for the Evangelist himself. Only in a higher sense than his own are Carlyle's words true. "The only happiness a brave man ever troubled himself with asking much about, was happiness enough to get his work done." Yes, for man's work on earth is to serve God and save his soul. If I had them within reach, I should quote the Latin words of Seneca, which are translated thus: "The elements of happiness are a good conscience, honesty of purpose, and uprightness of conduct." This is nearly as Christian as Ruskin's: "To read, to think, to love, to hope, to pray-these are the things that make men happy." M. R.

NOTES ON NEW BOOKS

1. Life of Thomas Edward Bridgett, Priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. By Cyril Ryder, Priest of the same Congregation. London: Burns & Oates. (Price 3s. 6d.)

Two additional particulars are mentioned on the title page of this most interesting volume: it includes many characteristic passages from Father Bridgett's writings in prose and verse, and it begins with an introduction from the pen of Abbot Gasquet, O.S.B., which we were at first inclined to regard as unnecessary but which we have found to be really a useful and important introduction, especially for readers not already acquainted with the subject of this biography. Certainly the English Redemptorists have begun the year well with such an admirable "Life" of their canonized Founder, as we thanked Father Harold Castle last month for giving us, and now this thoroughly satisfactory account of one of his most gifted English sons. The slight autobiography that Father Bridgett left behind him is delightful as far as it goes, and so are the specimens of his correspondence that Father Ryder has woven together most skilfully. All together gives the reader a true idea of what manner of man Father Bridgett was, He did splendid service by his pen for the cause

of historical truth; and yet this solid work seemed to occur only incidentally in his laborious, self-sacrificing life. Among the illustrations of this beautiful book are three portraits of Father Bridgett, in his thirtieth, fifty-second, and sixty-eighth year; and there are pictures of the two homes in which most of his mature life was spent, Mount Alphonsus, in Limerick, and St. Mary's, Clapham, in London, where he died a happy and beautiful death. His works are not of mere temporary interest, but will always hold an honoured place in English Catholic literature. One of them, the first worthy record of Blessed Sir Thomas More, brought the author a joint letter ot thanks from the young and old theologians of the Jesuit College of St. Beuno's, such as they never addressed, we think, to anyone but Cardinal Newman. Thomas Edward Bridgett deserves to be named after that illustrious name, and two or three others. He was indeed one of the most gifted of the spiritual and intellectual men drawn by God's grace in such numbers into the Catholic Church during the latter half of the nineteenth century. His conversion and his after life, and his death, might well be used as a proof of the Divine claims of the Catholic Church. It is right that there should be such a memorial of him as Father Cyril Ryder has here given to us.

2. What we consider the only drawback in Benziger's Magazine is probably one of its chief recommendations to the huge constituency to which it appeals. The vast, unwieldy page that we are used to in the Sphere and the Illustrated London News, seems to us unmagazinelike. A monthly magazine ought to be a book, not a newspaper, such as the sheets whose last end is to wrap parcels. This enormous page, however, gives "ample room and verge enough" for stories and pictures, especially when two pages are covered by (for instance) Guido's noble picture of St. Joseph, in the March number. There is a lavish abundance of very interesting and well executed illustrations. The spaciousness of the magazine allows the editor to give us a large instalment, in large type, of the serial story, "In God's Good Time," by Henry M. Ross, which is certainly very interesting, full of striking situations, and very well written. There are several good short stories, and articles of practical utility. The American Catholic reading classes are well catered for by this magazine, by Donahoe's Magazine, the Catholic World,

the Ave Maria, and the Messenger. The last of these is exquisitely illustrated, and its cover and general get-up are very tasteful.

3. Thoughts and Affections on the Passion of Jesus Christ for Every Day of the Year. Translated from the Italian of Fra Caetano da Bergamo, Capuchin. Benziger Brothers: New York, Chicago, Cincinnati. (Price 8s.)

This fine volume, of more than 500 pages, is published at a very suitable time; at least a notice of it will reach our readers in Passiontide. It is dedicated to Cardinal Gibbons, by the Passionist Fathers of the United States; but the author of this new translation is not named, and we are told nothing about the author himself, not even the date at which he lived and wrote. This omission is a great mistake. One likes to know about the writer of so good a book as this. It is very solid and pious; very unlike Father Gallwey's Watches of the Passion, much less original, but still in its own way admirable.

4. Another book specially suited to Passiontide like the preceding, but also like it, useful at any time of the year, is Lenten Readings from the Writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church as found in the Roman Breviary. These are further described as " done into English by John Patrick Marquess of Bute, and arranged by Father John Mary, Friar Minor Capuchin." Forty extracts from SS. Augustine, Ambrose Leo, Bernard, Thomas Aquinas, and twelve of the hymns from this portion of the Divine Office, make up an excellent book of devotion for the holy season of Lent. It is published very neatly for half-a-crown, by Burns and Oates, 28 Orchard Street London.

