naturally should. But it strikes at modern errors directly and puts each thesis in a modern setting, with the result that the student sees Catholic truth in its bearings on the agitated problems of the day. Observing the true scholastic principle that scriptural, positive, and rational theology are distinct but not separate parts of one organic whole, the author presents all three unitedly, thus showing in a convincing manner that Catholic theology has its roots struck deep in revelation and is not the purely human product which modernists claim. This method of presentation equips the student to cope with modern thought directly, and sharpens his wits as well as his weapons for the adversaries with whom he is destined to deal. Each thesis has what is of faith clearly indicated right after the statement of the thesis itself. Then follow the Scripture proofs, the history, the proofs from reason, and the errors opposed to the doctrine. There is an orderliness about the whole volume which makes it of great value to the student.

The author seems to have everybody in view, student, teacher, adversary, and preacher. All may dip into this volume with profit. Special attention is paid to the Scripture proofs of doctrine, and thus one gap which modern adversaries try to open up between theology and Holy Writ is effectively closed. This is a most commendable feature of the work. Formerly the claim was put forth that dogmas were let down ready made from the skies. Then the modernists gave currency to the false idea that dogmas were nothing more than the product of man's reflection. To combat these two false conceptions it is necessary to show the supernatural origin of each dogma and to accentuate its agreement with revelation. This the author does most clearly and commendably, showing the initial statement and subsequent phases of the development of each dogma, and always insisting on the connection and agreement of each phase with revelation. The supernatural premisses of all the dogmas are pointed out and the logical consequences laid bare. It is a timely piece of work, and we wish it all success. A fine topical index crowns the usefulness of the volume.

It is good to see the actuality of treatment which characterizes this manual, especially the decisive word which the author has to say on current biblical problems connected with dogma. The work was first printed in manuscript form for his students at Paderborn. It is now sent forth to a larger public in the hope of accomplishing a larger good.

EDMUND T. SHANAHAN.

La Paroisse. Discours choisis de nos orateurs, par le Chanoine Jean Vaudon. Tome I. L'Installation, La Prise de Possession. Les Prêtres de la Paroise. Paris, Bloud & Cie, 1911. 4 frs.

Canon Vaudon has rendered a genuine service to the clergy in the publication of this collection of sermons by various authors on the priest and his relations to his parish, to the Church and to society. Its first purpose is to offer help and suggestion to the preacher, but it will also appeal to many as a book holding forth a high and correct ideal of the priestly vocation. La Paroisse is the first volume of a series which is to comprise discourses on religious subjects by some of the best modern pulpit orators of France, England, Belgium and Italy, and which will also, according to the promise of the compiler, enable us "entendre des voix. laiques, ardentes, excitantes, généreuses."

JOHN T. CREAGH.

A Practical Handbook for the Study of the Bible, by Dr. Michael Seisenberger. Translated by Buchanan and Gerrard. New York, Joseph F. Wagner, 1911. 8vo., 491 pp. $2.00 net.

This book of introduction to the study of the Bible contains in a succinct form a large amount of useful information. In the first 150 pages the author describes the geography, history, and sacred antiquities of the Holy Land, the tabernacle and its final substitute, the temple, the priesthood, the sacred rites, customs and festivals. The next hundred pages contain the General Introduction to the Sacred Scriptures, embracing the important subjects of Inspiration, the Canonical Books, the Original Texts, and the Ancient Versions. Then follows the Special Introduction of about 200 pages, in which the date, authorship, and synopsis of contents of the several books of the Old and New Testament are summarily treated. This part is characterized by a careful conservatism, kept well within the limits prescribed by the recent papal instructions and the decisions of the Biblical Commission. It offers a safe and rapid survey, suited to the seminarian as a textbook, and to the busy priest as a book of reference, but leaves untouched some of the difficulties raised by the serious study of

biblical questions. The rest of the book sets forth the principles of biblical interpretation. The works of reference are with but few exceptions German. As a bibliography, even for German readers, it makes no mention of some works of first rate importance. The translators could have made the list, even as it stands, more useful for English readers, had they indicated those which may be found in an English translation. The book has a useful series of maps, but the names of places are those, not of the Douay but of the King James' version.

CHARLES F. AIKEN.

Our Priesthood, by the Reverend Joseph Bruneau, S. S., D. D. St. Louis, B. Herder, 1911. 12mo., 133 pp. 90 cents net.

