In the 18th century the volume of Anglo Irish literature is greatly increased. The first great names that strike us are those of Jona than Swift, Sir Richard Steele, and 'George Berkeley (qq.v.). Thomas Parnell (1679-1718), member of a family which has played a promi nent part in Irish affairs, was born in Dublin. Entering the Church he became archdeacon of Clogher and rector of Finglas. He contributed to the Spectator and Guardian, and was one of the original members of the famous Scriblerus Club. He wrote much verse. 'A Hymn to Contentment,' 'A Night-piece on Death,' and 'The Hermit' are the best remembered of his works. Francis Hutcheson (1694-1746), born in County Down, was elected a professor at the University of Glasgow in 1729. He occu pies a leading place in the history of 18th cen tury philosophy. His 'Inquiry into the Original of Our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue' and his 'Essay on the Nature and Conduct of the Pas sions' gave him a great name among his con temporaries, and his writings have exercised a profound influence on others coming after him, like Hume, Adam Smith, and Reid. Charles Macklin or MacLaughlin (c. 1700-97), born in County Westmeath, was an actor who re mained on the boards for the extraordinary term of 70 years. He wrote a tragedy and many comedies and farces. His masterpiece is 'The Man of the World,' a farcical comedy, in which is introduced Sir Pertinax MacSyco phant, one of the traditional burlesque char acters of the English stage. Thomas Amory (c. 1691-1788), probably born in County Clare, is still remembered for his eccentric book, 'The Life of John Buncle, Esq.' Another of the bizarre figures of this period is Laurence Sterne, author of Shandy' and 'A Sentimental Journey.' Hugh Kelly (1739-77), born at Dublin, the son of a publican and him self at first a staymalcer, had a varied career, being successively attorney's clerk, newspaper writer, dramatic critic, essayist, novelist, play wright, and barrister-at-law. His novel is 'Louisa Mildmay, or the History of a Mag dalen.) His first comedy, 'False Delicacy,' which was a great success on the stage and a still greater one in book form, raised him from poverty to comparative wealth, and gave him a European reputation when translated into Ger man, French, and Portuguese. His later come dies and a tragedy were failures, nor did he, on retiring from stage-work for the last three years of his life, achieve any great success at the bar. Charles Coffey (d. 1745) wrote several operettas and burlesque operas, the best known of which is 'The Devil to Pay, or the Wives Metamorphosed.' John Cunningham (1729-73) wrote a successful farce, 'Love in a Mist,' when he was only 17. He also wrote elegies and pastorals. Isaac Bickerstaffe (1732-1816), a name made famous by Swift and later by Steele, was born at Dublin, and was probably the son of a locksmith. He was a page to Lord Chesterfield and afterward an officer in the army. He produced between 1756 and 1805 a number of musical farces, comic operas, com edies, farces, and burlettas, and also an oratorio, (Judith.) In his comic opera, 'Love in a Vil lage,' occurs the well-known song, 'We all love a pretty girl — under the rose.' Henry Brooke (c. 1703-83) was born at Rantavan, County Cavan. He was a very voluminous writer of verse and prose. He is now best remembered for his celebrated novel, (The Foot of Quality) His tragedy, 'Gustavus Vasa,' was barred from production in London, but was afterward put on the stage in Dublin as (The Patriot) His daughter, Charlotte Brooke (c. 1750-1803), was a pioneer of the Celtic Renaissance, for she endeavored to revive in terest in the native literature of Ireland by the publication of her series of translations entitled 'The Reliques of Irish Poetry' (1789). She also published in 1795 at least one number of a Gaelic magazine, Bo1g Tsolair, and a volume of Translations, 'Laoi na Sealge.> She wrote a tragedy, (Belisarius,) and a novel, 'Emma, or the Foundling of the Wood.) Charles Johnstone (c. 1719-1800), a County Limerick man, was the author of several satirical ro mances, of which 'Chrysal, or the Adventures of a Guinea,) had the greatest reputation. Samuel Johnson read this work in manuscript and advised its publication, and Sir Walter Scott a few years later said that the author of deserved to rank as a prose Juvenal. Johnstone also wrote a picaresque novel, 'The History of John Juniper, Esq., alias Juniper Jack.) Arthur Murphy (1727-1805), born at Clooniquin, County Roscommon, was biog rapher, translator, poet, and playwright. Edu cated at Saint Omer, he became in turn a clerk, a journalist, an actor, and a barrister. Among his tragedies are 'The Orphan of China,) Grecian Daughter,' and (Arminius.) His com edies and farces, such as 'The Apprentice,' 'The Upholsterer,) 'The Way to Keep Him,' and 'All in the Wrong,) are excellent. He was appointed in 1798 a commissioner of bankruptcy. Oliver Goldsmith, who in Johnson's well-known phrase, tried nearly every kind of writing and touched none that he did not adorn, Edmund Burke, great orator and political philosopher, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan (qq.v.), eloquent speaker and famous playwright, hold, each of them, a pre-eminent rank among the Irish writers of English. Rev. Philip Francis (c. 1708-73) made something of a name as a trans lator of Horace and Demosthenes and as an author of tragedies. His son, Sir' Philip Fran cis (1740-1818), is the reputed author of the sensational 'Letters of Junius,' which appeared in the Public Advertiser between 21 Jan. 1769 and 21 Jan. 1772. William Drennan (1754 