In the mean time old Landholm becomes involved, and is unable to pay the mortgage debt. The farm is sold, and the old man and the rest of his family are compelled to remove from the place. The sequel of the story, however is, that Winthrop marries the daughter of the mortgagee, redeems the farm, and the old man is recalled to his former homestead.

The story is sufficiently interesting to make it readable, though it possesses no brilliancy. The language is often too common-place, and the prolixity of the dialogues weary the reader.

4. MARRYING TOO LATE; a Tale; by George Wood. New York: D. Appleton & Co. A politico-religious story, destined to throw Miss Bunkley, Professor Ned Bowline, and other high authorities of the same school, quite in the shade. The author revels in the imaginary wickedness of priests and nuns, and his descriptions are so vivid that we think he must be some kind of a priest himself, a high-priest, it may be, of one or more of the numerous and zealous secret associations which now cover the land. He certainly draws his warm pictures from a fountain of impurity which is always accessible to him, and this fountain will pour out a stream of poison wherever it flows. As an attack upon Catholicity, it is virulent but impotent, for facile calumny though welcomed by the multitude, is never a substitute in any honest mind for argument. The book is calculated to do much mischief, not to Catholics indeed, but to the young and pure of both sexes, and of every creed, who will be seduced by its quasi-morality and its real corruption.

There are two points presented by the author of more significance to the religious world than he appears to comprehend. He calls modern Rome "That centre of power more widely diffused now, and more felt, than in its Augustan age." What makes it so? And again he tells us, speaking through Mrs. D'Oyle, a New York lady transplanted to London, that her dear pastor had never said a word more true of himself and of his friends, than when he declared "That it was much easier to tell what he did not believe than what he did." And this from that riven branch of Christianity which makes salvation rest upon faith alone!"

The author has sadly misused his talents, but a sprightly style and a rancorous attack upon every thing Catholic may perhaps bring him the only reward to which he aspires. Filthy lucre may be his, and a sort of fame, but rather than have such, who would not say:

"Unblemished let me live, or die unknown:
Oh, grant an honest fame, or grant me none!"

5. THE LIFE OF MARY STUART, QUEEN OF Scors. By M. de Marlés. Continuator of Dr. Lingard-from the French, by M. J. Ryan. Boston: Patrick Donahoe. Baltimore: Murphy & Co.

It would be a superfluous task to praise a work which like this has been so cordially and frequently welcomed in its original dress. We are glad to see so fine an English translation, and are very grateful to M. Ryan for the pains he took that the original might lose nothing of its simplicity and beauty. To all who love to see calumniated innocence restored to its right, we commend this little volume, which we assure them will interest as much as it will enlighten them on that dark spot in English history. 6. HOURS BEFORE THE ALTAR, or Meditations on the Holy Eucharist. By the Abbé de la Bouillerie, Vicar-General of Paris. Translated by a religious of the order of the Visitation. New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother. Baltimore: Murphy & Co. We owe an apology for keeping this little work so long without due notice; but little works, like little folks, are too often thrust out of the way by larger and more consequential ones. This is much more the case with the pious and humble, and this little work breathes the very essence of those virtues. There are some blemishes in the translation, which betray too much the French original, and which we would advise the translator to correct before it passes to another edition. This we hope will soon be the

case.

Editors' Table.

POETS AND POETRY.-The fame of poets dwells not in the profusion, but in the perfection of their labors. The world sometimes bestows immortality on certain favored sons of the Muses for a single offering, while others are suffered to sink into oblivion with the productions of a life-time. Wolfe by his "Burial of Sir John Moore," has acquired an imperishable name; the "Elegy" of Gray has given to its author a fame that will endure while poetry is read. The author of the beautiful lyric, "My Life is like the Summer Rose," which is so universally admired, like Wolfe and Gray, has immortalized his name by a single production. The piece is usually attributed to the late Hon. Richard H. Wilde, a native of Baltimore, but for many years a resident of Georgia, which he represented in Congress. It was written about the year 1813, and first printed in 1818. Since then it has passed into almost every land and graced the columns of almost every journal and periodical published since that period. It has been clothed in most of the modern languages, and we have read it with much interest in the classic languages of Greece and Rome.

But how little is publicly known of the author, apart from this single piece of poetry! His politics are no longer remembered; his Life of Tasso encumbers the shelves of the booksellers, while this gem, passing current every where as true poetry, embalms his memory in literary immortality. We subjoin the original of Wilde, with a response of almost equal force and beauty-said to have been written by a lady of our own city. WILDE.-My life is like the summer rose

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That opens to the morning sky,
But ere the shades of evening close,
Is scattered on the ground to die.
Yet on that rose's humble bed,
The sweetest dews of night are shed,
As if she wept such waste to see;
But none shall weep a tear for me.
LADY.-The dews of night may fall from Heaven
Upon the withered rose's bed,
And tears of fond regret be given,
To mourn the virtues of the dead.
Yet morning's sun the dews will dry,
And tears will fade from sorrow's eye,
Affection's pangs lulled to sleep;
And even love forget to weep.

