Lanigan, so far as he goes, is by far the best. But he has crushed much of his great learning into unreadable notes, and wastes his valuable space in refuting the errors of charlatans, who, in a few years, will be utterly forgotten. It is a pity, too, that his work has neither index nor page-headings to guide the reader. The translation and text of Cambrensis Eversus, accompanied with valuable notes by the late Dr Kelly, of Maynooth, and Dr Renehan's "Collections" will also be found indispensable aids to the study of Irish ecclesiastical history. I am inclined to agree with Mr. Ruskin in his estimate of Miss Edgeworth's novels. Griffin, Banim, and Carleton are, however, more racy of the soil; and, although 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 we 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 on the Continent.
MR. O'NEILL DAUNT.
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 mentioned Mr. Daunt would have recommended. He would add "Peter Plymley's Letters," by Sidney Smyth. Also the Debates in the Irish Parliament from 1779 to the Union; also several good anti-Union pamphlets, which would help to increase the knowledge of the merits of the Irish cause and to stimulate the national spirit. These could probably be procured at some of the numerous old bookshops in Dublin. It is scarcely right for an author to refer to his own productions, 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 Sullivan'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.
Dear Sir—I have to thank you for the advanced proof with which you favoured me of the contribution 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 literature, nor fail to recognise in the choice of works made and the graceful judgment passed upon them the presence of an accomplished critic. To supplement the list of "Historicus" would require some little time for consideration, which later on I may be able to afford.—Yours truly,
CANON DANIEL, P.P.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
Dear Sir—I have to thank you very much b-r your kindness in including me amongst those to whom you sent, in proof, the very valuable and interesting article by "Historicus" on the selecttion for reading of the Best Hundred Books in Irish literature.
I regret to say that my acquaintance with Irish literature (properly so called) is of the slightest, and would not justify me in sharing prominently in the discussion started by "Historicus." I have read his article with the greatest pleasure, and I hope, with some profit. Any suggestions that I could venture to offer as supplemental to his exhaustive list have been anticipated to-day by your various correspondents, especially by my friend Mr. Alfred Webb.—Yours faithfully,
THE SECRETARY, GENERAL POST OFFICE.
23rd March, 1886.
Mr. Creswell presents his compliments to the 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. Creswell 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.
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 neglect which attaches to the study, in Ireland, of literature which is Irish in the sense of the writer, 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 renew 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 the 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 a 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
