The Liberator: his Life and Times, Political, Social, and Religious.
By M. F. Cusack. (Longman.)—Here is a "Christmas book" for Home Rulers. We have read Miss Cusack's preface attentively, and though it seems to us slightly incoherent—probably became we are too dull to follow the rapid transitions of Celticliglight—we have gathered from it that any criticism of her work proceeding from this part of the world would not be appreciated. It seems that an Englishman is not at liberty to express an opinion on Irish affairs or Irish character. Such an expression is "verbal molestation ;" it is a continuance in another form of the tortures of the old regime. We shall, therefore, confine our criticism of The Liberator to neutral matters. The volume, then, before us has a handsome exterior, gorgeous with green and gold, and adorned with medallions,—O'Connell being surrounded with the likenesses of Grattan, Burke, Dayle, and Curran. The typography is excellent, though we think that the borders round the pages might have been more sparingly employed. It wearies the eye to find every page thus ornamented. The illustrations, both as drawings and engravings, are of very indifferent quality. Curiously enough, there it neither a satis- factory portrait of O'Connell himself among them, nor anything more than a vignette of Darrynane Abbey. It is remarkable that in so elaborate a biography, we cannot get a clear idea of the outward aspect either of the man or of his dwelling.
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