The Irish Book Lover

“Foreword”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 1 (Aug. 1909), 1
The aim and scope of this little venture will be apparent from a perusal of this. our first number. We hope to form a connecting link between all lovers of Irish Books and books relating to Ireland, wherever published; to indicate where these latter may be procured, and to assist readers in securing them. We shall deal with Irish Typography, Bibliography, and kindred subjects, whilst noticing briefly or at length, all new works, the product of the pens of Irish men and women. We have been promised the co-operation and. assistance of many well known in the world of letters, and we shall spare no pains to make ‘The Irish Book-Lover’ interesting and useful. (J. S. Crone.)

“Our Forerunner”
Our little venture in the field of Irish Bibliography cannot claim to be a pioneer. That honour must be accorded to a small publication entitled The Irish Literary Inquirer, issued in London by John Power, ‘formerly of Belle-Vue, Youghal’, as he states on his title-page. Of this only four numbers saw the light, and as it has now be­come a desideratum amongst book-lovers, and as little or nothing is now known of its editor and main contributor, a few notes regard­ing it; and him, may prove interesting to our readers. Of Power himself, little save the dates of his birth and death (1820-1872), can be ascertained, as all his contemporaries have disappeared from the scene, and none of the usual biographical works even mention his name. Admiration for his work induced me many years ago to make some inquiries regarding him, which came to nought, and later when I took up the subject again, the difficulties had by no means lessened. The older officials of the Reading-Room of the British Museum remembered, and described him to me as ‘a tall, thin, grey man with a bad cough.’ But it is possible to trace his movements during the last seven years of his life from his printed works. Thus, we know that from Monday, July 17th, 1865, until Monday, April, 16th, 1866, he lived at No. 3, Grove Terrace, St. John’s Wood. In July, 1866, he dates a preface from 3, Cambridge Road, London, W., whilst that of his last work, issued in 1870, is dated from 3, College Terrace, Cam­bridge Road, Hammersmith, the same house. The only reference to him I have come across is contained in a letter from Bishop Reeves to Sir John T. Gilbert, which says: ‘Mr. Power writes to me that he is busy compiling his Bibliotheca Hibernica, and that his materials have grown to great dimensions.’ This was previous to October, 1865.

An incidental reference in Notes and Queries, 1st August, 1908, from the pen of Ralph Thomas (Olphar Hamst), the well-known bibliographer—to the ‘Handy Book’, states: ‘For years before, and while this book was going through the press, Power was ill, and quite unfit to do the work he had undertaken.’ This induced me to ask Mr. Thomas if he knew anything regarding Power and his MSS to which he replied as follows, under date 11th August, 1908: ’I am sorry I know nothing more about John Power. If anybody offered me any of his MSS. I should refuse them! They were absolutely unreadable, and (the) material collected required so much verification as to be more trouble than they were worth.’ Such a pronouncement from such an authority partly reconciles one to the loss.

Power has left only three works to his credit, but each is of value in its way. The Irish Literary Inquirer, or Notes on Authors, Books and Printing in Ireland, Biographical and Bibliographical, Notices of Rare Books, Memorandum of Printing in Ireland, Biographical Notes of Irish Writers, &c., conducted by John Power, to give its full and comprehensive title, is an octavo of 12 pages, the first number, price 2d., bearing date 17th July, 1865. It contains a long intro­duction foreshadowing the scope of the work, followed by a reprint of a unique copy of a prospectus of a Bibliotheca Hibernicana, by Rev. Edward Groves, author of The Warden of Galway, an article on Ware’s Irish Writers and Antiquities and an able sketch of the History of Printing in Ireland. Then follow “Queries and Miscellaneous Notes of an interesting character”, and a few advertisements, the most interesting of which is an abridged prospectus of Power’s own Bibliotheca Hibernica to be published at one guinea by sub­scription, a work which unfortunately the author never lived to com­plete. The second number appeared ‘semi-occasionally’, as Power puts it on the 23rd September, 1865. It contains a scholarly article on De Burgo’s Hibernica Dominicana ‘from the pen of a gentleman at Cambridge, well-known for his intimate knowledge of Irish Books’, whom we venture to name as the late lamented Henry Bradshaw, ever helpful in matters pertaining to bibliography; who also contributes over his initials an interesting notice of a rare volume recounting a bogus ‘gunpowder plot’ in Ireland. It concludes with some literary notes, and a reference to recent Sales. No. 3 did not appear until 16th December. It contains a review of Gilbert’s “Irish Archivist’s Letters”, an article by Rev. T. Gimlette on “Waterford Clerical Authors”, an amusing account of John Dunton and his early Dublin Book Auctions, a continuation of the History of Printing and another letter from Henry Bradshaw on McBrudine’s works and early printing in Kilkenny. A short list of subscribers given here is interesting, containing as it does several well-known names, such as Father Meehan, John D’Alton, George Benn, and Classon Porter, the only survivor of whom is the present Sir Charles Brett, of Belfast. The 4th and last number which was increased in size and price, made its appearance on 16th April, 1866. Amongst its more notable contents are a list of privately printed Irish books from Martin’s Catalogue, with promised additions by Power. This is interesting, as it contains a reference to an edition of “What passed at Killala” (Bath 1799). A verbatim reprint of The Irish Mercury, No. 1 (Corke, 1649) follows, and the number concludes with the first issue of the list of Irish periodicals, which afterwards grew into Power’s second work. It was Power’s intention to issue eight numbers of the Inquirer, but owing to the poor reception accorded it, his subscribers never reached a hundred, and he said it required at least 350 to defray expense, he stopped short at the 4th, bound up the unsold copies in a green paper wrapper, which were sold at 10d. each, by, amongst others, John Camden Hotten, Piccadilly, and John O’Daly, of Dublin.

His second compilation [was] “List of Irish Periodical Publications (chiefly literary) from 1729 to the present time, reprinted from Notes and Queries (March & April, 1866)” in The Irish Literary Inquirer, No. 4, with additions and corrections, by John Power, formerly of Belle-Vue, Youghal, printed for private distribution only (London, A.D. 2000-14)’ [sic]. Of this the printer, James Martin, Lisson Grove, certifies that ‘250 copies were printed, of which 20 were on tinted paper.’ It is small quarto printed in single column, on one side of paper only, thus leaving ample margin for additions, and printed from type ‘listed’ from Notes and Queries. It was dedicated to the Rev. Samuel Hayman, the well-known Cork_. Antiquarian, and contains interesting details of nearly 300 ventures in Irish periodical literature, not more than two or three of which survive to-day.

The work by which Power is most generally known is his Handy Book about Books, London (1870), 8vo.,pp.xviii, 218, 18pp. It is a beautiful specimen of typography, the covers being facsimile re­productions of two ancient bindings, one French the other Italian, and altogether is a complete vade mecum for bibliophiles. In it the author has by his researches advanced the history of Irish printing beyond the point reached by Archdeacon Cotton, and his chronology is the connecting link between that divine’s and the most accomplished Irish bibliographer of the present day, Mr. E. R. McClintock Dix.

In the issue of Notes and Queries for May 18th, 1872, the one following his death, we find this allusion from the pen of W. J. Thorns, the then editor. ‘A valuable contributor to this journal from its commencement, Mr. John Power, the well-known bibliographer, died at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea, on the 13th inst., in the fifty-second year of his age. Mr. Power fulfilled his articles in the office of Sir John Rennie, but forsaking his profession of civil engineer for the more congenial pursuit of literature he has done good service by his Irish Literary Inquirer, the Bibliotheca Hibernica, and more recently by his Handy Book about Books, which he dedicated to readers of Notes and Queries. Mr. Power for some years resided in Panama, where he projected the successful paper, ‘The Panama Star and Herald’, but an attack of paralysis obliged him to relinquish the editorship and return to England, where he lingered in a more or less enfeebled state till his death.’

A fine copy of Vallency’s Collectanea (1770-1804), six vols. in five, went for £7. Amongst the quartos—Edwards gave £2 for An Account of the Transactions in the North of Ireland (1692), old blue morocco, and Harding bought Archdall’s Monasticon ‘for £2 4s. Edwards gave 3 guineas for Thomas Carve’s Lyra Sive Anacephalaeosis Hibernica (Sulzbacii, 1666), and Tregaskis secured Nicholas French’s Settlement and Sale of Ireland (Louvain, 1668), for 34s. Gookin’s Author and Case of Transplanting the Irish Vindicated (1665), went for two guineas, whilst for James Howell’s Mercurius Hibernicus (Bristoll, 1644), together with (Phillip’s Interest of England in Ireland (1689), Quaritch gave £7 10s.

Sealey [sic] Bryars announce the appearance shortly of F. J. Bigger’s Land War in Ulster, a book that we predict will cause a stir. We have been privileged by a perusal of some proof sheets, and so speak with some degree of knowledge. It will be an ‘eye-opener’ to many to find that a hundred years ago prosperous, peaceful Ulster set the example to other parts of Ireland of boycotting, cattle-houghing, and moon-lighting.

“Reviews”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 1 (Aug. 1909), 10.
If you want a book you can read in a couple of hours, and find more interesting than any novel, try Sir Robert Hart: The Romance of a Great Career, told by his niece, Juliet Bredon (Hutchinson, London.) This well-written account of how a little Irish boy, born in Portadown, and brought up in Hillsborough, without powerful friends or political influence—but by his own innate genius, rose to be the friend and counsellor of Emperors, the most powerful European in the East, and succeeded as he prophesied in his boyish enthusiasm in ‘Buying back Kilmoriarty and winning a title!’, is intensely interesting from the first page to the last. There is only one point missing; the author tells us Sir Robert ‘was a great reader’, but omits to mention the—from our point of view—most interesting fact, that despite his manifold engagements, he kept himself abreast of all that was best and brightest in Irish literature during the past half-century.