WILDE.-My life is like the autumn leaf

That trembles in the moon's pale ray-
Its hold is frail, its date is brief,

Restless, and soon to pass away.
Yet ere that leaf shall fall and fade,
The parent tree shall mourn its shade:
The winds bewail the leafless tree,
But none shall breathe a sigh for me.
LADY.-The tree may mourn its fallen leaf,

And autumn winds bewail its bloom,
And friends may heave a sigh of grief
O'er those who sleep within the tomb,
Yet soon will spring renew the flowers;
And time will bring more smiling hours;
In friendship's heart all grief will die,
And even love forget to sigh.

WILDE.-My life is like the prints which feet
Have left on Tampa's desert strand—
Soon as the rising tide shall beat,
All trace shall vanish from the strand.

VOL. IV.-No. 11.

Yet, as if grieving to efface

All vestige of the human race

And that lone shore, loud moans the sea;
But none, alas! shall mourn for me.

LADY.-The sea may on the desert shore
Lament each trace it bears away;
The lonely heart its grief may pour
O'er cherish'd friendship's fast decay,
Yet when all track is lost and gone,
The waves dance bright and gaily on;
Thus soon affection's bonds are torn,
And even love forgets to mourn.

A FREE LIBRARY.-In a country like our own, whose government and institutions depend mainly for their support and perpetuity on the intelligence of the people, every movement tending to give increased facilities to the acquisition of knowledge, to encourage genius and foster talent, to elevate, refine and expand the popular mind, is worthy of the deepest consideration of every citizen. Our exertions in the cause of education have been great, and worthy of high commendation, but half our labor will be lost, if those for whose intellectual advancement we have made so many sacrifices, are left in after life without the facilities of maturing their earlier studies. Their classics will be consigned to the grave of oblivion; their mathematics will be forgotten; their lessons of philosophy and history will fade from their memories, if the germs of early education be not fostered and cherished, and refreshed through the medium of a good, select library. They may be merchants, or mechanics, or members of the legal or medical professions, and eminently successful in their particular callings, but without drawing deeply at the fountain-head of literature and science, they will never become, in the true sense of the word, literary men.

Baltimore, so distinguished for her prosperity, the wealth and enterprise of her citizens, is far behind her sister cities in her literary and scientific resources. If, however, the project of establishing a Free Library, at present so earnestly recommended by a number of our most prominent citizens-men distinguished alike for their liberality, refined taste, and high literary attainments, meet with a corresponding encouragement on the part of the public, the reproach that has so long hung over Baltimore will be removed.

The old Library Company of our city has recently transferred its valuable collection of books to the Maryland Historical Society, stipulating as a condition that the union of the two should form the basis of a free library. The Historical Society having accepted the trust and consented to the condition, have thrown open its collection to all who desire to consult the volumes in the rooms of the institution, and now appeal to the citizens of Baltimore for such assistance as they may feel disposed to render in order to promote the object of the transfer. The committee appointed in behalf of the Historical Society have addressed a circular to the public, in which they strenuously urge the subject on the attention of their fellow citizens. They draw particular attention to the fact that the contemplated library is not intended for any particular class, but for students of every description-" for those who may be called to investigate any subject of science, or literature, for scholars generally and the public at large.' That the library "is not a matter of luxury, intended for the gratification of the wealthy and well educated, but is a necessity in every highly civilized community." Again, in allusion to the beneficial influences of the enterprise the committee justly remark:

"A good Library is an ever active power in a community. It sends forth its refreshing and never failing streams of knowledge into every walk of life. It tends to establish the great equality among men which it is the glory of our free institutions to foster. On its shelves are accumulated the intellectual wealth of all the ages. The poor scholar, by its aid, stands on the same intellectual level with the most favored children of fortune."

Free libraries, free access to the avenues of science, free institutions of learning properly organized and controlled, where the children of all classes, the rich and poor may meet and contend upon the same platform for the golden prize of literary fame; where the young are taught to esteem virtue and morality as the highest ornaments of a Christian and a citizen; where obedience to parental authority, respect for the laws, and reverence for religion, are inculcated with the lessons of secular sciences. These are absolutely essential to a right administration of the government. They are the most efficient safeguards of our liberty and social order, for through them we are taught to appreciate our own rights and to respect the rights of others. The history of the human race clearly proves that ignorance and vice are almost inseparable companions; while knowledge, chastened by virtue, expands the mind, cultivates the affections of the heart, controls the passions, leads to a higher and purer range of thought, to noble and grand conceptions. It is, therefore, hoped that the citizens of Baltimore will respond to the appeal of the Historical Society in a manner that will prove that they appreciate the importance of the movement. It is to subserve a great public purpose, to rear a monument which will endure and be associated to the name of Baltimore, when monuments of brick and marble shall have crumbled into dust. "The glory of a great city is after all in its scholars, writers, artists, men of genius, learning and science. Their fame lingers around and ennobles the place where they have lived, long after its grandeur and wealth have departed forever. Florence, Venice, Genoa and other Italian cities which flourished in the middle ages, are rendered classic ground by the surviving works and fame of the great men whom they fostered. The names of Dante, Galileo, Petrarch, Raphael, Michael Angelo, and many others, are fresh in the memories of all, though their bodies have for centuries been mingled with the dust."

