Animated as he is by hope for Ireland he discards flattery and flummery, and some of his criticisms of the existing state of affairs, particularly the influence of the clergy in politics, will produce a deep impression, and perhaps provoke fierce rejoinders. These remarks apply not to the priests only, but to their Orange confreres. His fervent desire is to see religious strife and bigotry eliminated from Irish public life.
On the whole the book is both conciliatory and unifying, and the true way of Ireland's concord with England is pointed out. While daringly thrusting his hand into the furnace of burning questions of the day, the author has written in an easy, discursive style, lightening the pages by humourous touches, after the manner of his "Human Documents," or by graphic personal descriptions of famous men—such as Parnell, Davitt and Synge—whom he has encountered in his career. He prefers to illustrate a point by anecdote rather than belabour it by an argument.
One of the chapters is in part Autobiographical; another chapter speaks of Parliament, with piquant notes of irony; a fresh and lively discussion of Irish Literature illustrates the author's characteristic style of uttering deep sayings in a light mood; whilst another chapter, dealing with the Irish in America, will be read with peculiar interest at the present time.
Altogether an original, bold, sincere, and, above all, upbuilding book.
MARCHING SONGS.
A pocket book for our soldiers.
In cloth limp, 6d. net.
"A merry heart goes all the day—your sad tires in a mile-a." Every soldier knows that without the rousing song each mile grows longer and longer. The object of this little handbook of melody is to help our weary warriors on their way. Songs which they sang as boys, and still sing as men, are here collected—songs with stirring tunes, swinging choruses, and all in correct time for marching. There is nothing to learn; half the men in a Company would already know both the words and music of most, and the book is but a peg for the memory. To suit all, the tunes are given in the old, and in the tonic-sol-fa notation.
THE PRINCESS MATHILDE BONAPARTE