The present writer had evidence of this upon one occasion when in the course of an after-dinner speech, Sir Robert quoted with wonderful pathos those lines from John Stevenson’s fine poem, “The Wee Grey Man” commencing ‘When ower [sic] the Antrim Hills, the lark has sung me his last sweet sang’, which he must have learnt during his long and trying stay in Peking. For a book of quite another description let me recommend Ballygullion, by Lyn [sic] Doyle (Maunsell, Dublin), the funniest, in the real sense of the word, I have read for many a day. It is one long laugh, and yet these everyday characters of an Irish district are drawn to the life without exaggeration. If this be a first book, as it seems, the author who knows his rural Ulster like A.B.C., will, unless I am greatly mistaken, make a name for himself in the literary world.

An interesting little Tyrone book that is not likely to be very plentiful is: The History of Paddy Blake and Kathleen O’Moore, a tale into which are introduced observations on agriculture, chemistry, and various subjects, compiled and written for the instruction and amusement of the Farmers of Tyrone, by a Country Gentleman (Dungannon: printed by William Douglas, 1847). The rustic Admirable Crichton, by whom this comprehensive manual was written, was evi­dently Edward Houston Caulfield, of Drumcairn, Stewartstown. Cloth 8vo., 101 pages.

‘Mr. Henry Bradshaw, Librarian of the University of Cambridge, made a communication on the subject of Printing in Ireland—what he desired to do was to appeal to them to assist him in getting materials for a history of Printing in Ireland. He suggested that in every chief library of the provinces, a collection or museum should be formed in order to show everything that had been printed or published in that locality. If an entire room could not be devoted to the purpose, a book case might, at all events a record might be made. The task might be assigned to a subordinate officer connected with the library who would have an aptitude for it. The collection would perhaps include rubbish, but for their purpose, rubbish ceased to be such, when put in order. Every newspaper or scrap of information illustrative of their object, should be included. His interest in the question arose from the circumstance that his father and mother were natives of the North of Ireland, and he had been always interested in everything connected with Irish books. The catalogue should embrace books of Irish affairs, books produced by Irish writers, and books produced by Irish presses. With respect to books on Irish affairs, there was not much difficulty in finding them anywhere. The great object was to get at those sources of information which were subsidiary to the writing of history; and this was more essential than ever at, present, when the study of History was being more than ever placed on a scientific—or at, all events a methodical basis. Where each author lived and printed his book should be taken into account. The utility of what he proposed was illustrated by what had occurred in the past. Bale, Bishop of Ossory, in the reign of Edward VI, was a man unpopular in some quarters at, the time, in consequence of his, having a free, tongue—as free perhaps as some of those they had heard—but he had an intense love of literature, and he lamented the destruction of the earlier literature of that reign, that had taken place in consequence of the prejudice against what was called Popish. Shortly before the end of his life he brought out a Catalogue of Writers during a period of 1400 years, the last two centuries being assigned to Scottish and, Irish, writers. In 1639 Sir James Ware produced a book on the writers of Ireland in which he included not only natives of Ireland who had written books, but also foreigners who had made Ireland their home. His work came down to 1600. In 1746 was published Harris’s History, which included every writer of Ireland who had printed the merest pamphlet down to 1700. That history was, sometimes spoken lightly of by those who use it, but it contains a mass of information which could, be found nowhere else. Although a strong Protestant he was softened by the nature of his pursuits, and corresponded with Irish Catholics on the Continent, including the Franciscans of Louvain. He (Mr. Bradshaw) did not know of any other work of a similar kind down to Dr. Madden’s Periodical Literature published in 1867, and containing a sketch of printing in Ireland down to that time. Very little had been done towards forming a history of the Irish Printing Press. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Bradshaw mentioned that the first Irish newspaper he had ever found any mention of was one galled The Irish Monthly Mercury, published at Cork, in 1649. In 1659 there, was a Newsletter published in Dublin, which had leading articles like those of the Daily Telegraph, besides news, letters, and advertisements. Mr. Gilbert’s History of Dublin was a valuable source of information. The author told him that he was only twenty four years of age, when he wrote it, and that it was full of mistakes, but it and other works should be estimated according to the positive information contained rather, than any errors that occurred in them. A distinctly Irish library had been made by Mr. Evelyn P. Shirley, of the County of Monaghan.’

Henry Bradshaw (1831-1886), the father of modern bibliography, was descended from a Quaker family long settled at Milecross, in County Down, his, mother being one of the Stewarts of Ballintoy, Co. Antrim. His father bequeathed him a large collection of Irish books, to which he owed the foundation of his bibliographical studies, and to these he went on adding all his life. Educated at Eton and King’s Col­lege, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A., Bradshaw for a while be­came a master at St. Columba’s College, Dublin. Returning to Cam­bridge, he was appointed assistant librarian to the University Library in 1856. Here his future life-work lay, and what that work was is well known to all latter day students of bibliography, which he raised to the rank of an exact science. In 1870 he presented to the library the whole of his Irish collection, which is described in the Library Report as ‘a collection of books and papers, pamphlets and broadsides either (1) printed in Ireland, or (2) written by Irish authors, or (3) relating - generally to Irish affairs, about 5, 000 in number.’ In his letter to the Vice-Chancellor, offering the gift, Bradshaw writes: ‘I have a considerable collection of books, pamphlets and other printed papers relating to Ireland. The basis of it is the Irish portion of my father’s library, that portion of it in which, as coming from the North of Ireland, he took most interest, and which at his death in 1845, he left to me. For several years I did a good deal to increase the collection, especially in the matter of pamphlets. … More than forty years ago when public libraries were less plentifully supplied than they are now, literary men used to come to my father’s house to work at these books, when engaged in writing upon Irish affairs, and from the time that I was a child, they have had a particular interest for me. There are about 1,000 bound volumes, and of the pamphlets and other printed papers, there are roughly speaking, about 2,700 in octavo, 700 in quarto, and 500 in folio, including proclamations, broadsides, and fly­sheets.’ The collection was enlarged at his death, by the addition of such Irish books as he had acquired since 1870. The Univeruity authorities have never been able to afford to print a catalogue of this splendid legacy, although a card index may be consulted on the premises. His love for his Irish books ended only with his life, and one of his last letters, written only four days before his death, was to Mr. John Anderson, then engaged upon his Catalogue of Early Belfast Printed Books, sending him numerous titles from his own and other collections. On the morning of the 11th February, 1886, he was found dead ‘sitting in his arm chair, at the table in his inner room.

[…; The following seems to be about Lecky]
A little requires to, be said of his History of Ireland. It has long since taken rank as a classic, and makes one regret that the whole history of the country had not been written in the same calm, judicial style. Although possessed of a thorough knowledge of almost every work dealing with “Ninety-eight”, the present writer, after reading Lecky, came to the conclusion that his was the most thorough and impartial account yet penned. The writer was privileged to meet Mr. Lecky on one occasion only, and carried away the impression of him as ‘an incarnation of sweetness and light—one of Nature’s noblemen. Needless to say, we predict a warm welcome to the book, which will contain many interesting letters and portraits, and will form a notable addition to the long and increasing list of Irish biographies. The same publishers also announce a new novel The Blindness of Dr. Grey, from the pen of Canon Sheehan, the author of those well-known novels My New Curate, Glenanaar, &c. (John S. Crone.)

James Coleman M.R.S.A.I., “Reviews”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 2 (Sept. 1909), 19
(1) It was a ‘happy thought’—nay, an inspiration—to entitle a volume of verse by a James Stephens, Insurrections (Maunsell [sic] and Co., Dublin, 1s. net), and indeed no other word could have described the note of the book so comprehensively. Take for example the powerful opening poem, the indignant revolt against her surroundings, of “The Dancer”, deprived by death of her lover; or “The Red-Haired Man’s Wife”. No shrieking suffragette could better voice the rebellious feelings of the woman against the whilom relations of the wedded pair, than the heroine of these forceful verses. The author is a master of rythmical effects, and to our way of thinking, “Nature” is the finest poem in the book, whose general sombreness is relieved by one little gem of humour—“Seumas Beg”

(2) MISSING

(3) It may be of interest to note that I have the first copy ever printed of John Power’s “List of Irish Periodicals”, as testified by the following inscription in his rather shaky handwriting: ‘The Rev. Beaver H. Blacker, as a slight acknowledgement of the valuable assistance received from him both in additions and corrections to these pages, by his most gratefully, and very much obliged John Power, August 11th, 1866. Note—This is the first copy printed. (Signed: James Coleman, M.R.S.A.I.)

“The Post Bag”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 2 (Sept. 1909), 22 [extracts]

To the Editor—Dear Sir: During the past few years I have taken special interest in the history of my native county of Kerry. My researches appear serially in the weekly Kerry People, of Tralee. So far I have published in book form two volumes of the History of Kerry, and hope to issue a third volume next year. This will consist mainly of family history, and the annals of British rule in Kerry. My correspondents now number several hundreds of natives of Kerry, resident in various parts of the world. I cannot see any end in view for the completion of my Kerry researches. [Q. author.]

