Page:The best hundred Irish books.djvu/19

 95 Elm Park Gardens, South Kensington, S W, March 20, 1886.

Mr. John Morley presents his compliments, and begs to thank the editor of the Freeman's Journal for his very interesting list of Irish books.

St Bede'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 [sic] 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 present moment, the better. Though Mr. Lecky's History is tainted by a strong rationalistic spirit, his marvellous 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."

Queen's College, Galway, 20th March.

— 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 would be impossible, I think, to propose a better list 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. 1em

House of Commons, 19th March.

— 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 Irish-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,

16 St Giles, Oxford, March 20th, 1886.

— I was asked some time back, like many 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,

17 Onslow-gardens, S W, 19th March, '86.

— 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, 1em

49 Fitzwilliam-square, Dublin, March 23.

— 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 "Curran 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 slanderous of the national character that even the Viceroy of the day. Lord Cornwallis, publicly repudiated it. Maxwell's compilation was what his friend Lever called a "pot boiler," and simply answered 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