly brings under my notice the De Veres, Fergusons, and Joyces.” But I do not share his views about Charles O'Connor. Mr. Justfn M‘Carthy — one of the most charming of Irish novelists, but not “Irish” in my limited sense— is right in saying that “ legends” should not be forgotten. Only then people ought to be told when the}’’ are reading legends. The vice of a great many books about Ire- land is that people read them thinking they are reading “ history,” not “legend.” Professor Sullivan's letter is eminently characteristic, painstaking, full of excellent suggestions, and as replete with valuable in- formation as the nature of the communica- tion permitted. 1 agree with almost every- thing he says, and I approve of almost every book he has named. The hint which he throws out that there ought to be sev'eral lists of “ Best books” deserves attention. As I gather his meaning, and as I myself think, there ought to be (1) a list for students who mean to write history, and this should include all original authorities; (2) a list -for students who mean to make a serious study of Irish history, and in it we ought to have the best text books; (3) a list for the general student, in which should be placed lighter text books; and (4) a list for the general public, with still lighter text books, f shall prepare these four lists for this paper for the pamphlet in which this correspondence will linally be published. That Professor Sullivan should have mentioned Moore’s “ History of Ireland,” and A. M. Sullivan’s “ Story of Ireland” is a sufficient reason why both should be read. By the way, I find it stated in the “ Introduction to English History” by Gardiner and Bullinger, that O’Curry .said that “no one event of early Irish history is accurately given in Moore.” Judge O’Hagan’s letter, like Professor Sullivan’s, is eminently characteristic, kindly, scholarly, interesting, and instructive. I venture to express the hope that the cares of official life will not compel the author of the “ Song of Roland,” and of other songs, to neglect the muses. Of Dr Sigerson’s letter I shall only say that it places the readers of the Freema)b’H Journal under a doej) obligation to one of the mo.st distinguished Irish scholars. That he who has surveyed the fields of literature of many countries should regard my list so charitably is a proof of the mercy of the strong. “ From Grave to Gay,” from Dr Siger- son to Mr. John Augustus O’Shea, is, if not a leap in the dark, certainly a leap out of the light. Mr. O’Shea has written, as no man knows better how to write, a very pleasant and a very clever letter. But he does not like history. Well, perhaps, there is no reason why he should. The world would not be so enjoyable if there were a dead level of tastes. Variety in tliis respect, as in others, is charming, Judging by the last sentence in Mr. O’Shea’s letter, he would probably be more at his ease with a cookery book than a State paper, and judging &om other sentences, he would certainly rather sup with Peg Woffington than dine wdth Thucidydes, Well, we must not censure him for these propensities, but I should say that in his position of a “ president of a literary society,” Mr. O’Shea is about as much at home as an icicle would be in Hie Tropics, “From lively to severe,” from Mr. O’Shea to Mr.Haverty, is getting back to light again. I agree with much this patriotic historian has written. He has given sound advice, and every Irish student who wishes to know the history of his country accurately will do well to follow it. 1 now turn to the practical letters of the Editor of the Pall Mall Gazette and of Sir Ga van Duffy. The former says; — “As few English