If we were able to devote our entire space to an attempt at giving a fair account of all the books which each month submits to our notice, it would be easy to fill all our pages; but we are bound, in addition to criticism, to make room for fiction, poetry, biography, and miscellaneous essays. Even the most minute and accurate account of a good book is a poor substitute [for the book itself. Authors, no doubt, attach importance to the quantity as well as to the quality of the critiques of their works; and the warmest and most judicious praise, if condensed into a few lines, would hardly satisfy them. Yet, after all, a great many of the lengthened and elaborate reviews are little better than a convenient species of padding-an easy method of filling

up the vacuum that nature and editors abhor. The intelligent reader is helped to form a sufficiently good guess at the character of a book when he is told its name, subject, extent, author, and publisher, with a brief expression of opinion as to its merit from an impartial and (let us hope) intelligent critic.

For instance, readers of antiquarian and ecclesiastical tastes will know at once how amply those tastes will be gratified by the perusal of the second volume of the "Transactions of the Ossory Archæological Society." It contains papers contributed by the following members of the Society from the year 1880 to 1883: Rev. N. Murphy, P.P., Rev. M. Comerford, P.P., Mr. John Hogan, and the present Mayor of Limerick, Mr. Maurice Lenihan. We trust that other priests in various corners of Ireland are doing for the parishes in which they are interested what Father Comerford has done for Killeigh, Naas, Killeshin, and many other places. But the larger and more important part of these "Transactions" is contributed by Dr. Moran, Bishop of Ossory, whom we ought, perhaps, to style Archbishop Designate of Sydney. Of the three hundred erudite pages which give accounts of the Bishops of Ossory from Donat O'Fogarty in 1152 to Dr. James Dunne in 1758, just one half is devoted to Dr. David Rothe and the events with which he was connected at the exciting epoch of the Irish Confederation. We may interpolate here a paragraph from the Weekly Register, while we express a hope that the event which suggested the publication of these particulars at the present moment will not prevent the learned prelate from fulfilling his promise by continuing the succession of Ossory bishops on to himself:

The Most Rev. Patrick Francis Moran, D.D., was born at Leigh linbridge, county Carlow, Ireland, September 16, 1830, and was educated at the Irish College of St. Agatha, Rome, where he was appointed Vice-President of the College in 1856 and Professor of Hebrew in the College of Propaganda. Returning to Ireland in 1866, he was private secretary to His Eminence Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin; was consecrated Coadjutor Bishop of Ossory on March 5, 1872; and succeeded a few months later to that See.

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Dr. Moran has laboured diligently to promote the study of Irish history and antiquities. Among other works he has published: "Memoir of the Most Rev. Oliver Plunket," 1861; Essays on the Origin, &c., of the Early Irish Church," 1864 "History of the Catholic Archbishops of Dublin," 1864; "Historical Sketch of the Persecutions, &c., under Cromwell and the Puritans," 1865; " Acta S. Brendani," 1872; Monasticon Hibernicum,' 1873; "Spicilegium Ossoriense, being a Collection of Documents to illustrate the History of the Irish Church from the Reformation to the year 1800," 1874. (2nd Series, 1878.) "Irish Saints in Great Britain," 1882.

In the month of October, 1882, was celebrated, with special solem

nity, at Salamanca, the Tercentenary of the death of St. Theresa. One of the honours paid to the glorious Virgin of Avila was a sort of literary tournament, in which champions from various other countries took part. The prize for English poetry was adjudged to our contributor, Miss Cassie M. O'Hara. Her poem has been published (R. Washbourne, 18 Paternoster-row, London) in a neat little volume, the silver medal awarded being very skilfully engraved on the outside covers. As the poem, which is a very winning abridgment of the saint's life, is sure to be welcomed by her devout clients, we must not spoil their pleasure by stealing any passages from it. The diploma of the Spanish committee is in itself a work of art. In the margin are medallion portraits of the chief helpers of St. Theresa in her arduous and glorious career; and we are proud to see "S.J." appended to so many of these names: Balthasar Alvarez, Martin Guttierez, Francis Ribera, Jerome Ripalda.

The generous but just praise which the Rev. C. P. Meehan in one of his very learned and entertaining notes bestows on Archdeacon O'Rorke for his "History of Ballysadare," has been earned in far larger measure by himself through his life-long devotion to the history and literature of Ireland. His latest contribution is a second edition of one of his earliest, so completely altered, and improved, as to form a new work. It is "The Life and Death of Dr. Kirwan, Bishop of Killala," by John Lynch, Archdeacon of Tuam, best known as the author of "Cambrensis Eversus." Father Meehan gives, on opposite pages, the Latin original and his own English version, both excellent in style. Yet we consider the Introduction, Notes, and Appendix the most interesting portions of the works. We hope to call attention hereafter to some of the more curious facts contained in this handsome little quarto, with the sacred ruins of Moyne and Roserk gilt upon its The Author rightly says that the paper, typography, and binding do credit to the eminent firm of Duffy & Sons, now half a century old, whose devotional and national publications are found throughout the universe wherever a Catholic altar or an Irish home exists.

covers.

