Page:The best hundred Irish books.djvu/20

 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 Barrington'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 remarkable 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, 

 Winstead, Temple road, Rathmines, March 21, 1886.

—Accept my thanks for the proof of the interesting 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 suggestions on the subject of the article—Your obedient servant. 

 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 in his letter. Mr. Justice Stephen regrets that he is not in a position to express any opinion on its contents.

 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 received, but is obliged to reply that he has neither strength nor leisure equal to so serious an undertaking.



Sir Bernard Burke presents his compliments to the editor of the Freeman's Journal, and begs to thank him for the "proof" of "Historicus's" able essay. Sir Bernard has read it with the greatest interest. It is full of information—the production of an accomplished critic, fair and impartial.

A brilliantly-written pamphlet, "Irish Past and Present," by Right Hon J Wilson Croker, was published about sixty or seventy years ago "Historicus" might mention it. Tullamaine House, Dublin, 21st March, 1886.



—I can only make a few hurried remarks on your article on "The Best Hundred Irish Books." That several of those which the writer has named should be regarded by any one as the "best," or "mongst 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 Ireland, 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, however, the time is come and the matter shall be ready, I have no doubt the man will not be wanting. I cannot, therefore, blame the writer of your article if amongst his hundred authors ho has enumerated some historians who are altogether unworthy 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 sometimes of purely imaginary events. But when he reckons, and justly reckons, O'Donovan, O'Cuny, and Todd, as amongst the Fathers of Irish History, 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 works on Irish history that have ever been written, and Adamnan's Life 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 indispensable 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 time. The reader who wishes to be thoroughly acquainted with that stormy Cromwellian period will take care to read Father Murphy's "Cromwell in Ireland," as well as Mr. Prendergast's "Settlement," and Carlyle's "Cromwell." I cannot endorse the eulogy which the writer passes Tone's "Autobiography." It is certainly written with vigour and animation, but it is not a work which on the whole 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 disastrous years the most brilliant epoch in Irish literary history. There has been nothing 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, Mangan is the foremost of those sons of song. He is, we think, in some of his poems, the most Pindaric writer in the English language. D'Arcy M'Gee is also a genuine poet, sweet and tender and balmy as the breath of an Irish May, hut he is too much wanting in polish to become a classic. Davis and Duffy abound in vigorous eloquence, but are deficient in sublimity and creative power. Of our ecclesiastical historians,