given, that no class of readers can fail to comprehend or to be benefitted by them; for there is a precision in Dr. Lingard's mode of stating his ideas, and a force in his style, calculated to make a strong and prompt impression upon the mind.

A Digest of the Penal Laws, passed against Catholics; with historical notes and illustrations; by the Rev. J. Waterworth. Dolman, 1841.

As much of horror and wickednsss are comprised within the few pages of this little work as the mind can well fancy! Certainly the persecution of Catholics under Henry VIII and the succeeding monarchs, had a degree of atrocity, beyond any other that has taken place from the beginning of the world-the persecutions in the carly ages (and the same may be said of that which formed the chief, if not the only blot on Mary's reign) were open and bold, it was frequently forbidden to seek for or to denounce the Christians; and we find it continually mentioned in the ancient martyrologies, that they were warned not to criminate themselves, by judges who seemed touched with a desire to save them. When the noble constancy of the victims had (according to the notions of the times) violated the majesty of the law, and they were dragged to torture and death, they were permitted openly to glorify God by their heroism, and seldom denied the sympathy of friends. But the grinding tyranny of the Reformation, as base as it was cruel, wound itself into all the minutia of private life, invaded the most sacred rights-profaned the most holy ties and duties-recognised no sanctity in any human connexions or feeling; every relation of life was made a source of oppression-no principle of justice was adhered to, and the blindest, most ignorant, and savage rapacity was cloaked under an hypocrisy that the devil himself could not easily surpass. What a fearful catalogue of laws have we here! The reverend compiler tells us that they were collected "as a method of replying to the accusation of persecution brought against Catholics." It will, we think, answer a far better purpose, if, in reminding us of the sufferings of our forefathers, it teach us to feel thankful for our "earthlier happy" lot, and in our thankfulness to correspond as freely with the exigencies of our times, as they did with those that fell upon them; or, if we may not yet lay aside the memory of strife, let us turn it to profit, by recollecting that there are even now many things in the laws of our country which are disadvantageous and unjust to the Catholic body; let these be examined, collected, and made known, and in the end they must be amended.

The Young Communicants, written for the use of the Poor School Bermondsey; by the author of Geraldine. Dolman, 1840.

In this beautiful little book we recognise the talent of the gifted author; the style is simple indeed, and the subject limited, compared

with what she has hitherto undertaken; but this lady has the art of throwing her whole soul into whatever she writes, and the grace and polish of her style are not to be mistaken even in her slightest compositions.

During her pious labours in the schools, she has penetrated deeply into the minds of the children by whom she is surrounded, and this insight has enabled her to bring down her explanations to the level of their capacities, while she has thrown into them, and into the touching. little story by which they are introduced, a sweetness and fervour, that must awaken their best feelings. We should be very glad to have more books of this description for the use of Catholic children.

Stories about Alfred the Great, for the amusement and instruction of children; by A. M. S. Dolman.

These little fragments of history are simply and pleasingly given; they are likely to interest children without misleading them; as the stories are taken from the best authorities, and are written in a Catholic spirit.

The Truths of the Catholic Religion, proved from Scripture alone; by Thomas Butler, D. D., second edition. Dolman, 1841.

A second edition of the Rev. Dr. Butler's lectures will be welcome to all Catholics, bearing, as they do, the stamp of his diligence, his charity, and his experience. How beautiful is the diversity of gifts amongst the defenders and ministers of our holy religion! The laborious parish priest has not scrupled, as he tells us, to avail himself of the learning of Dr. Wiseman, and other of his gifted contemporaries, who have had greater leisure for study; but he has given a peculiar character to the arrangement of the fruits of their research and his own, in a practical, plain, and full form of explanation, which must render them accessible to all minds. There is also a great anxiety manifested to meet every objection that can be brought against his doctrine, separate chapters being generally allotted for that purpose. This does not improve the logical character of the work; for generally speaking, the mere setting forth and establishing a truth, overthrows all that can reasonably be brought against it; and when a Catholic descends to answer other objections separately, he does so on untenable ground-it being a well known fact that a fool may ask questions which a wise man cannot answer." But Dr. Butler has had great experience of the obliquity and inconsistency of the human mind, and has prepared himself to grapple with it: his work will be an invaluable assistance to those who are thrown into promiscuous Protestant society. Dr. Butler evidently agrees with Dr. Wiseman in thinking that the mystery of the Eucharist (considered under both heads, as a sacrament and a sacrifice) should be the FIRST doctrine. presented to, and most strongly enforced upon the minds of our dissenting brethren, as involving that charity which is the bond of peace

and union, and accordingly Dr. Butler has devoted to a defence of it the chief part of his first volume. We do not quite understand the arrangement of the remainder, the rule of faith, upon which all minor differences are generally admitted to depend, being reserved for the concluding chapter. But this is of small consequence ;-this all-important subject has been treated with admirable ability.

