Andrew Tod

She is interesting and would be useful for someone looking for attitudes of British folks in Ireland to the Irish and to Roman Catholicism. And also to authors to see what life was like in the period. Elizabeth Grant was born in Scotland to Sir John and Lady Grant of Rothiemurchus and married Colonel Henry Smith of Baltiboys in Wicklow. She's opinionated, and much of that opinion is that Irish people are indolent drunkards who would succeed if they would just abandon the superstition of the Catholic Church and embrace a more rational religion.

While I was reading it, there has been a lot of scandal emerging about the Irish Roman Catholic Church and I saw a lot of parallels between some of the arguments (and lack of empathy) now and then.

She is a person who tried to keep a firm control on her finances, as she had worked to reduce family debts. But she also doesn't tolerate others who can't do the same.

I have to admit that the book format didn't really suit me. The endnotes all used the same symbol, no matter how many notes on the page and some things were explained while others weren't. I don't think she would be someone I'd like to have met.… (meer)