8 ADELAIDE, QUEEN OF ITALY; OR, THE IRON CROWN. By William Bernard MacCabe. London: Charles Dolman. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. The name of the author of this work will, we feel assured, give it currency wherever the English language is read. Few writers are more favorably known, few have done more in the cause of Catholic literature, and in giving a character and elevated tone to works of fiction, than Wm. Bernard MacCabe. From a cursory glance at the "Iron Crown," we are favorably impressed with its contents, and believe it will fully sustain the high character already acquired by the author. The design of the book is to show the power and influence of the popes during the middle ages, a subject full of interest and instruction. We defer to a future number a more lengthy notice. 9. CORNELL'S HIGH SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY AND ATLAS. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. We are much pleased with these works, and were we engaged in teaching, we would most certainly use them, at least in the higher classes, in preference to any others now extant. The Geography possesses many features that must render it popular. It is replete with numerous and very superior wood-cut illustrations, minute and accurate in its details, and free from everything that could give offence to the most sensitive mind. The author seems to have been actuated by a spirit of candor and impartiality seldom met with in works of the kind. The Atlas is superior to any that has fallen under our notice. The mechanical execution is excellent; the delineation of rivers, lakes, cities, towns, &c., is beautiful and distinct; and what is peculiar to itself, it has two sets of maps; the one for reference, and the other for study. They both seem to have been prepared with the utmost care, and based upon the latest and most reliable authorities. The set designed for the schoolroom, contains only a selection of the most important places; and this we regard as an improvement. The maps generally in use are too crowded, every available space being filled with names and places. The compilers seem to have placed the perfection of their works in the number of names they could insert, without regard to the capacity of pupils to remember them. We consider the work worthy of the careful examination of teachers. 10. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. By M. Warren. Philadelphia: H. Cowperthwait & Co. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. No subject can be more attractive to the young or better calculated to elevate and expand the mind than the study of Physical Geography. It treats of the natural adaption of the earth for the abode of man-it describes the diversities of the surface of the earth-its divisions of land and water, its mountains and plains-it draws our attention the atmosphere, and explains the wonderful process invisible to us, by which the water of the ocean is lifted into the air, thence to be diffused over the land to replenish the lakes and rivers, and to give life to vegetation, which in its turn sustains animal life. “Physical Geography," says an eminent writer, "is the history of nature presented in its most attractive form, the exponent of the wonders which a munificent Creator has scattered so profusely around us. The work before us, in atlas form, seems well adapted to facilitate the study of the science to which it is devoted. Its arrangement is plain, simple and natural: the engravings are excellent, and well calculated to interest and instruct the pupil. 11. THE BAKED HEAD-and other Tales. New York: G. P. Putnam & Co. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. With the exception of the title we are much pleased with this book. It is the second number of "Putnam's Story Library," and contains a series of entertaining tales, some of them conveying excellent morals. There is, however, something objectionable in the name, which at first sight conveys to the mind ideas revolting and unnatural; and may lead a person to regard the book as something low and vulgar, a character which on the whole it does not deserve. Editors' Table. "PENTECOST SUNDAY of that year was a joyous day at the mountain. During the morning and afternoon, many a prayer of thanksgiving ascended to heaven from the church on the hill-side. The president, teachers and students rejoiced, because they were on the eve of occupying the new college. . . . . But alas! it was not to be so. That very night they were all aroused from their sleep by the lurid flames and crackling noise occasioned by the conflagration of the building, and Monday morning beheld it a heap of smouldering ruins." .... The above is an extract from the article styled "Our Colleges," in the August number of the Metropolitan. Well do I remember that fatal night; and in commemoration of the catastrophe I wrote on " Monday morning "the following elegy, which I have accidentally found under a heap of old papers. I send it to you now as a spontaneous effusion of my then young Latin muse, which the mountaineers of my day will be pleased to see again, and those of the present may peruse, at least, as a "curiosity of literature." IN S. MARIÆ AD MONTES NOVI SEMINARII INCENDIUM, ELEGIA. Ecce jacent lapides conspersi pulvere nigro Unidque qui superest fœdatur murus iniquo Hæccine pulchra domus, rurisque superbia quondam ! Excidii quis tecta, quis et fastigia pulchra Sacrilegâ stravit? quis tantas tamque beatas Intulit in muros ignem, cito flamma coruscat, Scintillæque cadunt proxima tecta super. Interea domus horrifico sonitu riut, atque CAROLUS CONSTATINUS Pisk. Our classical readers will find much to admire in the foregoing beautiful lines. They recall an incident of melancholy pleasure—a catastrophe looked upon at the time as a dire calamity, but which in the inscrutable designs of providence was permitted for some wise and holy purpose. Great indeed were the trials it imposed on the venerable Dubois and the zealous companions of his labors. They beheld the labor of years blighted in an hour; but their confidence was unshaken, their hopes undiminished, and with truly heroic fortitude, they turned to repair their loss, cheering each other to the task, saying perhaps as they cleared away the ruins: Forsan et hæc olim meminisse juvabit. Heaven rewarded their noble magnanimity and Christian resignation a hundred fold. A new college, more splendid than the old, rose upon the ruins. God imparted to the latter his special blessing, and made it the channel of conveying countless blessings upon the Church of America. And St. Mary's, venerated by time and honored among the first and most distinguished of our colleges, still stands majestically among her hills, and looking forth from her mountain home, contemplates with feelings of pride her many and distinguished sons. The calamity of the old college sinks into forgetfulness amidst the prosperity of the new. The learned and distinguished author will accept our thanks for the contribution he has made; at the same time, we hope it may not be the last from his gifted pen. THE DEW.-The following selected verses have been handed to us by a friend, with a desire that we would insert them. We most cheerfully accede to the request. There is a delicacy of sentiment in them, and a beauty of expression that must charm and please the reader: DEW. "O DEAREST mother, tell me, pray, Why are the dew-drops gone so soon? "My child, 'tis said such beauteous things, Are swept away by angel wings, To their pure loveliness. "Behold yon rainbow brightening yet, Upon the brow of heaven. "No earthly stain can reach them there, But yet a symbol, pure and fair, Of love and peace divine." The child looked upward into space, With eager and inquiring eyes, And o'er its sweet and thoughtful face Came a faint glory and a grace Transmitted from the skies. With the last odorous sigh of May, That child beneath the flowers was laid; Like dew, its spirit passed away, To mingle in eternal day, With angels perfect made. OUR MEMOIRS.-We feel assured that no department of the magazine has been read with more interest, or been more instructive, than the Memoirs which we have given in the present volume. Of the names of Galvert; Carroll, of Carrollton; Carroll, the first Archbishop of Baltimore; Commodore Barry, and others, as Catholics, we feel justly proud. With their lives and actions we ought to be familiar; we ought, moreover, to hold them up to our children as examples worthy of their imitation as Catholics and as citizens. In the present number we give a condensed sketch of the great and good Bishop Flaget, to whom the Church of America owes so much. In our next, we will lay before our readers a Memoir of the illustrious Judge Gaston, as great an ornament to his religion as an honor to his country. TO A BUNCH OF GRAPES.-The vine has been a favorite theme among poets in all ages of the world. The bards of Greece and Rome have tuned their harps in its praise, and the poets of later days have not been unmindful of its merits. Our friend Fidelia, who was lately seated beneath its shade, touched his lyre and sung forth the following verses in honor of the fruit thereof: TO A BUNCH OF GRAPES, Here is a generous cluster of the vine Breathing of musk and wrapped in smoky bloom; Like to the nasy atmosphere of earth Above the crimson foliage scatter'd round When Indian summer warms the dying year. Shaped like our human heart, and like it too Elected fruit! forever to the prized, In mercy to the life which He hath kindled, Oh haste thee! burst thy cells and bleed to death! Be borne in silence to a seraph's hand That He who changed the water into wine FIDELIA. "THE TRIUMPH OF PRINCIPLE."