A sympathetic picture of life in the Aran Islands, where existence is a struggle against the elements. There are typical characters, such as Honor, the saintly and patient, with her eyes on the life beyond, and Grania, young and impetuous, and longing for joy as she battles with the endless privations of her stern lot, and the lover, Irish alike in his goodness and in his vices. The success of this book exceeded even that of _Hurrish_. Swinburne thought it “just one of the most exquisite and perfect works of genius in the language” (in a letter). ⸺ MAELCHO. Pp. 418. (_Methuen_). 1_s._ (N.Y.: _Appleton_). 1.50. [1895]. 1905. Gloomy picture of misery and devastation during the Desmond rebellion. An English boy escaping from a night attack finds refuge in a Connemara glen among the native Irish (O’Flaherties), hideous wretches of savage appearance and uncouth tongue. Then comes a confused account of the melodramatic struggles of Fitzmaurice and his wild followers against the English, noble, steady, and civilized. There is a vague impression throughout of an Irish race without ideals or religion, inevitably losing ground, moved by no impulse but love of strife and cringing superstition. But the cruelties of the English at the time are not in any way slurred over. ⸺ TRAITS AND CONFIDENCES. Pp. 272. (_Methuen_) 6_s._ 1897. A volume of stories and sketches, founded for the most part on fact. Some are autobiographical episodes of childhood. There is an incident of ’98, an incident of the Land War, and two episodes of Irish history, the story of Geroit Mor, Earl of Kildare, and that of Art Macmurrough, told in vivid, romantic style without political bias. Again, there are extremely interesting “memories” of the Famine of 1846-7. On pages 142-150 is a remarkable description of Connemara. The story-telling is full of vivacity and picturesqueness, reminding one of French storytellers, such as Daudet. The book is filled from first to last with Ireland. ⸺ THE BOOK OF GILLY. Pp. 285. (_Smith, Elder_). Four illustr. by Leslie Brooke. 1906. Scene: a small island in Kenmare Bay. Gilly is an eight-year-old boy sent to Inishbeg for a few months by his father, Lord Magillicuddy, who is in India. The book makes a marvellous pen-picture of life and scenery in this remote corner of Ireland. =LAWLESS, Emily, and Shan F. BULLOCK.= ⸺ THE RACE OF CASTLEBAR. Pp. 364. (_Murray_). 6_s._ 1914.