New Publications.
Symbolism; or, Exposition of the Doctrinal Differences between Catholics and Protestants, as evidenced by their Symbolical Writings.
By John A. Moehler, D.D.
Translated from the German, with a Memoir of the Author, preceded by an Historical Sketch of the state of Protestantism and Catholicism in Germany for the last hundred years.
By J. B. Robertson.
New edition, revised and annotated by the Translator.
One vol. 8vo, pp. 504,
New York: The Catholic Publication Society. 1868.
The Symbolism of Dr. Möhler is, perhaps, the most remarkable polemical work which has appeared since the days of Bellarmine and Bossuet. Its influence in Germany has been extraordinary, and the translation by Mr. Robertson has exerted an influence of similar importance in Great Britain and the United States, as well as in every part of the world where English is spoken. The late illustrious convert from the Protestant Episcopal hierarchy, Dr. Ives, was greatly indebted to this book for the convictions which brought him into the Church, and many others might doubtless say the same of themselves. It may be well to say, for the benefit of non-professional readers, that "Symbolism" in German phraseology means the exposition of symbols of faith or authorized formularies of doctrines, and that this work is a thorough discussion of the dogmatic differences between the Catholic Church and the principal Protestant denominations. The present edition is a very convenient one, in one volume, neatly executed and well printed. We cannot too earnestly recommend to our intelligent readers, who desire thorough and solid information on the great topics of Catholic doctrine, to study carefully this great masterpiece of learning and thought.
The Pope And The Church Considered In Their Mutual Relations With Reference To The Errors Of The High Church Party In England.
By the Rev. Paul Bottalla, S.J.,
Professor of Theology in St. Beuno's College, North Wales.
Part I. The Supreme Authority of the Pope.
London: Burns, Gates & Co. 1868.
The Apostolical And Infallible Authority Of The Pope.
By F. X. Weninger, D.D., S.J.
New York: Sadlier. Cincinnati: John P. Walsh. 1868.
The first named of these two works is one of the very best and most learned treatises on the subject discussed which has appeared in the English language, and will prove an invaluable addition to every clergyman's or educated layman's library. It is, moreover, of very moderate size, and written with remarkable logical terseness and lucidness of style and order.
The second work also contains a valuable and extensive collection of authorities and testimonies to the supreme teaching authority of the Holy See, and a résumé of the arguments usually given by theologians in support of the author's thesis. The moderate and gentle spirit in which the venerated author speaks of the adherents of another school of Catholic theologians is especially commendable and worthy of imitation, particularly as we are now awaiting the assembling of an Ecumenical Council, which will doubtless decide all questions heretofore in controversy in regard to which the good of the Church requires any clearer definitions than those which have been already made and universally accepted. There are some few corrections called for in the construction of the author's sentences, especially one which occurs in the note to page 206. The mechanical execution of the book cannot receive any high commendation.
The Illustrated Catholic Sunday-school Library.
Second Series. Twelve volumes, pp. 144 each.
New York: The Catholic Publication Society,
126 Nassau street. 1868.
The titles of the volumes in this series are as follows:
Nettlethorpe, the Miser;
Tales of Naval and Military Life;
Harry O'Brien, and Other Tales;
The Hermit of Mount Atlas;
Leo, or The Choice of a Friend;
Antonio, or The Orphan of Florence;
Tales of the South of France;
Stories of Other Lands;
Emma's Cross, and Other Tales;
Uncle Edward's Stories;
Joe Baker;
The Two Painters.
These tales were evidently selected with good taste and sound judgment. All are interesting, of a high moral tone, and well adapted to carry out the praiseworthy object for which this "library" was intended: furnishing Catholic youth of both sexes with reading matter both useful and entertaining.
These volumes, in diversity of scene, variety of incident, etc., fully equal those which appeared in the "First Series;" while in external elegance, and in beauty of illustration, they are decidedly superior. We find one fault, however. Considering how far girls outnumber boys in our Sunday-schools, we think it hardly fair that but one volume should be devoted to the joys and sorrows, the temptations and triumphs, of girlhood. In our opinion, several volumes in each series should be, in an especial manner, set apart for their particular pleasure and benefit. We hope our suggestion will be, if possible, acted upon in the next series.
Leaf And Flower Pictures, And How To Make Them.
New York: Anson D. F. Randolph. 1868.
This pleasantly written and instructive little work is dedicated most affectionately to the authoress's "Two dear little 'Doppies,'" two little girls named respectively Nellie and Anna, who one day 'dopted her for their aunt. Hence their name. Whoever H. B. may be, (for this is all that is given us to know of this good "aunt,") we are sure that many persons who are interested in the delightful recreation of making leaf and flower pictures will thank her for the composition of this book. That our readers may understand its object, we quote from the preface: "I think even quite small children, both boys and girls, as well as older persons, will find it delightful to make themselves pictures, and have a collection 'of their own' of all sorts of leaves, mosses, grasses, flowers, and lichens. Will it not add greatly to the pleasure of being out of doors, if, in every walk you take, from May to October, you carry home some leaf, or flower, or spike of grass, to add to the treasures of your hortus siccus, or to lay aside until the long cold hours of winter come, when, in varnishing and arranging them as pictures and decorations, you can almost restore to yourself the delight of your summer rambles, and make into a permanent and abiding pleasure a portion of the beauty which then charmed and refreshed your soul? Therefore, dear reader, be you child or woman, boy or man, if you would open your eyes some frosty morning next January, and behold a lovely wreath of flowers blooming upon the walls of your chamber, with all the freshness of June—a wreath that Jack Frost cannot wither, even if he has sent the mercury out of sight below zero—read this little book; for you can have one by following its directions."