-The article under this head is the first of a series which we intend to introduce, specially for the entertainment and instruction of the young. These articles are intended to illustrate some of the principal traits that form an honorable and virtuous character. From little Gerald, in the Triumph of Principle, the youthful reader will learn a lesson of priceless value-that honesty, integrity and industry, joined with piety and religion, are the surest means of attaining success, even in our worldly pursuits; of gaining the esteem and confidence of our fellow-man, and the smile and reward of heaven. CHATEAUBRIAND ON EDUCATION.-We call the special attention of our readers to the article on education, translated from the works of the great French philosopher. The subject is at all times important, but it acquires new interest when touched by the pen of Chateaubriand. His views upon this, as upon all other subjects, are clear, philosophical and practical, and cannot fail but to impart interest and instruction to the reader. 73 VOL. IV.No. 9. Record of Events. From August 20, to September 20, 1856. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. ROME.-Scarcely a week passes without witnessing some new act of benevolence on the part of the Holy Father. Lately he opened a house at Ponto Sisto, as an asylum for invalid clergymen or those who are unable by age or infirmity to officiate. Foreign elergymen, who have resided ten years in Rome, in the event of sickness, are entitled to a residence in this asylum.-Pius IX has also founded a college in his native town for public instruction of the highest class, and for the gratuitous instruction of the poor of the town and surrounding country. This institution is entrusted to the care of the members of the Society of Jesus.-The question pending between the Holy See and Russia, is said to have taken a favorable turn, and the Pope will have the privilege of nominating the six Catholic bishops within the Russian dominions. Prince Flovio Chiggi was sent to Moscow to represent His Holiness as a temporal sovereign at the coronation of the Emperor; and at the same time Mgr. Bianchi, chief of the division of extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs, to treat in reference to Polish ecclesiastical affairs. His Holiness sent as a present to the Emperor, Fabris' celebrated statue of the death of Mils of Crotona.-Negotiations are also going on between the courts of Rome and Berlin, having for their object the restoration of the bishopric of Aix-la-Chapelle, which was incorporated with that of Cologne in 1822. The Prussian cabinet is said to have consented to give the necessary pecuniary endowment.-On the 10th of July, His Eminence Cardinal Barnabo, prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda, took possession of "Saint Susan's," the church attached to his dignity, situated near the baths of Dioclesian.-The foreign journals mention a remarkable fact which lately occurred at Marino, a village at the foot of Mount Alban, a few miles from Rome. The inhabitants of this place depend chiefly for subsistence on the produce of the surrounding vineyards. The failure of the vine crops for several successive years brought want and distress upon the villagers. Every human effort had failed to arrest the progress of the disease, and on the reappearance of the malady this season, both the clergy and the people turned their eyes to heaven, and sought in prayer and earnest supplication relief from their affliction. The entire population went in procession, in the guise of pilgrims, to the church, bearing before them an ancient miraculous crucifix, which they placed in the basilica, where it remained exposed for a week to the veneration of the faithful. Business operations were in the meantime laid aside; nothing but prayer and penitential supplications were heard throughout the little town, and the sacraments were devoutly approached. Heaven heard their supplications, and rewarded their piety and faith by yielding to their importunities. The disease was arrested, and shortly disappeared from the district.-Cardinal Giovani Soglia, of the title of the "Four Crowned Saints," bishop of Osimo and Cingali, died at Rome on the 12th of August, in his seventy-seventh year; and in the previous month, Mgr. Laurence Valenzi, domestic rector to His Holiness, departed this life after a protracted illness. NAPLES.-The King of Naples has resolutely declined all interference in the internal affairs of his kingdom. He repudiates interference as being contrary to all rules of international right, and derogatory to the independence and dignity of his crown. After reminding his officious neighbors of the principles of eternal justice, that direct that we should do as we wish to be done by, he pointedly asks: "What would Lord Palmerston say if the Neapolitan government were to presume to sit in judgment on the administrative acts of the British cabinet, and to recommend |