him can supply; and unless these be quickly gathered up they will soon be lost beyond possibility of recovery. Here is a work for our Catholic Historical Societies to do. And the work must be done quickly and before the persons themselves die who still remember the facts. For Bishop O'Connor, notwithstanding his profound and accurate erudition, wrote no books, and before his death destroyed all his manuscripts, including the letters he had received and copies of those he had written to others. His spirit of self-depreciation was such that he deemed all that he ever wrote unworthy of publication. As during his Novitiate as a member of the Society of Jesus he endeavored to conceal the fact that he had been Bishop, so too, when he felt that he was approaching the end of his earthly existence, he seemed to desire that after death he should be quickly forgotten. He destroyed, so far as he could, whatever would serve to perpetuate and reflect honor upon his memory. As with him, so it doubtless has been with others of our deceased Bishops, among whom was the Right Rev. Jeremiah F. Shanahan, First Bishop of Harrisburg. Of all the powerful and edifying sermons he wrote and preached, of all his eloquent discourses, nothing is extant beyond the newspaper reports of a few of them. He thought his manuscripts un

worthy of preservation.

Perhaps it may seem to some of our readers that these remarks are irrelevant to our subject. But they are not. They are made by us for the purpose of bringing out to view the difference between the respective purposes of biographical monographs of a particular personage and a work like that before us. Each has a sphere and purpose of its The one does not supplant the other or make it needless. On the contrary, they mutually supplement each other.

own.

The author of the work before us evidently understands this, and has shown his good judgment in not attempting to give to his Lives of Deceased Prelates the character of special biographies. In the nature of things it would have been impossible for him to do this without swelling his work beyond all reasonable limits. He aims, not at giving a finely finished portrait of each deceased Prelate, but an outline sketch, less elaborate yet not less accurate and distinct. His work-and in this its great value chiefly consists-furnishes a panoramic view of the history of the Church in the United States, and of the parts performed respectively by the deceased Prelates in extending and building up the Church; their different intellectual and spiritual gifts and attainments, their different methods of work, their success in subduing the spiritual wildernesses in which many of them toiled, or in the cultivation of fields which their predecessors had planted and watered.

Then, too, while it does not supplant and, wisely, does not aim to supplant, biographies of any of our deceased Prelates; yet, owing to the dearth of such biographies-a dearth which will probably continue to exist―it seems destined to furnish the only means in future years, as in the present, by which we can form a distinct idea of who and what our deceased Prelates were and what they did and strove to do.

How unceasingly and rapidly death removes our Prelates is shown by the fact that since 1872, when the first two volumes of the work before us were published by Mr. O'Shea (now republished along with the third volume by Dr. Clarke), forty-one have passed away from earth. But if they have passed away, the results of their labors continue, and how fruitful and blessed they were is seen in the wonderful growth of the Church in the United States. For, whereas in 1872 the American Hierarchy comprised fifty-four Bishops, six Vicars Apostolic, and four Mitred Abbots; now, after the lapse of only fifteen years, it consists

of seventy-four Bishoprics, seven Vicariates Apostolic, ten Mitred Abbots, and one Prefecture Apostolic; and in the same time the Catholic population has increased from five and a half millions to eight or ten millions.

Over the pages of the third volume, the receipt of which furnishes the immediate occasion of this notice, those who read will fondly linger. For it will bring afresh to their minds the memory of Prelates whom they personally knew and whose names were as household words to themPrelates whom they loved and honored and revered. Some of them presided over and directed the work of extending and building up the Church in fields where the Church had been well-established by their predecessors in office, and was already measurably provided with. churches, priests, and religious and charitable institutions. Others were literally Missionary Bishops, whose dioceses were spiritual wildernesses, which they had to subdue by their labors, with no resources or help but those which, under God, their faith and zeal could create. Yet, though they sowed the good seed in tears, God blessed their work and permitted them to see the springing grain and in part, at least, to gather ripened sheaves as a foretaste of the more abundant harvest from their labors, which remains for their successors to reap.

THEOLOGIA MORALIS juxta Doctrinam S. Alphonsi Mariæ de Ligorio, Doctoris Ecclesiæ. Auctore Jos. Aertnys, C. SS. R., Theol. Mor. et S. Liturgiæ Professore. Tornaci: V. H. Casterman, 1886 and 1887. Tomi Duo. 8vo.

There are not a few who object to the indefinite multiplication of textbooks that is going on in the literary, scientific and theological world. They say, and with good reason: Why repeat what has been already well said by another? If times were notably altered, what suits one generation might not suit another, as the Fathers of the Church, though complete sources of all theology, will not furnish an apt theological manual for students of our times. But outside of this hypothesis (they keep on saying), where there is no significant difference of time, place, and other adjuncts, why this multiplying of text-books? Is there anything to justify such expenditure of money and labor? If a book is really good, and may be improved by addition and correction, why not reprint it, and correct or add as may be necessary?

