⸺ BALLYBLUNDER: an Irish story. Pp. 291. (London: Parker). 1860.
Scene: the N.E. coast of Ireland, with its rugged rocks and lofty cliffs. The plot concerns the kindly family of “Ballyblunder,” on whose estate sheep are constantly being killed. A priest instigates to the crime, and encourages the perpetrators. Mr. Kindly’s son goes out to track the sheep-killers; a friend of his is murdered, and Brady, the murderer, falls off a cliff and is killed. The Kindlys eventually sell the estate. Some social scenes are interspersed. Written in a spirit of religious intolerance.
⸺ BALLYRONAN.
“A wonderfully interesting story, written in an easy, rattling style, with cleverly conceived plot, abundant humour, and no lack of incident. There is an unmistakably Irish atmosphere about it, and it bespeaks an intimate personal knowledge of the people, not only in regard to their speech, but also as to many of their characteristic ways and customs.”—(Press Notices).
⸺ BLACK MONDAY INSURRECTION. Pp. 135-328.
Bound up with “The Puritan,” q.v. The story opens at Bandon with the rescue of two of the principal characters who had been kidnapped by Rapparees. Then follows the taking of Bandon by McCarthy More. The battles of the Boyne and Aughrim, the sieges of Athlone and Limerick are also dealt with, the two latter being described in detail. Standpoint: Williamite. The Irish are “barbarians,” “brave and savage bacchanalians;” the Rapparees are “infernal banditti,” &c., but on the whole the tone is not violent. Through it all runs an interesting and curious story of the private fortunes of several persons. See The Last of the O’Mahonys.
⸺ BOB NORBERRY; or, Sketches from the Note Book of an Irish Reporter; ed. by “Captain Prout.” Pp. 360. Eighteen good illustr. by Henry MacManus, A.R.H.A., and others. Dedicated to C. Bianconi. (Duffy). 1844.
The Author (Pref.) tells us that he has written the book to vindicate the character of his countrymen, and to show Irish affairs to Englishmen in their true light. Accordingly we have, not so much a novel, as a series of crowded canvases depicting nearly every phase of life in Ireland from a period before the Union to the date of this book. It begins with the marriage of the hero’s grandparents in Dublin at the end of the 18th century (1780). We have a glimpse of penal laws at work and of agrarian disturbances, but the Author is especially at pains all through the book to set forth how the law works in Ireland. There are swindling attorneys, bribed and perjured jurors, packed benches, partisan judges, endless proceedings in Chancery, and so on. Young Bob is sent first to a private school, then to Stonyhurst (an account is given of the Jesuits). He is first intended for the priesthood and goes to Louvain, but finally becomes a reporter on a Dublin paper. Here we have a picture of low journalism. Bob shows up several frauds of self-styled philanthropists, describes trial at Assizes of Lord Strangeways’ evicted tenants. This brings in much about the agrarian question. The book ends with his elopement to the Continent and marriage with Lady Mary Belmullet. There are innumerable minor episodes and pictures. There is no literary refinement in the style, and the colours of the picture are laid on thickly.
⸺ BRIDGET SULLIVAN; or, The Cup without a Handle. A Tale. 1854.
⸺ BY THE BROWN BOG; by “Owen Roe and Honor Urse.” Pp. 296. (Longmans). Illustr. by silhouettes. 1913.