The Blots On The Page Are So Black

In a letter in 1859 to Dr Richard Madden, a fellow abolitionist (and historian of the United Irishmen), Mary Ann McCracken wrote, “America, considered the land of the great, the brave, may more properly be styled the land of the tyrant and the Slave.” (McNeill)

Also given an abolitionist bent are some lines from section 16 of Louis MacNeice’s Autumn Journal, describing Belfast as “A city built on mud; / A culture built upon profit; / Free speech nipped in the bud, / The minority always guilty. [Why should I want to go back / To you, Ireland, my Ireland? / The blots on the page are so black / They cannot be covered with shamrock. / I hate your grandiose airs / Your sob-stuff, your laugh and your swagger, / Your assumption that everyone cares / Who is the king of your castle. / Castles are out of date, / The tide flows round the children’s sandy-fancy; / Put up what flag you like, it’s too late / To save your soul with bunting.]

The illustrations are by Peter Strain (web) in Joy’s Entry and Wilson’s Court. See also by Strain Handsome, Easy-Going, And Utterly Untrustworthy and Trust Women.

On McCracken, see The World Affords No Enjoyment Equal To That Of Promoting The Happiness Of Others.

On abolitionism in Belfast, see Olaudah Equiano and If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress.

See also the Visual History page on The Belfast Entries.