1820), born in Belfast and son of a Presby terian clergyman, took an active part in found ing the organization of the United Irishmen, and was prosecuted for sedition, but escaped punishment. His stirring lyrics were extremely popular and had a widespread effect. His (Erin) was considered by Moore to be one of the most perfect of modern songs. This is the piece that first gave to Ireland the title of the Emerald Isle. Mary Tighe (1772-1810), daugh ter of Rev. William Blachford, was born in Dublin. Her 'Psyche, or the Legend of an adaptation of the story of Cupid and Psyche from the 'Golden Ass) of Apuleius, is writ ten in the Spenserian stanza, which she handled with great freedom and ease. This and her other poems won her a considerable reputation. Moore paid her a delicate compliment in 'Tell me the witching tale again,) and Mrs. Hemans bewailed her untimely death in 'The Grave of a Poetess.) John O'Keeffe (1747-1833), the most prolific of Irish dramatists, was born in Dublin, He wrote comedies, musical pieces, comic operas, pantomimes, interludes, burlettas, pastoral dramas, and poems. His comedy, Oats,) had something enduring in. it, for, after more than 100 years, it still keeps the stage. Some of his songs, like am a Friar of Orders Grey' and 'The Ploughboy,) are famous. O'Keeffe was meant to be a painter, but gave up that profession in order to become an actor, and then developed into a playwright. For many years of his long life he was totally blind. In 1826 he was given a pension of 100 guineas a year from the king's purse. Among the great Irish orators of the end of the cen tury were Henry Flood (1732-91), Henry Grat tan (1746-1820), and John Philpot Curran (1750-1817). Andrew Cherry (1762-1812), born at Limerick. became an actor and afterward an actor-manage,r. He wrote some comedies, of which the best-known is perhaps 'The Soldier's Daughter.' His songs, 'The Green Little Shamrock oi Ireland,) 'The Bay of Bis cay,' and 'Tom Moody, the Whipper-in,' bid fair to be immortal.
Other famous song-writers and songs, of different periods, are Thomas Duffett (fl. 1676), author of (Come, all you pale Arthur Dawson (c. 1695..1775), 'Bumpers, Squire Jones,' one of the best Bacd>analian ditties in the language; George Ogle (1742-1814), 'Molly Asthore' and 'The Banks of Banna) ; Richard Alfred Milliken (1767-1815), the grotesque of Blarney' ; Edward Lysaght (1763 1809), 'Our Ireland.' and 'Kate of ; Henry Brereton Code (d. c. 1830), 'The Sprig of Shillelagh' ; Charles O'Flaherty (1794-1828), 'The Humour of Donnybrook Fair); George Nugent Reynolds (c. 1770-1802), 'Kathleen James Orr (1770-1816), 'The Irish man' ; Rev. Charles Wolfe (1791-1823), (If I had thought thou couldst have died) and 'The Burial of Sir John ; Rev. Luke Aylmer Connolly (d. c. 1833), 'By Rathlin's Isle I Chanced to Louisa Crawford (c. 1790 1858), 'Kathleen Mavourneen) and 'Dermot Astore>; James Tighe (1795-1869), 'He sleeps in the vale, near the brook and the John Augustine Wade (1796-1845), 'Meet me by moonlight alone' and 'I've wandered in dreams' ; Garret Wellesley, Earl of Morning ton (1735-81), 'Here in cool grot> and 'Come, fairest ; Leonard McNally (1752-1820), 'The Lass of Richmond Hill' ; Samuel Lover (1797-1868), O'Hea,> 'The Low backed car,) and 'I'm not myself at all' ; Thomas Quinton (1797-1860), 'Fill a cup' ; Joseph O'Leary (c. 1801 - c. 1845), 'Whisky, drink divine' ; Rev. Francis Sylvester Mahony (1804 66), 'The Bells of Shandon' ; Richard Shell (c. 1800-60), 'Bellewstown Hill' ; John Tole ken (d. c. 1865) and Henry Bennett (c. 1766 1828), 'Saint Patrick was a gentleman' ; Ed mund O'Rourke (1813-1879), ; John O'Connell (d. c. 1860), 'When this old hat was new' ; Rev. Thomas Hamblin Porter (fl. 1830), 'The Night-cap) ; "Valentine Vous (c. 1820-c. 1900), Irish Jaunt ing Car' ; Michael Doheny (1805-63), Gal Machree) ; Sir Stephen De Vere (1812-1904), (The Snowy-breasted Pearl' ; Michael Joseph McCann (c. 1824-83) 'O'Donnell Abu' ; James Lynam Molloy (1837-1907), 'The Kerry Dhnce,' 'Just a song at twilight,' and 'Bantry Bay' ; William Gorman Mills (1828 91), sing thee songs of Araby' ; Captain John Wood (d. c. 1870), 'Cork is the Eden for ycu, love, and me' ; William B. McBurney (c. 1844—c. 1892), 'The Croppy Boy' ; J. P. Trainor (d. 1910), Cruise of the ; John Kells Ingram (1823-1907), fears to speak of ; Robert Jasper Martin (1846 1905), ; Timothy D. Sullivan (1827 1917), 'God Save Alfred Perceval Graves (b. 1846), 'Father Michael Scanlan 1836), (The Jackets and 'The Fenian Men' ; William Boyle (b. 1853), (Molly Dooley) ; and Francis Arthur Fahy (b. 1854), Ould Plaid Shawl) and 'The Irish Lullaby) The spread of education and the increasing use of the English language instead of the Irish in the 19th century produced a correspond ingly increased output of literature, to which, in addition, a wonderful impetus was given by the great political events, like the move ments for Catholic Emancipation in the 20's and for Repeal of the Union in the 40's, the risings of '48 and '67, and the Home Rule and Land League agitations of the 70's, 80's and 90's. The establishment of the Nation news paper in 1842 was another potent factor in stimulating Irish writers of English. Toward the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the influence of the Celtic Re naissance made itself perceptibly felt in Ire land, resulting in the foundation of the Gaelic League and of various literary societies, in the establishment of the Sinn Fein and Irish Ireland parties, and in the start of the Irish literary revival, all of which tended to pro mote a marked activity in Anglo-Irish literature.
