with art in Portugal. A very complete bibliography follows every chapter. The numerous illustrations, although most minute, are most beautiful and well chosen.

A DIVINE FRIEND. By Henry C. Schuyler. Philadelphia : Peter Reilly. $1.00.

We remember reading some twenty years ago an excellent book by a French priest-Père Ollivier, if we remember aright—on The Friends of Christ, which was brought vividly to mind by this new book of Father Schuyler's. But although the theme is an old one, we must say that Father Schuyler's method of treatment is charming in its simplicity and striking in its originality. The volume consists of a series of studies on the characters and lives of some of those whom our Savior expressly distinguishes as standing in degrees of particular intimacy with Himself. As Monsignor Benson says in his preface: "They are specimens, so to speak, selected from that 'multitude which no man can number,' selected yet again from that smaller company of 'His own,' of whom so many, as His own beloved disciple tells us, 'did not receive Him'those who were given the amazing and awful privilege of seeing and speaking with, in the days of the flesh, the Divine Lover and Redeemer of souls.”

WE received an Illustrated Catechism for First Communion,

which Father Libert of St. Bernard's Seminary, Rochester, New York, has just edited. We call the attention of pastors and Sunday-school teachers to this most valuable little book. It is especially interesting, because the proceeds of its sale go towards helping the Catholic Missions of Marfa and the Rio Grande, Texas. Price, 15 cents; twenty-five copies, $3.00.

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TIMELY and valuable pamphlet, entitled The Why and Wherefor of Parochial Schools, has just been issued as a penny leaflet by the Central Bureau of the Central Verein, St. Louis, Missouri. The pamphlet is the reprint of an address delivered by the Reverend D. I. McDermott, Rector of St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia, Pa. It would be well for pastors to distribute it among their people, and it is very useful to give to inquirers who wish to understand the attitude of the Catholic Church with regard to parochial schools.

FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS.

La Bonté Chez les Saints, by Marquis de Ségur. (Paris: Pierre Téqui. 6 frs.) The Marquis de Ségur has written three volumes on the saints of the primitive Church, the Middle Ages, and modern times, in which he brings out particularly their kindness, charity, mercy, and tenderness. His thesis throughout is that the perfect love of one's neighbor is an infallible proof of one's perfect love for Jesus Christ.

L'Agonie des Fleurs, by A. Yves le Moyne. (Paris: Eugene Figuière et Cie.) M. le Moyen is evidently a disciple of Baudelaire. His poems are full of the morbid melancholy of Poe, and the gross immorality of Whitman. The only lyrics in the volume worthy of mention are those inspired by his sojourn in North Africa, namely, Un Lever de Soleil, dans le Bled, Les Crocodiles, and Le Crucifiement des Lions.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin an Earnest of Salvation. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) The anonymous author of this little book proves, by citations from the saints and by many a pious tale and legend, that the devout servant of Mary is always the true lover of Jesus Christ, her Son. A non-Catholic might think some of the stories extravagant and far-fetched, but one inside the fold will readily interpret them in the light of Catholic dogma.

The Life of Rev. A. de Ponlevoy, S.J., by Rev. Alexandre de Gabriac, S.J. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) If the writer of The Candid History of the Jesuits would only deign to read this life of a nineteenth century French Jesuit, he might realize how basely he had calumniated the aim and spirit of the Society of Jesus. We have in these vivid pages a perfect picture of the Jesuit as novice, priest, professor, preacher, provincial, director of souls, instructor of souls, and letter-writer. It is an excellent book to put in the hands of a Jesuit novice.

Letter to a Religious Superior, by Father Franco, S.J. Translated from the Italian by the Abbé A. E. Gautier. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) The Decree, Quemadmodum rerum, issued by the Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, forbade religious superiors to usurp the place of the confessor, either by insisting on a private manifestation of conscience, or by regulating unduly the subject's right to receive Holy Communion. The Jesuit Father Franco has written a brief explanation of this decree to a certain religious superior who was greatly worried about its true meaning.