E. R. McClintock Dix, “Keatinge’s History of Ireland”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 3 (Oct. 1909), 26
This valuable work existed long in MS copies before it was printed. Subjoined is a very brief list of the printed editions prior to 1870, giving only the place of publication, size and year. Nos. 9 and 11 I have never seen nor even traced in any library. If any of our readers can report copies of these editions, and give further particulars of them, I hope they will do so. Also I would like cleared up the correct date of the 1st edition, was it 1722 or 1723? I think the latter is correct and the former an error, but I have seen it given. No doubt some of these ‘editions’ are merely re-issues or reprints of the first edition, in which the translation was by Dermot O’Connor. No. 7 was a new translation by William Halliday. In most of these editions only the English translations are given. There may be some other editions or issues prior to 1870, and if so, I would be glad to hear of them. A complete bibliography of an important and standard work, such as this, is desirable. Of course the recent edition published by the Irish Texts Society, begun by the late David Comyn and completed by Father Dineen, will be henceforth the standard edition of. this great work.

Two statements made in connection with secret presses in England towards the close of the reign of Elizabeth, make mention of Ireland, in a way that sets one thinking. The first of these occurs in the exam­ination of the men who were found printing the notorious Marprelate tracts in 1588-9. After a prolonged and. exciting chase the press was finally captured at Manchester on August 14th, 1588, and the printer and his two assistants were carried to London. On their way the printer, John Hodgkins, tried to cheer up his companions, and amongst other things, said: ‘That after they were delivered he would again set them to print in Ireland.’ (William Pierce, An Historical Introduction to the Marprelate Tracts, p. 338.)

The second statement is found in certain evidence put forward in 1603, by a London printer named William Jones, to prove the existence of a Jesuit press. (See Library, April, 1907.) He declared that a printer named Henry Oven escaped from the White Lyon prison in Southwark and went into Staffordshire, where he continued printing until some of his accomplices were captured, when he again fled, but was captured ‘as he was flying with his press and letter, so it is said, into Ireland.’ Here then we have two statements, suggesting Ireland as a place where secret printing might be carried on, and they further suggest the possibility, that secret presses were at work there in the sixteenth century. Yet so far as we know, there is nothing to support the suggestion.

It is a pleasant recollection of the present reviewer that he once heard the late Lord Russell, of Killowen, then in the zenith of his powers, refer to the dispossessed Celtic inhabitants of Ulster, whom he had known in his youth, in words that have clung to his memory since: ‘They were called “the mountainy men”, for the rich valleys and the fertile plains were not for them’, and the fine voice faltered and a tear glistened in the eye. It was with such thoughts one took up this handsome volume, The Mountainy Singer by Seosamh MacCathmhaoil (Maunsel, Dublin.) Here we have a descendant of those very men who refused to go to Connaught—or the other place—but clung to their bare hillsides and their ancient faith, and well and sweetly he sings in spirited cadences the legend, customs and superstitions that yet linger amongst his own folk. Some of these poems have appeared in earlier volumes and some set to traditional airs have delighted London drawing-rooms. This judicious. selection of the cream of the author’s work heretofore—long may he continue—is sufficient to place him high in the ranks of contemporary singers. The author has recently been holiday-making ‘in Ould Donegal’ about which he has recorded his impressions with a view to publication later on. We have been privileged to read a portion of the MS, and we can assure our readers that as word-pictures by a true artist they are entitled to a place beside his poems, and that is the highest praise our humble judgment can accord.

Mr. E. R. McClintock Dix, who has also four items of Roundwood printing (one of which is identical with No. 4 of mine) told me that he had not met with any examples of this press besides the above publications, nor any mention of such except one entry in, the catalogue of the British Museum Library, which I understood made an eighth item. On looking over the catalogue the other day, however, under ‘Pestalozzi’, I found there No. 2 of my list, with ‘By Synge?’, appended to the title. As most of the above-mentioned Roundwood printing has reference to Pestalozzi’s system of education, and probably emanated from the same source, it would be interesting to have this point of editorship, if possible, established and further elucidated. The ground for the suggestion would seem from the catalogue to be the fact that it has already been ascertained that ‘the ‘Irish Traveller’ who was the author of two Dublin Pestalozzi publications of 1815, bore the above surname, which by the way is that of a County Wicklow family. With respect to the printer, there was a ‘John Bull’ who printed at Waterford and a Joseph Bull at Parsonstown, in the first quarter of the last century. What relationship if any, existed between these and the ‘George P. Bull’ of Roundwood, it would also be of some interest to know, as well as the reason of his setting up his press at this somewhat out-of-the-way village.The ‘Reports ‘are interesting reading. The pupils of the Hofwyl school (supported by Mr. Fellenberg, ‘on his landed property’), were chiefly engaged in agriculture, ten hours daily being allotted to this occupation while only three were devoted to ‘instruction’, in the usual meaning of this term. Religious training entered largely into the system. This the first item seems scarcely so well printed as the other three. (Signed R. S. Maffett.)

Pending this useful achievement being accomplished, it would bea great boon to the student of Irish history in the 18th century if there could be published in some form a return showing in what Libraries were to be found volumes of a few of our principal journals. Of course many of these volumes are imperfect; some of them lack several numbers or issues, others have the pages torn or mutilated; so that a perfectly accurate return would be very troublesome and tedious to make out without the co-operation of several workers and particularly of our Librarians.

I have made a note of the volumes of Faulkner’s Dublin Journal existing between 1729 and 1800, but it is possible that there may be volumes of this journal either in private hands or in provincial or municipal libraries, and if anyone can give information on that point either to the Editor of this Journal or to me direct, I shall be much obliged. I think the best plan for the present would be to select say three of four leading Dublin journals of the 18th century and try to ascertain what volumes are in existence, and where they are to be found, and to publish the result. The journals I would suggest are: The Dublin Gazette, Pue’s Occurrences, and the Freeman’s Journal, besides Faulkner’s Dublin Journal.

I might mention in this connection that the period for which exist­ing newspapers are most sought is, I think, that from 1715 to 1740. There were several newspapers at that time, for example, Carson’s Dublin Weekly Journal, which ran from 1726 to 1731—Query, what numbers are now in existence? Again Reilly’s Dublin Newsletter began in 1737 and went on to 1743 at least, but I only know of four volumes now extant.

I might mention here that James Hoey published a Dublin Journal as a rival to Falkiner’s [sic] and it must not be confounded with this latter.

What I have suggested about Dublin journals of the 18th century is equally true, of those printed in other cities and towns as for in­stance at Belfast, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Clonmel, Newry, &c. In some of these cities or towns there were but few journals produced and the task would not be so great.

It is very desirable that all volumes of our 18th century journals should be deposited in Public Libraries and not kept in private hands where they are unknown or inaccessible and so lacking in usefulness. (E. R. Mc C. Dix.)

A beginning in the direction indicated has been made by their Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Aberdeen, in presenting a large number of volumes of Irish Periodicals extending from 1783 till 1833, to the Heraldic Museum, Dublin. The value of the gift is enhanced by the fact that they are all fully indexed.—Ed.

Dear Sir—Some time ago the Government published reproductions of the Barony Maps made by Sir William Petty for the Commonwealth in 1655-59. The maps were issued by the Ordnance Survey Department .and are most interesting, but they would be doubly so if the Government went a step further and published The Book of Surveys and .Distributions, which contains the names of the original owners of the confiscated lands, and the names of the adventurers and soldiers to whom the lands were granted. On each allotment on the map there as a number and on referring to that number in “The Book”, you find the name of the old proprietor, the name of the planter, and the quantity of land confiscated, the old place name, &c., &c. The original manuscript of “The Book” commonly known as the Down Survey, is in the Record Office, Dublin. There is a copy in the Royal Irish Academy.

“Book Auctions In Cork”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 4 (Nov. 1909), 49A miscellaneous collection of books comprising amongst others the library of the late Father Dillon, of Kerry, was disposed of by Messrs. Scanlan on 30th July last. The catalogue included 311 lots, close on one half of which related to Ireland. The following prices were realised for a few of the Irish items:

MacHale’s Irish translation of the Holy Bible (quarto, calf extra, fine copy), Tuam (1861), £1. 7s.; Griffith A., Miscellaneous Tracts, containing a curious account of the Martyrdom of Father Sheehy (portrait, calf), Dublin, 1788. 5s. 3d.; Monaghan’s Records of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise (with author’s auto­graph), 5s.; MacHale’s Translation of Moore’s Melodies, fine copy, cloth (Dublin 1871), 7s.; Dunlevy’s Christian Doctrine, [in] English (Dublin 1848), 6s. Webb’s Irish Biography, £1. 9s.; Irish Pamphlets, 11 vols., 7s.; Ditto, 16 vols., 7s. ; Brady’s McGillycuddy Papers (fine copy, cloth), 6s.; A fine copy of the last volume of Bunting’s Irish Music, £1. 5s.; Leabhar Breac (published by R. I. A.), £2 10s.; Two Irish MSS, were included in the sale, one of which consisting of 34 pages fetched. 6s. 6d.

Dear Sir—I read with interest Mr. Bigger’s note upon (John Bernard Trotter), and wish to add two or three items, now in my library, to the bibliography.

It will be seen from above that the Political Guardian was not confined to one number, as stated by Mr. Byard on the authority of the British Museum catalogue and Power’s ‘List’, but that it reached at least to three. I am a good deal interested in J. B. Trotter. The best authority about him is, I think, the Editor of Sinn Fein, who some time ago published an interesting account of him and some of his writings.

It will be seen from the above and his article that eight items of Bull’s printing at Roundwood are extant as mentioned by Rev. Mr. Maffett, but there were probably some other works printed. For example, while Parts I, III, and IV of Pestalozzi’s Intuitive Relations of Numbers are forthcoming, Part II is not, and there must have been a Part II. This would have made nine items, unless the item No. 2 in Mr. Maffett’s list could possibly have taken its place.