readers will have time to read the best 100 Irish books, could not ‘ Histori- cus ’ pick out the best six or twelve ? ” I shall endeavour to do so. I understand by the Editoi*’s suggestion that he wishes such books as may be read, let me say, by “ the nuin in the street,” by the average intelligent, fair- minded Englishman, who has not time to in- dulge in historical studies, but who would wish to read by the fireside books about Ire- land, written in a good spirit, stating facts, and giving him some accurate idea of what is popularly called the Irish Questiem. So, in- terpreting the Editor’s wishes, I shall frame the list he desires : — List for the Pall Mall Gazette. 1. Walpole — Kingdom of Ireland. 2. Lecky — Leaders of Public Opinion in Ire- land. 8. Coniewall Lewis Irisii Disturbances. THE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. 51 i. Qreville — Paat and Present Policy of Eng- land Towards Ireland. 5. Nassau Senior — Essays Relating to Ireland. t>. Mill — England and Ireland. 7. Qoldwiu Smith — Irish History and Irish Character. 8. Mr. Bright — Speeches on Ireland. 9. Sigerson — Modern Ireland. 10. A M Sullivan — New Ireland. 11. Matthew Arnold — Burke’s Speeches on Irish Questions 12. Godkin — Land War in Ireland. It is a calamity that we have no life of O’Connell, and no edition of his speeches which is worth placing in any list of Irish books. O’Conneirs “ Life and Speeches,” given to the public in a worthy form, would be a history of Ireland in the pleasantest way, from, let me say, the Union to 1847. Such a work is exactly, 1 fancy, what the Editor of the Pall Mall Gazette would be most likely to ask for. Unhappily, he cannot have it. But I believe Mr. M‘Cullagh Torrens is engaged on a Life of the Great Agitator; and when it comes out I doubt not it will be worth a cart- load of many other books about Ireland. I now pass to Sir C Gavan DuflFy. He has set me a difficult task, but I shall try and do it. And I wish to impress on the readers of the Freemans Journal that I do not pretend to prepare perfect lists. The time at my disposal does not admit of that. But I hope that by suggesting the undertaking to more competent authorities, I may help for- ward the work of compiling an “ Irish His- torical Library” which will stand the test of any criticism. Sir C Gavan Duffy wishes me “to prepare two lists — one for a Students’ Irish Library, the other of works recom- mended for general reading in Ireland.” I shall try to do this, confining myself to the number twenty in each list ; — LISTS FOB SIR GAVAN DUFFY — A STI^DENTS’ IRISH LIBRARY. 1. O’DoBovan — Annals of the Four Masters 2. O’Curry — MS Materials for Irish 3. O’Curry — Manners and Customs (with Sul- livan’s Introduction) 4. Maine — Early Institutions 5. Davies — Discovery, etc 6. Brewer — State Papers, 1515-1625 7. Carew — Pacata Hibemae 8. Prendergast’s and Russell’s Irish State Papers. 9. Prendergast — Cromwellian Settlement 1ft Stcurv — Wara 11. Macaulay — History of England 12. Lecky — History of England in Eighteenth Century 13. Curry — Civil Wars 14. O’Connor— History of the Catholics 15. Wolfe Tone — Autobiography 16. Mountmorres — Irish Parliament 17. Madden— United Irishmen 18. Cornwallis — Correspondence 19. Leland — History 20. Plowden LIST FOR GENERAL READING IN IRELAND, 1. Gavan Duffy — Bird’s Eye View 2. Walpole — The Kingdom of Ireland 8. Mitchel — Histoiy of Ireland 4. D’Arcy M'Gee — Arte MacMurrough. 5. Lecky — Leaders of Public Opinion 6. Mitchel — Hugh O’Neil 7. O’Connor — Military History 8. Gavan Duffy — Young Ireland 9. Parnell — Penal Laws 10. Sigerson — Land Tenures 11. O’Callaghan — Irish Brigades 12. Matthew Arnold — Burke on Irish Affairs 13. De Beaumont — Ireland, Social, &c 14. Sigerson — Modern Ireland 15. Richey — Irish History 16. Cornewall Lewis — Irish Disturbances 17. Goldwin Smith — Irish History, Irish Cha- racter. 