Homilies for All Sundays and Feasts of Obligation, by Rev. I. L. Gondal, S.S. (Paris: P. Lethielleux.) This "aid to the preacher" is one of the best works of its kind that we have read for many a day. Each chapter is divided into three parts, viz.: First, the text of the Sunday Gospel in Latin and French; second, a brief exegesis of the text; and, third, an analysis of the most striking sermons of the chief French pulpit orators. The learned Superior of the Seminary of Toulouse has written a book which we would gladly welcome in an English dress.

Addresses to Young Men, by Rev. Paul Lallemand. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) The French Oratorian, Father Lallemand, has published three volumes of simple, devout, and eloquent addresses to young men, inculcating the love of God and the love of country. We enjoyed particularly his sketches of Admiral Bergasse and Father Marchal, and his brief talks on Christmas, Catholic France, and The Saints of France.

Beyond the Tomb, by Rev. Ad. Hamon, S.J. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) The author has written this popular treatise on the joys and happiness of heaven

to console and encourage those Christians who are tempted to doubt and despair in our unbelieving age. It is a good book to read during a retreat.

Let Us Defend Ourselves, by the Abbé Charles Grimaud. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) The Abbé Grimaud, in these short, lively stories, warns his readers against the chief evils prevalent in France to-day. He studies in turn French infidelity, the anti-Christian school, the impious press, Socialism, race suicide, the pagan feminine movement, and the like. He shows clearly that the only remedy lies in a return to the faith of old Catholic France.

Cases of Conscience for the Laity, by Abbé L. Desbrus. (Paris: Pierre Téqui.) These two hundred questions on moral topics were originally submitted to the editor of a French Catholic paper, known as the Apostle of the Fireside. The author has arranged them under three headings, viz.: the Commandments of God, the Laws of the Church, and the Sacraments. It is really a Question Box of Moral Theology for the laity-clear, simple, and accurate.

The Administrative Removal of Pastors According to the Decree Maxima Cura, by Abbé A. Villien. (Paris: P. Lethielleux.) Abbé Villien, Professor of Canon Law at the Catholic Institute of Paris, has written a clear, detailed, and well-ordered commentary on the decree, Maxima Cura, which was issued by the Sacred Consistorial Congregation on August 20, 1910. After an historical introduction on the former laws regarding the canonical removal of pastors, the writer studies the new law in its every detail. The eight chapters of the volume treat in turn of: the causes requisite for removal; the procedure in general; the persons who must declare the removal; the request for resignation; the decree of removal; the revision of the trial; the provision made for the deposed pastor; and finally the subjects of the law. This scholarly treatise will prove invaluable to both bishops and priests who are anxious to know their rights and duties as set forth by this important law.

Meditations on the Agony of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the Abbé N. Laux. (Paris: Pierre Téqui. 1 fr.) The Abbé Laux in these meditations has in view the Sisters of the Holy Agony, and the confraternity of that name founded by the Abbé Nicolle. They are arranged in the form of a novena preparatory to the feast of the Holy Agony, a Holy Hour for each week, and a short prayer for each day. The devotion seeks to make reparation for insults offered to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Histoire De la Philosophie Ancienne, by Gaston Sortais. (Paris: P. Lethielleux.) Gaston Sortais has published the first volume of his history of philosophy. It embraces four periods: Classic Antiquity, the Patristic Epoch, Mediæval Philosophy, and the Renaissance. The author refers continually in a series of cross references to his well-known Traité de Philosophie for a fuller treatment of the systems he so accurately and tersely describes. The best part of his work is his discussion of the origin, development, and decadence of Scholasticism. We call especial attention to his brief sketches of the life and writings of St. Bonaventure, Albert the Great, and St. Thomas, and the controversies that arose when the Angelic Doctor first baptized Aristotle. Each period has its special bibliography, and at the end he gives a most excellent and complete bibliography of some seventy-eight pages. Indeed the whole volume is far above the average "farrago manualium," which a famous professor at the Catholic University, Dr. Bouquillon, used to stigmatize as the curse of our modern age. Gaston Sortais is always accurate, critical, and suggestive. He is very brief at times but never vague; he quotes hundreds of his predecessors, but is never the slave of their opinions. Every professor of philosophy will be glad to put such a volume in the hands of his pupils. With such a guide his own labors will become. comparatively easy.

