"Well may Carleton say that we are in a transition state. The knowledge, the customs, the superstitions, the hopes of the People are entirely changing. There is neither use nor reason in lamenting what we must infallibly lose"

#ThomasDavis in #TheNation reviewing Carleton's "Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry" which he praises as preserving aspects of Ireland then vanishing, including the Banshees, the Illicit Still and (in a failure of foresight) the Orange Lodge.

#IrishHistory

30 Jan: William Carleton died in Dublin #OTD 1869. A well-known novelist and short-story writer, he was born in Tyrone, aimed to be a priest, converted to COI and became a teacher & writer.

#MariaEdgeworth admired his Irish tales; he in turn praised her "Castle Rackrent".

His friendship with Charles Gavan Duffy led to links with the #YoungIrelanders. Though he did not share their politics, the influence of #ThomasDavis & others led him to address political themes.

https://dib.ie/biography/carleton-william-a1480