18. Davis- --Essays and Poems 19. Hayes-'-BaUad Poetry 20. Greville — Past and Present I must now add my final list of “ The Best Hundred Books,’’ and conclude this long paper. There are many letters to which I would wish to allude besides those I have men- tioned, but time or space will not permit. I write, indeed, in haste and under some difficulties; but if I have succeeded in any degree in directing public attention in Ire- land to the study of Irish history, 1 am satisfied that the shortcomings of my paper will be excused, and that the desire to do a good work will be accepted in some measure for its successful execution. THE BEST 100 IRISH BOOKS. EARLY IRISH HISTORY. 1. O’Curry — Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish, with Sullivan’s “ Introduction 2. Richey — Lectures on Irish History. 3. O’ Curry — MS Materials for Irish History 4. Todd — Life of Saint Patrick. 5. Adamnan — Life of Saint Columba. & Montaletnbart — Monlrs oi 52 TEE BEST HUNDRED IRISH BOOKS. 7. Maine — ^Tt!?arly History of Institutions 8. Colgan — Acta Sanctorum Hibernae 9. Petrie. 10. Ware — “Antiquities.’* ILLUSTRATIVE FICTION. 11. Joyce — Deirdre 12. Ferguson — Lays of the Western Gael 13. Aubrey de Vere — Legends of St Patrick 14. Joyce— Old Celtic Romances 15. O’Donovan-'-Annals of the Four Masters THE ANGLO-NORMAN PERIOD. 16. Qiraldus Cambrensis 17. Davies — The Discovery 18. Thierry— Norman Conquest 19. Gilbert — Irish Viceroys 20. Monck Mason — The Antiquity and Constitu- tion of the Irish Parliaments LITERATURE ILLUSTRATIVE OP THE PERIOD. 21. Ferguson — Hibernian Knights Entertain- ments THE TUDOR PERIOD. 22. Carew — Pacata Hibernia 28. Froude — History of England 24. Spenser — View 25. Bagwell — Ireland under the Tudors 26. Pope Hennessy — Raleigh in Ireland THE STUART PERIOD. 27. Gardner — History of England 28. Carte — Ormond 29. Brewer — Introduction to Carew’s State Papers 30. Russell and Prendergast — Introduction to State Papers, Ireland 31. Prendergast— Cromwellian Settlement 32. Macaulay — History of England 33. Story — Impartial History of Affairs in Ire- land, and a Continuation of the History of the War in Ireland 34. The Macarije Excidium 35. Harris— Life of William III 36. Carlyle — Cromwell 37. Petty — Political Anatomy of Ireland 38. Clogy — Iiife of Bedell 39. Prendergast — Tory War in Ulster ILLUSTRATIVE FICTION. 40. Lefanu — Sir Turlogh O’Brien 41. Banim — Boyne Water THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 42. Swift — Works 43. Berkeley — Works 44. Burke — Speeches, Correspondence, and Works 45. Skelton — Works 46. Boulter — Letters 47. Molyueux — Case of Ireland Stated 48. Hutcliinson — Commorcial Restraints 49. Young — 'four 50. Campbell — Tour 51. Dobbs — Trade of Ireland 52. Prior — List of Absentees 53. Macartney — Account of Ireland 54. Hardy — Life of Cliarlemont 55. O’Connor — History of the Irisli Catholics 56. Grattan — Sjieeclios, and Memoirs 57. Curian — Speeclios 58. Cuny Civil Wars 59. y O’Leary — Works 60. Taafe — Observations on Affairs in Ireland since the Settlement of 1691 61. Tone — Autobiography 62. Madden — Reflections and Resolutions proper for the Gentlemen of Ireland 63. Mountmorres — History of the Irish Parlia ment 64. Parnell — Penal Laws 65. O’CaUaghan — Irish Brigades 66. Cornwallis — Correspondence 67. Castlereagh — Correspondence 68. Lecky — Leaders of Public Opinion 69. Madden — United Irishmen 70. Lucas — Addresses FROM THE UNION TO THE