They give, as shining examples of this judicious reprinting of standard works, La Croix and St. Alphonsus, who made Busenbaum their text-book, adding and improving where they deem it necessary. They might have added, too, the illustrious example of Francis Antony Zaccaria, one of the most indefatigable and voluminous writers to be found in the last half of the eighteenth century. One-half at least of his works consists of the writings of other authors, whom he reprinted with notes, additions and emendations. Among them we find the Moral Theology of La Croix (or Busenbaum), of Tamburini, of Dominick Viva, the Jus Canonicum of F. Vitus Pichler, the great work of Petavius De Dogmatibus Theologicis, the Chronology and History of the Bishops of Osimo, Cremona and Verona (with notes from Ughelli's Italia Sacra), Fleming's "Moeurs des Chretiens," translated into Latin by a German Jesuit, enriched with choice dissertations, and extended to three quarto volumes. A list (though not complete) of numerous works of others, reprinted, enlarged and improved by Zaccaria, may be found in the Preface to his edition of the "Disciplina Populi Dei" (Venice, 1782, vol. i., pp. 29-34).

But there are others who do not acquiesce in this reasoning and are

not persuaded by these examples. They think that there is something good and useful in a variety of text-books, as St. Augustine said long ago about books of devotion. Our author has handled his materials very well, and his style is sufficiently clear for the use of either professor or student. His treatise is full and complete in every respect, and if we have a fault to find with him it is that he has adhered too closely to the saying, Malius est abundare quam deficere. The contrary often holds good in manuals of this kind.

DE SPIRITU SOCIETATIS JESU. Auctore Julio Costa Rossetti, S. J., cum approbatione Superiorum Ordinis. Friburgi Brisgoviæ. Sumptibus Herder. 1888.

The object of this small volume is to give a clear and complete outline of the religious spirit which in a particular manner characterizes the Institute of St. Ignatius. It gathers, as it were, the principles out of the "Constitutions"-that most perfect code of human legislation for a Divine end-and marks the lines of action which, emanating from these principles, meet directly the errors, moral and intellectual, of our day. Thus, this digest becomes an index for the benefit of those who wish to understand the work, the modes of operation for good, peculiar to th Society of Jesus; modes which the world, not discovering the 21 at gives them shape and aim, suspects too often of being Anise and dark because they are so strangely powerful. And whilst the primary purpose of this book is to serve as a manual for the scholastics of the Order, or as a key later on to the larger works of similar character which are in use in the Society, yet it will prove of great advantage to others who, recognizing the superior mode of warfare which St. Ignatius initiated, aim at combating successfully the evils which surround the apostleship of truth in these times. Father Rossetti is already known as an author familiar with the recent aspects of the ethical question, and this must make us all the more confident in accepting the practical wisdom of this compact treatise; for when we remember that the religious spirit of an order is something apart from the spirit of religious vows, and that the apostolic character of the Society of Jesus, both in its legislation and discipline, somehow covers the distracting problems of modern civilization, we cannot fail to realize how valuable a book of this kind will prove to men employed in the apostolic labor of turning the world from its worldly idols into the ways of truth and sacrifice.

It is but just to say that this little work of 288 pages is made additionally readable from its excellent get-up; arrangement, typography, and binding, together with a very moderate price, equally recommending it.

BIOGRAPHY OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JULIUS P. GARESCHE, Assistant AdjutantGeneral, United States Army. By his son, Press of J. B. Lippincott Company: Philadelphia. 1887.

We have here a filial tribute worthy of a brave and pious father. Our late civil war had no nobler victim than Colonel Garesche, who was killed in the first battle in which he was actively engaged, that of Murfreesboro, or Stone River, on December 31st, 1862, while fighting bravely and gallantly by the side of General Rosecrans, whose chief of staff he was. All through life he was remarkable for his earnest but unassuming piety, and piously he died as he had lived, receiving Holy Communion on the morning of the day of battle, and spending some time in prayer immediately before he rode out to meet his death.

Colonel Julius P. Garesche was descended from some of the most honored French settlers in the West Indies, was connected with the bestknown families in Wilmington and Philadelphia, and was a brother of the well-known Jesuit Father Frederick Garesche. The story of his too short life is told with beautiful simplicity by his son, Louis, who honors. himself in thus honoring his parent. The best part of this deeply. interesting and highly edifying story is told in the colonel's own words, in copious but judiciously chosen extracts from his letters, and these let us into the secrets of a truly Christian family life.

But by no means does all the interest of the work end here. We have, besides, references to and illustrations of general Catholic American history, genealogical and other details of pioneer families in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland, notes of Bishop Odin, Father Domenech, and other early missionaries in Texas, where Colonel Garesche was stationed during the greater part of the interval intervening between the Mexican war and that of Secession, and of the city of St. Louis in those times.

So valuable an addition to our Catholic literature is this book that it is to be regretted only a limited edition of five hundred copies has been printed.

