“Katharine Tynan, in her gentle way, puts before us the growing up of the boy Pat in ignorance of the disgrace (a jewel robbery) of his mother and the suicide of his father, and the effect upon him of the disclosure. A lovable and spiritual Father Peter plays a leading part in it all.”—(T. Litt. Suppl.). Pat finds his mother in time to comfort her deathbed, and in the end marries an old friend. Somewhat vague, and not free from inconsistencies.
⸺ COUNTRYMEN ALL. Pp. 238. (Maunsel). 2s. 1915.
A volume of stories and sketches, very varied in its contents, from well-told but rather unconvincing little melodramas like “The Fox Hunter” and “John ’a Dreams” to very vivid glimpses of life, choses vues et vécues. These show various sides of Irish life and character; an unpleasant side in “The Ruling Passion” (a woman discussing her own funeral with her daughter), as well as the pleasant and lovable aspects. “The Mother” and “The Mother of Jesus” are little studies of exquisite tenderness. Several of the sketches are humorous, for instance the weird episode, “Per istam sanctam unctionem,” related by a priest. The scene of several seems to be the neighbourhood of Dublin.
⸺ THE HOUSE OF THE FOXES. Pp. 307. (Smith, Elder). 6s. 1915.
The Turloughmores are overshadowed by a curse made long ago by an old woman wounded to death by the hounds of a former Lord T. when hunting. According to the curse, every head of the house must die a violent death, in forewarning of which foxes will be seen in twos and threes about the house for some time before. The actual Lord T. is expected home from his yachting cruise, his wife ever in dread of the doom. He is wrecked and apparently lost, but Meg Hildebrand, who is staying at the castle, discovers the almost dying lord in mysterious circumstances. He dies in his bed, his heir is married into a lucky house, and the curse is said to be lifted. Founded on a legend (still current) of a well-known Irish family. Many threads of various interest are woven into the tale.
⸺ MEN, NOT ANGELS, and Other Tales told to Girls. (Burns & Oates). 3s. 6d. Many full-p. illustr. 1915.
Dainty stories, healthy and pleasant in tone, not weakly sentimental, definitely Catholic in character. Laid in various countries—England, France, Switzerland, as well as Ireland. Sympathetic studies of priests.
UPTON, W. C.
⸺ UNCLE PAT’S CABIN. Pp. vi. + 284. (Gill). 1882.