PRESENT TIME. 71. Wakefield — An Ac'iount of Ireland, Statistica and Political 72. Newonham — AViewof the Natural, Political, and Commercial Circumstance of Ireland, and a Statistical and Historical Inquiry into the Progress and Magnitude of the Population of Ireland 73. Wyse— The Catholic Association 74. Madden — Ireland and its Rulers 75. McLennan — Memoir of Thomas Drummond 76. Kay — Social Condition of the European People 77. Plunket — Speeches 78. De Beaumont — Ireland, Social, Political, and Religious 79. Sir C Gavan Duffy — Young Ireland, and Four Years of Irish History GENERAL HISTORIES. 80. Leland — History of Ireland 81. Plowden — Historical Review of the State of Ireland 82. M‘Geoghegan — Plistory of Ireland, with Mitchel’s Coutinuation 83. Walpole — The Kingdom of Ireland ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORIES. 84. Lanigan — Ecclesiastical History of Ireland 85. Mant — History of the Irish Church 86. Reed— History of the Irish Presbyterians BOOKS RELATING TO THE LAND QUESTION. 87. Sigerson — Land Tenures 88. Cornewall Lewis — Irish Disturbances GENERAL SKETCH OF IRISH HISTORY. 89. Hallam— Constitutional History of Eng- land (Chapter on Ireland) ILLUSTRATIVE FICTION. 90. Aubrey de Vere — Innisfail GENERAL COMMENT ON IRISH HISTORY. 91. Greville — Past and Present Policy of Eng- land towards irolaud 92. Parnell — Apology for the Irish Catholics NOVEUSTS, 93. Miss Edgcwortli — Miiuui, The AbseiHt'c, Castle Rack R.mb, Orin.uid 94. Gridin — 'The Collegians 95. Bauiin — Croaore of the Bill hook; Fatlier Cujiuell 96. Carleton POETS, 97. Moore 9b. Clai-enco Mangau 99. .\ubicy de Voro Ivv), Davis — Poems TUE BEST nUNDBED IRISH BOOKS. 53 I.rST OF 20 BEST BOOKS FOR STUDENTS DESIROUS OF MAKING A SPECIAL STUDY OF IUI8U HISTORY. 1. Maine — Early History of Institutions 2. Sullivan — Introduction to O’Curry’s Manners andCustoms of Ancient Irish (which ought to be published in a separate form) 3. Todd — Life of St Patrck 4. Richey — Lectures on Irish History 5. Thierry — Norman Conquest 6. Gilbert — Irish Viceroys 7. Davies — Discovery 8. Froude — History of England 9. Gardiner — History of England 10. Prendergast — Cromwellian Settlement 1 11. Macaulay — History of England , 12. O’Conor — History of Irish Catholics 113. Madden — United Irishmen • 14. Parnell — Penal Laws 15. Burke— Correspondence, Speeches, Works, I and Memoir by John Morley 16. Grattain — Memoirs , 17. Swift — Works 18. History of England in XVIII Centura 19. Cornwall Lewis — Irish Disturbances 20. Leland — History of Ireland LIST OF BEST 20 BOOKS FOR STUDENTS WHO PUR- POSE WRITING IRISH HISTORY. 1. Annals of the Four Masters 2. O’Curry — MS materials for Irish History 3. O’Curry — Manners and Customs of the An- cient Irish, with Sullivan’s introduction 4. Adamnan —St Colurnba 5. Confessions of St Patrick 6. Harris Ware — Antiq Bishops, writers 7. Giraldus Cambrensis 8. Carew — Pacata Hibernia 9. Pynnar — Survey of Ulster 10. Carte — Ormond 11. GiP'ert — Confederation of Kilkenny 12. Gilbert — Historie and Municipal Docu- ments 13. Story — Impartial History of Affairs in Ire- land, and a Continuation of the History of the War in Ireland 14. The Macariige Excidium 15. Curry — Civil Wars 16. Tone — Autobiography 17. Cornwallis Correspondence 18. Castlereagh Correspondence 19. Report and Evidence before Secret Com- mittee of the Irish House of Lords in 1798 respecting the United Irishmen 20. Calendar of State Paper from 1172 to 1762 LIST OP 20 BEST BOOKS ROR GENERAL STUDENT. 