PREFACE Vll 



intimate, must also stir the heart and fire the im- 

 agination. I have carefully avoided entering the 

 field of theological controversy, but I hope that 

 those who believe that this world of ours is in 

 good hands, that it is not governed by blind chance 

 or inflexible destiny, that it offers infinite possibilities 

 of faith and hope and love, will derive some addi- 

 tional comfort and encouragement from the following 

 pages, even though these proceed from a dry analysis 

 of known facts. May this, together with the circum- 

 stances of this book being written in Ireland and 

 largely inspired by Irish thoughts and thinkers, go 

 to justify its Irish motto: "For the Glory of God 

 and the Honour of Ireland." 



E. E. FOURNIER D'ALBE. 



CHAPKLIZOD, June 1907. 



