IN IRELAND BY REV. M. O'RIORDAN, D.Ph., D.D., D.C.L. If a man will make courtesy and say nothing, he is virtuous." -SHAKESPEARE (Henry IV.) Tempus tacendi et tempus loquendi. FOURTH EDITION. LONDON: KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., LTD., ST. LOUIS, MO. B. HERDER. 1906 PREFACE. The following pages have been arranged from a series of criticisms which have appeared during the past year on questions raised by Sir Horace Plunkett in his book, "Ireland in the New Century":-But whilst his book has been the occasion of them, their scope is more general. As readers will at once observe, passages are quoted from it, and merely used as texts for the general discussion of those questions which he has raised. Sir Horace represents a certain phase of thought; and I have taken him to be as sincere in his criticism as I believe him to be earnest in his work. Several books have recently been published for the purpose of pointing out that things are very wrong with Catholics in general, but most of all with the Catholics of Ireland. These compilations are however privileged, at any rate as far as I am concerned. To touch them would be to touch pitch. But Sir Horace lives on a higher plane, and thinks in another sphere. Moreover, he has given. proof that he is in earnest by the work which he has done, and is doing, for his country. Those others are not known to have ever done much that is useful for anybody, some of them have succeeded in doing but little for themselves. In an Epilogue which he has added to a Popular Edition of his book he thus refers to the contents of the following pages:-"I have not a word to say against its tone, but the writer frequently reads into my words propositions which I certainly never intended to advance." I think it right to place in this Preface his own testimony that I have tried to treat him fairly. Whether I |