Communications may be addressed to Father Burke at St. Benedict's Home, Rye, New York.

The Scottish Review (quarterly) for October, 1895, contains a very interesting paper entitled, "The Links of the Forth,' recalling the days of Columbkill and the monks who peopled the Northern isles; an estimate of "The Council of Clermont and the First Crusade," tracing the rise and development of French literature; and an article of special value to students, "Argon and the Atmosphere." The magazine and book notices of The Scottish Review are always valuable.

But

The consolidation of The Catholic Standard and The Catholic Times of Philadelphia, under one management, is the result of wise counsel and of clear recognition that the best interests of the Catholic press demand at least some of that union in which there is strength. Both of these papers had been well conducted; they were a creditable example for the many petty sheets that disgrace Catholic journalism in other parts. their managers, clerical and lay, saw the unwisdom, even in a large city like Philadelphia, with its generous and devoted people, of trying to sustain two enterprises running on identical lines and aiming at the same goal. Judgment and policy, therefore, dictated the sacrifice of some so-called independence (a muchabused word), and the co-operation of these two champions whose combined forces, under the name of The Catholic Standard and Times, will hereafter do much more efficient work in behalf of the cause for which they enlisted. It is a good move, a step to be commended, an example that we offer, here in New York and elsewhere, to the troop of scramblers clamoring for a patronage that many of them do not deserve and will probably never earn. We gladly greet The Catholic Standard and Times, and basing our opinion on work already done, we predict for this journal an efficient and an honorable career. Its greatest success will not exceed the limit of our heartiest wishes. Prospere procede et regna, good friend of Philadelphia; may your influence widen out each year, and may your example be followed in many places.

One is always sure to find pleasant matter in Lippincott's Magazine. Among the December contributions we mention the following: "Japanese Sword-Lore,"

full of quaint knowledge from the land of the rising sun; "Athletic Sports of Ancient Days," "English Mediæval Life;" and "Meats," a discourse on the variety of foods coming under this head.

In the December number of St. Anthony's Messenger, that excellent little monthly published by the Franciscan Fathers, Cincinnati, we find a satisfactory account of "St. Anthony's Bread," its origin, aim, and progress. This subject was recently touched in a brief article that appeared in a secular magazine; but St. Anthony's Messenger gives a full sketch.

"How Cuba Might Have Belonged to France" is the title of a romantic bit of history dramatically told in The Fortnightly Review for November, 1895.

46

The Beginnings of a Republic," by Albert D. Vandam, opens a series of articles on the establishment of the Third Republic in France. Other attractive papers are: "The Sultan and His Court; " "Vegetarianism;” and “Book-Collecting as a Fine Art."

Among the contributions to The Catholic World for December we note the following as of special interest: Among the Butterflies," by William Seton; "The Princess de la Tour d'Auvergne at Jerusalem," a sketch of a saintly life in practical charity and religion; "Looking Back at the Maynooth Centenary," by the Reverend Doctor McCready, of Holy Cross Church, New York; and “Armenia Past and Present," by the Reverend Doctor Hyvernatt, of the Catholic University. This last-named paper bears evidence of crude English; the editor should have re-touched it. The author's eulogy of the Kurds, in conjunction with his expressed dread of running the gauntlet in a Western mining camp or on a ranch, does not add to the value of the article; rather, it makes the intelligent reader smile.

The Westminster Review for November, 1895, gives an insight into the literary life of the Antipodes, through a critical paper entitled, "A Gallery of Australasian Singers." "The Treatment of the Canadian Indians," in the same number, is a contribution from which one can glean much edifying and encouraging information. The contrast between Canada and the United States is one that shows seriously to our disadvantage and shame. "Russian Fictional Literature" is another instructive paper, while "Modern

Troubadours" is, at once, a lament for the old singers, and a hope and a plea that the race may not altogether perish. Under the heading, "A National Waste,” a contributor discusses the labor of woman. As the writer is a woman, it is presumed that she is qualified to speak. Her paper is cleverly written, and while she honestly denounces the idleness of many society women, her sympathy for the poor is intelligent. We quote one sentence as a specimen: "There is always much shopping to be done in every household, for, instead of making things, you buy them now; and the purchase of a yard of elastic is thought a sufficient morning's employment for a woman who has armis that could milk a cow, or brains that could manage a hotel."

From a recent number of Il Rosario Memorie Domenicane we learn that on October 21st, the Holy Father received to private audience, the Most Reverend Master-General of the Dominican Order, who was accompanied by Fathers Mackey, Lyttleton, and Suermondt, members of the Order assigned to the work of preparing the new edition of St. Thomas' works, and Signor Gatti, the Director of the printing office attached to the Propaganda. The occasion of this audience was the presentation to His Holiness of the eighth volume of the splendid edition of the Angelic Doctor's writings, for which the Pope has labored so strenuously.

The best article in The American Magazine of Civics for December, 1895, is Florence Matheson's "Woman's Natural Debarments from Political Service." It is, in our opinion, the most effective answer thus far given to the woman suffragists; and by a woman, its telling force ought to be increased.

In the December Scribner is concluded Mr. George Meredith's much-discussed serial: "The Amazing Marriage." In this story, as in all of his work, Mr. Meredith's style is most pronounced. He has, undoubtedly, the talent which a portion of the reading world allows, but this talent-genius, as some claim-is hopelessly handicapped by extreme obscurity of expression which at times becomes almost unintelligible. Treasonable as this sentiment may be in the eyes of Mr. Meredith's admirers, it is an opinion in which we are not alone. "The Staying Powers of Sir Rohan" is another of Frank R. Stockton's popular short

stories, replete, as usual, with ludicrous situations indeed Mr. Stockton is the novelist of situations, and they are invariably amusing.

