Red Hugh's Captivity. By Standish O'Grady. (Ward and Downey.)—This volume
gives a most curious and inter- esting glimpse into Irish affairs in Elizabeth's reign. " Red Hugh " was the son of one of the most powerful Irish chiefs, and was kidnapped by the Viceroy of the time, who used for his bait a ship laden with wines, and made a great "haul," so to speak, of Irish notables, who hastened on board to buy. The boy —he was not far in his teens—was taken to Dublin and kept in captivity. Once he escaped and was retaken. He escaped again and succeeded, though not without great peril of his life, his companion in his flight dying of hunger and exhaustion, a fate which Red Hugh seems to have avoided by eating leaves. A most picturesque book this, put together throughout with the care and the command of his subject which characterise the author's work. One may learn from it more about Ireland and the English rule than from many far more ambitious works. One thing, among others, comes prominently out, that the Irish at that time, whatever may be the case now, loved a vigorous rule. The very Viceroy who kidnapped Red Hugh left Ireland amidst regrets that were almost universal.
Previous page
