⸺ THE NORTHERN IRON. Pp. 320. (Maunsel). Bound in Irish linen. 1907. New ed. at 1s., 1909. Cheap ed. (Everett), 7d., 1912.
Scene: Antrim; a few incidents of the rising woven into a thrilling and powerful romance. Splendid portraits—the United Irishmen James Hope, Felix Matier, and Micah Ward, the loyal Lord Dunseverick, chivalrous and fearless, Finlay the Informer, and others. Vivid presentment of the feelings and ideas of the time, without undue bias, yet enlisting all the reader’s sympathies on the side of Ireland.
⸺ SPANISH GOLD. (Methuen). 6s. 1908. Cheap ed., 1s. (N.Y.: Doran). 1.20.
A comedy of Irish life, full of the most amusing situations. Scene: a lonely island off the coast of Connaught, in which treasure is hidden. The action consists of the adventures of various people who come to the island—an Irish chief secretary, a retired colonel, a baronet, a librarian, a Catholic priest, and a Protestant curate. This last, the Rev. J. J. Meldon, is a most original creation. There are touches of social satire throughout, but without bitterness or offensiveness.
⸺ THE SEARCH PARTY. Pp. 316. (Methuen). 6s. 1909. (N.Y.: Doran). 1.20.
“How a mad Anarchist made bombs in a lonely house on the west coast of Ireland, and imprisoned the local doctor for fear lest he should reveal the secret. Mr. Birmingham’s irresponsible gaiety and the knowledge of Irish character revealed in his more serious fiction carry the farce along at a fine pace.”—(Times Lit. Suppl.).
⸺ LALAGE’S LOVERS. Pp. 312. (Methuen). 6s. (N.Y.: Doran). 1.20. 1911.
The main idea—in so far as the book is serious—may be stated thus:—How much can one young person (aetat 14 sqq.) of perfect candour and fearlessness do to upset the peace of comfortable people, who are jogging along in the ruts of convention and compromise. Lalage begins with her governess, then tries the bench of bishops, but causes most consternation by disturbing an election with her Association for the Suppression of Public Lying. The whole is full of fun and laughter. L. has been well described as “an especially enterprising and slangy schoolboy in skirts.”
⸺ THE MAJOR’S NIECE. Pp. 302. (Smith, Elder). 6s. 1911.