land. The number need not necessarily be a hundred, or any fixed sum, but just tlie books proper in eacli case. And it would greatly increose the value of any such lists if the price of each volume were specivied, wliether it was in current circulation or procurable only at second hand. If this be done, suggestions might be gathered from various quarters to amend, or con- firm, or complete his scheme, and I for one will gladly lend a hand. Since Sir Robert Peel printed the catalogue of his Irish books, more than half a century ago, there has been no careful classified list of this sort distributed into histori- cal eras, and the materials have increased prodi- giously. Many of the books suitable for popular reading have fallen into complete disuse ; it would not be difficult to publish fifty shilling volumes of fiction, biography, and poetry now little known, which would win their way to the national heart. How few of the present generation have read, for example. Lady Morgan's "O'Donnell" or Sir Samuel Ferguson's 'Hibernian Nights' Entertainment," or Furlong's Poems," or "Billy Bluff," that pungent satire upon "The Divine Right of Squires," for which mainly a patriot Presbyterian minister was hanged ninety years ago ?
I am very busy at this moment, and throw out these suggestions hastily; but I have thought long and often on the subject of revising and classifying our native literature, and if they prove of any value I will gladly develop them on some future occasion.
Cimiez, Alpes Maratimes, March 26.
SIR SAMUEL FERGUSON.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
25th March.
Dear Sir — I have read the extract from the Free- man's Journal on which you are good enough to in- vite my opinion. So far as the task of pointing out one hundred good Irish books is practicable, the author has, I think, selected most of the best ex- amples; but I miss in Polite Literature the name of Mr. Aubrey de Vere, whose poems on Irish subjects are of high excellence, and ought to be generally known to our countrymen. My own views on the subject of a National Irish literature have not undergone any change since I gave ex- pression to them before the Royal Irish Academy at its stated meeting of 30th Nov, 1882. It will, therefore, be understood that I regard one hun- dred as at present an unattainable limit for Irish books of the class in question. — Very faithfuDy yours,
JOHN AUGUSTUS O'SHEA.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMAN.
Dear Sir — As one of the vice-presidents (»f an Irish Literary Club, which is trying to get together the nucleus of a sound and attractive library — sound and attractive, I say, for the one forfeits half its value without aid of the other — l am deeply interested m the inquiry you have started as to the Best Hundred Irish Books. In Sir John Lubbock's list of the best hundred of any literature, but four Irish authors figure — Swift, with "Gulliver's Travels;" Goldsmith, with "[[The Vicar of Wakefield]];" Sheridan, with his three great plays, and Burke. To me it seems that the condition restricting Irish books to tho.-e which concern Ireland and the Irish, and, therefore, ex- cluding two out of these fimr names, is unduly narrow. The display of Irish genius in any field of originality or research should touch us nearly, inasmuch as it enhances legitimate Irish pride, and stimulates honest Irish ambition. And, to be candid, I would not willingly j-emove O'Dono- van's "Merv Oiisis," or Molloy's "Adventures of Peg Woffington," from my shelves to make room for many of the authorities on our faded gran- deurs whom "Historicus"euumerates. Irish history may be his hobby, and a respectable hobljy it is. He has a perfect right to ride it to the death, and by my word he exercises the right. Some of the works he alludes to I never heard of, and I am a man of more than average reading. Their want I have never felt, nor, I may venture to add, will anybody outside the circle of those who pi-efer the dead past to the living present. It is not to the study of "Tacitus" the Germany of to-day Owes its unity; it*is not by much poring over me diaeval fasti modern Italy has been elevated into more than a geographical expression. I consider the time spent on "The Annals of the Four Masters," which are mainly a tedious chronicle of exaggerated faction -fights, time thrown away. In thus delivering myself I may be bringing an old house over my ears, but I am accustomed to the process and have precedent. Samson committed suicide in that way, and was thought to have done well. Well, "Historicus" has given a praise- worthy selection according to his fancies, and his omission of many volumes which others treasure must be taken as an accident inseparable from his labour of love. To each his own taste. Mr. Alfred Webb's list fits more nicely to my taste. I will only hint, amongst volumes which should not be overlooked, Moore's "(Life of Sheridan," the Abbe Perraud on Ireland, Leon de Wailly's "SteDa et Vanessa," W J Fitz- patrick's compilations — capital memoires pour servir — Mitchel's "Last Conquest of Ireland (Perhaps)," The Speeches of Meagher and Sheil, the poems of JF O'Donnell and Katherine Tynan; and when we reach the novels inter alios, Kick- ham's "Knocknagow," Dowling's "Mystery of Killard," and Basil's "Wearing of the Green;" nor should patronage of O'Connor's "Parnell Move- ment" be withheld until death sanctifies the writer. As to the Irish drama, there is not a syl- lable. Eheu! Under the limits assigned by by "Historicus," we must assent that we have it not. Your critic will forgive me for appearing hypercritical when I teU him that it is because I set such high esteem upon his guidance and feel such an anxiety that our people should be set on the right path. I hope to live to see a regene- rate Ireland, w'here every town of three thousand souls will have its gymnasium, baths, band, enter- tainments, and lecture hall, and a library nor of 100, but of 1,000 best books. But, if these books are to be counted by tens, foremost bought should be a good agricultural manual, Kane's "Industrial Resources," and "Every Man his own Mechanic." The need of technical educa- tion is imperious; history and letters can bide their turn. We must put the stomach in order before we can hope to enrich the intellect. — Faithfully, John Augustus O'Shea. D