The fact that there was more than one printer in Ireland of the name of ‘Bull’, recalls to my recollection that I have similarly found families of printers printing in different places, such as the Lindsay’s, Goggin’s Park’s, &c., in some of our provincial towns, besides the Grierson family and others in Dublin. I hope some day to contribute an article on this subject. I regret that I have no evidence as to why :this press was set up in Roundwood, but hope that some of our readers :may be able to throw light on the subject.

He was a practical working gardener and also a skilled mechanician, self-taught; in fact he might be called a born genius in that respect. The press with which he printed some of his books, and the machine with which be bound them, were his own handiwork. He made several clocks, all of them of excellent workmanship, and good timekeepers. Indeed the only relics of this remarkable man at present in the family mansion at Ledeston are four or five of his clocks, and the remains of his library. A clock presented by him to the Mullingar Board of Guardians, of which body he was chairman for about 25 years, still remains in a prominent position in the board room. It bears the following inscription: ‘Made and presented by J. C. Lyons, Chairman to the Board of Guardians of the Mullingar Union, 1850.’ He was the last of the old Seneschals of Mullingar and religiously presided every Saturday at the Manor Court, until its abolition in 1837. Both in the Board Room and in the Manor Court, he was always guided by a fair and honest spirit, but he had a dreadfully sarcastic tongue with which he lashed friend and foe alike. He also served as High Sheriff of Westmeath during the year 1816. He was twice married and left issue by both wives, and died on the 3rd September, 1874, aged 82, and was buried in Mullingar Churchyard.

In Cotton’s Typographical Gazetteer, 2nd series, p.114, it is stated that Mr. Lyons began printing privately in 1820, that in that year he purchased a small press at Edinburgh and transferred it to his own house, that in 1827 he himself constructed a larger one on a new plan and continued using that press for over thirty years. This press is still in existence and in excellent condition. It is worked with a lever and an eccentric. On the socket is engraved the name J. C. Lyons.’

Of the works printed by him, the editions were limited, and are now difficult to acquire or to trace. However, from personal knowledge and research, and the assistance of Mr. Dix, of Dublin—to whom no bibliographical inquirer appeals in vain, I have succeeded in compiling the following list:

Cotton states that Lyons wrote some law books, and A Treatise on Feeding Cattle with Steamed Foods (with wood cuts), and On Orchidaceous Plants (two editions), for the latter of which he obtained the gold medal of the Horticultural Society in Dublin in 1845, ‘In 1852 he issued his Book of Surveys and Distribution of Estates Forfeited in Co. Westmeath in 1641, with a historical preface. It is demy 8vo. size, printed in clear black type on thick paper. The title-page is in colour and the volume is bound in cloth, nicely gilt. Under the title are the following words: ‘No country in Europe has suffered like Ireland, and were not the accounts authentic beyond question, the facts would be incredible.’ It is said that most of Lyons’s fellow landlords in Westmeath were very sore over the publication of this book (which is mainly a copy of the “Down Survey”) they being the descendants of the adventurers and soldiers of Cromwell, whose names were given in the book as having received grants of the confiscated lands. They would have preferred that the information given by him should have remained locked up as a state paper in the Record Office. All Lyons’s own estates were purchased for cash by his ancestors. I am told he produced only about 40 copies of this work. It is now very scarce. A Mullingar collector, a few years ago, thought himself lucky in securing a copy at £5.

His Grand Juries of Westmeath, from 1727-1853, with Historical Appendix, demy 8vo., appeared in 1853, and is turned out in equally good style. ‘The Historical Appendix’ contains a vast amount of quaint and interesting information relating to persons and places in Westmeath. No one writing a history of the county could do without delving into its pages. Both books bear the imprint at foot of title-page ‘Lediston, printed by J. C. Lyons’, and the dates. I cannot find out how many copies were printed, probably not more than 60. A copy was sold about five years ago for £10! and I have seen one advertised by a Dublin firm in their current catalogue for £6. 6s. The lowest price I ever saw one sold at by auction was £3 18s.

Anecdotes, &c., from the Historical Appendix to the Grand Juries of Westmeath. This is a 12mo., of 126pp., and appeared in the same year, 1853. Mr. Lyons’ full name is given to it. There is a copy in the National Library. (Joly Collection.)

Historical Sketch of the family of Nugent, 8vo., 28pp., paper cover. This appeared in 1853. The only copy I know of was in the possession of Sir Arthur Vicars, late Ulster King at Arms.

Historical Notes of the Levinge Family, Baronets of Ireland from the Saxon Chronicles, A.D., 1005 to 853. It was issued in 1853 and is 8vo., containing pages 18 + 26 + 14. There is a copy in the British Museum.

This year, 1853, seems to have been the busiest as it was, according to present knowledge, the last of the Ledeston Press, Mullingar.

The following year and running into 1753, there was a magazine called The Covent Garden Journal, perhaps a reprint of the London publication of the same name. Then we have The Dublin Spy, that started in August, 1753, which used to appear on Fridays, and the first number of which (August 13th) was published by Thomas Hutchinson at the Reindeer in Charles Street, opposite Mountrath Street, while the third number was printed by James Byrne, of Thomas Street, for James Eyre Weeks, who was the original author and proprietor. The Dublin Spy went on for several months, the last date on the extant numbers being the 27th of May, 1754 and was No. LV.

Next in 1753 we have The Dublin Joker, which appeared in September of that year. In the following October appeared The Censor. It had a longer career evidently than some of the others, as the extant issue is No. 95 of Vol. II. In January, 1754, appeared The Trifler, and in the following June, The City Watchman. The last in the collection is called Every Man’s Journal, and it appeared in October, 1765, and was printed by James Byrne, of Cook Street. Five numbers are forthcoming. Most of these magazines are large 4to or small folio in size, and consist of 4pp. only, and generally contain two columns in each page.

There is one other item which is very curious in title and appear­ance and which I kept for mention till the last. It is entitled A Morsel from the Wolf in Bloudy Sheep’s Clothing. It appeared on the 6th of September, 1753, and was printed by Thomas Hutchinson. It contains the usual 4pp. of two columns each, but the entire is printed in red ink, which gives it a strange appearance.

This is but a very bare mention of the existence of these journals. Still it records them and may awaken interest and lead to other copies being reported, or similar journals. It would require an abler and more learned pen than mine to deal properly with these strange and rare magazines, to do justice to their contents or to fully set forth their value and importance from a historical point of view. I hope it may be done some time. It is indeed lamentable to think of the number of our magazines of the kind which have been lost.

Such a list, it seems to me, would be useful in the first place to the general reader, who wishes to study Ireland. It might also be of much assistance to those who have to prepare lectures, or speeches, or articles, and in particular the members of various national propagandist organizations, political and literary. Again, it might help such as have to select books whether for libraries or for prizes. I have been assured that publishers and booksellers might find it useful in various ways.

From a consideration of the public aimed at, it may be judged with tolerable accuracy what books should be included in my list and what omitted. I do not think a hard and fast rule can be made, but I shall be guided in my choice by the following principles. In the first place, I should wish to include all books at present, or till very recently, in print. It would take up too much of this valuable space to explain my reasons for this. Secondly, it would seem well to include all such books as because of their valuable matter or because of their form are likely to be reprinted. Thirdly, there are a number of important works which, though not likely to reprinted, have not yet been superseded and remain standard works on the subject. What of the large mass of books that would be excluded by a selection confined to the above classes? Ought their titles at least to be mentioned, perhaps in Irish Book Lover?

[CORRECT ERRORS IN THE ABOVE LINES]

It will be asked, how much of this work has already been done? In the first place the portion of the work that deals with Irish fiction, containing about 520 titles with descriptive notes, is already complete, has been approved by competent critics and is being examined by a publishes. As to the rest, a list of titles, in the, compilation of which, most, I believe, of the available bibliographical sources have been ransacked, has been got together and alphabetically arranged. Between two and three hundred descriptive notes have been written. The work was begun in June 1908.

Of course I have not attempted this single-handed. I have had valuable help from many quarters, notably from Mr. D. J. O’Donoghue, Librarian of the National University, Mr. F. J. Bigger, M.R.I.A., of Belfast, Dr. W. H. Grattan-Flood, author of A History of Irish Music, Dr. McCaffrey, author of A History of the Church in the Nineteenth Century, and Mr. Arthur E. Clery, B.L. It is to solicit further help and suggestions that I am bringing this matter before the readers of the I.B.L. Any reader who has access to a good library could help in a very practical way and without considerable expenditure of time. I appeal therefore to such readers as consider this Guide to Books on Ireland a useful undertaking to send me their names and addresses with an offer of literary help. I shall not take undue advantage of their kindness.

Lest any should be indisposed to offer their help owing to the impression that the work will be done in an amateurish and unscientific way, I may add that I am endeavouring to carry it out on the lines laid down in E. A. Savage’s Manual of Descriptive Annotation (Library Supply Company, 1906), which, I understand, to be the best treatise on the subject. I shall, moreover, send to anyone who kindly offers assistance, a form which will explain definitely the points to be mentioned in the annotation, thus rendering much easier the task of composing it.

In the first place I might mention that the earliest item of printing that I have seen at Cavan was a pamphlet entitled A List of the Several Baronies and Parishes in the County of Cavan, together with all the Denominations of Land in each Parish, alphabetically arranged, together with Carvaghs contained in each Denomination. It is a 4to containing title leaf and 66 numbered pages. The date is so uncertain that it might be 1709, or, as I think more likely, 1790. It refers to certain Irish ‘Road’ Acts which, as far as I have been able to ascertain, must have been passed in the latter half of the 18th century. The name of the printer of this work is given as Henry Ireland.