MARYLAND INSTITUTE LIBRARY.-We are much pleased to learn that renewed exertions are now making to increase the literary resources of the library attached to the Maryland Institute. The foregoing remarks, touching the beneficial influences of a free library, apply with equal force to this institution. It is a library mainly of circulation, and designed to benefit more especially the youth of our city, by supplying them with a collection of choice and wholesome reading. Large additions have lately been made to the library by purchase, and by liberal donations from many of our most distinguished citizens.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.-The result of the Presidential Election affords an ample subject for deep and serious reflection, while it offers at the same time, a subject of congratulation to every right-minded citizen. We have seen elements thrown into the contest, heretofore unknown in our national elections. We have seen parties in years gone by enter the political arena divided on principles of state, or national policy; differing on subjects touching our domestic or foreign relations, but it was the first time we were called to witness in a presidential canvass, a party aiming at the sovereign of the land, which sought to deprive a man of his rights as an American citizen, by reason of his religion or his country. It was the first time too, that we beheld a party openly arrayed against the recognized constitutional rights of a large section of our country. But the strife is over; the fiat of the nation has been uttered; the result is before us. The great conservative and liberal principles which lie at the foundation of our institutions, and govern the people as a nation, have triumphed over the faction on the one hand, that would menace the Union, and the Order on the other, that dared to make religion or country a test of American citizenship.

We rejoice at the result, not as Catholics, but as citizens. We rejoice in common with those who wish the perpetuity of the Union; who wish to transmit it to their children with the one flag floating over its vast domain; with its vigor undiminished, its laws unimpaired, with power to maintain the rights of its citizens without respect to their country or religion.

Record of Events.

From October 20, to November 20, 1856.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

ROME. On the 25th of September the Holy Father entertained at dinner, in the Vatican, a large number of students and professors belonging to the various seminaries and colleges of Rome. The variety of costumes of these ecclesiastical students formed one of the most interesting features of the scene. The prevailing color of the soutane was black, but habits of other colors were worn by the representatives of different nations. "Those of the Germanic College were habited in red; the members of the Greek College in blue; the Vatican students in violet; the House of the Orphanage in white; and some others, like the Propaganda, wore costumes of different colors. The Seminarial College of the Benedictines of St. Paul wore the habit of the order. The variety of these types and the colors of the countenances were not the less remarkable from the Englishman with the ruddy face and the German with light hair, up to the ebony tint of the Nubian and the brass-colored face of the Chinese. The twelve students of the Propaganda represented well the five parts of the world, showing the various contrasts of the human race, and also showing that the Catholic clergy of the whole world were there waiting on the Vicar of Christ. His Holiness had also prepared a surprise to his young visitors by a lottery, tickets for which were distributed to them, and one of the scholars of the orphanage drew the numbers, and His Holiness deigned to distribute the various prizes to the fortunate winners-such as crucifixes, Madonnas, etc. At six o'clock His Holiness gave his parting benediction to his guests, and addressed them in these words: 'Mementote hujus dieie omnibus diebus vitæ vestra:'' remember during your life this day,''not because you have dined and been amused, but that your father has wished to show the interest and affection he bears you, and desires to encourage you in your studies.' It should be mentioned that after the lottery was over the students of the different colleges addressed His Holiness, thanking him for his benignant kindness; and those belonging to the College of the Propaganda did so in not less than fifteen different languages-the Chinese, Hindoo, Russian, English, German, etc. Indeed, down to the negro, in his black soutane, was the Holy Father thanked, and he was visibly moved by this mark of affection."—As matter of interest as well as of information, we record with pleasure what one of the Roman journals says in reference to the universities of the Roman States:

"Among the universities of the Pontifical States, the most frequented are those of Rome and Bologna. During the last scholastic year, the first-named reckoned eight hundred and seventy-six students, and the latter four hundred and eighty-seven. The other universities have been attended by four hundred and thirty young men. This gives a total of one thousand seven hundred and ninety-tree students in the universities of a state the population of which is three million one hundred thousand souls."

An ecclesiastical college is to be formed at Rome for the subjects of the Italian provinces of the Austrian empire.-The Holy Father has appointed the Abbé Vesque, a native of Honfleur, but at present Chaplain of the Catholic Orphanage at Norwood, Bishop of the Island of Dominica, and of two small islands in the West Indies.— Much satisfaction has been expressed at the manner in which the ambassador from the Holy See, M. Chiggi, has been received at the court of Russia, and of the happy impression that has been produced by his presence. It has awakened everywhere throughout the empire the hopes of the Catholics. The Emperor has been pleased to bestow on the Roman embassy particular marks of attention. His Excellency M. Chiggi has been decorated with the Grand Cross of the White Eagle, while his atten

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