A good book for spiritual refreshment is always welcome. Such is the book under review. The author, respected alike for his piety and learning, presents to the reader the series of conferences which he delivered to his seminary students in preparation for the various grades of Holy Orders. It is an admirable and highly edifying exposition of each rite of ordination, from tonsure to the holy priesthood, using the Latin text as the basis, and setting forth each grade in its meaning, its end, its dignity, its demand for special priestly virtues. Its style is easy, simple, direct, well suited to the matter in hand. As an exhortation to sacerdotal perfection it deserves great praise and widespread recognition.

CHARLES F. AIKEN.

Lourdes; les Apparitions, par le Cte Jean de Beaucorps. Paris, Bloud et Cie., 1911. 12mo., 300 pp.

The purpose of this little volume is to set forth the story of the life of Bernadette Soubirous and the apparitions which she had of the Blessed Mother of God above the famous grotto of Lourdes. It is not a new story, having been told with fulness of detail by Cros, d'Estrade, and retold in more succinct form by Bertrin, Boisserie, and others. To this more than twice told tale the present author has sought to give a certain freshness by supplementing the account with minor information obtained from personal inter

views with some of those who knew Bernadette and were in part witnesses of her extraordinary experiences, her brother, her aunt, and her companions Mlles. Ribettes, Moura, and Abadie. The first three parts of the volume describe the apparitions, tell how they were received by the common folk, the civil authorities, the clergy, and relate the edifying life of the simple peasant girl, particularly her last years in the convent of Nevers. The last part is devoted to a vindication of the reality of the apparitions.

CHARLES F. AIKEN.

The Utopia of Sir Thomas More.

Edited with Introduction,

Notes, and Glossary, by William Dallam Armes, M. L., Associate Professor of American Literature, University of California. New York, The Macmillan Company, 1912. Price 60 cts., net. Pp. lxi + 346.

Professor Armes has deserved well of all who are engaged in teaching advanced English, and his compact edition of More's Utopia is certain of a hearty welcome. The Introduction, to which much care has obviously been given, is in six parts. First there is a beautifully sympathetic life of More, containing all the principal incidents in his chequered but glorious career, and a detailed and affecting presentation of the dramatic scene enacted on the scaffold before the martyr's head was struck off. Then follows an account of the early editions of the Utopia, with an appreciation of the work as a first-fruit of the Renaissance in England. Two very illuminative short articles are devoted to More's literary art and the purpose of his book. Finally there is a satisfying account of Ralph Robynson and his translation of More's work from the original Latin into English. The text followed is in the main that used by Robynson in his first edition (1551), but the spelling and the paragraphing have been modernised. In an Appendix there are given certain matters that appeared for the first time in the second edition (1556) of Robynson's translation. There are 78 pages of scholarly notes, a glossary, and an analytical index.

The editor is to be warmly congratulated on the result of his labours, and the publishers have done their part by turning out

the book in clear type and in a handsome cover. seen a better all-round edition of an English classic.

I have rarely

P. J. LENNOX.

An Unnatural Mother. By Slieve Foy. London, Lynwood and Co., Ltd., 12 Paternoster Row. 1911. Price 3s. 6d. Pp.

246.

Slieve Foy is a pseudonym which thinly veils the identity of a new Irish writer, whose real name is entirely racy of her native soil and of her Catholic creed, and who among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances is highly esteemed not only for her intellectual gifts but for the geniality and kindliness of her disposition. We who know her know that Slieve Foy has a heart of gold. For a long time past I have been looking out for her first novel, and as the years sped by I was somewhat disappointed when it came not. Hence I welcome with joy the evidence given by the book now before me that its author has not abandoned her earlier aspirations.

An Unnatural Mother shows that Slieve Foy possesses one essential gift of her craft: she knows how to tell a story of such interest that, in the words of Sir Philip Sidney, it "holdeth children from play, and old men from the chimney corner." Her plot construction is skilful, and the gently-touched but deftlyhandled incidents on which she rests the pivotal points of her narrative are so natural as to give no clue to their consequences until the end is reached and one looks back, in a lingering and admiring review, on the artistic symmetry of the whole story. In character drawing she is also strong. Jane Mudie, Dr. Kingslake, and Alona are fine types. I think, however, that the author errs somewhat in following too closely the example of Mr. Charles Garvice, who has secured his popularity by depicting deep-dyed villains and smug-faced hypocritical rogues on the one hand, and on the other, unspotted, pure-souled, almost angelic mortals endowed, like Berkeley, with every virtue under heaven. Practice makes perfect, and I feel confident that Slieve Foy will in future novels prove that she realises the value of restraint in this important department of her work.