The Book of Erin. By J. Morrison Davidson. (W. Reeves.)—
Mr. Davidson professes to "tell the story of Ireland to the new Democracy." He describes himself as " Scotissimus Scotorum," and we may describe him as "Hibernia Hibernior." Early in his book he quotes Tacitus ; but why does he not give the whole passage? It is a significant story, and gives the key to much in Irish his- tory. The Romans were applied to for help by a regulus who had been expelled by a faction at home (dornestica seditione pulsus). Of course, the after-story is told in the tone and temper that one
' would expect. The book, indeed, would be unworthy of notice but for the light that it throws on the views of the Irish extremists. There is to be, Mr. Davidson hopes, a federation of "four peoples," and he actually seems to think that we have a model for such a federation in the States. Does that Government, then, consist of thirty-four peoples ? Mr. Gladstone is only "the best of the cut- throats," according to Mr. Davidson; his two Bills of 1886 were "two of the most portentous measures on record;" he sought by the one "to reduce Irelaaadto theposition of an unrepresented, tribute- paying suzerainty," and by the other to "substitute for the six thou- sand Irish landlords," say sixty thousand, mostly absentee, owners." The GLad.stoniasis must be very much inspirited when they read such language from the men for whom they have sacrificed everything. Of course, Mr. Davidson has not a word of thanks for the public and private efforts made by England in the years of famine ; and, equally of course, he repeats the now historic blunder by which Mr. Mulhall multiplied the number of persons evicted into 3,668,000. And this man pretends to teach the new democracy
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