DR. INGRAM, OF TRINITY COLLEGE.
Dr Ingram presents his compliments to the 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 literary judgments which the article contains.
SIR ROBERT KANE.
Sir Robert Kane presents his compliments to the Editor of the Freeman's 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 respective merits of the books referred to, but would have included the works of Sir Samuel and Lady Ferguson, or the "Early History (Legendary) of Ireland" and the "Lays of the Western Gael," although, of course, they have no historical authority.
Sir Robert Kane believes that any person having attentively read the 100 books recommended by the Editor of the Freeman's Journal, should have acquired an amount of information, and the means of forming a fairly-balanced judgment regarding 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 popular an authority as the Freemen's Journal, will be extensively availed of by the people.
20th March, 1886.
DR. SHAW, TRINITY COLLEGE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
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 the discussion 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 pourtrays the social life of Dublin during the first third of the present century, and does so with extraordinary vividness and insight (Mr. Lecky sets great value on this book); and the other is Mr. Barry O'Brien's recent "Fifty Years of Irish Concessions." To the novels, also, I would add the Hon Emily Lawless's "Hurrish." Her Irish dialect is not very accurate, but her character-drawing is full of truth and charm. Her young heroine is as new in fiction as it is true, I believe, in the actual womanhood of Ireland.
I am rather surprised at your omission of all reference to Mr. Justin McCarthy's "History of the Present Reign." There is a good deal about Ireland in it. Miss Hickson has cleared up a difficulty in the records of the Irish outburst of 1641. What about Edmund Burke's "Letters on the Trade of Ireland, the Penal Laws," &c? Then there are, besides Mill and Richard, whom you mention, Malthus, Thornton, Newenham, and A Atkinson (vide his remarks on the Dublin Press, end of last century, admirable!) and a most instructive glance at the rural society of our midland 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 attach 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 himself on. One of his favourites was "Luttrel of of Arran"—Yours very truly,
MR CARTON, Q C.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
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 Irish 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 the Nation." In addition to the books mentioned, I would suggest the following. Amongst the historical sketches a place might be given to Father Meehan's "Flight of the Earls," and "L'Irlande Sociale Politique et Religieuse," 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 choice 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,
MR ALFRED WEBB.
Dear Sir—You ask my opinion regarding the best hundred Irish books. "Historicus" ably opens the question. I cannot better answer than by jotting down those I would recommend. No two people could agree as to the same list, and no one could make out the same list two months running. If I had to pick out three, I would