A White Blot," by Henry Van Dyke, and “The River Syndicate," by Charles Carryl, go towards making up a full fiction number.

The illustrations of the number are particularly fine, especially the reproductions of the etchings of Evert Van Muyden, in Captain C. J. Mellis' article: "Wild Beasts as They Live," and the illustrations after Alma Tadema, scattered through the paper by Cosmo Monkhouse.

We are much pleased to witness the decided progress of our English namesake, The Rosary, published by the Dominicans of the Province of England. It has always been edifying and instructive. We are glad that an increase in the number of subscriptions shows the practical appreciation which is so necessary to give effect to energy and zeal in the line of Catholic literature.

The opening paper of The Century for December is by Annie S. Peck, and is descriptive of The Passion Play at Vorder-Thiersee." The pictures are by Louis Loeb. The most interesting article from a religious and artistic point of view, is "Tissot's Life of Christ," by Edith Coues, in which a number of the artist's great pictures (notably the Mater Dolorosa, and The Apparition) are reproduced. Says Miss Coues: "In the production of this work which externalizes his full development as man and artist, M. Tissot has been impelled by a desire to use his art for the purpose of presenting a truthful idea of the figure of Christ, and the personages of His time. With this idea he made, in 1886, the first of two journeys to Palestine, beginning serious study of the topography and of the various races which have from time to time taken root there: their manners, customs, dress, gestures, *** and to enter into the mental and moral attitudes of that race of Judea, so unique in its design and destiny." The result of this minute and painstaking study has been a series of grand works of art. Too much cannot be said of the exquisite illustrations which adorn this article. William M. Sloane's "Life of Napoleon" continues to grow in interest.

In this number we have the second installment of "Sir Ceorge Tressady," Mrs. Humphrey Ward's new serial, and short stories from the pens of Frank

Stockton, Rudyard Kipling, and S. Hopkinson Smith. "Appeals to Lincoln's Clemency" gives a touching picture of "Honest Abe's" tenderness and mercy.

From the December number of L'Année Dominicaine, we learn that the late Cardinal Bonaparte was a devoted member of the Third Order of St. Dominic. In a future issue of our magazine we shall give a sketch of this eminent prelate.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine for November contains a second article on the Chinese Navy, by one who knows from personal observation; "Wanderings in Persian Kurdistan" and "Ireland Revisited," the latter by Alfred Austin, both pleasant sketches of travel; and an estimate of the life of Professor Blackie.

The December number of Blackwood's gives a view of "The Peasant Life of South Russia;" "The English Soldieras He Was and as He Is ;" and "Oxford in Fact and Fiction."

Among timely articles, political and historical, which may be found in The Review of Reviews for December, a resumé of the recent New York election is given, entitled, "The Cartoon in Politics." Thirty of the humorous and, we might say, ridiculous pictures are re-produced. The Review of Reviews touches many a subject in its monthly compilation of text and illustration.

McClure's Magazine for December continues its life of Lincoln with numerous illustrations. The story of the Emancipator is one of living interest, and in the form of McClure's it reaches many to whom it would otherwise be inaccessible.

An admirable article, temperate and gentle in spirit and exhaustive in treatment, is Wilfrid Ward's "The Rigidity of Rome," in The Nineteenth Century for November, 1895. The question of the re-union of the Church of England with Rome is there discussed luminously and religiously, the breathing of charity being apparent through the entire article.

The October issues of The Edinburgh Review, quarterly, and The Quarterly Review contain a great variety of attractive matter. The subjects indicate the scope of these periodicals in the issues named, and therefore, we merely mention some of the headings: In The Quarterly, "The Art of Translation;'

The

New Drama;" "Village Communities in Spain; "The Novels of Maria Edge

worth; ""Mrs. Augustus Craven;" and "Torquato Tasso." In The Edinburgh Review, "Shells and Molluscs;' 'Argon and Helium;" "Mediæval Cyprus;

Memoirs of Barras;" and "Crimean Letters." The reader may find occasion for dissenting from the views of some of these writers, but one is always certain to find care and scholarship put into good English, on a great variety of important and instructive topics.

THE ROSARY MAGAZINE gladly hails the publication of a sister-magazine which has just been started in Guatemala, Central America. The new magazine is named "El Pabellon del Rosario,"-The Rosary Standard. This is the twelfth official publication of Rosary magazines under the immediate control of the FriarsPreachers in different parts of the world, which are laboring to proclaim the glories of Mary, and to make known the beauties of her most Holy Rosary.

The Independent for December 12th, gives the place of honor to two poems by Catholic writers,-Louise Imogen Guiney and Father Tabb. We here give the latter's beautifully finished

We have to thank the Rev. Father Bruneau, S. S., professor in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, for his appreciative article descriptive of the Dominican Biblical School in Jerusalem, published in the December American Ecclesiastical Review. This article gives a true idea of the many advantages that can be derived from this institution, and we are happy to see that they are recognized by eminent priests. In the Biblical School the clergy of the United States are already represented by two students. We hope that many others will avail themselves of our Dominican hospitality, and so contribute to the progress of Catholic exegesis. In our next number we shall publish an illustrated account of the Biblical School.