SOURCE: Cummins, Geraldine. “Some Later Publications.” In Dr. E. OE. Somerville: A Biography, pp. 37-45. London: Andrew Dakers Limited, 1952.

In the following essay, Cummins examines the later collaboration of Somerville and Ross.

It is significant that the ‘Two Irish Cousins’ did not frequent literary circles in Dublin or London but passed their lives in their native counties, Galway and Cork.

In choosing this way of life theirs was a wise instinct, for the great artist should be racy of his native soil. Character is essential to all good art—the kind of character that expresses racial and territorial characteristics. Literature should be created on the sure foundation of national character. George Moore gave sound advice to the novelist as well as to the painter when he wrote, ‘National character can only be acquired by remaining at home and saturating ourselves in the spirit of our land until it...