1. Walpole — Kingdom of Ireland 2. Leckey — Leaders of Public Opinion 3. Mitchel — HisU-ry of Ireland 4. Mathew Arnold — Burke on Irish Affairs 5. Greville — Past and present policy of Eng- land towards Ireland 6: Goldwin Smith — Irish History and Irish Character 7. Sigerson — Irish Land Tenures 8. O’Callaghan — Irish Brigades 9. Gavan Duffy — Young Ireland 10. Four Years of Irish History 11. Grattan — Speeches 12. Curran — Speeches 13. Plunket — Speeches 14. Mr. Bright — Speeches 15. Bagwell— The Tudors in Ireland 16. Pope Henessey — Raleigh in Ireland 17. Sigerson — Modern Ireland 18. Prendergast — Tory War in Ulster 19. Webb — Compendium of Irish Biography 20. Read — Cabmet of Irish Literature LIST OF BEST 20 BOOKS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC IN IRELAND. 1. Gavan Duffy — Bird’s'eye View of Ireland 2. D’Arcy M‘Gee — Art M‘Murrough 3. „ — History of Ireland 4. Mitchel — Hugh O’Neil 5. Davis — Essay and Poems 8. De Beaumont — Ireland, Social, &c 7. Moore — Life of Lord Edward Fitzgerald 8. O’ Conor — Military History of the Irish Nation 9. D’Arcy M‘Gee — Irish Writers to the 17th Century 10. Wyse — Catholic Association 11. Father Meehan — Confederation of Kil- kenny 12. Torrens M^CuUagh — Life of Shell 13. D’Arcy M'Gee — Irish Settlers in America 14. The Spirit of the Nation 15. Aubrey De Vere — Inisfail 1 6. Joyce — Old Celtic Romances 17. Hayes — Ballads of Ireland 18. Clarence Mangan — Poems 19. Carleton — Traits, &c 20. Moore — Melodies I have in framing these four lists avoided plac- ing the same book in any two; but I would sug- gest to the general Irish reader tf« work his way through the whole four, and thus he may obtain a fairly accurate idea of the history of his country. ;:CJI V,'**. ••'o^'i'^^,' ■ V' ' t*ih-\.w^i ^ ,,. ■/u^Jrtrvr - ;i/: _.'■' '■?•'• lit }'•. ' ■•. -mu ..v), ,,i >(;.'. / **">’*■» ' ;;f ' '■' > -‘ii'i 'ili'. If ♦< fiiH-'/ .', ■ '■ ; ■'* .VMilvn.)*}/'-'*. i(K,jr''^t-{.f.^' ,; ; ‘ |?foA- . >a . C',. ‘ r : i ^kSI^ xL. i: ‘ ’ ■ • ro' , „ .. . 6 ift .7|' -.ii > .ir.j6;{’-^'V Aj* t). , <.•‘.1% ity ;' _i..:| •• firUfA.'jL f« '4l/>r»!/• nu-ii -j*' - -X-ntifO * :! f/.T f) ,ji rft '''h' . ' • ■ < r • X'.i T J -!- ->f-.<<»'t .M?--i-..* ’ijO; „ ■■' - .-.!l^fc^;^-.MT■:^il^)| ,*!l ‘ / ' '^ ' ■'■ '-.tSK i-. Jin I :• ’fe. ,.f- ’ • jkst v(;<; ,■’ -Axvt/it .*.?■ -.('r rv^v/’li' .a •■• V ••<•;; /,'• .;i»»'‘V-.-J:' v';‘ 'K V ». M.’-f ..< 1 '/* >a yu' !:V f) , , J' ui.; ■.; j if .. 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'■•i '•' *.w. .■L,r* M7; toi’' ^ ^ it wi ; f ■ ,' ' '/'. .i'lail; 'i '*■ ! CATALOGUE AND INDEX OF REFERENCE A. Adamnan — Life of St Columba; Life of StOolumb- kille. Published in Transactions of Archajo- logical Society. Edited by Dr Peeves. Also translated by the Rev M Kelly, 1860 Annals of tlie Four Masters (translaied from the original Irish by O’Donovan. 2nd Edition, in seven vols. Translated by Connellan. Analecta Bolandiua. Brussels, 1882. Alliugham — Day and Kight Songs. 5s. Philip, London AUingham (Lawrence) — Bloomfield in Ireland Ancient Laws of Ireland, known as the Brehon Laws. Senachus Mor Archdall’s Monasticon Hibernicum (the Book of Aichill), 3 vols. Edited by Carding,! Moran Archdeacon Mathew— Legends Arnold — Burke on Irish Affairsi. 6s. MacMillan Arnold (Mat) — Essay on Celtic Literature. 8s 6d Amherst’s History of Catholic Emancipation. 1771 to 1820 (cliiefly in England). 2 vols. 24s. Aryan Origin of the Gaelic Race and Language. The Round Towers. The Brehon Law. By Rev U J Bourke, 1875 Atkinson — Life of Mary Aikenhead. 7s 6d. Gill, Dublin Atkinson’s Remarks on the Dublin Press of the End of the Last Century Atlantis (The), or Register of Literature and Science of the Catholic University of Ireland. 