The remarks with which we began the present batch of notes on New Books are specially true of professional publications like the "Handbook of the Law and Practice in Sales from Landlord to Tenant in Ireland," by George Fottrell, Junr., and John George Fottrell, solicitors (M. H. Gill & Son). Mr. G. Fottrell's well-known pre-eminence as a practical authority on these matters, and the great success of his previous works on kindred subjects, dispense with any attempt at anything beyond this very external and superficial criticism.

"The Scholar's Note-book for Home Lessons" (Dublin: M. H. Gill & Son) will enable a pupil to take down the lessons for a week in

less time and more clearly than he could note a day's lessons without its aid. The blank at the end of each day might contain the initials of other branches of study not represented here.

Among the books recently published by Mr. Robert Washbourne, Paternoster-row, London, we can only mention a tragedy by M. Quinn, "Mary Queen of Scots ;" and "Ethelreda: a True Tale for the Young," by "Betty." We must return again to two much more important works sent to us by the same publisher-"The Life of St. Mildred, Abbess of Minster, in Thanet;" and "For Better, not for Worse," by the Rev. Langton George Vere. We wish the Author of the first would let his name be known, instead of calling himself "A Lay Tertiary of St. Francis." We use the masculine gender, because this lay tertiary is evidently at home with the Acta Sanctorum and other tomes in the learned languages: though, indeed, this is a rash conclusion to draw in these days, when so great and learned a work as "Christian Schools and Scholars" is written by a woman. The biographer of St. Mildred has displayed marvellous diligence in poring over every manuscript, and exploring every scene connected with her memory. St. Mildred, whose feast is kept in at least two favoured spots on the 13th of July, ought to reward her client well for so beautiful a tribute of filial devotion.*

Whatever faults may be found with "For Better, not For Worse," by the Rev. Langton George Vere, dulness is not one of them. It is cleverly written, and full of incident. Indeed, the villain of the story, Laura Mapleson, is too sensational, and we should have liked her part toned down a good deal. Besides all the holy lessons that it insinuates or inculcates, "For Better, not For Worse," even as a mere tale, has special merit, far above the average of religious tales, of which generally the best that can be said is that they do no harm, and that they represent several days' wages for sundry worthy artisans.

Leaving till next month some new publications of Messrs. Richardson, Burns & Oates, &c., we must not fail to announce in time for St. Patrick's month a new "Novena of St. Patrick (for Irishmen)" by the Rev. Arthur Ryan, of St. Patrick's College, Thurles. It is most original, spirited, and attractive, very pointed and very practical, and is sure to be popular when it comes to be known. The subjects of the nine pithy meditations are St. Patrick's prayers, his humility, his penance, his love of souls, his love of the Church, his courage, his energy, his love of Ireland, and lastly, his feast-day. Then follows a very earnest and pious prayer to St. Patrick, and then a new and taking hymn, music for which is given here. Father Ryan's "Novena of St. Patrick (for Irishmen)" ought to have a large and constant sale as year by year St. Patrick's Day comes round.

* "THE IRISH MONTHLY" in January, 1879, gave high praise to a work by the same accomplished writer, "The Life of Father Benvenuto Bambozzi," an Italian Franciscan of our own time.

Messrs. Kegan Paul, Trench & Co. have published, but only just as we go to press, a fine octavo, containing "Occasional Papers and Addresses," by Lord O'Hagan.

"The Maynooth College Calendar" for the current academic year (Browne & Nolan, Dublin) possesses high literary interest; for besides the catalogues of students, &c., and the announcements of various academic arrangements-which concern only the college microcosm, not so very small a world in itself-appendices of great value are contributed by the Rev. Dr. Healy, Prefect of the Dunboyne Establishment, by the Rev. John Gunn, and especially by the President, Dr. Walsh, to whom we are, no doubt, indebted for the copious biographical notes appended to the list of Presidents, which notes, indeed, form already a precious instalment of a work much desired -a History of Maynooth College.

We have before called attention to the exquisite little booklet, beautiful without and within, in which "F. R. C." has translated with loving skill the Manuale Parvulorum of Thomas à Kempis. We trust the translator will fulfil the further promises made in the graceful dedication to his children. This tiny tome is one of the choicest products of the Sackville-street publishing house.

The League of the Cross Magazine holds on its course bravely. One of its most attractive features is a little story bearing on the important object for which this little penny Magazine has been established. The first of these was written by the accomplished novelist who only allows herself to be known as "Theo Gift." The story in the February part is by Miss Rosa Mulholland, and the scene lies chiefly in St. Joseph's Hospital for Children, in Temple-street, Dublin, to which several of our own pages are devoted in an earlier part of our present Number. It is announced that the story in the March Number-which is to be exceptionally large and exceptionally good in honour of St. Patrickwill be contributed by Mrs. Charles Martin, so well known to our own readers by many graceful tales and descriptive papers and to the vast novel-reading world of Mudie's and Morrow's clients by "Petite's Romance," "Two Loves," and other pleasant volumes. We specially commend the League of the Cross Magazine for its verse. It has as yet given only one piece, but that is very fresh and original. ought to take some other name than "Abstinentia."

The poet

As this is St. Joseph's month, we must say one word about his Messenger. His contributor, "M. S. P.," is most successful in the art of "chatting with children."