The next item of printing in Cavan that I have met with is a volume of poems by James Martin. A 12mo. of 164pp. + 1 leaf of errata. The printers were ‘Wm. Ireland and Son’, and it appeared the in the year 1813. There is a copy in the Royal Irish Academy (Halliday Pamphlets). The printer’s surname, being the same as that of the previous item, suggests a family of printers, possibly of three generations, but if so it is strange that only two items of their press are extant.

Then in 1816 there was a second edition of Martin’s Poems printed in Cavan, the printer this time being ‘James O’Brien’, and the volume had increased to 200 pages. James O’Brien continued as printer in Cavan down at all events to 1846, and he printed some little ‘Song Books’, an Explanation of the Church Catechism, 2 edi­tions (1816 and 1826); Memoirs of Mrs. Dorothy Johnston, of Lisburn (1818); Some religious works, such as An Exhortation to a Devout, &c., Observance of Family Worship’, which appeared in 1818, and Leger Lessons, which appeared in 1827.

I will not now refer to his later printing which included the County Presentments in 1837.

There was also printed in Cavan a newspaper called the Cavan Herald, which was bi-weekly, and appears to have been started in the year 1818. The proprietor in 1820 was George N. Busteed. There is one copy extant dated 19th December, 1820 and another dated 2nd January, 1821. Both are in the National Library, Dublin.

In 1828 we find a third printer at work, named Wm. Johnston, who, as late as 1850, printed The Royal Descents of Henry Maxwell, K.P., Seventh Lord Farnham, 8vo., and in 1860 Thomas J. Smyth printed The Farnham Descents from Henry III, 3 parts folio, a well-known genealogical work.

If any of our readers can supply particulars of any Cavan printed works prior to 1820, I will be very glad to receive the information.

P.S. There is in the University Library, Cambridge, a printed copy of the Co. Cavan Presentments for 1820. It has no imprint, and Mr. Sayle asks where it was printed and by whom. If anyone can satisfy him on the point we will both be obliged.

The Halliday collection of Pamphlets in the Royal Irish Academy has copies of Nos. 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 in above list, 5 in Mr. Bigger’s List, No. 3 in Mr. Dix’s list and possibly others.

“Miscellaneous”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 7 (Feb. 1910), 90
Lord Kelvin’s Early Home (Macmillan): This interesting well written, well illustrated work comprising the recollections of Mrs. King, the eldest sister of Lord Kelvin, describes the beautiful associations amidst which the gifted Thomson family were brought up in Belfast and Glasgow. It will, we are assured, be of more than ordin­ary interest to readers in the former city introducing as it does anec­dotes concerning the remarkable men who a century ago gained for her the title of ‘The Northern Athens’, and indeed throughout Ulster where ‘Thomson’ and his ‘Arithmetic’ were household words. As showing the leanings of the sturdy yeomen from whom Kelvin sprung, his sister says, her father was taught to read from handkerchiefs on which were printed mottoes and verses composed by the patriots of ’98. And again before the battle of Ballynahinch, the rebel army was ‘camping near my grandfather’s house, and his daughters secretly carried food to the insurgents, their little brother helping them. Long after these times he wrote an account of the battle to read to the Belfast Literary Society, which was afterwards published in a magazine’, and, we may add, republished in 1904 in the Irish Presbyterian.

W. H. Grattan-Flood, “Post Bag”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 7 (Feb. 1910), 90
In reply to a query by my friend Seamus ua Casaide, in No. III, I have much pleasure in informing him that I once possessed a copy of Charles Wilson’s Irish Poems with English Translations, and the year of publication was 1782 not 1792. Unfortunately the volume dis­appeared some fourteen years ago, but I am certain as to the date. A reference to Walker’s Irish Bards, published in 1786, will also corroborate the year as 1782. Walker highly praises Charles Wilson and quotes his Irish Poems. I also find that Sir Walter Scott had a copy of Wilson’s verses, as he quotes his version of O’Carolan’s song in praise of O’Rourke in his edition of Swift’s works. (Signed W. H. Grattan-Flood, Enniscorthy.)

Rev. Father Brown, S. J.: Ulster As It Is (Macmillan, 2 vols., 1896.) Was written by Thomas Macknight, who was, for nearly thirty years, editor of the Belfast Northern Whig. Therein he sets down his recollections and impressions of the varying political problems in Ulster, from the standpoint of the old Ulster Liberals who fought for Tenant right and Disestablishment against the combined influence of the Church and Landlord interests in the days before the Ballot. The book is in a great measure, composed of extracts from his ‘leaders’, generally prefaced by ‘It was said in Ulster next morning’, &c.; ‘the comment of the Whig was’, &c., or ‘I took occasion to remark’, &c. As the seasoned opinion of a leading Liberal Unionist journalist possessing great opportunities of learning the views of both. peer and peasant on the burning questions of the last quarter of the nineteenth century it is well worth study.

The information contained in this brochure is most valuable and we believe equally reliable. Its data concerning Irish literature, periodicals and literary societies is perhaps unique, and was utilised to the full by John Power in his works. For instance, he refers to a School Master’s Magazine, published in Armagh about 1840. Who can tell of it? He gives a short account of the Ulster Gaelic Society in 1830, of which Lord Downshire was president. This was Ferguson’s stimulant. He deplores the neglect of Irish literature quoting Byron’s verse:

He notes the Belfast Magazine of 1808-14, initiated by Dr. Drennan and John Templeton. John Lawless Ulster Register of 1816 is mentioned, as is the Belfast Magazine and Literary Journal of Professor Cairn’s (1825), and Charles H. Teeling’s short lived Ulster Magazine of 1830, and the New Belfast Magazine, run by the Institution youths in 1833-34.

We only accentuate the Northern productions, but other centres are equally noted by the writer.

The Dublin Book of Irish Verse (Hodges, Figgis), is a carefully compiled anthology of poems written from the middle of the 18th Cen­tury to the present day, in which the editor, Mr. John Cooke, has had the advice and assistance of many well-known Irish critics and. scholars. One Irish anthology is of necessity so much like another that little requires to be said. But what strikes one most is the evi­dence afforded of the great wealth of verse that has been poured out. during the last decade by our younger singers. If we compare this with the last similar work issued, Messrs. Stopford Brooke and Rolle­ston’s Treasury (1900), we find upwards of thirty names that have no place therein, and these are responsible for over a third of the total. number of selections; and not to judge by quantity alone, much of the newer verse will bear comparison with the older, and not suffer. The book itself is a thing of beauty, fitting cage for such a flock of singing birds!

In the preface to Irish Varieties, by J. D. Herbert (London 1836), there is a statement: ‘Should this volume prove worthy of public favour, another series can be prepared for the press, events and occur­rences nearer the present time such as the Rebellion, Insurrection, the Londonderry family and some northern anecdotes.’ Did this second volume ever appear—if not, what became of the writer’s MSS and notes? (Signed: Francis Joseph Bigger)

Enquiry, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 8 (March 1910)
In the auction sale catalogue of John O’Leary’s Library in May, 1906, I see an entry, 216, Fitzgerald’s Londonderry. Can any reader tell me what this book is? (J. S. C[rone]).

“Recent Book Auctions”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 8 (March 1910), 110
On 19th December, Marsh and Sons, of South Mall, Cork, disposed of a collection, some of which realized the following prices: Lenihan’s Limerick, 24s; another copy, 23s.; a presentation copy of Caulfield’s Council Book of Youghal, 6s.; Petrie’s Round Towers, £2 5s.; Stoke’s Christian Architecture and Brash’s Ecclesiastical Architecture, together 35s.; Cusack’s Cork, 3s. 6d.; Brash’s Ecclesiastical Architecture, and Ogham Inscribed Monuments, together 18s.; O’Curry’s Manners and Customs, 3 vols., 35s.; Bunting’s Ancient Music, 20s.; Bennett’s History of Bandon, 7s. 6d.; O’Hart’s Irish Pedigrees, 8s. 6d.; O’Curry’s Manuscript Materials, 19s.; Smith’s Cork, 2 vols. (1774), 6s.; Pacata Hibernia, 2 vols. (1810), 17s. 6d.; Smith’s Kerry, 34s.; another copy with maps, 14s.; Saint­hill’s Olla Podrida, 9s.; Dalton’s Drogheda, 13s.; Betham’s Antiquarian Researches, 2 in 1, 22s. 6d.; Dalton’s History and Annals of Boyle, 2 vols., 4s. 6d.; Cox’s History, 2 vols. (1689), ills.; Croker’s Researches, ills.; Anthologia, 4 vols., 7s.; Walker’s Irish Bards and Armour and Weapons, together, 21s.; Fitzgerald’s Cork Remembrancer, 1783, 12s.; Smith’s Waterford, with maps, 12s.; Stuart’s Armagh (1819), 4s.; Weld’s Killarney, 1s.; Pendergast’s Cromwellian Settlement (1875), and Trotter’s Walks, 3 vols., together, 28s.; 4 vols. Transactions of Ossianic Society, 25s.; Gibson’s Cork, 2 vols., 7s.; Caulfield’s Council Books of Cork, Kinsale and Youghal, fetched [ills.], 8s., and 7s., respectively; Murphy’s Annals of Clonmacnoise, 7s.; Hardiman’s Minstrelsy, 21s.; Holenshed [sic] and Stanihurst’s Historie Black Letter (1577), 17s.

