⸺ A DAUGHTER OF ERIN. Pp. 224. (Blackie). 2s. 6d. Well illustr. by G. Demain Hammond.
A bright little story, free from “problems,” “morals,” morbidness, and prejudice. It tells how Norah’s hostility and dislike to her cousin, John Herrick, gradually changes to love in spite of herself. Her old lover accepts the inevitable like a brave man, and loses his life in trying to do a service, for her sake, to the favoured suitor. The Irish characters are capitally sketched—Mrs. Ryan and Judy, the Rector’s housekeeper. Bertie, the spoilt little invalid, is drawn to the life. So, too, is the somewhat sententious old Rector.
FITZGERALD, John Godwin.
⸺ RUTH WERDRESS, FATHER O’HARALAN, AND SOME NEW CHRISTIANS. Pp. 340. (Blackwood). 6s.
An argument in narrative form against the celibacy of the Catholic priesthood. Ruth W., flying from a home made unhappy by evangelicalism, takes refuge with Fr. O’H., P.P. of Blossomvale, who receives her into the Catholic Church. Fr. O’H. falls madly in love with her, and there are a series of situations, compromising and equivocal in appearance. Under extraordinary circumstances the two are forced into a merely formal marriage. We need not reveal the sequel. There is a great deal about Catholic usages, priests, nuns, &c., with which the Author shows considerable superficial acquaintance. The Author is cautiously fair in detail, but the general impression produced is sometimes distinctly unfavourable to Catholicism. The New Christians are a sect of latter-day evangelicals whom the Author satirises severely. One scene we consider particularly offensive to Catholic feeling and highly improbable into the bargain.
[FITZGERALD, M. J.].
⸺ THE MAKING OF JIM O’NEILL. Pp. 140. 16mo. (C.T.S.I.: Iona Series). 1910.
The story of the course of a young man’s vocation to the priesthood, of his life at a typical Irish provincial seminary, and of his vacations at home. The doings of the seminarians are described frankly, not being at all idealised. The tale is pleasantly and plainly told, without much analysis of motive or of emotion. It is a vivid glimpse of the making of a priest.
FITZGERALD, Rev. T. A., O.F.M. Born Callan, Co. Kilkenny, 1862. Brought up in Thurles; ed. at Christian Bros. Schools and St. Patrick’s College. Became a Franciscan in 1879. Spent five years in Rome, and twenty in Australia. Since his return to Ireland has learned the Irish language, and has taken part in the revival movement. Witness his Stepping Stones to Gaeldom.