Foreign Periodicals.

The Catholic Church in 1913. By Very Rev. James MacCaffrey. The most notable event of the year, especially at this time when religion is being attacked by so many adversaries, and the freedom of the Church and of the Holy See is being restricted day by day, was the celebration of the sixteenth centenary of Constantine's Edict of Milan. The Italian government has refused to grant Monsignor Caron permission to take possession of his see at Genoa, and has tolerated acts of rowdyism at the very doors of the Vatican. Pius X. not desiring the establishment of a purely Catholic party in Italy, the efforts of the Catholic Electoral Union were directed to securing pledges from the candidates that they would not support anti-religious legislators and laws; these pledges were given by two hundred and twenty-eight Liberals; Mayor Nathan of Rome and his followers had to resign in a body. The reorganization and improvement of the seminaries in Italy should do much to advance culture and to strengthen faith. In France the burning question has been that of education, the Catholic schools so increasing that in some places the State schools are practically deserted. A most violently anti-Catholic bill in this connection is now before the Chamber of Deputies. Some hospital Sisters have been allowed to return, as at Grenoble and Marseilles; the State has made partial provision for the repair of churches not classed as historical monuments; and there has been encouraging activity among the Catholics. In seven years fifty-six new churches have been erected in Paris or its suburbs.

In Spain the hoped-for complete reconciliation with Rome has not been effected; the powerful opposition to a scheme for purely secular education has caused the government to reconsider its plans. In Portugal the dominant party has grown ever more bitter toward the Church, while the entire episcopate and almost the entire clergy remain unswervingly loyal to Rome. The general condition of the people grows daily worse. In Belgium the strike proved very partial, because the workmen of the Catholic democratic societies refused to "down tools." The Prime Minister has introduced a bill to secure equal financial treatment for the voluntary and communal schools. In Germany the relations of the Centre Party with

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the Chancellor have been strained; the annual Catholic Congress at Metz was preceded by a parade of thirty thousand workmen. Its president urged union among Catholic forces according to the Papal policy. In Holland the development of the Catholic Social Action organization, begun in 1905, is noteworthy. In the United States occurred the assembly of the Federation of Catholic Societies at Milwaukee, with Archbishop Ireland's striking address; the Catholic University Summer School for teaching Sisters, and coöperation of the University with Louvain in publishing the works of the Oriental Fathers; the Missionary Congress at Boston. Australia the school question has been to the fore. In England occurred the conversions at Caldey. Ireland sent its first national pilgrimage to Lourdes; Dr. Harty was made Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, in place of Dr. Fennelly retired for ill-health; and the long-protracted labor difficulty in Dublin showed the need of social reform along Catholic lines, and the formation of organizations on the plan of the Catholic Trade Unionists' Society of England.— The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, January.

In

The Situation in Finland. By Jacques de Coussange. Occasionally events in Finland show the struggle she is making against Russian tyranny. The situation there is most complex. There are two races, the Swedes and the Finns, the latter forming eightyseven per cent of the population, the former twelve. Public officials have to know both languages and Russian. There are four political parties: the Swedish, representing liberal and reforming capitalists, and possessing as delegates in the Chamber men of wealth, culture, and oratorical ability; the old Finns, recruited among the peasants and the priests, willing to make concessions to Russia to secure the preponderance of the Finns; the young Finns, the radicals defending the interests of the intellectual proletariat; and the ever-increasing Socialists, occupied above all with agrarian reforms, because composed mostly of small farmers whose lot is most miserable. Feminism has been widely adopted since the prominent part taken by women in the resistance offered to Russia from 1899 to 1905; women are engaged in every profession, vote and hold office. Religion is practically dead, though the State Lutheran Church preserves an important material and social place; the situation of the Catholic Church is very precarious. The best client of Finland is England, to whom she sells her excellent butter; Germany has furnished her with merchants, with the scientific