186 -70. The Exile of the- Children of Uisnech, in Irish, with a Translation and Notes by Eugene O’Curry, appeared in this periodical B. Bagwell — Ireland under the Tudors. Vols I and II, from the First Inva.sion of the. North- men to the year 1578. 32s. Vol III, com- pleting the work,, is in preparation. Longman, London Banim (Michael and John) — (O’Hara Family) — “ The Nowians,” “ Crohoore of the Billhook,” 2s each. “ Father Connell.” Dufly, Dublin Barringtt.n (Sir Jonah) — Personal Recollections. Is 6d. Rise and Fall of the Irish Nation. 2s. Duffy, Dublin Basil — Wearing of the Green, os 6d Baratariana. Dublin, 1773 (s h) Battle of Magh Rath, Battle of Magh Leana. Irish Archaological Society’s Transactions Berkeley, Bp G : Works. By Fra.ser. 4 vols. £2 18s. Selections, 7s 6:1. Life and Letters 16s. Beaumont (De) — Iceland Soc’al, I’nlitioal, and Religious. 2 vols. BenUey and Co, London ; I8i;9 E ition in Fiencli. 2 vds (s h) 1839. Book' of / Rights. Eldited by John O’Donovan. Printed for the Celtic Society, 1847 Burke (Right Hon E) — Works of 3 voln. Clarendon Press. 14s 6d “.Billy Blu 11,” a satire upon the Divine right of Kings. 6d Biclieno; “ Ireland and rts>Econom.y” (s h). Bolandist Fathers (Acta Sanctorum Hiberuite) Bluiiden on Coercion Bonncl (James) — The Life and Character of tlio Accounraut-Geiieral of Ireland during the eventful years 1684 to 1689. By Archdeacon Hamilton. London 1704 ; also published in London, 1707 Boulter’s Letters to sevei-al statesmen in England referring to events between 1724 and 1728 Bourke — O’Gallagher’s Sermons, with Memoir. GiU, Dublin Boyle — Lives of Distinguished Marylaudei's Brady (W M) — “ Irish Reformation.” 8vo. The Succession of Irish Bishops. Longman’s', London, 1866. Alleged Conversion of the Irhh Bishops. 7s 6d. Longmans, 1866. Essay on the English State Church in Ireland. 12s. 1869. McGillicuddy Paper.s (Family Archive.s). Longmans, 1867 History of Cork, Cloyne, and Ross. 3 vole. Longman, 1864 Brenan (Rev Martin) — Ecclesiastical Histoi-y of Ireland. Duffy, Dublin Brew (Mi.ss) — Chronicles of Castle Cloyne. 3 vols. (Chapman and Hall) Brewer (T S), M A — Introduction to the Carew Calendar State Papers. 4 vols, imp 8vo, Lund. 67-70. Each 15s. Brooke (Henry), Works of. Poems. Edited by Miss C Brook. Dublin, 1792. Fool of Quality; or the History of Henry Earl of More- land. Edited by Rev C Kingsley. 6s Bright (Right Hon John) — Speeches. Edited by Thorold Rogers. 30s 6d. MacMillan Bunting and Petrie’s Collectku of Irish Music; Hodges and Figgis, Dublin Burke — Life of Father Tom. By Fitzpatrick, 30s Burke’s Peerage. £1 18s. Burke (Rev T), Sermons and Lectures Burke’s Hibernia Dominicana. The original edition of this book, though bearing the impriiiC of Cologne, was really printed in Kilkenny, 1762. Reprinted by the Hibernian Press Company ;, DuVrlin, 1810 Burnet’s History of his Own Time; imp 8vo. Butler’s History of Trim. Notices oi the Castle,, with Extr.'Cts from Public Records. Published atTiim.. (No date) Butler’s Coptic Churches of Egypt Butt,. Isaac — The Irish People and the Irish Land. Svo. Ridgeway, 1869 Bvrne (Mile.s), Memoirs ; edited by his Widow. Paris, 1S63, CA TJ LOG TIE ! ND INDEX. C (Jiillanin (T J) — Poem??. Cork, 134/. CAleiidar of Dojuinea:.3 on Ireland. Longmans: L-nidon (’ambrensis Eversus. Edited by Dr O’Kelly (s h) .5.s C’aaipbell — Pniiosoplncal Survey and Tour in Ire- land. (Sh), pub 1777 Cairnes (Profes.sor) — Economic Essays on Iri.sli Quesdons Carlyle’s Cromwell. 5 vols, 10s. Carew — Pacata Hibernia. 5 vols. (a h). Pub 1033. Last edition, 1810 Carey — Vindiciae Hiberniae Carte (Thomas), M A— Life of Ormonde. 6 vols 25s Caatlehaven’s (Lord) Memoirs. Dublin, 1815 Carleton (William) — Traits and Storie.s of the Irish Peiusantry. 