Page:The best hundred Irish books.djvu/54

 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.