Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions - Hardcover

James Bonwick

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0880290706 ISBN 13: 9780880290708

Publisher: Dorset Press, 1986

Synopsis

I reland, whether viewed from an antiquarian or an ethnological point of view, is one of the most interesting countries in the world. It is not the less an object of attention from the fact, that in its early history there are traces of nearly every kind of pagan belief. It is curious that its literary treasures should have been so long neglected. Of late years, thanks to literary and scientific societies, including the new association fostered byS ir C. Gavan Duffy, I rish MSS. have engaged much thoughtful investigation. The author of this work, conscious of the importance of inquiry into ancient faiths, has collected such information upon I rish religions as a lengthened course of general reading has thrown in his way, since it may benefit those who have less leisure or opportunity for research. He is content to state various views, presented in quotations from writers, rather than to put forth any special conjectures of his own. Examinations of old myths and folklore will often throw light upon current notions of nationalities.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.

Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the aged text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org

About this title

About the Author

James Bonwick (8 July 1817 – 6 October 1906) was an English-born Australian historical and educational writer. Bonwick was born Lingfield, Surrey, England, the eldest son of James Bonwick, and Mary Ann née Preston. James Bonwick, the elder, was a man of some mechanical ability, but he suffered from ill health, and his children were brought up in poor circumstances. His eldest son was educated at the Borough Road school, Southwark, and at 17 years of age teaching at a school at Hemel Hempstead and similar positions followed at Bexley and Liverpool. In April 1840 he married Esther Ann Beddow, the daughter of a Baptist clergyman, and in the following year obtained a position at the Normal School, Hobart, Tasmania. Bonwick and his wife arrived at Hobart on 10 October 1841. He was a successful teacher in Hobart for eight years and published the first of his many school books, Geography for the Use of Australian Youth, in 1845. He went to Adelaide in 1850, and opened a private school. In 1852 made his way to the Victorian gold diggings after finding himself in debt, but he did not find much gold. He then went to Melbourne where he established The Australian Gold-Diggers' Monthly Magazine, which ceased publication with the eighth issue in May 1853. He then established a successful boarding school at Kew, a suburb of Melbourne. He had already published several schoolbooks and pamphlets, when in 1856 he published his Discovery and Settlement of Port Phillip, the first of his historical works. About this time he joined the Victorian government service as an inspector of denominational schools, and in 1857 made a tour of inspection through the western district of Victoria. He made Ballarat his centre and worked there for about four years. During his journeys he suffered from sunstroke and a coaching accident. He became so ill that he was given 18 months' leave of absence, but was unable to continue his work and had to retire from the service. He visited England in 1860 and then returned to Melbourne in July 1862 and opened a school in the suburb of St Kilda, which became very prosperous. He paid another visit to England with his wife, leaving the school in the hands of a son and a friend of his. They, however, mismanaged the school, and Bonwick was compelled to return and put things in order again. He was doing much writing, and in the ensuing years travelled in various parts of Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Edition details

• Publisher: Dorset Press
• Publication date: 1986
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0880290706
• ISBN 13: 9780880290708
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336