Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was born in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, and became well known as a novelist in her lifetime. Jane Desmarais lectures in English and Art History at Goldsmiths College, University of London Marilyn Butler is rector of Exeter College, Oxford

"University College Dublin Press has now published over thirty 'Classics of Irish History'. These contemporary accounts by well known personalities of historical events and attitudes have an immediacy that conventional histories do not have. Introductions by modern historians provide additional historical background and, with hindsight, objectivity." Books Ireland Nov 2007 "Scholars of nineteenth-century Irish and Irish-American politics should reacquaint themselves with these classics, part of a long running and immensely useful series from University College Dublin Press." Irish Literary Supplement Fall 2008

• Introduction by Jane Desmarais; I Originality of Irish Bulls Examined; II Irish Newspapers; III The Criminal Law of Bulls and Blunders; IV Little Dominick; V The Bliss of Ignorance; VI 'Thoughts that Breathe and Words that Burn'; VII Practical Bulls; VIII The Dublin Shoeblack; IX The Hibernian Mendicant; X Irish Wit and Eloquence; XI The Brogue; XII Bath Coach Conversation; XIII Bath Coach Conversation; XIV The Irish Incognito; Conclusion; Notes.

Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was born in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, and became well known as a novelist in her lifetime. Jane Desmarais lectures in English and Art History at Goldsmiths College, University of London Marilyn Butler is rector of Exeter College, Oxford

"University College Dublin Press has now published over thirty 'Classics of Irish History'. These contemporary accounts by well known personalities of historical events and attitudes have an immediacy that conventional histories do not have. Introductions by modern historians provide additional historical background and, with hindsight, objectivity." Books Ireland Nov 2007 "Scholars of nineteenth-century Irish and Irish-American politics should reacquaint themselves with these classics, part of a long running and immensely useful series from University College Dublin Press." Irish Literary Supplement Fall 2008

• Introduction by Jane Desmarais; I Originality of Irish Bulls Examined; II Irish Newspapers; III The Criminal Law of Bulls and Blunders; IV Little Dominick; V The Bliss of Ignorance; VI 'Thoughts that Breathe and Words that Burn'; VII Practical Bulls; VIII The Dublin Shoeblack; IX The Hibernian Mendicant; X Irish Wit and Eloquence; XI The Brogue; XII Bath Coach Conversation; XIII Bath Coach Conversation; XIV The Irish Incognito; Conclusion; Notes.

Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was born in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, and became well known as a novelist in her lifetime. Jane Desmarais lectures in English and Art History at Goldsmiths College, University of London Marilyn Butler is rector of Exeter College, Oxford

"University College Dublin Press has now published over thirty 'Classics of Irish History'. These contemporary accounts by well known personalities of historical events and attitudes have an immediacy that conventional histories do not have. Introductions by modern historians provide additional historical background and, with hindsight, objectivity." Books Ireland Nov 2007 "Scholars of nineteenth-century Irish and Irish-American politics should reacquaint themselves with these classics, part of a long running and immensely useful series from University College Dublin Press." Irish Literary Supplement Fall 2008

• Introduction by Jane Desmarais; I Originality of Irish Bulls Examined; II Irish Newspapers; III The Criminal Law of Bulls and Blunders; IV Little Dominick; V The Bliss of Ignorance; VI 'Thoughts that Breathe and Words that Burn'; VII Practical Bulls; VIII The Dublin Shoeblack; IX The Hibernian Mendicant; X Irish Wit and Eloquence; XI The Brogue; XII Bath Coach Conversation; XIII Bath Coach Conversation; XIV The Irish Incognito; Conclusion; Notes.