EASTER

Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk was a true Scottish eccentric. The Oxford DNB refers to his reputation as ‘as an (eminently quotable) super-snob’, a characterization which is strongly supported by this energetic, entertaining and playful correspondence, which, as the extracts quoted below show, covers a great deal more than the practicalities of his review work. (See the ODNB’s evaluation of his intellectual merits: ‘In conversation, as well as in his published work, he relied on a marvellously retentive memory that was unimpaired even by a considerable intake of alcohol.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. ‘Rambles in Ireland’ was published in 1912, with illustrations by Jack B. Yeats. On one side each of four 4to leaves of aged and worn paper. The first leaf carries a covering page on which is the typed word ‘KINSALE’; above this Lynd has written in pencil: ‘26 / Rambles in Ireland / (By Robert Lynd) / Chapter VII’. The three pages which follow carry the text: title and 21 lines on the first, and twenty-five lines apiece on the second and third.

1p., 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with punch holes at margin. MacEntee begins his letter to Hickey: 'In the tribute which “The Statist” pays to the late Hilaire Belloc a reference is made to his essay on usury. I read this some time ago but cannot recall the title of the volume in which it appeared. I should be grateful, indeed, if you would be kind enough to make good the lacuna by supplying the missing title.' He congratulates Hickey 'on the article itself'.

One page, 4to, edges sl chipped. mainly good condition, complete. He follows his best wishes (see above) with information about the (formal) political positions he has occupied from President (giving dates of inauguration and retirement ); place of birth (Wellington St, Dublin); when elected to the Dublin Council and Parliament; when Minister for Local Government; and for Finance; when Deputy Prime Minister; current residence at Roundwood Park. Overleaf his name and title (President) in another hand.

Both orders and map are in good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper. ORDERS: Headed 'Volunteer Tactical Field Day at Dover, | Easter Monday, 1892.' 8pp., 8vo. Stitched. The first two pages list: Headquarter Staff; Umpire Staff (Umpire-in-Chief, The General Officer Commanding South Eastern Division); Attacking Force (Commanding - Colonel J. C. Russell); Defending Force (Commanding - Colonel J. B. Sterling); Railway Staff Officers. The third and fourth pages carry tables for the Attacking and Defending Forces. Pages 5-8 give the 'District Orders' by 'H.

24 pp, folio, some leaves detached, interleaved with blotting paper, not bound, fair condition; a scrawl of a handwriting, difficult to read. It starts with the date, 9 April 1823, Easter Sessions, two names of people who "qualified as magistrates", "The Revd R.P.B.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. 61 lines, closely written in a crabbed, difficult hand. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He begins by thanking her for a book, before commenting: 'Things are in such a queer state in this country that it is hard to know what will happen. This Government is enough to drive one mad. They are afraid to do a thing until the Convention has come to some sort of compromise (which no party will accept). The Sin [sic] Feins will do their best to upset any recommendation the Convention may come to. You must remember there are the Ulster men (Royalists) Royalists [sic] from all parts.

2pp., 4to. Good, on lightly-aged paper. A very funny letter, written in the style that became known as 'birrelling'. He begins: 'Dear Sir. | I admire the enthusiasm which from the depths of an Office bearing the historically-ominous title of "Ministry of Food", & lodged in a once ducal mansion, can dictate (in type) so spirited a letter as your's [sic] of the 27th. ult. I wish I could believe in your vision of Three hundred Boys shouting Come - to an (almost) Septuagenarian Lecturer. It is of course all nonsense.

The Flag on the G.P.O. Easter 1917. By J. J. Walsh. (Date and place not stated [c.1917]). Handbill poem, one page, 12mo, creased laid paper, mainly good condition. It is headed 'THE Flag on the G.P.O. | Easter 1917. | By J. J. Walsh', and with 'J. J. Walsh.' again at foot. The first of three stanzas reads: Why gather the crowd in O'Connell Street? | Why throng all the people there? | What eminent personage do they greet? | With the shouts that fill the air? | Who comes this morning or what's to be seen | That they hurry and push them so?