On Monday, 7th February, Messrs. Sotheby disposed of the library .of the late Rev. J. Duncan Craig, D.D., of Glengeary, the author of Real Pictures of Clerical Life in Ireland, Bruce Reynell, and other works. The Irish portion, not in very good condition, was made ^-up in lots, and went cheap. O’Conor’s Columbanos ad Hibernos, 4 vols., and Boulter’s Letters, 2 vols., 9s.; Trials of Smith O’Brien (1849), and at Cork and Limerick (1867), and 3 others, 4s.; O’Curry’s Manu­script Materials, Miss Hickson’s Ireland in the 17th Century, 2 vols., and two others, 25s.; account of Mrs. Ireland (1745); the Chevalier’s Hope; Henry’s Oration against the Pretender’s Son, and other ‘Tracts on Rebellion of ’45, by Irish writers, and five others, £2 8s.; Donlevy’s Catechism, O’Donovan’s Grammar, Neilson’s Introduction, and Bible and Testament in Irish £2 6s.; ten vols. of pamphlets [on] Emancipation, Repeal, Education, Orangism, 15s.; Smith’s Waterford, Watkinson’s South of Ireland and Young’s Tour, 8 in all, 17s.; Gordon’s Rebellion, Taylor’s, H.B.C.’s Insurrection of 1803, Madden’s Reflections, Repeal Discussion and five others, 13s.; Ferrer’s Limerick, Rebellion of 1641, and eight others, 22s.

In the evening Mr. Percival Graves interested a crowded audience with the following centenary address:

‘The relation in which Sir Samuel Ferguson stood towards Irish music and poetry was remarkable. As a poet, born both before and after his time, he was the only modern Irish epic writer of commanding genius who united in his personality the three requirements of the old Irish bard:

Yet, while the three ancient sorrows of Irish story telling—the fate of the Children of Lir, the fate of the Sons of Tuireann, and the fate of the Sons of Uisneach—are written in stately Gaelic prose, Ferguson modelled himself upon Homer, but in the metre of Chapman’s great translation when he gave himself over to his magnum opus “Congal”. This great epic records the final struggle between paganism and Christianity, in which the legions of the Cross ultimately prevail on the field of Maigh Rath. This poem abounds with great passages, and whilst, as Roden Noel remarks, Ferguson frequently makes use of the sonorous native names they are sometimes almost too thickly strewn over his pages, but the interest on the whole is sustained throughout, and the development of the action is conducted with the utmost artistic skill; the chariot of song thunders majestically to its goal with burning axle in direct impetuous course. But Ferguson is even greater in the epopee than in the epic. The “Tain Quest”, written in rhymed trochaics, had the sublime and impetuous power and a mystical grandeur unequalled in any modern poem written upon an heroic supernatural subject. For splendid savagery Ferguson’s “Welshmen of Tirawley” has excited the admiration of Swinburne, and for a calm beauty of an old world character ‘Aideen’s Grave’furnished a beautiful contrast. Indeed, the modes of Ferguson’s Heroic Lyric were many and wonderful; but he achieved his highest excellence in his great dramatic poem of “Conary”, which Mr. W. B. Yeats placed even before his vivid and haunting “Deirdre”.

Ferguson did not, like some of his successors, reproduce the verse technique of the old Irish bards exhibited by Dr. Douglas Hyde and others in their works on Irish Gaelic metres. He struck out a line of his own, and a strong and significant one, of which perhaps the most original was to be found in the “Welshman of Tirawley”. It was only when he was translating from the Irish that Ferguson felt himself constrained to adopt Gaelic measures. Ferguson had made up his mind to turn his back upon modern’ themes, or at any rate only to give them a by-the-way attention. He was persuaded of the nobility of heroic Irish subjects. He was equally persuaded that at the time they had no public behind them. A generation before, they would have had the support of a cultured and unprovincialised upper class; a generation later they would have claimed attention in his hands as the noblest outcome of the Irish literary revival. He was therefore both before and after his time, and he realised his position to the full.’

‘Indeed’, said the lecturer, ‘when I once spoke to him, with regret, of the neglect of all but Irish political literature, he acknowledged it but with a quiet expression of confidence that his time would come. It has come to-day! Quite apart; from the beautiful addresses delivered on the previous day by the literary daughter of famous literary parents, Miss Alexander, there appears in the March number of the Irish Monthly a masterly review of Ferguson’s poetry, which was delivered in the form of a lecture for the Irish Literary Society of London by the Hon. Roden Noel—Irish on his mother’s side and a poet who had yet to win the fuller recognition due to his genius. This appreciation was followed by a charming poetic tribute to Ferguson by Miss Emily Hickey, in whose hands the manuscript of this lecture had been left.

He (the lecturer) did not think the characteristics of Ferguson’s genius could be more ably summed up than in this fine passage from that criticism by Roden Noel: “But the poetry of Ferguson is the very reverse of what may be described as popular; it is human, unaffected, sincere, without mannerism, remarkable for economy of power and parsimony of epithet—concentrated, firm in outline, with a strong grip upon the chosen theme; vivid and graphic in delineation; constructed with the utmost artistic skill, symmetrical proportion of parts, and general unity of effect; now and again moving us profoundly by a touch of unforced and thrilling pathos all the more telling for this economy of power and use of the simplest means to produce the effect intended. A touch does it, a master touch as in Byron’s “Gladiator” or Wordsworth’s “Michael”, or a song of Burns’s, or one of the old ballads such as the “Twa Corbies”. Sometimes profoundly tragic, and again instinct with the fairy glamour or shadowy sublimities of the early Celts—mythopoetic genius, interpreting the mystic scenes and sounds of nature, primeval forest, wild craggy mountain or stormy ocean.” Miss Alexander and Miss Hickey had shown the fine appreciation of Irish-women’s literary insight into Ferguson’s position as an Irish poet.

To the testimony of Professor Dowden that Ferguson was the only true epic poet of the Victorian age, he wished to add the following appreciation which he had received that morning from Stopford Brooke, the foremost living literary critic who wrote in the English language: “I have not only a great admiration for Sir Samuel Ferguson’s poems, but I consider him as the first and perhaps the best of all those who have striven to bring into recognition, light, and beauty the ancient poetic sagas and tales of Ireland. The scholars have done much to make them known; he struck home to their poetry, and fired into importance their national essence, and great has been the use and the results of this to the Irish people and to the literature of the world. What he did so well, and with such fire and passion has had a life in it which has grown and will continue in the work of others.’

In our third number Mr. H. R. Plomer, author of The History of Printing, in an article on ‘Ireland and Secretl Printing’ (p.27), threw out the suggestion that some of the many controversial tracts of the sixteenth century may have been printed in Ireland, though bearing other imprints. ‘The Mysterious press of Hugh Singleton, for example’, he said, ‘has never yet been located.’ Since then Mr. Plomer has been following up the scent, and he gives the result. of his prolonged researches in the current number of The Library (Alex. Moring, Ltd.) From a careful examination of the type used in these works, he divides them into three classes, one of which he designates the ‘Waterford’ type, which was that used in printing The Acquital or Purgation of the. Mooste Catholycke Christen Prince Edwards the VI,  a facsimile of the colophon of which is here given.

No less than twelve books issued in the years 1555 and 1556 are found printed with this type. The title-pages of the Waterford books have a character of their own. The first line is almost always in lower case roman, followed by a line or two of large German script, the rest being in one or other of the numerous founts the office possessed

Mr. P. F. Scanlan, of the firm of Messrs. Scanlan & Sons, auctioneers, Cork, sold the extensive Library of the late Mr. C. G. Doran, on February 15th and following days. There was keen competition for the books, notably for the Irish collection. Appended are some of the prices obtained:

The Irishman, £7 10s. ; The United Irishman, ‘Thomas Francis Meagher’s copy, £6 6s.; MS. Pedigrees from Windele’s Library, £5 10s.; The Irish People, Vols. 1 & 2, £3 17s. 6d. The Statutes of the Irish Parliament, £3; Madden’s United Irishman, £2 16s.; Irish Pamphlets, £7; O’Reilly’s Irish Writers, £2 1s.; The Annals of Ireland (1 vol.), £1 15s.; The Citizen, Vol. 1, £1 12s. Gd.;. The Dublin Penny Journal, 2 vols., £1 14s.; Irish MS, £1 15s.; Ruskin’s Works, £2 4s.; Petrie’s Ecclesiastical Architecture, £1 12s.; Stokes’ Christian Architecture, £1 12s.; Keating’s History of Ireland, £1 ‘1s. [qry]; Celtic Illuminative Art, £1 10s.; Transactions of The Ossianic Society, 1855-58, £1 11s.; Brady’s Records of Cork, £1 12s.; O’Byrne’s Queen’s County, £1 1U. [qry;] Tandy’s Appeal and O’Flaherty’s Ogygia, £1 7s.; Gimlette’s Huguenot Settlers, £1 6s.; Walker’s Dress of Ancient Irish, £1 2s.; Walker’s Irish Bards, £1 1s.; Bunting’s Music of Ireland, £l; Ferguson’s Cromleach on Howth, £1 1s.; Cronnelly’s Irish Family History, &c., £1 7s.; The United Irishman, (Vol. 1), £1 4s.; Keogh’s Hibernica, £1 4s.; The Irishman, Vol. 1, £1 1s.; Taffe’s History of Ireland, £1 2s.; Scotichronicon, £l; Mulloly’s St. Clement, £1; O’Donovan’s Dun Na Gedh, £1 2s.; Mason’s Survey of Ireland, £1 1s.; Bulletins of the Campaign (1798), £l; O’Curry’s Ancient Irish History, £l 2s.; The Earls of Kildare, 7s. 6d.; O’Donoghue’s Memoir of the O’Brien’s (autobiography of Smith O’Brien), 12s.; MS. “Trial of Francis Arthur of Limerick”, 1804, 12s.; Life of Thomas Reynolds, 8s. 6d.; Trial of Quigley and others, 1798, 4s.

