SOME EXPERIENCES OF AN IRISH R. M.

BEGGARS ON HORSEBACK: A RIDING TOUR IN NORTH WALES

Incredibly famous in their day, the aristocratic authors of Beggars on Horseback penned a total of fourteen books, including their immortal classic, "Some Experiences of an Irish R. M"; But few realised that "Martin Ross"; and "E. Somerville"; were actually the pen names of Violet Martin and Edith Somerville, two fun-loving, hard-riding, co-writing female Irish cousins. In this book the high-spirited young ladies decide to tour North Wales on horseback. Written in the first person, the "author"; remains anonymous throughout, while her friend is given the pseudonym "Miss O'Flannigan".

IN THE VINE COUNTRY

Mistresses of ironic wit and precise observation, Somerville and Ross are at their most genial in this account of a tour through the Medoc county at the end of the 19th century during the time of the vine harvest. During their stay, the authors dance with the harvesters, drink mout (freshly trodden), stay in a barn with dubious bedlinen and visit a grand chateau.

THE REAL CHARLOTTE

When Charlotte Mullen, a fortyish flinty Irish spinster, takes in her orphaned cousin, the beautiful nineteen-year-old Francie Fitzgerald who had been living in Dublin with poor relatives, life in a small Irish village is dramatically upended. As Charlotte plots to marry Francie to a local squire's son, events build to a shocking crescendo with dire effects. Original published in three volumes, this Warbler Classics edition is based on the combined 1895 publication and includes an afterword by Malcolm Jones and a biographical note.