THE LIFE OF ST. PATRICK, APOSTLE OF IRELAND. With a Preliminary A
the Sources of the Saint's History. By William Bullen Morris, Prie of the
Oratory of St. Philip Neri. Third Edition. London and New York: Burns &
Oates, Limited; Dublin: M. H. Gill & Son. 1888.

This book promises to become the standard biography of Ireland's Apostle. For clear statement of facts, and calm, judicious discussion of controverted points, it surpasses any other work we know of in the 'iterature of the subject. The present edition, Father Morris tells us, has been much altered in form and dimensions; but on it he need not wait the popular verdict with trepidation. "The introduction has been re

written; an inquiry into the state of Ireland at the period of St. Patrick's advent has been introduced into the life, and there are considerable additions, and some omissions, in the body of the work." The book is, then, practically a new one, and it is a critical history, too. "With something like a pang the writer has been driven to give up the very beautiful legends connected with St. Patrick's infancy, having come to the conclusion that they do not rest on any solid historical foundation, and that it is impossible to make them harmonize with St. Patrick's autobiography." He draws largely upon the Saint's own writings, and prac tically ignores the controversy about his birthplace, which, after sifting all the evidence adduced by recent controversialists, he concludes "still remains a mystery." The work may not be incapable of improvement, but it is the best of the kind that has so far been given us. "A biographer of St. Patrick," Father Morris concludes, "must ever feel that he is the servant and interpreter of a mysterious master, and, therefore, it is in all sincerity that the writer borrows the declaration of St. Gregory the Great, as it stands in the preface to Villaneuva's edition of the Works of St. Patrick: Ab omnibus corripi, emendari ab omnibus paratus sum.”

A VISIT TO EUROPE AND THE HOLY LAND. By Rev. H. F. Fairbanks. New York: The Catholic Publication Society Company. 1888.

So many travelers have committed to print their impressions and experiences of the journey or journeys indicated in the title given above, that a wayfarer in these days, no matter how observant he may have been, can hardly be expected to tell us much that is new. But this feat

Father Fairbanks, a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has accomplished with rare success in the book now before us. And he is a safe as well as an intelligent guide, one whose company is not only not tedious, but instructive and improving. He shows us the points of most interest in Ireland, Great Britain, France, Italy and its capital, Rome, the other Mediterranean countries, Jerusalem, and the Holy Land, Switzerland, the Rhineland and the Netherlands. We do not hesitate to pronounce his book one of the best of recent works of travel.

CÆREMONIALE Episcoporum CLEMENTIS VIII., INNOCENTII X., ET BENEDICTI XIII, JUSSU EDITUM BENEDICTI XIV. ET LEONIS XIII. AUCTORITATE RECOGNITUM. Editio Typica. Ratisbona, Neo Eboraci, et Cincinnatii: Sumptibus, Chartis et Typis Fr. Pustet. MDCCCLXXXVI.

The publisher of this work seems to have a proper sense of his responsibility as "printer to the Holy Apostolic See and Congregation of Rites." Its typography and binding are all that any one could desire, for taste, use and durability; and the contents are, of course, official.

Accompanying the volume is an explanatory pamphlet of sixteen pages, published by the same house last year, entitled: "De Vi Obligandi Libri Cæremoniale Episcoporum ac de Consuetudine ipsi adversanti Dissertatio quam Disciplinæ Liturgica Studiosis Offert D. Joachim Solans, Presbyter, in Ecclesia Cathedrali Urgellensi Cæremoniarum Magister in ejusdem Civitatis Seminario S. Liturgiæ Professor. Ordinarii Licentia."

THE CANONS AND DECREES OF THE SACRED AND ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF TRENT. Translated by the Rev. J. Waterworth. To which are prefixed Essays on the External and Internal History of the Council. London: Burns & Oates; New York: Catholic Publication Society Co.

This is a fac simile reissue of a book that first appeared forty years ago, and that has long been out of print. It is a preeminently useful work, one that should be brought within the reach of the general Catholic public. The two historical essays are not masterpieces of historical composition, but are fully as good as any treatment of the same subject in the same number of pages that we have in English. These essays occupy nearly as much of the book as do the Canons and Decrees, there being about 250 pages of the former and over 280 of the latter. At the end of the volume are lists of the dignitaries who participated in the Council, and a very full alphabetical index to the Canons and Decrees.

AVE MARIS STELLA. Meditations for the Month of Mary, from the Italian of the Rev. Canon Berteu. Translated into English by M. Hopper. London: Burns & Oates; New York: Catholic Publication Society Co.

We have here a very timely publication, well adapted to suggest pious reflections to every class of reader, to help increase devotion in those who have it already, and to inspire it in the lukewarm. The translating is satisfactorily done, making the reading smooth and pleasurable.

THE LESSER IMITATION; Being a Sequel to the Following of Christ. By Thomas A' Kempis. Done into English by the Author of "Growth in the Knowledge of our Lord." New York: Catholic Publication Society Company. London: Burns & Oates.

It is impossible to speak too highly of this little work As the Following of Christ" is of priceless value, of scarcely less is this sequel.