5. Portraits. Stories for Old and Young. By David Bearne, S.J. London: Messenger Office, Wimbledon, S.W. (Price 3s 6d.)

This is the latest proof of Father Bearne's amazing fertility and versatility. It differs from all the eight or nine volumes which have preceded it. Instead of dozens of short stories, it consists of three of considerable length-"The Scorn of Consequences,"" The Light that Led," and "A Precious Memory." There is not so much of incident and plot in these as even in his shorter stories. They are rather studies of character in certain very vividly described surroundings. The style has even

more than Father Bearne's usual grace and charm; we suspect that Portraits ranks high in the appreciation of the author himself; and an author is often the best and severest critic of his own writings. The illustrations are charming. Those of "A Precious Memory," seem to place the hero before us such as he was in the years 1880, 1882, 1891, and 1902. Why is poor Mrs. Topley ignored in the winding up of the first tale? The history of “Charlie Chittywick," with whom some of us are partly acquainted already, is promised for October. That is very far away; but meanwhile Father Bearne will use his very special gifts in Stella Maris and the English Messenger of the Sacred Heart. May his literary apostleship produce more and more abundant fruits of various kinds!

6. Poems. By Thomas Boyd. Dublin: O'Donoghue & Co., M. H. Gill & Son. (Price 2s. 6d. net.)

Mr. Boyd classifies his poems under the headings, "Lyrics," "In the Early World," From the Mouth of the People," and "Personal." We fear that we do not comprehend fully any in the first section; but we recognize there, and all through, a certain originality, Celtic fervour, and poetic diction. In the second section, and indeed elsewhere, a prose note or two would be useful. "Balor" talks good, sturdy blank verse; but who was he? Cuchulainn and Ethne are more familiar and they inspire good poetry here. Better still, all the poems "From the Mouth of the People; " with which those that are labelled "Personal" might have been joined-all except the last. Mr. Boyd leaves us with an excellent impression by ending with his elegy on Lionel Johnson, one of the most gifted and ethereal spirits of our time.

7. The Stations of the Cross. An Account of their History and Devotional Purpose. By Herbert Thurston, S.J. London: Burns & Oates. (Price 3s. 6d. net.)

Father Thurston has already won a high name for the thoroughness and originality of his historical researches displayed in such works as his Lent and Holy Week: Chapters on Catholic Observance and Ritual. His new book manifestly was intended to be in time for the present season of Lent, but it only reached us in the third week. However, it is useful at any time of the year. It is full of exact learning, and many parts are fit for devotional use, such as the chapter which quotes

Cardinal Newman, Faber, and Perreyve. There are twenty-two illustrations, beautiful reproductions of very curious and interesting old engravings from the year 1489, onward. Some of these are old maps of Jerusalem, and others represent the scene in which each of the Stations took place. Great labour and care have been bestowed on every portion of this book, on which a very moderate price is set, considering especially the number of novel and difficult illustrations.

8. Sketches in History, chiefly Ecclesiastical. By L. C. Casartelli, Bishop of Salford. London: R. & T. Washbourne, 4 Paternoster Row, London. (Price 5s. net.) Messrs. Washbourne have made many excellent additions of late to Catholic literature, one of the most important being this work of the Bishop of Salford. At the very outset Dr. Casartelli disclaims all pretensions to originality of research; but he places at our disposal in a very attractive form the results of the original researches of others, which would otherwise be inaccessible. Not only is he able to avail himself of the best erudition of Germany, but he utilises the labours of a Dutch scholar, and his very first paper owes much of its curious learning to a Flemish author. Two of the most valuable of these essays are the accounts of an English Pope and a Dutch Pope (Adrian IV and Adrian VI). The new start that the Dublin Review has just made under Mr. Wilfrid Ward lends a special interest to the paper on "The Makers of the Dublin.” We are edified at his Lordship's generosity in emphasizing the assistance received from an old volume of our own Magazine. The minute and accurate learning contained in these thirteen sketches of ecclesiastical history are made available by a very full index. The name Du Perron" will refer the reader back to a striking bit of literary romance.

9. The Pastor of Mount Bethel. By Austin Rock. London: R. & T. Washbourne. (Price 3s. 6d.)

This is a book that we could have dispensed with. The story dates back thirty years to a small town in Wales, and the hero is a young minister of an Independent or Congregational chapel. Three of the nicest people become Catholics, and a very unamiable and unreal picture is drawn of those who remain what they were. We should be surprised to hear that the writer knew much about the scenes and incidents that he describes ;