We conclude by hoping that Mr. Parsons will vouchsafe us another volume of minor poems, and especially of sonnets.
The Life of Father Mathew, the People's Soggarth Aroon. By Sister Mary Francis Clare, Author of The Illustrated History of Ireland, Advice to Irish Girls in America, Hornehurst Rectory, etc.
The indefatigable Nun of Kenmare could not have employed her pen on a worthier subject than the life and labors of the Apostle of Temperance. She will have accomplished a great end if this work serves to keep green in the hearts of her countrymen and of all Catholics the memory of one who accomplished more good than many who possessed more brilliant abilities, yet who neglected to employ their talents in that usurious activity which wins a blessing.
Daily Steps to Heaven. New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co. 1872.
This, as well as the preceding work, belongs to a series of publications by the same author, embracing religious, historical, and miscellaneous books, which have attained an extraordinary popularity in the old country and in the United States.
A Biographical Dictionary. By Rev. Reuben Parsons, D.D. New York: D. & J. Sadlier & Co.
This work has been compiled “for the use of colleges, schools, and families.” It contains short biographical sketches of the principal characters of history, together with chronological tables. The subjects are for the most part well selected, and, as far as we have read, are well and correctly treated. The style of the [pg 573] author is terse and vigorous, and well adapted to this kind of composition.
The printing is excellent, the binding neat, but the figure in the frontispiece has suffered not a little at the hands of the artist—an accident which mars somewhat the general appearance of the book.
The New God. Translated from the German of Conrad von Bolanden, by Very Rev. Theodore Noethen, V.G. Albany: M. O'Sullivan. 1872.
Our readers have already had a sufficient taste of this author's quality in “The Progressionists,” now going through our pages, to desire the further treat to be found in the new products of his pen. We do not recall any series of fictitious writings, designed to combat vicious principles and actions, more admirable as specimens of vigorous and effective composition. The most obtuse progressionist could scarcely fail to comprehend the drift of the underlying argument, while the more fastidious reader will be carried along by the interest of the tale through which it is conveyed. Father Noethen is performing an acceptable service in making these works known to the English reader.