The Flag on the G.P.O. Easter 1917. By J. J. Walsh. (Date and place not stated [c.1917]). Handbill poem, one page, 12mo, creased laid paper, mainly good condition. It is headed 'THE Flag on the G.P.O. | Easter 1917. | By J. J. Walsh', and with 'J. J. Walsh.' again at foot. The first of three stanzas reads: Why gather the crowd in O'Connell Street? | Why throng all the people there? | What eminent personage do they greet? | With the shouts that fill the air? | Who comes this morning or what's to be seen | That they hurry and push them so?

The Flag on the G.P.O. Easter 1917. By J. J. Walsh. (Date and place not stated [c.1917]). Handbill poem, one page, 12mo, creased laid paper, mainly good condition. It is headed 'THE Flag on the G.P.O. | Easter 1917. | By J. J. Walsh', and with 'J. J. Walsh.' again at foot. The first of three stanzas reads: Why gather the crowd in O'Connell Street? | Why throng all the people there? | What eminent personage do they greet? | With the shouts that fill the air? | Who comes this morning or what's to be seen | That they hurry and push them so?

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Fair, on aged high-acidity paper. Drophead title, with the second part reading in its entirety: 'County Court Judge Bodkin, K.C., at the conclusion of the Ennis (County Clare) Quarter Sessions on February 5, 1921, made a grave statement as to the violence committed by the forces of the Crown in Ireland, in the following words: -'. The article reprints a report by Bodkin to the Rt Hon.

12mo: 97 pp. A good, tight copy, on aged paper, in contemporary calf binding gilt. All edges gilt, marble endpapers, dentelles. Binding rubbed and worn. Apparently complete (and certainly complete as bound), containing all four stories listed in the National Library of Ireland entry, but having 97 rather than the 167 pp in that entry. A landmark work in Irish literature, highly regarded as a pioneering attempt to modernize Gaelic narrative.

12mo, [iv] + 60 pp. In original green printed wraps, on which the names of the four poets appear beneath the title. On aged high-acidity paper, in worn, chipped and faded wraps bound into new green wraps.Scarce: the National Library of Ireland does not appear to possess a copy. Essay on Pearse by O'Baronain; on Macdonagh by O'Neill; on Plunkett by Mc.Brien; on Macentee by Gregory; and 'Appreciation' of the first three poets by Clery. Preliminary note: 'The essays which make up this volume appeared originally in STUDIES.

8vo, 94 + ii pp. Stapled and in original green and white printed wraps. Advertisements on wraps, prelims and final leaf. Frontispiece portrait of Justin McCarthy (with transcription of a letter by him to Ouseley facing it) and double-sided plate (between pp. 32 and 33) carrying seven illustrations. A scarce item (no copy at British Library): chipped and worn on aged high-acidity paper. Described by the author as a 'narrative of probably the most powerful and far-reaching conspiracy the world has ever known'.

Original green cloth, 268pp, 8vo, corners bumped, covers marked, endpapers yellowed, contents good. First collected works [?]. Scarce: three copies listed by COPAC which also lists an edition (of the same book?) which it dates [1917 ("Dublin: Phoenix").

One page, in two 62-line columns. Octavo leaf with blank reverse. Good, on lightly aged paper with slight nicking and creasing to edges. Satirical account of 'simple soul' Michael James's dealings with his hypocritical neighbour Susan Elizabeth, who hands him a white feather when he refuses to enlist in the British Army during the Great War. On 'the Day' of the Easter Rising James fights and is wounded and 'thrown into the interment camp at Frongoch'. Susan Elizabeth then becomes 'a great Sinn Feiner.

52 pages, 8vo. In original blue printed wraps, which are folded around endpapers, the rear of which bears publisher's advertisements. In poor condition: paper browning and spotting with age, binding loose and wraps frayed and worn, especially at spine. The front wrap has a long closed tear at head, and the indentation of a paper-clip, which attaches the typewritten letter (1 page, 8vo, discoloured and worn at extremities), headed 'Room 102, | Surrey Street. | 7.4.52', from 'Christine' to 'Ita'.