II.
Lectures on Modern History, delivered at the Catholic University of Ireland. By Professor J. B. Robertson; cr. 8vo, p.p. xvi., 528. Dublin: W. B. Kelly, 1864.
The lectures included in this volume were delivered in the Catholic University of Ireland, on various occasions, in the years 1860 to 1864, and their purport has been well expressed in the author's own words. Speaking in reference to all his literary labours, “I devoted”, says Professor Robertson, “my feeble powers to the defence of God and His holy Church against unbelief and misbelief; and of social order and liberty, against the principles of revolution, which are but impiety in a political form”. In these words we have the key-note of the entire work. The “History of Spain in the Eighteenth Century” forms the subject of two lectures. To these is added a supplement of more than fifty pages, in which the late Mr. Buckle's “Essay on Spain”, contained in his “History of Civilization”, is severely but most deservedly criticised, and, we may add, is refuted by solid and convincing arguments.
In four lectures our author discusses the “life, writings, and times of M. de Chateaubriand”, involving, much of the internal history of France, especially as regards literature and religion under the first Napoleon and the succeeding governments down to the Revolution in 1848. These lectures are full of interest. But what must be considered as by far the most important portion of this volume is that in which Professor Robertson treats of the “Secret Societies of Modern Times”. In two lectures he traces the origin and progress of the Freemasons, the Illuminati, the Jacobins, the Carbonari, and the Socialists; and in an appendix adds a “brief exposition of the principal heads of Papal legislation on Secret Societies”.
Such are the contents of the work. The style is agreeable and clear, the diction felicitous, and above all, the sentiments just, equally characterised by extensive information, political [pg 102] sagacity, and a profound reverence for divine faith. The professor has happily avoided both the tedious exhaustiveness of the German, and the brilliant flippancy which so often charms us in the French. Nor has he been unmindful of the more laborious students who would not shrink from the toil of research after further information. For these he has provided such an array of authorities, on each of his subjects, as must greatly facilitate the progress of those who would engage in diligent historical investigation. We know not where else there could be had so intelligible an account of the secret societies which have been so active in all the political convulsions of Europe, from 1789 to the present time. We need not advert to the part which secret societies have had in producing the present deplorable state of Italy. To the readers of the Civiltà Cattolica such reference would be unnecessary. To those who have not the advantage of regularly reading that most instructive periodical we would recommend Professor Robertson's lectures, as containing, in a moderate sized volume, a most perspicuous summary of what is requisite to be known concerning those dark conspiracies and their objects. If it were only for this, the volume would be a most welcome addition to our historical library.
The book has been brought out with the utmost elegance of paper, type, and printing.