It would be scarcely possible to add anything on the general subject
of this handsome brochure—the theme of so many thousand eloquent pens and voices. The celebration in the Province of Baltimore, however, was an exceptional one, as became the oldest See in the United States. Besides the addresses, letters, and resolutions, etc., which we naturally look for in such a publication, it includes encyclical and other letters from His Holiness, and some historical and chronological matter which the reader will find highly useful.
The Martyrs of the Coliseum; or, Historical Records of the Great Amphitheatre of Ancient Rome. By the Rev. A. J. O’Reilly, Missionary Apostolic at St. Mary’s, Capetown. London: Burns, Oates, & Co. 1871. For sale by the Catholic Publication Society, New York.
The basis of the narratives of this volume is furnished by the ancient Acts of the Martyrs. The story of several of the most illustrious martyrs of the early ages is told by the author, according to history and legend, with some embellishments of imagination, poetry, and fancy. There is also an account of the history of the Coliseum itself, as far as knowledge or probable conjecture can furnish it. The author’s style is warm, exuberant, and brilliant. The volume is instructive and entertaining, and ought to be a favorite, with young people especially.
Manual of Piety, for the use of Seminarians. Second American Edition. Baltimore: Published by John Murphy & Co., 182 Baltimore Street. 1872.
This is a new edition of an excellent and well-known manual for seminarians. It can hardly be too highly commended either as regards matter or form. It contains an immense amount of matter in a very small space, and the type is clear and beautiful.
Mr. Robert Coddington has in press, and will publish about Christmas,
The Vicar of Christ; or, Lectures upon the Office and Prerogatives of our Holy Father the Pope, by Rev. Thomas S. Preston, pastor of St. Ann’s Church, New York, and Chancellor of the Diocese. It will be published uniform in style with the other volumes of Father Preston’s lectures.
The Catholic Publication Society will publish, November 1, Mary, Queen of Scots, and Her Latest English Historian, a narrative of the principal events in the life of Mary Stuart, with some remarks on Mr. Froude’s History of England, by James F. Meline. This work will contain not only the thorough criticism of Mr. Froude’s History of England as far as made in the five articles on the subject in The Catholic World—articles which have attracted general attention, and put Mr. Froude upon his defence—but also a complete narrative of the life of Mary Stuart, with a review of those volumes of Mr. Froude’s history not noticed in the articles.
Mr. P. Donahoe, Boston, will soon publish To and from the Passion Play at Oberammergau, Bavaria, from the pen of the Rev. George H. Doane, Chancellor of the Diocese of Newark. It will be dedicated to the Rt. Rev. J. R. Bayley, D.D., Bishop of Newark.