makes an appeal to the Jews of Italy, in which he says that they have been unlike the Hebrews of other countries in this, that there has been neither Semitism nor Anti-Semitism. He deplores the recent appearance of an Italian Hebrew at the Semitic Congress, and hopes that the present happy condition of things will not be disturbed by agitators.

(1 Nov.): Antonio Fogazzaro publishes the first chapter of his new novel, Il Santo.-A letter is published from Cardinal Capecelatro to his flock on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his elevation to the episcopate. Stimmen Aus Maria Laach (21 Oct.): Fr. J. Bloetzer, S.J., contributes a paper on The Establishment of Christianity, a work comprising sixteen lectures delivered in the University of Berlin, during the past year, by Professor Pfleiderer, in which he undertook to treat the origin of the Christian religion from a standpoint purely historical. The author in the preface to his work insinuates that scientific history has heretofore found little place in Christian apologetics. He also contends, with Professor Harnack, that no absolute judgments can be made concerning a supernatural religion from the data afforded by a purely historical survey. Fr. Bloetzer's review is devoted almost exclusively to an adverse criticism of these views. History, he goes on to show, furnishes us with clear and indubitable facts concerning the origin of Christianity and the person and character of its founder. The data of history, moreover, is the very foundation on which Christian apologetics is constructed.-H. Koch writes on "Labor and the Employers of Labor in the Greater Industries."-A. Huouder, "Japan's Voices and Hopes."A Stockman, "Countess Hahn Hahn."

THE COLUMBIAN READING UNION.

ARKING a notable and significant era in its ten years of study and re

circle and

rounding out of its first decade by a pleasant celebration. The ex-members were the only invited guests, and the meeting was thoroughly informal and delightful in every respect. The meeting was held in Columbus, Ohio, at St. Joseph's Academy, which was decorated with palms, ferns, and American Beauty roses, the club flower.

There was a brief programme, opened by Mrs. James A. Allen, the president, who, after extending a welcome to all present, spoke of the splendid work which had been accomplished by the Circle since its organization; of the unity of purpose which had always marked its efforts; of its proud record as the first and most successful Catholic reading circle in Columbus; and pointed with pride to its position as the recognized exponent of Catholic literary achievement in the Capital City of Ohio.

Following Mrs. Allen's excellent talk, came Miss Maud Flynn's delightful paper on "Reminiscences."

Miss Lida Rose McCabe's lecture on "The Preaching Friars in Florentine Art"; Rev. Albert Reinhart, O. P., on "Savonarola" and "Pere Lacordaire"; and Rev. F. A. Gaffney's two lectures on Dante were also pleasantly recalled. Numbered among the kind friends of the Circle were also Rev. F. W. Howard, who gave a fine address on St. Thomas Aquinas; Mrs. Price, whose paper on Robert Burns and the recitation of his poems was a rare pleasure; Miss Sutherland, who gave two entertaining talks, one on the poetry of Shakespeare, and the other on George Eliot; and Mr. Joseph A. Egan, who gave an able address on the religious element in Shakespeare. Also Mr. James R. Randall, the Southern poet, who appeared before the Circle last winter.

Mayor McClellan's recent address to the students of Fordham University contained timely admonitions for all seeking to learn the lessons of history. While encouraging intellectual advancement for effective citizenship, and the formation of a safe and sound public opinion, he boldly affirmed the statement, supported by many examples from American history, that "to be a patriot does not necessarily require an education." In part he spoke as follows:

Experience has taught us that the most dangerous theories of the past and their disastrous results have not always been due to the vagaries of the orists or the plotting of the wicked. History has shown again and again that they would have died from non-support if those who had ruled had not been the doers of injustice to the people, the fomenters of discontent and the subverters of the purposes of government. And this aspect of the case is of far greater interest to us than any abstract reasoning, for it brings us face to face with the most serious evils of our day. If we are to avoid in our own

country repetitions of pages of history that have been disastrous to other nations, we must endeavor to effect the extirpation of their causes.

Every age has its evils. the vices which have destroyed others will not destroy us if we permit them to endure. Our besetting sin is avarice. Our mad rush for wealth is not an honest effort to increase the products of nature or the avails of human effort, but a hideous vice of ever-increasing and insatiable greed. Year by year we see it invading the government with ever-increasing audacity. Men cry out against tainted money-that has its vile record behind it. What we have to fear is money which taints, which brazenly tempts men to sell their honor, and then buys it.

