⸺ JANE SINCLAIR; or, The Fawn of Springvale. [1849].
A melancholy story of middle-class life, with many truthful touches, but overcharged with a sentiment that to modern taste appears somewhat strained and somewhat insipid. Contains a highly eulogistic portrait of a dissenting minister, John Sinclair—Calvinistic, didactic, but warm-hearted and truly charitable.
⸺ TALES AND SKETCHES OF IRISH LIFE AND CHARACTER. (Dublin). Plates by Phiz. 1845. This is the original 1s. edition of the following and Amusing Irish Tales, ante.
⸺ TALES AND SKETCHES OF THE IRISH PEASANTRY. 1851.
Is as good as the Traits, and has, moreover, little that is objectionable.
⸺ THE SQUANDERS OF CASTLE SQUANDER. [1852]. Two Vols. Pp. 326 + 311. Illustr.
An attempt to present the life of the gentry, a task for which Carleton was imperfectly qualified. “It reminds one,” says Mr. O’Donoghue, “at a superficial examination, of Lever, but is far inferior to any of that writer’s works. It is full of rancour and rage, and makes painful and exasperating reading: the best that can be said for it is that there are pages here and there not unworthy of the Author’s better self. The latter part of the book is an acrid political argument.” There is an amusing story of a trick played upon a gauger.
⸺ WILLY REILLY AND HIS DEAR COLLEEN BAWN. (Duffy). 2s. [1855]. 1908.
Introduction by E. A. Baker, M.A., LL.D., who included this in his series, “Half-Forgotten Books.” (Routledge). 2s. 1904. The most popular of Carleton’s works, having passed through more than fifty large editions. A pleasant, readable romantic melodrama, founded on the famous ballad, “Now rise up, Willy Reilly,” which refers to an episode of the Penal days, c. 1745-52. It is practically free from political and religious bias, but is greatly inferior to his earlier works.