3s 6d Carter, Life of. By Mousell Ca.stlereagh Memoirs and Correspondence. 12 vols Census, List of Townlands. Thom, Dublin Census (Irish). Ttiom, Dublin Christian Schools and Scholars. 12s 6d Cloncurry, Life and Times of Lord, Dutfy, Dublin Clogy — Life of William Bedell, D D. London, 1862. (s h). Bede l’s Life. Burnett, pub- lished in 1737. Dublin Cogan — Diocese of Meath. 3 vols Coltran (Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae), The Trius Thaumatnrga Connacht, History of Cornwallis Coriespondence. London, 1855 Croker (Right Hon W; — Irish, Past and Present Croker — Fairy Legends and Traditions of South of Ireland, 1824 Crump — Essay on the Employment of Women. Dublin, 1793. Curran and his Contemporaries — Life and Speeches. By Charles Pnilips, 1857 Curry — Civil Wars ; State of the Catholics (s h). Dublin, 1775 Cybele Hibernica of Moore and More. Dublin, 1366 Cusack (Miss) — History of Ireland, 1875. Life of St Patrick D Daly’.s Jacobite Relics, (s h). l>aunt (O’JN’^eil J) — Essays, on Ireland. 5s. Gill, l4ublin Davies (Dean) — Journal of the VVars of William HI, in Camden Society’s Series Davin’s Irish Ca)iadian Davitt’s (Michael) Political Writings. Prison Diary. 6s. ; clieap, Is. Cd. Chapt^pan, Hall. D’Alton (Historical Works of). Including History of County Dublin, History of Archbishops of Dublin, History of Drogheda, King James’s Army List Davies (Sir John) — A Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland wjis never Subdued, (s h.) I'ublished 1612 Thorn (Dublin) printed, in I860, a Collection of Tracts and Troatifies ilhi.«tr;iti ve of the natural history, anti- quities, political and social .state of Ireland at variou.s periods prior to the present century. This work in- cluded Ireland’s Natural History, hy Iloate; Antiquities of Ireland, hy Ware; A Dimovorle of the .State of Ire- land, etc, hy Sir .lohn Davies; Political Anatomy of Del md, hy I’etty; List of Ahsonteos, hy F*rior;and Essay on the Trade of Ireland, hy Dobbes. '1’lii.s hook was printed for private circulation. Davis (Thomas) — Essays, Is. Poems. Is. Dufly Dublin Delaney (Mrs) — Autobiogiapliy Jderry, History of. Produced by Ordnance Sur- vey Dobb.s — Essay on the Trade of Ireland, (Tliom's Tracts and Treat i.se.s, 1860) Domeuach, Abbe — La Verte Erinn. Voyage Legeiidaire Dowiiiur (Richard) — My.stery of Killaird. 2s Doyle (Right Rev Dr) — Letters on che State of Ireland (s h). Drummond’s Minstrelsy Duffy’s Irish Catholic Magazine and Library of Ireland Duffy (Sir Charles) — Bird’s-Eye View of Irish History. 2s. Duffy, Dublin. Young Ireland — popular edition. 2s. Gill, Dublin. Four Years of Irish History — 1845-49. 21s. Cassell and Co — Australian Speeches Dunraven (Lord) — Iri.sh Architecture. 2 vols; £8 8s. Bell, Loudon E Earls of Kildare and tlieir Ancestors, from -1057 to 1773. By tlie Marquis of Kildare. The Geraldines. The Rise, Increase, and Ruin of the Family of the Genldines, Earls of Des- mond. From the Latin of Don Rosario O’Daly. By Kev. C. P. Meehan. Eblana — The Last Monarch of Tara, 6s. Gill, Dublin Edgeworth (Miss) — “ Ormonde,” “ Ernani,” “ The Absentee,” “ Castle Rackreut.” Edinundson’s Life Ellis (Hercules)— “ Romances and Ballads of Ire- land.” Dublin, 1850 Essays on Irish Subjects, being con tribi;t ions to various publications byCheyne, Harrison, Jacob, Graves E Farrell (Rev Joseph) — Lectures of a Certain Pro- fessor. 3s 6d. Gill, Dublin _ • Fate of The Sous of Usnach, Published in Atlantis Fawcett — Political Economy. 12s. Macmillan Feast of Dun-na geth Ferguson (Sir Samuel) — Lays of the Western Gael. 5s. Romances connected with this period. 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