Ancient Cures, Charms and Usages of Ireland. Contributions to Irish Lore. London: Ward & Downey, 1890. First Edition. Pp xi, 256. Ex library copy, with ink stamps, rebound in blue cloth boards, title in gilt to spine. Contents pages in nice bright condition.

Relays the use of herbs and charms as cures for people with illnesses, when there was still a firm belief in the supernatural influences in the art of healing.

An important & significant contribution to the collection of Irish folklore, as the information was gathered and compiled at a time when knowledge of ‘mystic medicine’ was rapidly disappearing.

Lady Jane Wilde “Speranza” was a poet & writer under the pen name “Speranza” She published in Dublin’s ‘The Nation’ newspaper , expressing her pro-Irish independence and anti-British views. Married to the surgeon & antiquarian, William Wilde, their son was one of Ireland’s literary greats, Oscar Wilde.