Like the lectures, on a more thorough and comprehensive scale, it is a bold indictment of the Irish nation.
Froude could not write without a purpose, nor forget that he was an Englishman and a Protestant.

Before he had finished a single chapter of his new book he had stated in uncompromising language his opinion of the Irish race.

"Passionate in everything--passionate in their patriotism, passionate in their religion, passionately courageous, passionately loyal and affectionate--they are without the manliness which would give strength and solidity to the sentimental part of their dispositions; while the surface and show is so seductive and winning that only experience of its instability can resist its charm."* Such summary judgments are seldom accurate.

Every one must be acquainted with individual Irishmen who do not correspond with Froude's general description.

Nor does Froude always take into account the shrewdness, the humour, the genius for politics, which have distinguished Irishmen throughout the world.