⸺ PADDIANA; or, Scraps and Sketches of Irish Life, Past and Present. Two Vols. (Bentley). [1847]. Second ed. 1848.
By the Author (an Englishman, see p. 2) of A Hot Water Cure. Contents:—1. “Mr. Smith’s Irish Love.” 2. “Mick Doolan’s Head.” 3. “Still-Hunting.” 4. “A Mystery among the Mountains.” 5. “The Adventure of Tim Daley.” 6. “Mrs. Fogarty’s Tea Party.” 7. “A Quiet Day at Farrellstown.” 8. “A Duel.” 9. “Mr. H⸺.” 10. “The Old Head of Kinsale.” 11. “Barney O’Hay.” 12. “Headbreaking.” 13. “Cads, Fools, and Beggars.” 14. “The Mendicity Association.” 15. “The Dog-Fancier.” 16. “Dublin Carmen.” 17. “Horses.” 18. “Priests: Catholic and Others.” 19. “An Irish Stew.” Vol. II.—1. “Executions.” 2. “Ronayne’s Ghost.” 3. “The Last Pigtail.” 4. “The Green Traveller.” 5. “Larry Lynch.” 6. “Potatoes.” Then (pp. 142-275) follows “Irish History”—scraps from various Irish annals and histories, told in a facetious and anti-Irish spirit. All the old calumnies are raked up and set down here. The Author concludes that the Irish are an uncivilized people, and that their national character is “a jumble of contradictions.” The stories are told with considerable verve.
BLESSINGTON, Countess of. Marguerite Power, born near Clonmel, 1789, daughter of Edmund Power and Ellen Sheehy. In 1818 she married the Earl of Blessington, and became a leader of society in London, afterwards in Paris, and then again in London. Wrote upwards of thirty books—novels, travel, reminiscences, &c. Died 1849.
⸺ THE REPEALERS; or, Grace Cassidy. (London). [1833].
“Contains scarcely any plot and few delineations of character, the greater part being filled with dialogues, criticisms, and reflections. Her ladyship is sometimes sarcastic, sometimes moral, and more frequently personal. One female sketch, that of Grace Cassidy, a young Irish wife, shows that the Author was most at home among the scenes of her early days.”—(Chambers’ Cyclopædia of English Literature).
⸺ COUNTRY QUARTERS. Three Vols. (London: Shoberl). [1850]. Port. Second ed. 1852.
In Vol. I., pp. iii.-xxiii., memoir of Author by M. A. P. Scene: South of Ireland (descriptions of Glanmire and references to Waterford and to the Blackwater), among county and garrison people. There is a great deal about their courtships and marriages, much small talk and pages of reflections. Grace, the heroine, is loved by two officers, friendly rivals. Mordaunt makes Vernon propose. V. is refused, but M. is too poor to marry. However, after many vicissitudes, Grace is united to M. Full of sentimentality.
BLOOD SMITH, Miss, [see “DOROTHEA CONYERS.”]
BODKIN, M. M’Donnell, K.C.; County Court Judge of Clare since 1907. Born 1850. Son of Dr. Bodkin, of Tuam, Co. Galway. Educated at Tullabeg Jesuit College; Catholic University. Was for some years Nationalist M.P. for North Roscommon. Besides works of fiction, has published an historical work on Grattan’s Parliament. Resides in Dublin.—(Who’s Who).