Author: Burke, Ulick Ralph
Title: Loyal And Lawless
Description: Chapman & Hall, 1880, 1st edition. Half morocco, VG. 2 volumes, xiii+311pp, [iv]+339pp, stoutly bound in brown morocco over cloth with the monogram of the General Assembly Library New Zealand to both upper boards, bookplate of the same to both pastedowns, leather a little rubbed, foxing to the second blank, a stout copy of an uncommon item. Hardback , no dustjacket. ¶ A novel which gives a a measured but critical insight to Anglo Indian and Anglo Irish social attitudes and political relations of the period, in particular the issue of English absentee landlordism in Ireland. In his introduction Burke discusses the politics within the novel stating - 'People who might care for your politics won't read your novel, and people who might read your novel will be deterred by your politics' - however, a review in 'The Academy' of 1880 made the observation that 'We may assure the former class of objectors that there is very little story indeed to interfere with their enjoyment of some vigorous political dissertations and shrewd sketches'. The review gives a summary of Burkes position re the 'Irish Question' - 'Ireland is completely in the wrong, but England has made her so. India is loyal because England has uniformly been to her severe but just ; Ireland is lawless because England has treated her alternately with irritating restrictions and unwise concessions'. Ulick Ralph Burke [ 1845 - 1895 ] Dublin born Spanish scholar. The book is scarce - in the UK copies are at Oxford & Cambridge, the British Library, National Library of Scotland & the London Library only.

Keywords: literature, irish literature, irish history