This volume of Appleton's Cyclopædia is certainly, at least considered as a register of current events, of unusual interest. No recent year has witnessed events in Europe of such importance as have occurred in 1870; and the accounts given of them are sufficiently full. Of course they have been carefully prepared, and are interesting from the nature of the case. So far as we have noticed, the proper scope of such a publication has been well observed, plain statements of facts being given without comment or apparent prejudice. The statement of the preface, however, that by the overthrow of the temporal sovereignty of the Pope, "liberalism and authority have been brought to a final issue before the world," is somewhat objectionable; as is also, and in a much higher degree, the introduction of a portrait of the wretched man who, unfortunately for himself as well as others, is the nominal head of the Italian kingdom, for a frontispiece. Portraits are also given of two really distinguished and remarkable men, Generals Von Moltke and Robert E. Lee.
The results of the United States census of 1870 are given, and full information as to the present condition and growth of each state. The scientific information is on the whole valuable and accurate. In the present intense activity of research in this field, it is of course impossible to admit into a work of this kind everything of interest and importance, and nothing besides, and a better selection could hardly have been made. The volume is very creditable to its able and enterprising publishers.
Wonders of European Art. By Louis Viardot. Illustrated. 1 vol. 16mo. New York: Charles Scribner & Co. 1871.
We have so often spoken in praise of the volumes of this series, known as "The Library of Wonders," that it is with regret we are compelled, as in the case of the present volume, to condemn any of them. But such books as these need careful editing, and in the volume before us this has evidently been neglected; for on page 88 we find "the idolatries of the Catholic Church," as well as similar expressions elsewhere, that unfit it for circulation amongst our Catholic youth. We would most respectfully suggest to the publishers a little more care in future volumes, if they desire to have these books placed in Catholic libraries, or given as school and college premiums, for both of which they are, otherwise, admirably adapted.
The Catholic Publication Society has in press, and will soon publish: The Life of Mother Julia, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame. Familiar Instructions on Mortal Prayer. By the Abbé Courbon. Translated from the French, and edited by Rev. W. T. Gordon, of the Oratory, London. Light in Darkness: A Treatise on the Obscure Night of the Soul. By Rev. A. F. Hewit. The Illustrated Catholic Family Almanac for 1872. A Life of Mother Margaret Mary Hallahan, abridged. A new edition of Mylius's History of England, continued down to the present day and adapted for schools. Gahan's Church History, a new edition, continued down to the present time.
The Catholic Publication Society will also soon publish in one handsome volume The Pictorial Bible and Church History Stories, being a compendious narrative of sacred history, brought down to the present times of the church, by Rev. Henry Formby. It will be copiously illustrated from designs by the most eminent artists, and will be sold at a price so as to place it within the reach of every Catholic family in the United States.
We have just received from Messrs. Murphy & Co. an advance copy of Patron Saints, by Miss Starr.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
From The Catholic Publication Society, New York: A History of the Christian Councils; from the Original Documents, to the close of the Council of Nicæa, A.D. 325. By Charles Joseph Hefele, D.D., Bishop of Rottenburg, etc. Translated from the German by W. R. Clark, M.A. Oxon. 1 vol. 8vo.—The Priest on the Mission: A Course of Lectures on Missionary and Parochial Duties. By Frederick Canon Oakley, M.A. 1 vol. 12mo.
From P. F. Cunningham, Philadelphia: The Acts of the Early Martyrs. By J. A. M. Fastré, S.J. First Series and Second Series. 2 vols. 12mo.
From J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia: Hesperia. By Cora L. V. Tappan.—Thistledown. By Esmeralda Boyle.
From Benziger Bros., New York: Euchiridion Sacerdotum Curam Animarum Agentum. Compilatum a L. B. V. M. Moczygemba.
From P. O'Shea, New York: The Catholic Youth's Hymn Book; containing hymns of the seasons and festivals of the year, and an extensive collection of sacred melodies; to which are added an easy Mass, Vespers, and Mottets for Benediction. Arranged, with a special view to the wants of Catholic schools, by the Christian Brothers.
From Charles Scribner & Co., New York: Common Sense in the Household: A Manual of Practical Housewifery. By Marion Harland.
From P. J. Kenedy, New York: The Life of St. Mary of Egypt; to which is added The Life of St. Cecilia and The Life of St. Bridget.
From Lee & Shepard, Boston: The Model Prayer: A Course of Lectures on the Lord's Prayer. By George C. Baldwin, D.D., author of "Representative Women," etc.
From Roberts Bros., Boston: Ad Clerum: Advice to a Young Preacher. By Jos. Parker, D.D., author of "Ecce Deus."
From J. Murphy & Co., Baltimore: The Child's Prayer and Hymn Book, for the use of Catholic Sunday-schools.