tory, political and social, and the literature of our country.
I do not think I violate my rule against attempting any detailed criticism by stating that at the first cursory perusal I noticed the omission of the historical works of Rev C P Meehan, and Mr. Justin M'Carthy's "History of our own Times"—Your obedient servant,
THE EX-EDITOR OF THE DAILY NEWS.
Sir—I am in a position rather to profit by than to criticise the suggestions of "Historicus" as to the best Hundred Books in which to study Irish history. He writes from a knowledge to which I can make no pretension. At best I can only, in deference to your courteous request, supplement his apparently judicious and well selected list by one or two additions here and there such as a reading much inferior to his supplies to me at the moment.
The student of Spenser's "Social State of Ireland" might find profit as well as pleasure in associating with it the passages in the Faery Queen in which the contemporary state of that country is depicted. The Lord Deputy, Sir Arthur Grey, whom Spenser accompanied to Ireland, is, by an obvious imitation of the name, the "righteous Artegal" of the poem. The giant Talus, with his iron flail, by whom he is aided in his conflict with the demagogue giant Grantorto, represents the Elizabethan and Spenserian doctrine that force is a remedy— a doctrine not yet extinct.
To the biographical illustrations of Irish History mentioned by "Historicus," Thomas Moore's Memoirs of Lord Edward Fitzgerald and of Sheridan, and Mr. Fitzpatrick's Life of Bishop Doyle may perhaps be conveniently added. Moore's History of Ireland, in Lardner's Cabinet Cyclopaedia, is a bright, rapid, and sympathetic narrative, though not possessing any of the great qualities of research and reflection which give value to the Irish chapters of Mr. Lecky's "England in the Eighteenth Century." Mr. Philip Harwood (formerly editor of the Saturday Review) is the author of a "History of the Irish Rebellion of 1798" which has literary merit, and is a writer in a tone by no means "loyalist" or "English," in the improper and party sense of those words. The "Life of Lord Plunket," by his grandson, the Right Hon David Plunket, M P, is a well executed narrative of a great career. The speeches which are reproduced in it of the illustrious lawyer and statesman against the union with England have a lasting interest as oratory, as well as at the present moment a revived interest in politics. The same may be said of the speeches of the great Whig statesmen, and notably of Charles James Fox, who as members of Lord Rockingham's Administration in 1782 gave recognition on the part of England to the Parliamentary independence of Ireland. The "Cornwallis Correspondence" is the most authentic record of the manner in which the rebellion was suppressed and the Legislative Union was accomplished.
In economical discussion, the chapters on Ireland in the late Mr. W T Thornton's "Plea for Peasant Proprietors" maintain much of their original instructiveness. The essays on Ireland, tho late Professor Cliffe Leslie's "Land Systems of England, Ireland, and the Continent," are even more valuable. Mr. Leslie shows with great force how the supplanting of small farms by large pasturage holdings has withered up the local centres of internal industry and commerce in Ireland. The decline of the surrounding population has impoverished the little towns which were the markets and rallying points of the district. The economic essays of the late Professor Cairnes on Irish questions have an authority which entitles them to rank with the writings of Mr. J S Mill. I ought, perhaps, to apologise for the poverty of these suggestions, but they are all that at the moment present themselves to me.—I am, sir, your obedient servant,
3 Morpeth terrace, Victoria street,
London, S W, March 25th.
REV DR GREENE, BELFAST.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
19th March.
Dear Sir—I am very much obliged for advanced copy of valuable article by "Historicus." The idea seems to be one likely to do an enormous amount of good by creating wholesome criticism and causing many to study more accurately and minutely the social and political history of Ireland. I am sorry that such works as Sullivan's "New Ireland," Father Meehan's "Flight of the Earls," Justin McCarthy's "History of Our Own Times," and Archdall's "Monasticon Hibernicum," are not enumerated in the list.
The article will, I believe, be found most useful by furnishing subjects for interesting and instructive debate, and consequently of study, to our various literary societies, such as the Young Ireland Literary Societies, etc. In fine, I may state that "Historicus" has written at the proper time, and written well,—Sincerely yours,
CANON O'NEILL, P.P.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
Dear Sir—Having read with much interest the learned paper of "Historicus," as well as the many valuable contributions of his critics, you will permit me, I trust, to express the painful surprise with which I sought in vain for any notice of the greatest of the works of one who is certain to be regarded in the future as the highest living authority on questions of Irish mediæval as well as more modern history, the illustrious Cardinal Moran.
1st. It seems truly amazing that no one has hitherto noticed the marvellous record of the most thrilling period of Irish story, the "Spicilegium Ossorieuse," the compilation of which cost its learned author more than twenty years of laborious research amidst the forgotten treasures of the Vatican, of St Isidores, of Bottio, of Timancas, of the Bodleian, and of the "State Paper Offices." I have been assured by an eyewitness that the deciphering and transcribing of even one of those invaluable documents cost Dr Moran days of ceaseless labour, and yet the wonderful compilation, which throws so lurid a light
