Excerpt: "One evening in the beginning of the eighteenth century—as nearly as we can conjecture, the year might be that of 1720—some time about the end of April, a young man named Lamh Laudher O'Rorke, or Strong-handed O'Eorke, was proceeding from his father's house, with a stout oaken cudgel in his hand, towards an orchard that stood at the skirt of a country town, in a part of the kingdom which, for the present, shall be nameless. Though known by the epithet of Lamh Laudher, his Christia...

The Young Lady's Mentor is a compelling guide crafted in the early 19th century, reflecting the socio-cultural dynamics of the era. It intricately explores the themes of women's education, conduct, and moral philosophy within a framework of didactic literature, blending practical advice with philosophical musings. The text adopts an engaging epistolary style, presenting letters of guidance that not only instruct but also reflect the broader societal expectations of femininity, virtue, and ...

In "In the Days of Poor Richard," Irving Bacheller crafts a vivid narrative set against the backdrop of colonial America, illustrating the life and times of the legendary Benjamin Franklin. Through a rich blend of historical detail and engaging character studies, Bacheller captures the essence of Franklin's impact on society, both as a thinker and an inventor. The novel employs a lyrical prose style, weaving humor and wisdom into the fabric of Franklin's world, while simultaneously reflect...

The Black Prophet centres upon an unsolved murder and the love affair between the niece of the victim and the son of his supposed killer, and the plot unfolds against the powerfully rendered background of the famine and typhus epidemic of 1817, which Carleton had witnessed at first hand. Yeats praised the novel's 'sombre and passionate dialogue', and said that 'all nature, and not merely man's nature, seems to pour out for me its inbred fatalism.' (Goodreads) This edition has been fully re...