The scene is Kilkenny. The hero is an Irish country priest. The character, modelled strictly (see Pref.) on that of a priest well known to the author, is one of the noblest in fiction. He is the ideal Irish priest, almost childlike in simplicity, pious, lavishly charitable, meek and long-suffering, but terrible when circumstances roused him to action. Interwoven with his life-story is that of Neddy Fennell, his orphan protégé, brave, honest, generous, loyal. Father Connell is his ministering angel, warding off suffering and disaster, saving him also from himself. The last scene, where, to save his protégé from an unjust judicial sentence, Father Connell goes before the Viceroy, and dies at his feet, is a piece of exquisite pathos. There is an element of the sombre and the terrible. But the greater part of the book sparkles with a humour at once so kindly, so homely, and so delicate, that the reader comes to love the Author so revealed. The episodes depict many aspects of Irish life. The character-drawing is masterly, as the best critics have acknowledged. There is Mrs. Molloy, Father Connell’s redoubtable housekeeper; Costigan, the murderer and robber; Mary Cooney, the poor outcast and her mother, the potato-beggar; and many more. The Author faithfully reproduces the talk of the peasants, and enters into their point of view. Acknowledged to be the most pleasing of the Banims’ novels. ⸺ THE GHOST HUNTER AND HIS FAMILY. (_Simms & M’Intyre_). [1833]. 1852. Still published by P. J. Kenedy, New York: 75 cents. An intricate plot skilfully worked out, never flagging, and with a mystery admirably sustained to the end. Gives curious glimpses of the life of the times (early nineteenth century), as seen in a provincial town (Kilkenny). But the style often offends against modern taste. The book soon turns to rather crude, if exciting, melodrama. Moreover, though the Author is always on the side of morality, there is too much about abduction, &c., and too many references to the loose morals of the day to make it suitable reading for certain classes. ⸺ THE TOWN OF THE CASCADES. Two Vols. Pp. 283 + 283. (_Chapman & Hall_). 1864. Scene: sea-board town in West. A powerful story in which the chief interest is a tragedy brought about by drink. The town seems to be Ennistymon, Co. Clare. The characters belong to the peasant class, and of course are drawn with thorough knowledge. The work could easily go in one not very large volume. =“BAPTIST, Father”= _see_ =Mgr. R. B. O’BRIEN=. =BARBOUR, M. F.= ⸺ THE IRISH ORPHAN BOY IN A SCOTTISH HOME. Pp. 87. (LONDON). [1866]. 1872. “A sequel to ‘The Way Home,’ &c.” A little religious tract (Protestant) in story form. =BARDAN, Patrick.= ⸺ THE DEAD-WATCHERS. Pp. 83. (MULLINGAR: _Office of_ WESTMEATH GUARDIAN). 1891.