We have ours. But we must not expect that

No great republic was ever struck down by the mailed hand of brute force until it had first exalted the money-lover to the place of trust which only the man of honor should be assigned to guard. Let us not shut our eyes. This evil menaces us. It is really the only vice which destroys patriotism. The heart of the worshipper of Mammon loses every sentiment of love for God or country. With its harmful influence in private life I am not now concerned; I speak of its baneful effects upon the institutions of our country, when it succeeds in debauching the representatives of the people to betray the people's right, for the enrichment of the unlawfully privileged few.

Let us not delude ourselves with sophistry. The man who betrays his public trust for money, by comparison, makes the crime of Benedict Arnold sink into insignificance, and lends a respectable hue even to piracy. We know the usual result when corruption becomes prevalent in high places. The people do not respect and obey the lawfully constituted authorities. You cannot compel respect by force, and if you could the success of the effort would mark the end of a free people. And surely, if constituted authority becomes degraded by its own treason to the people, it will not inspire the respect necessary for the reign of law and order. Should that reign cease it would mark the end of the republic. Do not, I beg of you, think me unduly pessimistic. Thank God, our destruction is not at hand. The evil has not yet spread enough for that. But the danger is here, and all good citizens, especially those whose liberal education and trained intellects enable them to discern the nature and tendency of the evil, must ward it off.

Courage is required for the work, and patience, and prudence. To desert such a cause in despair is the act of one who has lost faith in himself, as well as in human nature. It requires no hysterical display, no resort to visionary theories. It can be accomplished by bringing about a return of the old virtues of simple, honorable manhood, the encouragement of an intelligent patriotism, and the maintenance of the equality of all men, poor or rich, before the law. When your earnestness has made the danger plain, the danger will have been averted. The experience of the harm done and the danger avoided will but increase our stock of wisdom.

I urge you with all the earnestness that is in me, never to forget, as you go through life, that the grace of fortune which makes you educated gentlemen, imposes upon you the duty of striving for the diffusion of those principles of government which will make for the peace and prosperity of our country.

The John Boyle O'Reilly Reading Circle, of Boston, had a parlor-talk by Miss Alice Higgins, Secretary of the Associated Charities. At a recent meeting, Miss Mary G. A. Toland, chairman of the committee on studies, reported in favor of selections from Jane Austen's novels, from the biographies and fiction of Mrs. Gaskell, from the novels of Thackeray, and of American fiction, Aldrich's Marjorie Daw, and the best of the travel-books and stories of Kate Douglas Wiggin. The study of "King Lear" was also recommended, also Orestes A. Brownson's "Convert," with a sketch of the distinguished author's life, and the place he fills in American Catholic History. The classical English literature above-named will, of course, be considered from the Catholic standpoint, and one evening a month will be given to it.

On the second meeting of each month the study of Bible characters will be continued. Besides the regular lecture course, friends of the Circle have kindly promised parlor-talks for all the mid-month meetings. The Rev. William J. Dwyer, of St. Mary's of the Annunciation, a notable Dante scholar, will give several talks on the Divina Commedia during the season, and the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Arthur J. Teeling, D.D., P.R., of St. Mary's, Lynn, will describe his recent visit to the Holy Land.

The Notre Dame Reading Circle, of Boston, still has a goodly attendance of interested members.

Miss Mary Berran was the appointed leader and arranged a very enjoyable programme for a recent meeting. Miss Marie McCormick's paper, "Oliver Wendell Holmes as a Poet," was most interesting, and depicted Dr. Holmes in his favorite phrase. Several readings were given from the writer's poems-"The One Hoss Shay," by Miss Clara Pfeffer; "The Last Leaf," by Miss Katherine McGovern, and "The Chambered Nautilus," by Miss Katherine Doyle.

The Regents accepted Dr. Dewey's resignation from the directorship of the library and Home Educational departments, to take effect on January 1, 1906. The date for taking effect of his resignation as director of the Library School is left for later determination.

There was no indication at the meeting of the Regents of the friction which has culminated in the retirement of Dr. Dewey, and Edward Lauterbach seconded this resolution of commendation offered by Pliny T. Sexton:

Resolved, That the occasion of the resignation of Melvil Dewey from official relation to the educational work of the State is an opportunity for the expression of grateful recognition and sincere appreciation by the Regents of the university of the value of his services to the cause of public education and of library development during the seventeen years of his official labors therein-years which clearly mark an epoch in educational work in this commonwealth-and that Dr. Dewey will be followed in his future life by the most cordial good wishes of the Board of Regents.

