The Irish standard., 1905-04-08
1RELAND's STORY.
A Splendid School History from
Scholarly Pens.

OF the new History of Ireland by
Charles Johnson and Carita Spencer,
the versatile Myles j. Murphy has
written the following rather lengthy
review, which, on account of it's inter-
esting features, is given in full. A
copy of the book has reached The
Irish Standard Office and a perusal of
Its pages has convinced US that it
ranks among the best of Irish histori-
cal works. Mr.. Murphy says:
The best book of Irish history for
school use which has appeared up to
the present time, has just been sent
out from the press of Messrs. Hough-
ton, Miff1in & Co. 1t is written by two
authors, Charles johnson and Carita
Spencer. The first is already favor
ably known to readers of Irish history
by the delightful book, ireland, His
toric and Picturesque" which ap-
peared two years ago. His co-author,
Miss Carita Spencer, is graduate of
Columbia College, and a very clever
writer. Her share in the work covers
certain periods, especially the great
missionary epoch from the seventh to
the tenth centuries, and the period Of
the penal laws. She is also to be cred
tied with the arrangement of the book
for the use of schools. The two part
Ey,n tn 6n
ital book.
"Ireland's Story" runs to over 400
pages, and contains more matter con-
densed within that space than any his
tory I have ever seen. The entire
story of Ireland, from the coming of
the Tuatha De Dananns, additionally
fixed at about 1000 B. c., up to the
passage of Wyndham's land purchase
BILL in November. 1903, lies between
| it's covers. All is told in the simplest
most direct form, and has the addi-
tional merit of being told interestingly
No child can read it without becoming
fascinated. 1t is as absorbing for
adults, and ! confess to having read
chapter after chapter with as keen a
delight as any youngster who loves
tales of chivalry and daring. AS a
reference book, for students of Irish
history it is invaluable. There is a
conciseness about the way in which
each epoch is treated, so that a busy
reader can get all the facts and data,
so to speak, in nutshell.
Mr. Johnston brings the Tuatha De
| Dananns from the Baltic shores,
across the North sea, around the capes
and islands of Scotland into Tough
Foyle. To this race he attributes the
| building of the great pyramids along
the Boyne, and gives two pictures, an
exterior and interior view, of the Tum-
illus of Newgrange. The Dananns
were not the first to arrive in Ireland,
however; they found the Firbolgs
| there before them, but conquered the
latter and became masters of the
island. The origin of the Firbolgs is
not accounted for; we find them al
ready in possession, side by side with
another dark-haired race, the Fomori-
ans, from whom the dark-haired Celts
of today are descended. The Fomori-
ans seem to have come from the vicin-
ity of Gibraltar, passing through Spain
and France on their way to Ireland.
The Milesians were next to arrive,
coming from Central Europe. Agricul.
ture was introduced by the Sons of
Mild, and the fine arts were developed
by them. Dyes for coloring textile fab
RIGS we're made, blue, purple and green
being the three earliest. To these
we're soon added a rich red, a yellow
pink and other colors. The same col
ors were later used in the illuminated
manuscript, like the Book Of Kells
Irish kings had the right to wear gar
tments woven in seven colors, the
Igreater chiefs wore six, and so in. q
descending scale, rank and family be
ing shown in the colors of dress, as IL
the Highland class.
Much of the traditional literature
has been included in q concise way
the great Ossianic Saga being brief!
and clearly outlined, as is also tn.
story of Cuchullin.
One of the most interesting chapter
is that in which the reader is intro
duced to the, story Of. Saint Patrick
Here We get the famous Confession,
leo seldom seen in histories, although