An imitation of the Somerville and Ross stories, but with their leading features exaggerated. For Flurry we have Fossy, for Slipper Tinsy Conroy. Instead of by an R.M. the stories are told by a young D.I. There is the same background of comic and filthy peasants, the same general Irish slovenliness and happy-go-luckiness, and universal drunkenness. The brogue is made the most of. Moonlighters of a very sinister kind appear once or twice. The incidents are such as hunting, racing, the local horseshow, country petty sessions, &c. They are very well told, with a jaunty style, and in a vein of broad comedy. There is a chapter purporting to relate experiences in “The Black North,” but for the most part the scene is West Cork. Some of these sketches appeared in the Badminton Magazine.
⸺ BYRNES OF GLENGOULAH, THE. Pp. 362. (U.S.A.)
“The incidents related in this tale really and truly occurred, though not in the consecutive order in which they are placed” ... viz., “the trial and execution, in February, 1846, at the town of Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, of Bryan Seery for the murder of Sir Francis Hopkins, Bart.” “The characters introduced are all real.” (Pref.) A sad and touching story of the heartless treatment of the Irish peasantry by certain of the landlords, picturing the deep religious faith of the former, and their patient resignation in their sufferings. The plot, which is vigorously worked out, centres in the execution of Bryan Seery for the attempted murder of Sir Francis Hopkins, a crime of which he was innocent.
⸺ CAVERN IN THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS, THE; or, Fate of the O’Brien Family. Two Vols. 12mo. (Dublin, printed for the Author). 1821.
Told in letters between “Augustus Tranton” and “Sir Edward Elbe.” Said on title-p. to be “a tale founded on facts.” Seems to be a re-issue in a slightly altered form of The United Irishman, q.v. The story is related to “Aug. Tranton” by a gentleman (O’Brien) who had been a U.I., and as a result had lost all, and was then in hiding in a cave near the Dargle river.
⸺ CHARACTERISTIC SKETCHES OF IRELAND AND THE IRISH. 16mo. Pp. 288. (Halifax). 1849.
A reprint of an earlier publication by Philip Dixon Hardy, the fourth edition of which appeared in 1842. Contents: I. By Carleton:—“The Horse Stealers,” “Owen McCarthy,” “Squire Warnock,” “The Abduction,” “Sir Turlough.” II. By Lover:—“A Legend of Clanmacnoise” (sic), “Ballads and Ballad Singers,” “Paddy Mullowney’s Travels in France.” III. By Mrs. Hall:—“The Irish Agent,” “Philip Garraty.”
⸺ CHARLES MOWBRAY; or, Duelling, a tale founded on fact. Pp. 82. (Cork). 1847.
By the author of “The Widow O’Leary.” Dr. B., whose parents live at Y. (probably Youghal), has a practice in England. He is challenged to fight a duel by Sir J. C. He is killed, and his parents both die from the shock. A dull little book, with much moralising.