The New Month of Mary, or reflections for each day of the month, on the different titles applied to the Holy Mother of God in the Litany of Loretto: principally designed for the month of May, by the very Rev. P. R. Kenrick. Dolman, 1841.

The title of this work which we have given at length, will be its best recommendation. In addition to the reflection mentioned (and which is prefaced by one of the invocations of our blessed Lady, and the text upon which the title is based), a short example is given of the saints who have had recourse to her, and of the efficacy of her intercession. This is followed by a few prayers, varied according to the invocation, and the whole forms a beautiful devotion suited for each day in the month, and not too long to be practised by families, to whom we are sure it will be highly acceptable.

A Journey from La Trappe to Rome; by the Reverend Father Baron Geramb. Dolman, 1841.

Reminiscences of Rome; or a religious, moral, and literary view of the Eternal City, by a member of the Arcadian Academy. Jones, 1840.

There is something piquant and entertaining in the writings of Father Geramb, which will generally ensure a welcome to any publication of his; it would scarcely be decorous to call them amusing,' fraught as they are with high-toned enthusiastic piety; yet it cannot be denied that one is tempted to smile at the naiveté with which we are permitted to trace the ci-devant courtier, the gay, gallant, somewhat bombastic Frenchman, under the garb of the Trappist monk; with the utmost simplicity we are admitted to view the little struggles that arise in his mind, when he strives to reconcile the two characters. It is impossible not to sympathise with the good man when he sits down in despair before his six trunks, wondering what he ought to do next, and whether the confusion lying around him will ever get reduced into them; wondering next what business a Trappist monk has to have six trunks at all, to which he reconciles himself by the consideration that they were all nearly filled with packages entrusted to him; regretting a little his formerly numerous attendants, and winding up with the pious self-accusation, that he had not used them well, and consequently deserved to wait upon himself; whereupon he crams in his packages. The same simplicity of character runs through the graver parts of his work, and, joined to an

ardent and observing turn of mind, prevents any thing he writes from being dull or trivial, and those who have delighted in his pilgrimage to the Holy Land will be glad to follow the good father to Rome, although there is little in his account of it, which will not be familiar to most of his readers. The second publication is one which we think no traveller to Rome should be without; it is fraught with extensive and various information upon the government and institutions, the public buildings, charities, libraries, and museums, in Rome; nor is this information of that hackneyed kind, which forms a common stock for travellers in general. Fragments of history, and curious anecdotes connected with the old buildings, treasures of antiquity, unnoted amongst the incalculable wealth of the Roman museums, and above all those churches, unnoticed in and around Rome, which would be so wonderful any where else; all these the author has seen leisurely, with the feelings of a Christian and of a man of learning and refinement, and while doing so he has noted down many things in the manners of the people, their pious observances, and the customs pursued in the public places, and many pieces of learned and literary gossip which are well worth preserving. There is not in this work the slightest trace of what is called bookmaking; the type is small, the appearance of the work unpretending; but there is far more in it than in many of those dashing three volumed descriptions, in which modern travellers so kindly patronise the eternal city. This author has evidently lived in Rome: although well able to throw light upon its heathen antiquities, he has delighted chiefly in tracing the influence of Christianity upon this capital of Christendom; many instances are adduced (and some we think new ones) of the care with which her various treasures have been preserved by the Papal court-a government which, whatever be its merits, would seem to have that of entering into, and corresponding more completely with the feelings of its people than perhaps any other.

Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, by Miss Agnew. Dolman,

1840.

This beautiful work is completed; which we are inclined to regret, as we would willingly see a greater number of these admirable illustrations of Mercy in all its functions.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of numerous works, which we propose to notice in our next number; and for which we regret to have no sufficient space at present.

END OF THE TENTH VOLUME.

C. RICHARDS, PRINTER, 100, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, LONDON,

TO THE

TENTH VOLUME OF THE DUBLIN REVIEW.