The novel-writers of the earlier part of this period may be said to be headed by Maria Edgeworth (1767-1849), who, although born in England, is, from family connections, long residence in Ireland, and the tone and temper of her principal works, usually classed among Irish authors. She wrote (Moral Tales) 'Pop ular Tales,' 'Tales of Fashionable Life) and many mare, but she is now principally remembered for her works dealing with Irish life and conditions, especially 'Castle Rackrent) and 'The Absentee.> Even these have rather gone out of fashion, but they were a revelation at the time of their production. They impressed Sir Walter Scott so much that he decided to try to do for Scotland what she had done for Ireland, and at a later period they inspired Turgenev to do similarly for Russia. Elizabeth Hamilton (1758-1816), born
at Belfast, wrote songs and poems and various novels, of which latter 'The Cottagers of Glenburnie> was the most popular. The mem ory of Regina Maria Roche (c. 1764-1845), born at Waterford, is still kept alive by (The Children of the
The Rev. William Hamilton Maxwell (1794-1850) born at Newry, originator of the novel of military life, wrote exciting and popular stories like (Wild Sports of the West,) 'Hector O'Halloran,'
Blake,' and
of Waterloo) The Rev. Charles Robert Maturin (1782-1824), born at Dublin, was the author of several stories, the most famous being Welmoth the Wanderer' and
Albigenses.) He also wrote three tragedies, 'Bertram, or the Castle of Saint Aldobrand,>
and
Michael James Whitty (1795-1873), born at Wexford, wrote 'Tales of Irish Life) a very successful book, which was translated into French and German. His son, Edward Michael Whitty (1827-60) was author of the remarkable novel, 'Friends in Bohemia.' Matthew Archdeacon (c. 1800 1853 or 1862), born at Castlebar, County Mayo, wrote 'Legends of Connaught,' 'Connaught in 1798,' 'The Priest Hunter,' and
William Carleton (q.v.) occupied the centre of the Irish literary stage for the long period from 1830 to his death in 1869. Great, however, as were his claims on the reading public, there were others who pressed him close. Gerald Griffin (1803-40), born at Limerick, went to London to seek his fortune, retired from the world when he had begun to attain success, and died as a Christian Brother in his 37th year. His powerful story,
Collegians,' afterward dramatized by the Dublin-born Dion Boucicault (1822-90) as (The Colleen Bawn,> and later turned into an opera as 'The Lily of Killarney,' is by some critics claimed to be the greatest Irish novel. Other stories by Griffin are (Hol land-tide Tales,' (Tales of the Munster Festi vals,' and
Invasion.' He also wrote a tragedy, (Gisippus,) and some beautiful short poems. John Banim (1798-1842) and his brother, Michael Banim (1796-1874), wrote jointly 'Tales of the O'Hara Family,' and, besides, each wrote several novels separately. John Banim's best stories are perhaps 'The Boyne
and
Nowlans); Michael's, 'Crohoore of the Billhook) and (The Croppy.) Furthermore, John Banim wrote several trage dies and essays and a long and elaborate poem, (The Celt's Paradise) His lyric,
Aroon) is celebrated. Samuel Lover (1797 1868), born in Dublin, was a versatile genius — novelist, poet, painter, musical composer, ed itor, and public entertainer. His novels, 'Handy Andy> and 'Rory O'More,' are well con structed and sparkle with wit and humor. He wrote about 300 songs, including those already named, and composed the music for most of them. Besides, he wrote a burletta,
Paddy Whack in Italia,' and an extravaganza, 'The Happy Man) as well as several comic dramas and metrical tales. Charles James Lever (1806 72), born at Dublin, was one of the most popu lar and prolific, as well as one of the most humorous, of Irish novelists. Scattered here and there through his books are numbers of rollicking songs. 'Harry Lorrequer,) 'Charles O'Malley,' and