UNIV. OF marginal note to this effect: "By this word substance is meant, that faith is the ground of our hope." The note has disappeared, but the word which they knew to be unintelligible without it, has been retained. The Anglican version has the same word, but likewise adds an explanatory marginal note. A reference to the original Greek could alone guide the translator of the Vulgate; because the Latin word could never have been supposed to have this meaning, except as equivalent to that Greek term. tr It may be necessary even sometimes to consult St. Jerome's commentary, to ascertain the exact sense in which he used words or phrases. For example:Butyrum et mel comedet, ut sciat reprobare malum et eligere bonum." From his commentary on this passage, it is evident that he used the particle ut in the sense of quamvis, as Ovid does, "Ut desint vires, tamen est laudanda voluntas."f The sense would be, that the Messiah should eat the common food of infants, although he, in truth, possessed discretion and knowledge. These examples are, we trust, sufficient to elucidate our views regarding a complete and authorized revisal of our English Catholic version. Much we have to say respecting the prefaces and notes, the indices and titles, which should accompany any such authorized edition. On these matters it will be time enough to express our sentiments when we shall perceive that the hints here thrown out have been esteemed worthy of notice; and that attention is turned to the necessity or propriety of providing us with a standard edition, no longer subject to alteration from the caprice or ignorance of individuals. The new version f De Ponto, lib. iii. ep. iv. 19. e Isa. viii. 15. which has led to the remarks we have made in this paper, cannot, as we have already observed, supersede the necessity of such a revision. With several of its verbal changes we are certainly pleased; but there are others of which we cannot bring ourselves to approve. The change of "Christ" into "Messiah," and "gospel" into "good tidings," seems unnecessary, and likely to startle ordinary readers. For the rejected words have long become part of the language. Throughout the notes and preface there is a drift which cannot be overlooked, and which has our cordial approbation; it is to place the gospels in their proper light, not as narratives intended to form a complete digest of our Saviour's life, but as "occasional pieces," so to speak, suggested by particular circumstances, and primarily directed to readers possessing different qualifications from ours, who could understand much that to us must be obscure. The impression on the reader's mind, after having perused this edition, must be, that Christianity never depended, for its code or evidences, upon the compilation of these documents, and that they never could have been intended for a rule of faith. Considering the work in this light, we have an additional pleasure in bearing witness to the learning, diligence, and acuteness of its author. THE PARABLES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, AS ILLUSTRATING CATHOLIC DOCTRINE. The Four Gospels, translated from the Latin Vulgate, and diligently compared with the original Greek Text, being a Revision of the Rhenish Translation, with Notes, Critical and Explanatory. By F. P. KENRICK, Bishop of Philadelphia. 8vo. New York, 1849. ANY work from the pen of Bishop Kenrick must be received with interest and with respect, by every Catholic who speaks the English language. His varied and extensive learning, his great researches, his distinguished abilities, and his sound orthodoxy, combined with his high position in the Church, must give weight to all that he publishes. The work before us is another proof of his lordship's zeal, and another monument of his learning; and as such we sincerely welcome it. The object of this new version, with its commentary, appears to be twofold. First, it is intended to vindicate the Catholic Vulgate, and show its superiority to the Anglican version; secondly, it is directed, both by modifications of the ordinary Catholic translation, and by short notes, to remove difficulties, and facilitate the reading of the gospels. It is by o means a controversial work; the annotations do not undertake to meet those misrepresentations which |