Personal Sketches Of His Own Times.
By Sir Jonah Barrington, Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty in Ireland, etc., etc.
One vol. 12mo.
The Life Of The Right Honorable John Philpot Curran,
Late Master Of The Rolls In Ireland.
By his son, William Henry Curran.
With additions and notes by R. Shelton Mackenzie, D.C.L.
One vol. 12mo.
Sketches Of The Irish Bar.
By the Right Hon. Richard Lalor Sheil, M.P.
With Memoir and Notes by R. Shelton Mackenzie, D.C.L.
Two volumes, pp. 388, 380.
New York: W. J. Widdleton. 1868.
Above we give the titles of three works which have been out of print for some time, but new editions of which have just appeared. Sheil's "Sketches," commenced in 1822 and continued until 1829, embrace short, piquant biographies of the most prominent members of the Irish Bar—O'Connell, Plunket, Burke, O'Loghlin, Norbury, etc.; with incidental allusions to other celebrities—Lady Morgan, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Robert Emmet, etc., etc. There are, in addition, the author's personal recollections of the Catholic Association in 1823; of the visit of the Catholic deputation to London in 1825, and its reception in the House of Commons; and of the great Clare Election in 1828.
Barrington's Sketches are also racy and piquant, and give an insight into Irish manners and customs fifty years ago. The "Life of Curran" has been a standard work, and this new edition will bring it anew before the rising generation.
The Works Of Rev. Arthur O'leary, O.S.F.
Edited by a clergyman of Massachusetts.
One vol. 8vo, pp. 596.
Boston: Patrick Donahoe. 1868.
The reputation of F. O'Leary is universal among all who take an interest in Irish history and literature. His works, which abound with learning, humor, and passages of remarkably fine writing of the rich, ornate style of the old school, have been carefully edited by the learned clergyman whose name is modestly withheld on the title-page, and published in good style by Mr. Donahoe. We thank them both for this valuable service to Catholic literature, and have no suggestion to make, except that the small number of typographical errors which have escaped the vigilance of the proof-reader should be corrected in the second edition.
The Lily Of The Valley;
or, Margie and I, and other Poems.
By Amy Gray.
Baltimore: Kelly & Piet. 1868.
The gentle authoress of these poems, which have, at least, the merit of conveying a genuine expression of her sentiments, presents the volume to the public with this preface, which we copy entire:
"The object of the publication of the poems, and in view of which most of them were written, is to aid in the education of destitute little girls of the South, orphaned by the late war. The author cannot hope for more than a mite from so small a volume—the production, too, of an unknown writer; but the proceeds, whatever they may be, will be unreservedly appropriated to the object above named. To an intelligent and generous reading public the author confides this little work, feeling sure that their generosity will secure for it a patronage that its intrinsic merit cannot hope to obtain. It was of old the duty and privilege of the chosen people of God to offer the first-fruits of all their possessions to his service; and it is with gratitude for many mercies received, and with earnest prayers for the divine blessing, that the author would dedicate the first-fruits of her pen to an object which seems in accordance with the teachings of our blessed Lord, who has said: 'Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.'"
Excelsior;
or, Essays on Politeness, Education, and the Means of Attaining Success in Life.
Part I. For young gentlemen. By T. E. Howard, A.M.
Part II. For young ladies. By a lady, (R. V. R.)
Baltimore: Kelly & Piet 1868.
A capital book, and one we would like to have placed in the hands of every student, boy or girl, in the country. It is not easy to write books of this character, at least books that young persons will read; but Mr. Howard and his gentle co-author have produced a volume as pleasantly written as it is solidly instructive. It is said that it requires a high degree of moral courage to purchase at the bookseller's a book "on politeness." We trust that few among our young friends will be wanting in this courage when the purchase of the present volume is concerned, and we will guarantee that not one will fail to peruse it with very great pleasure.
Mac Carthy More; or, The Fortunes of an Irish Chief in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.
By Mrs. J. Sadlier.
New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co. Pp. 277. 1868.
This, the latest production of Mrs. Sadlier's prolific pen, is in no wise inferior to its predecessors. The incidents which form its groundwork are strictly historical, and can be found in The Life and Letters of Florence Mac Carthy Reagh, Tanist of Carberry, Mac Carthy Mor, compiled from unpublished documents in her Majesty's State Paper Office, by Daniel Mac Carthy, (Glas,) and published by Longman & Co., London. For those who cannot afford to purchase the more expensive English work, Mrs. Sadlier's condensation of the life and times of the great Irish chieftain will prove a very agreeable substitute. Besides being thus presented under the guise of a graceful little story, they will doubtless be more acceptable to most readers than the dry and prosaic details of mere historical narration.
Plain Talk About The Protestantism Of To-day.
From the French of Mgr. Segur.
Boston: P. Donahoe. 1868.
The best word we can say about this little book is to copy the first few lines of the translator's note:
"You ask me, dear sir, 'What makes me so anxious to publish this work in America?' Well, I wish to have it published for the sake of Catholic children tending common schools—of Catholic girls living out in families—of Catholic boys serving their time—of all dear and poor friends so often wounded in the affections dearest to their hearts, and whose religion is so often attacked in rude words. I herewith hope to place in their hands such arms as they can easily use, and which will have a telling effect on the enemies of their faith."
Mignon. A Tale.
Translated from the French.
New York: P. O'Shea. Pp. 202. 1868.
A charming little story, neatly got up; but the pleasure to be derived from its perusal would, however, be considerably increased if the thread of the narrative were not so often and so needlessly broken by whole pages devoted to sentimentalisms of the shallowest type.