⸺ NORTHERN IRISH TALES. Two Vols. 8vo. (London). 1818.
“Stanley,” the first tale tells the adventures of a young profligate, son of a Derry Alderman, chiefly in Dublin. After life of debauch he gets married, but goes bankrupt. His wife dies, he attempts suicide, is rescued, and plunges once more into vice. The rest of the story tells of his determined pursuit of a young lady, ending in a murder for which he is tried and hanged. It is founded on a romantic episode well known in Ulster, the courtship and murder of Miss Knox, of Prehen, near Derry, by Macnaughton, and his subsequent execution for the crime. “Nelson” is a story of the American Revolutionary War. Vol. II. contains only one tale, “Lesley.” The hero is a North of Ireland man, whose travels and love adventures on the Continent and at home are described. The Author indulges in a good deal of moralizing.
⸺ CHARLTON; or, Scenes in the North of Ireland. Three Vols. 12mo. (London). [1823]. New edition, 1827.
Depicts, with sympathy for the views of the United Irishmen, the state of Ireland during the years that immediately preceded the rebellion. The hero is a young surgeon in a N. of Ireland town who is tricked into becoming a United Irishman, and leads the rebels at Ballynahinch. Under the name of Dimond the Rev. James Porter is introduced, and many quotations are made from his satire “Billy Bluff.” Northern dialect very well done.
GAUGHAN, Jessie. Born in Shropshire; one parent Irish, the other Scotch. Educated in Paisley and in Ursuline Convent, Sligo. Besides the book here mentioned she has publ. serially in I.M. The Brooch of Lindisfarne, and has in preparation a story dealing with Ireton’s days in Limerick.
⸺ THE PLUCKING OF THE LILY. Pp. 220. (Washbourne). 1912.
Reprinted from I.M. 1911-2. A charming little story of Elizabethan times in Ireland (c. 1589-94), telling the love-story of Eileen daughter of Earl Clancarthy and Florence M’Carthy. Their love is crossed by the policy of Elizabeth, who, for State purposes, wants an English husband for Eileen, and not till the end are the two lovers united again. The historical setting and colouring are accurate, but never interfere with the story. The tone is Catholic, but not obtrusively so. Good portrait of Elizabeth. Burleigh (in a favourable light), Sir Warham St. Leger, and other historical personages appear.
GAY, Mrs. Florence, née Smith. Born in Molong, N.S.W., Australia. Is an ardent imperialist, but proud of the strain of Celtic blood in her family, and sympathetic towards Ireland. Resides in Surrey.
⸺ DRUIDESS, THE. Pp. 195. (Ouseley). 2s. 6d. 1908.
Cormac, a youth of Pictish royal blood, has a mission from his dying father to rescue from the Saxons the mother of his intended bride. His adventures in carrying out this mission bring him from Damnonia (between the Yeo and the Axe) to Ireland (Glendalough, Tailltenn, Donegal). He is present at the half-pagan festival of Beltaine, and at the Convention of Drumceat. At the latter he meets St. Columba, who is sympathetically described. The story deals largely with the lingerings of Paganism in Ireland. Several battles between Saxons and Britons are described. The savage manners of the time are pictured with realistic vividness. The wild scenes of adventure follow one another without a pause. Intended for “boys and others.”