⸺ STORIES FOR CALUMNIATORS. Two Vols. (Dublin: Fitzpatrick). 1809.
“Interspersed with remarks on the disadvantages, misfortunes, and habits of the Irish.” Dedicated to Lord Holland. A remarkable book in many ways. Through the medium of three stories, largely based on fact, the Author sets forth instances of the sad aftermath of the rebellion, illustrating the tragic consequences that may ensue if those in authority listen to the voice of slander and condemn on suspicion. The stories are told to a Mr. Fitzmaurice by persons related to the victims, and Mr. F.’s own romance is interwoven with the tale. Incidentally the Author gives his own views on Irish politics, views full of the most kindly tolerance and of true patriotic feeling without ráiméis. He seems not a Catholic, but is most friendly towards Catholics. He is strongly in favour of the Irish language, of land reform, and of the higher education of women—astonishing views considering the period.
TURK, S. A.
⸺ THE SECRET OF CARRICFEARNAGH CASTLE. (Washbourne). 2s. [1912]. Second ed., 1915.
“It has a somewhat sensational plot; but it certainly displays the deep piety, patriotism, and Christian charity of Erin’s sons and daughters.”—(Publ.).
TYNAN, Katherine; Mrs. H. A. Hinkson. Born in Dublin, 1861, ed. Dominican Convent, Drogheda. Lived for many years in England, but now resides in Co. Mayo. Her stories aim at the purely romantic. As they are not concerned with the seamy side of life, their atmosphere is almost entirely happy and ideal. They are never morbid nor depressing. They do not preach, and are not of the goody-goody type. The style is pleasant and chatty, with plenty of colour, often full of the poet’s vivid sense impressions. The tone is thoroughly Catholic, the sentiment Irish. Mrs. Hinkson is a very prolific writer. Besides the novels mentioned, and several volumes of poems, she has written several novels which are not concerned with Ireland, e.g., A Red Red Rose, The Luck of the Fairfaxes, Dick Pentreath, For Maisie, Mary Gray, &c. In choice of subject she has made a speciality of broken-down gentlefolk, and often introduces Quakers into her stories.
⸺ A CLUSTER OF NUTS. Pp. 242. (Lawrence & Bullen). 1894.
Seventeen short sketches written for English periodicals. Subject: daily life of the peasantry—the village “characters,” a spoilt priest, the migrating harvesters, and a pathetic picture of a poor old village priest. Charming descriptions of scenery, not too long drawn out. Much tender and unaffected pathos.
⸺ AN ISLE IN THE WATER. Pp. 221. (Black). 1895.
Fifteen short pieces collected out of various English periodicals. The scene of about half of them is an unnamed island off the West coast. The scene of the other is Achill. The title does not cover the rest. Sketches chiefly of peasant life, in which narrative (sometimes told in dialogue) predominates. The stories are very varied. There are pathetic sketches of young girls: “Mauryeen,” “Katie,” “How Mary came Home”; tales of the supernatural, such as “The Death Spancel”; “A Rich Woman,” a racy story of legacy hunting; while heroic self-sacrifice is depicted in “The Man who was hanged” and “A Solitary.” The last two pieces in the book are not stories: they are musings or subjective impressions.