=MATURIN, Charles Robert.= 1782-1824. Born in Dublin, and educated at Trinity College. Was a clergyman of the Church of Ireland, and all his life the sworn enemy of Catholicism and of Presbyterianism, both of which, especially the latter, he treats unsparingly in some of his books. Besides his novels he wrote tragedies, such as “Bertram,” and bloodcurdling melodramas, such as “Fredolpho.” In his way of life he was somewhat of an oddity—the madness of genius, his admirers said—and this is reflected in his works. “His romances attracted Scott and Byron, and many critics have given them great though qualified praise. Bombastic extravagance of language, tangled plots, and impossible incidents characterize them all. A remarkable eloquence in descriptions of turbulent passion is his strong point.” Besides the novels mentioned below, he wrote _Melmoth, the Wanderer_, generally considered his masterpiece, and “_The Albigenses_, his last and best (1824), which was pronounced by BLACKWOOD to be ‘four volumes of vigour, extravagance, absurdity, and splendour’” (compiled from Krans and Read). It should be noted that this writer sometimes violates good morals by indecency. Mr. N. Idman, of Lotsgotan, Helsingfors, Finland, is at present engaged on a study of M. which he intends to publish. The 1892 ed. of _Melmoth_ contains an introductory memoir of M., a bibliography, and a criticism of each of his works. ⸺ THE WILD IRISH BOY. Three Vols. 12mo. (LONDON). [1808]. 1814, 1839. Republ. in “The Romancists’ and Novelists’ Library,” two vols. (_Clements_), 1839. The original ed. was anon.—by the Author of “Montorio” [_i.e._, “Dennis Jasper Murphy”]. Intended as an exposition of the unhappy condition of Ireland and as a picture of the life and manners of the time. The former is soon lost sight of, but the latter is well carried out. The hero is a strong Nationalist who works wholly for Ireland’s cause. Apart from this graver purpose, interest is sustained by a succession of exciting incidents and by good character drawing. There is little plot, a great deal of sentiment, and a great many disreputable intrigues, without, however, objectionable details. The scene varies between Dublin and the W. of Ireland—life in the family of a Protestant landowner and in that of a Catholic feudal chief. Period, _c._ 1806-8. The society depicted is that of the aristocratic classes. Author’s standpoint full of sympathy and even admiration for Ireland, strongly Protestant (Ch. of I.) and anti-“Roman.” ⸺ LE JEUNE IRLANDAIS. Four Vols. (PARIS). 1828. Traduction per Madame la Comtesse de Molé. ⸺ THE MILESIAN CHIEF. Four Vols. 12mo. (LONDON). 1812.