⸺ THE CUCHULLIN SAGA IN IRISH LITERATURE. Pp. lxxx. + 316. (Nutt). 1898.
A collection of fourteen stories relating to Cuchulin, translated from the Irish by various scholars (Meyer, O’Curry, Stokes, Windisch, O’Grady, Duvan, &c.). A more valuable work, says Fiona MacLeod (in substance), for students of Gaelic legend and literature than the more recent works by Lady Gregory. The book is not cast in an artistic mould. It merely contains the rude materials from which epic and lyric inspiration may be drawn. Important and valuable Introduction deals with literary qualities of the Saga, its historical aspects and its mythology. Map of Ireland to illustrate Cuchulin Saga. Appendix contains chart of Cuchulin Saga. Notes pp. 289-297.
⸺ CUCHULAIN, THE HOUND OF ULSTER. Pp. 279. (Harrap). 5s. net. Illustr. in colour by Stephen Reid. [1909].
Intended for young, but not very young readers. Told in modern language, free from Gaelicisms, archaisms, and difficult names. The story is continuous, not told in detached episodes. The style, though without the strange wild grandeur of Standish O’Grady, is on the whole beautiful. The story itself is full of the spirit of heroism and chivalry. It is selected and adapted from many sources (indicated in Appendix), and the epic narrative is not mixed with puerile or absurd episodes. Some of the illustrations are excellent, others tend, perhaps, too much to quaintness.
HUME, Martin.
⸺ TRUE STORIES OF THE PAST. Pp. xi. + 226. (Eveleigh Nash). 5s. net. 1911.
Ed. with introd. by R. B. Cunningham Grahame. Eight stories from History. i. “How Rizzio was Avenged;” ii. “A Rebellious Love-match;” iii. “Prince and Pastry Cook;” iv. “The Revenge of John Hawkins;” v. “The Scapegoat;” vi. “Sir Walter [Raleigh]’s Homecoming;” vii. “Cloth of Gold and Frieze.” Some of these treat of the amours of great personages. Their standpoint is, of course, English and Protestant. viii. “The Last Stand of the O’Sullivans” is told with much spirit, and with sympathy for the Irish cause. It does not include the famous retreat of the O’Sullivans.
HUNGERFORD, Mrs. Born 1855. Daughter of Canon Hamilton, Rector of Ross, Co. Cork. Ed. in Ireland. Her early home was St. Brenda’s, Co. Cork. Wrote upwards of forty-six novels dealing with the more frivolous aspects of modern society. They had a great vogue in their day. The most popular of all was, perhaps, Molly Bawn (1878). Most of her books appeared Anon. Her plots are poor and conventional, but she possessed the faculty of reproducing faithfully the tone of contemporary society. She died at Bandon 1897.—(D.N.B.).
⸺ MOLLY BAWN. (Smith, Elder). 6s. and 2s. (Boston: Caldwell). 0.75. [1878].
“A love tale of a tender, but frivolous and petulant Irish girl, who flirts and arouses her lover’s jealousy, and who offends against the conventions in all innocence. A gay and witty story spiced with slang, and touched with pathos.”—(Baker).