‘They were assembled in Donegore that day, in that holy house and on that equally holy hill in their own beloved land, to place a wreath—an Irish wreath—upon the graves of Sir Samuel and Lady Ferguson, and the honour had been put upon him of being asked_i to say a few words at that time. The grave was robbed of its sadness on the present occasion: There was a spring in the earth and a brightness in the sky, telling of hope and resurrection. Amongst the Gaels was an old belief in heroes slumbering in the hilltops in great caverns awaiting the times for them to ride forth, a mighty host, to right the wrongs of the people. Their heroes slumbered on the hilltops beside the massive moat, but in consecrated ground, and every pagan bitterness had been taken away, as it was in the lives of those who lived so gently, so humanly, so lovingly. To Ferguson was given the privilege of opening the closed gates of the past, calling forth the dead heroes from the mountains of suppression and ignorance, and they had rid­den forth, and no one could stay their progress. The heroes of Ireland were brought forth from their caverns by the Fergusons, who marshalled and formed their ranks, speeding them on their way to conquest and renown, crowning them for all time with haloes of valour and truth and strident manliness, placing high names upon their breasts that future generations might know and so recognise them as their own. To the Fergusons the hills of holy Ireland were bedewed with such a spirituality, such a fulness of life and adventure as must appeal to all lovers of our country in every or any aspect of her life. The carp-crowned mountain, the cromleach on the hillside, the cavern by the river bed, the deep crimson of the setting sun across the Shannon wave from the storied cross of Clonmacnoise, the lone wave-beaten islands of Arran, each had its own tale to tell. The rugged path from slope to slope did to them resound with the tread of heavy armed warriors, tracking their way from dun to dun, their bronze shields and spears glancing in the sun’s rays, or seemed to level itself to the wearied feet of the learned scholar or pious pilgrim treading his road from school to school in the acquisition, of a fuller knowledge, to be again spread abroad to other lands and other peoples. The bards of old chronicled the daring actions of their clan, in order that a due and proper pride of race might be given to the rising youth, and their mantle fell on the shoulders of Samuel Ferguson. Did they not say, did he not urge this in the most vehement of all his verses?

The clear morality, the unfeigned rectitude, the splendid principle of every word that ever proceeded from mouth or pen of Samuel Ferguson were indeed evident to the most casual student of his life and works. There was never any stepping aside to meet contingencies, his duty was plain to him; his honour fitted him as a well-made garment without seam or rent in any part of it; a truly Irish mantle that he ever wore by day, and it was his covering at night, aye, and his burial cloak. His friends and neighbours, and those who knew and valued him in other places, and a newer race that knew him not in the fleet, but loved and, acknowledged his worth all the same, were assembled there that day to do honour to his name and memory. They might stand there on the Moat of Donegore and look over the many scenes so dear to him, and so familiar to his earthly eyes—the rich valley of the Sixmilewater, over Templepatrick and past Lyle, and away to Divis or over Carnmoney to the ransomed hill of Down, or across the woods of Farranshane and Antrim, past the historic Rathmore of Moylinney and the Grange of Mucamore to the shimmering waters of Lough Neagh. Far across the lake, the hills of Tir Eoghan rose to view. the fair land of the princely O’Neills, and, as they looked around, they must, if there was one drop of Irish blood in their veins, have some thoughts akin to those which surged so often through the hearts of the slumberers there beside them. There was an old Gaelic proverb which reads ‘man is like the waves of the sea, which are here to-day and to-morrow are hence.’ Erin of old had three great sounding waves of the sea, which, when any danger menaced the nation, resounded through the whole land, thus acting like a great protecting trinity. The past, the present, and the future-these were the three great waves affecting every one of them now, individually and nationally. Let them know the past as fully and as conscientiously as Ferguson knew it—nought extenuating and nought set down in malice-and if they did they would bear a conscious pride in their breast, and a fuller loyalty would be theirs to their own beloved land.

With a knowledge of the past and such a line of conduct in the present, they could walk assured as to the future. The gates had been thrown open to them, and hitherto hidden forces were riding forth over our land. In most unexpected places, from most unanticipated quarters influences have generated all tending the one way—the regeneration of our country. God grant that the future might be as full of fruit as the present was full of promise. In placing that wreath on the Ferguson tomb, they were only acting as good citizens, and like mercy they were blessed in the giving. Might the soil of Ireland lie light upon the sleepers—might the people of Ireland know and love them, and follow their good example, and might all assembled there that day be the better Irishmen and Irishwomen for having stepped aside for a little while from the ordinary duties of every-day life to pause at the grave of a sweet Gaelic poet, a learned Irish antiquary, a loving husband and wife, and, above and beyond all, a true patriotic and tenderhearted Antrim man, Ulsterman, Irishman.’

Both before and after the eulogy which was delivered from the lectern in the chancel of the church to a crowded audience, the usual invocations on such occasions were delivered in the Gaelic tongue, of which Ferguson was such an ardent student.

Cambridge University Library Bulletin: The Henry Bradshaw Irish Collection, presented in 1870 and 1886. We welcome this, the first instalment of the long-looked-for catalogue -of this celebrated collection. It contains upwards of seven thousand titles-exclusive of variants and duplicates—of works varying from a folio to a single leaf. Broadsides, proclamations, chap-books and street ballads extending from 1601 until 1906, all are here enough to gladden the heart of the Irish Book Lover. The titles are given as prepared for the General Catalogue, and a very full index renders the finding of any work easy. We are promised ‘a full catalogue’ of the collection at no distant date, and until that appears, this bulletin is a decided gain to the bibliographer. We have submitted it to many searching tests and can only submit a few suggestions—not in any spirit of carping criticism, but, merely with a view to render the full catalogue more complete. At p.139, Manzon, fl. 1823, should be Manson fl. 1792, as at 1001. At p.541, A Narrative, . &c., An Eye-Witness [i.e., S. McSkimin], delete ‘i.e., -&.,’ for as the author was not born until 1775, he could hardly have been an ‘eye­witness’ of events occurring in 1711. At p.694, Veridicus was Sir Richard Musgrave, the historian. As regards the Patriotic Miscellany Co., Down Election, 1805, at p.710, the title-page undoubtedly bears the London imprint, and no printer’s name, but we have seen a copy bearing a MS. note ‘Printed by Smith and Lyons, Belfast’, which we believe to be correct, and the cartoons therein are the acknowledged work of John Thomson, the Belfast engraver. Harlequin and the Eagle, p.766, is by Crofton Croker, “H.G.C.”, p.784, was most probably Henry Grattan Curran, and Kilmore, p.885, is better known to history as Culmore. But these are only trifling spots on the sun, and still leave us with feelings of gratitude to the very capable compiler and the Syndics of the University Press.

Truly we are a ubiquitous people, and the farther afield we travel, the warmer, our hearts grow towards the Motherland, and the louder we sound her praises, in song or story, as we have had abundant evi­dence in our pages, and now from Rotterdam comes a most interesting study, entitled Ireland: Its Humour and Pathos, from the pen of the Rev. J. Irwin Brown, minister of the Scotch Church in that City. The book contains some racy stories and is bright and readable throughout. It is dedicated to the author’s father, Rev. Dr. Brown, of Drumachose, Co. Derry, in his prime a famous platform orator and gallant defender of the rights of the Irish tenant farmers.

Here is the framework on which the consumate orator built up than magnificent specimen of forensic eloquence, which will live for all time. The volume possesses yet an additional interest, for Thomas Davis, in an introductory note to the defence of Rowan, in his edition of Curran’s speeches, says: ‘The back of Curran’s brief (I saw it a few years ago, in a copy of this trial sold at an auction), contained these catch-words’, as above, but he does not state that it had once been the propery of that modern Iscariot  Leonard MacNally. (Signed J. S. C[rone].).

On John Rutherford (IBL, VII p.93.). In Recollections of Fenians and Fenianism by John O’Leary (1896, Vol. 1, p.67), there is a note about Rutherford’s Secret History of the Fenian Conspiracy. O’Leary says: ‘This history is, on the whole, as vile a book as I have ever read. “John Rutherford” is of course, a false name, and I cannot make out that anyone can give even a probable guess at the ruffian who used it.’ (Frederick Boase. St. Leonard’s-on-Sea.)

Has not the secret been recently disclosed? Sir Robert Anderson, who has admitted the authorship of some of the famous articles on. Parnellism and Crime, says in Blackwood’s for March: ‘Forty years ago I published the secret history of the Fenian movement up to date’. (J. S. Crone.)

On the same evening The Star had the following leading article ‘Sir Robert Anderson is in danger just now of being credited with the authorship of every anonymous or pseudonymous attack on his native country. The latest suggestion comes from The Irish Book Lover that Sir Robert is the author of the Secret History of the Fenian Conspiracy, a work which bore the name of John Rutherford on the title-page. In Blackwood’s for March Sir Robert Anderson wrote: ‘Forty years ago I published the secret history of the Fenian movement up to date’, and the Daily News thinks that this seems to justify the Irish Book Lover in identifying this with John Rutherford’s work. But in this our contemporaries have done Sir Robert an injustice. He stated some weeks ago to an interviewer that in 1868-69 he wrote the history of the Fenian Conspiracy, and a Star representative called on him to learn whether this was to be taken as admitting his identity with the mysterious “John Rutherford”. Sir Robert replied that the history in question consisted of articles in the Contemporary Review, and denied that he was “John Rutherford”, or had any connection with his “history”. As that work was published in 1877 and Sir Robert’s articles in 1868-69, it seems that he is entitled to be acquitted of being “John Rutherford”. As Mr. John O’Leary, the Fenian leader, wrote that the latter’s “history” was ‘as vile a book as I have ever read’, and that he was unable even to guess at the ‘ruffian’ who used the name of “John Rutherford”, Sir Robert Anderson may well wish this made clear. At the same time, one of the minor mysteries of nineteenth century authorship still remains unsolved.’

