DOWNE, Walmer.
⸺ BY SHAMROCK AND HEATHER. Pp. 325. (Digby, Long). 1898.
Scene: mainly in Ards of Down, near Strangford Lough, but shifts to Edinburgh, London, and Capetown. Theme: an American girl visiting her father’s native place in Ireland. Consists largely of gossip about the characters introduced, not rising above this level. The writer likes Ireland and the Irish, but knows little of them. There is an air of unreality and improbability about the whole book. Some prejudice against Church of Ireland clergymen is displayed.
DOWNEY, Edmund; “F. M. Allen.” Born (1856) and educated in Waterford. Being the son of a shipbroker, he came to know well the various sea types that frequent a port. Went to London at twenty-two, and became partner in the firm of Ward and Downey. Retired in 1890, and in 1894 founded Downey & Co. Both of these firms, especially the latter, did a great deal for the publishing of Irish books. His writings are many and varied. They include humorous sketches, extravaganzas, sea stories, fairy tales, sensational stories, a biography of Lever, a volume of reminiscences, and a history of Waterford, and the two novels, Clashmore and the Merchant of Killogue. He at present carries on a publishing business in Waterford.
⸺ IN ONE TOWN. (Ward & Downey). 2s. [1884].
A seafarer’s life ashore. Scene: a port not unlike Waterford. Many portraits of old salts, &c., drawn from life. Some descriptions of scenery. “By turns romantic, pathetic, and humorous”—(Review).
⸺ ANCHOR WATCH YARNS. Pp. 315. (Downey). [1884]. Seventh edition. n.d.
Yarns told in a quaint nautical lingo by old salts around the inn fire in a seaport town. The characters of the tellers are very cleverly brought out in the telling. Full of humour without mere farce.
⸺ THROUGH GREEN GLASSES. (Ward & Downey). Various prices from 6s. to 6d. [1887]. Many editions since.
This now famous book belongs to the same class as the Comic History of England, but its humour is much superior in quality. It consists of a series of historical or pseudo-historical episodes purporting to be related by a humorous Waterford countryman, Dan Banim, as seen from his point of view. Kings and princes, saints and ancient heroes, all play their parts in the delightful comedy, and talk in the broadest brogue. “From Portlaw to Paradise,” one of the best known, may be taken as a type. King James’s escape after the Boyne is also admirably done.