The following item of news from Albany, N. Y., may suggest the need of continued vigilance on the part of Catholics:

The State Council of New York Daughters of America, on September 22, 1905, filed with the Secretary of State a certificate of incorporation. The

principal office is in Syracuse. The organization is formed to be the supreme head of the Daughters of America in the State and its objects are to promote the interests of Americans, to shield them from the depressing effects of foreign competition, assist Americans in obtaining employment, encourage them in business, establish a sick and funeral fund, maintain the public school system of the United States of America and prevent sectarian interference therewith and uphold the reading of the Holy Bible therein, to oppose sectarian interference with State or national affairs, promote social intercourse, and assist in advancing the objects of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

The directors are Annie G. Cowan, of White Plains, Carrie J. Widzig, of Lockport, Phebe A. Cobb, of New York, M. Ella Yolkel, of Syracuse, and Arminius Briegleb, of Brooklyn.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

M. C. M.

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & Co., New York and Boston:

Louisiana: A Record of Expansion. By Albert Philips. Pp. vi.-412. Price $1.10 net.
In Our Convent Days. By Agnes Repplier, Litt. D.
Lanier. By Edwin Mims. Illustrated. Pp. vii.-386.
Wallet. By Samuel McChord Crothers. Pp. 287.

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, New York:

Pp. 258. Price $1.10 net. Sidney
Price $1.50 net. The Pardoner's
Price $1.25 net.

By

Fair Margaret: A Portrait. By F. Marion Crawford. With illustrations by Horace T. Carpenter. Pp. 384. Price $1.50. Jesus Christ and the Christian Character. By Francis Greenwood Peabody Pp. 306. Price $1.50. Yolanda: Maid of Burgundy Charles Major. With illustrations by Charlotte Weber Ditzler. Pp. 408. Price $1.50. FUNK & WAGNALLS COMPANY, New York:

The Moral Crusader: William Lloyd Garrison. A Biographical Essay. By Goldwin Smith, D.C.L Pp. 200. The Preparation of Manuscripts for the Printer. By Frank H Vizetelly. Pp. 148. Price 75 cents. The Four Winds of Eirinn. Poems. By Ethna Carbery (Anna MacManus). Pp. xi.-154. Price 75 cents postpaid. LONGMANS, GREEN & Co., New York:

Addresses to Cardinal Newman, with his Replies, etc., 1879-81. Edited by Rev. W. P. Neville, (Orat.) Pp. 321. The Political History of England. In Twelve Volumes. Edited by William Hunt, D.Litt., and Reginald L. Poole, M.A. Vol. II. The History of England from the Norman Conquest to the Death of John. By George Burton Adams, Professor of History in Yale University. Pp. x.-473. Vol. X. The History of England from the Accession of George III. to the Close of Pitt's First Administration. By William Hunt, M.A., President of the Historical Society. Pp. xviii.-496. Each volume, price $2.60, separately. Complete set, $28.

BENZIGER BROTHERS, New York:

The Dollar Hunt. From the French. By E. G. Martin. Price 45 cents. The Children of Cupa. By Mary E. Mannix. Price 45 cents. For the White Rose. By Katharine Tynan Hinkson. Price 45 cents. The Violin Maker. By Sarah Trainer Smith. Price 45 cents Prayer: Selections from Father Faber. By Father Fitzpatrick, O.M.I. Price 30 cents. The Childhood of Jesus. Toy Pictorial. 4Vo varnished paper. Price 15 cents. 4vo untearable linen. Price 30 cents. Postage 5 cents extra. Lex Levitarum; or, Preparation for the Care of Souls. By Right Rev. I. C. Hedley, O.S.B. With the Regula Pastoralis of St. Gregory the Great. Pp. xii.-348. Price $1.60. An Earnest Appeal for the Revival of Plain-Song. By A. Welby Pugin. Pp. 20. Price 20 cents. Humility of Heart. From the Italian of Father Cajetan Mary di Bergamo By Herbert Card. Vaughan Pp. 211. Price $1.25 Rex Meus. By the author of My Queen and my Mother. Pp. 183. Price $1.25. Who Killed Sir Edmund Burg Godfrey? By Alfred Marks. With an Introduction by Father J. S. Pollen, S.J. Pp. 210. Price $1.10.