This explanation, coupled with the fact that Sir Robert, in a letter to Mr. A. A. Campbell, of Belfast, whose query in our February number had first caused the investigation, directly denied the suggestion, left us no other course but to make an amende honorable, which we at once did in the Star, as follows:

And now comes the curious and interesting termination to the story. A gentleman who read our letter in The Star, at once wrote us, saying he was the son of the John Rutherford in question, and could produce material evidence of his statement. We accepted an invitation to call upon him at his residence, were kindly received, and introdiuced to the mother -of our correspondent—the widow of the author, a pleasant, well-preserved old lady, of eighty-two, in full possession of her faculties, who answered all our questions readily and freely. From her we gathered the following facts which should, once for all, dispel the mystery that has so long hung around the name of John Rutherford. He was born in the West of Ireland (Galway?) in 1829, and as a lad came with his parents to Liverpool, where her father was a professor of music. They were married in 1862 at the pro-cathedral in Liverpool, and two years afterwards came to London, where her husband underwent all the difficulties incidental to a literary man, friendless and unknown in the Metropolis. But by dint of. hard and unremitting endeavour, he slowly made his way, his first patron being the late: Frederick Greenwood, who employed him on the Pall Mall and Cornhill Magazine. His most successful book was Sketches from Shady Places, issued under the pen-name of “Thor Fredur”, an anagram of his own name and published by Smith, Elder, the proprietors of the two organs mentioned. These had originally appeared in the Pall Mall, and from a number of criticisms still piously preserved along with the MS. by the widow, we judge it met with a very favourable reception. He published other works under his own, and his pen-name, but in the case of his Secret History, he boldly placed his name on the title-page, and took full responsibility for every statement, contained therein. And this very boldness misled all enquirers! Nor did he cease here to place on record his knowledge of Fenians and Fenianism, often gained, as he told his wife, who acted as his amanuensis, at the risk of his own life, for in the Whitehall Review, for 29th November, 1879, he commenced over his pseudonym “Thor Fredur”, a series of articles entitled “Passages in the Career of a Fenian Conspirator”, dealing with the romantic side of that great movement. These have never been republished. He died on Advent Sunday, 1889. His widow describes him as kindly and home-loving, fond of his only child, his one fault—an uncertain temper, which we comforted her by saying, was a hereditary defect, derived from his ancestors, the ‘hot and hasty Rutherfords’, as Scott called them.

Ireland And Secret Printing: Henry R. Plomer’s article induces reference to the secrecy that attended the publication, and in some cases the printing of early Belfast tracts. Bern, the historian, says: ‘The printing business being thus fairly launched in the town was entered into with commendable activity, so much so as to attract the notice of the Church party.’ He then quotes Archbishop King as writing to the Archbishop of Canterbury in terms implying secret printing of ‘the Covenant’and the ‘Catechism’and such works. (J. W. K.)

“Reviews”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 11 (June, 1910), 151
The Hunger—Being Realities of the Famine years in Ireland, 1845 to 1848, by Andrew Merry (Andrew Melrose.) The inhabitants of a typical barony named Torrabegh—landlord and agent, priest and^, parson, peasant and ‘driver’ are here faithfully and graphically sketched by a practised pen, and the effects of the appaling famine on each painfully pictured. In reading the pages one feels as if the writer had been an eye-witness of the scenes so vividly described, so well is the atmosphere, as painters say, conveyed. The characters are painted to the life. The “People’s Larry” which in a measure recalls the Fintan Lalor of real life; Tony O’Donoghue the shop-keeper, with the great heart in the puny body; the searing parson, Jimmy Murray, kindest of muscular Christians, and the hedge—schoolmaster, live in these pages. A sympathetic study of a painful period—a book that will live.

“Queries”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 11 (June, 1910), 151
DANIEL MACLISE: I have almost ready a biography of Harrison Ainsworth which will be published shortly by Mr. John Lane. For the purposes of this book it is desired to trace the present representatives of Daniel Maclise the painter, who was an intimate friend of Ainsworth’s. Any one knowing the address of Miss Rhoda Banks or other member of the family of Mrs. Percival Weldon Banks (Maclise’s sister) will much oblige by communicating with Mr. Lane, or directly to: Yours faithfully Hill House, Southwold, Suffolk. (S. M. Ellis.)

PETER BURROWS: Can any of your readers supply me with particulars as to the family of Peter Burrows the famous barrister and judge of the Insolvent Debtors’ Court in Dublin, who died in London in1841? His nephew (also Peter Burrows) was clerk of the same Court, and what I want to arrive at is, who were the nephew’s father and mother? Please reply direct. 44, Crownhill Road, Willesden. (Henry R. Plomer.)

BELFAST HISTORIC SOCIETY: Of this Society I never heard, till the other day I came across an Address delivered to the Belfast His­toric Society, on the evening of the 9th September, 1830, being the opening of the Fifth Revived Session. By B[artholomew] T[eeling] Stannus, Lecturer On Elocution, Belfast College, Belfast: Printed by Joseph Smyth, High-street (1830), 36pp. Nothing distinctive about the aims of the Society can be learned from the address. It encour­aged debate; rejoiced that ‘the tocsin of freedom is ringing the knell of depotism’, and numbered ‘Drennan, Tennent, and Templeton’, among its ‘distinguished founders.’ Is the career of this Historic Society generally known? (Manchester. A. G.)

[Reply:] According to the Belfast Almanack for 1817, this Society was founded in September 1811, by ‘a few young men for their improve­ment in the knowledge of general history and of the British laws and constitution.’ Amongst its presidents, whose addresses have been published, were Sheridan Knowles, the dramatist, Prof. Cairns, and R. J. Tennant, M.P. It ceased about 1819, for it does not appear amongst the institutions of Belfast mentioned in the Almanack for the years 1820-22. The title-page of your pamphlet would imply that it was re­vived in 1825. We have a copy of the address delivered by James Hirst, President in 1831. Perhaps some of our Belfast readers could supply additional information. (J. S. Crone.)

THE ORIENTALIST: Who wrote The Orientalist, or Electioneering in Ireland; A Tale by Myself, 2 vols. (London, 1820)? I have seen it stated somewhere that the writer was a ‘Mrs. Purcell.’ Who was Mrs. Purcell? (X.Y.Z.)

HYACINTH O’GARA: Who wrote this tale?     (A.A.C.)

[Reply:] Mr. O’Donoghue in an article on Irish Novelists, which we hope to publish shortly, refers to ‘Rev. George Brittain, who wrote Hya­cinth O’Gara, and other religious tracts disguised as novels.’ (J. S. Crone.)

CORRECTION: I find from the Bulletin of the Henry Bradshaw Collection that a copy of Parthenissa is in the University Library, Cambridge. I was not aware of this when writing A Cork Biblio­graphical Puzzle, and wish to correct my erroneous statement on the point (No. X. p.129.) The imprint gives ‘London’, but Bradshaw con­sidered it was printed in Waterford. (E. R. McClintock Dix.)

“Replies”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 11 (June, 1910), 154
AMYAS GRIFFITH (see Vol. X, p.136): Benn errs in saying he was co-author ^, of the Series of Genuine Letters between Henry and Frances. These letters were written by Richard Griffith (for whom see the DNB), and his future wife, Elizabeth Griffith, the playwright and novelist. There is a memoir and portrait of Amyas Griffith in Exshaw’s Magazine (i.e. the Dublin reprint of The London Magazine) for December, 1785. An earlier account of him had appeared in The Hibernian Magazine for January, 1773. He was born in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, in 1746. An exemplar of his comedy, The Swaddler (1771), in which he is said ^-to have lampooned his own mother is in the Halliday Collection of pam­phlets, Vol. 362, R.I.A. It was apparently never acted. I have other details concerning him among my voluminous notes on the old Irish stage, and I should be glad to look these up on your correspondent’s behalf if he is writing any account of that forgotten notoriety. 32, Shelbourne Road, Dublin. (W. J. Lawrence.)

“Some Recent Opinions of the Press”, in The Irish Book Lover, Vol. I, No. 11 (June, 1910), 156
The Dublin Evening Telegraph ‘says:­ The Ferguson Centenary has pride of place in the May number of The Irish Book Lover, which publishes the eloquent oration spoken by Mr. F. J. Bigger at the poet’s grave in Donegore on the occasion of Ferguson’s 100th birthday. It is an eloquent tribute, worthy of both the orator and his theme. A Cork Bibliographical Puzzle contains some conundrums for those interested in the early printing presses in Ireland. An Old Book Lover contributes some notes on the historians of County Clare. Not a little mild amusement will be caused by the modest literary joke which a jury of London clubmen are said to have pronounced to be ‘the best sample of humour and instantaneous Irish wit on record.’ At any rate it seems to have been instantaneous. Amongst forthcoming works our contemporary mentions a volume of John Redmond’s Speeches on Home Rule, covering the period from 1883 to 1909. It will be edited and provided with an introduction by Barry O’Brien, and will be published by Fisher Unwin. Amongst the books reviewed is F. J. Bigger’s history of the Hearts of Steel in his The Ulster Land War of 1770, published by Sealey, Bryers’ and Walker. One is tempted to chuckle to find an omniscient pam­phleteer who recently assailed Parnell being taught how to spell John Mitchel’s name, being corrected as to Mr. Bryce’s nationality, and being gravely assured that he was wrong in his description of Douglas Hyde as ‘a Protestant clergyman from the West’, ap­parently confusing him with “George Birmingham”.