nothing if not forcible, he jumps on spiritualism, he tears it to pieces, he scatters the fragments; and he does it all with uproarious gusto. There is something infectious about his scepticism, and up to a certain point it is healthy and bracing. But when one turns, for instance, to Sir William Barrett's Threshold of the Unseen, well, one realises that, in spite of reprehensible morbidity, credulity and quackery, there are some things not easily fitted into Dr. Mercier's pathology. To anyone acquainted with the writer's previous works there is a fund of humour in the prefatory statement that he came to the subject "with an open mind." None of us do, and we might as well say it. 66 Cardinal Mercier has now achieved such a world-wide renown that his philosophical works may expect to receive more recognition than they did when first published. His book on The Origins of Contemporary Psychology has just been translated by W. H. Mitchell, M.A. (Washbourne, 6s. net), and well translated, though there are a few slips such as lentil " for "lens." Most of the text dates from 1897, though a few references were added in 1908; the Cardinal's attention has long since been directed to a more strenuous sphere. This explains some lacunae, for instance there is no reference to the Louvain school of experimental psychology, where M. Michotte has done such excellent work. But in spite of such minor defects it is a very opportune and useful book, dealing very fairly with the philosophical implications of recent psychology and vindicating the Catholic theses. It represents the true method by which Scholastic Philosophy may hope once more to influence the world; and this method is, as Cardinal Mercier says, bring the wisdom of past ages to bear upon the latest triumphs of science and doctrines now accepted." Passio Christi. By Mother St. Paul. 2s. 6d. n. 66 (Longman.) They are full of a A series of meditations for every day in Lent. arranged in the usual Ignatian fashion, and are solid thoughtful practical piety. To those who wish to meditate on the Sacred Passion the book will be of great service not merely in Lent but at all times of the year. The Cross. By Rev. Jesse Brant. (Longmans.) 3s. 6d. n. Some essays written by an Anglican minister on the Passion. In spite of their earnest tone and pious thoughtfulness they seem to us to deal too much in the abstract and to fail to bring home to us, in practical form, the lessons of the Cross. Visio Crucis. By Rev. Max Wontner. (Longmans.) 2s. n. Another Anglican book of the same character but less firm in thought and less appealing in expression. A Child's Bookshelf. By Lilian Stevenson. (Stud. Christ. Movement.) 1s. 6d. n. The Anglican Bishop of Wakefield introduces this book with the words: "This is a book which should be in every Teacher's library, in all Training Colleges, in schools of every grade and in every house that has a nursery or schoolroom. All who have to do with children will value it not only for its wide range but for its breadth of view, . . . its elevated tone." There is no similar book for Catholic children, though it would be easy to compile one, taking this book as model and foundation. The arrangement is excellent, the sub-divisions natural and exhaustive, the descriptions of the books adequate for the purpose in view. appendix for teachers contains a list of bibliographical books, and other useful lists. That bigotry has not inspired the compiler is evidenced by the inclusion of such books as Fabiola, though one misses scores of Catholic books which might well have been mentioned. The recommendation of "Stories of the Irish Saints" (Religious Tract Society) shows, of course, that the book cannot be used by Catholics except with caution. An The Land of the Two Rivers. By Edwyn Bevan. (Arnold.) 2s. 6d. n. The country, including Iracq, which lies between the Tigris and the Euphrates and which Mr. Bevan prefers to call The Land of the Two Rivers rather than Mesopotamia is one of the two oldest seats of civilisation in the world. Its history of 10,000 years duration, varied by wave after wave of invasion, Sumerians, Amorites, Cossaeans, Chaldees, Scythians is well summarised by Mr. Bevan. Picturesque details are used to present distinct pictures of the various races. Municipal Government in Ireland. By J. J. Webb, M.A., LL.B. (Talbot Press). 5s. n. Mr. Webb, Professor of Municipal History in the National University of Ireland, has already given us two valuable works, Industrial Dublin since 1698 and The Silk Industry of Dublin. This latest book is not less distinguished for careful and well-ordered research. In it he describes the constitution of the municipalities planted in Ireland, traces the general outlines of their history, examines their influence on trade and industry and their relations with the Irish population. Every page is full of references, so that the student may control or go deeper, but the facts are put in such good perspective that the ordinary reader will find the book an easy one to read. The effect of the Reformation on the Municipalities and also the story of the Northern Plantation that most terrible of all the calamities inflicted on Ireland--are particularly well treated. An Abbot of Vézelay. By Rose Graham. Christ. Knowl.) 3s. 6d. n. (Soc. Prop. This is the story of the Abbot Pons who ruled over the Abbey of Vézelay from 1138 till his death in 1161. During his period of office the First Crusade was preached there, in 1146, by Saint Bernard. The chief interest of the book is the account of the constant struggle between the Count de Nevers and the Abbot Pons, the struggle which gave rise to the famous "Commune of Vézelay." The book is pleasantly written as well as most scholarly, and gives us an extraordinarily interesting picture of those troubled times. There are several handsome illustrations. Selected Letters of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. Transl. by The Sisters of the Visitation, Harrow. (Washbourne). 5s. n. These letters introduce us to one of the most easily known and most easily loved of all the Saints. We learn the details of Saint Jane Frances' daily life, her struggles, her griefs, her joys, all revealed to us in a winsomely fresh and sincere style. In reading these charming letters, so very human and womanly, we feel none of that sense of unreality which often renders less pleasant-and less edifying, too-the enthusiastic and idealised pictures which we find in many Lives of Saints. Some Poems of Roger Casement. Press, Ltd.) 1s. n. (Dublin The Talbot "Roger Casement was not a poet, he would have been the last to lay claim to any such title." This statement from the introduction disarms the would-be critic of these verses for that is all they are-verses such as might be written by anyone of cultivated literary taste. Only a few times do they rise above ordinary performance; for example, in the Verses: on the Elgin Marbles, in the opening of the poem to Hamilcar Barca, and in the second of the poems on The Peak of the Cameroons, with its curious deviation from strict sonnet form. Not the least useful of the purposes of these poems is to serve as illustrations to the interesting and sympathetically written introductory memoir on Sir Roger Casement written by his cousin. IRISH FICTION BIRMINGHAM (GEORGE A.). The Lost Tribes. pp. 331. (Smith Elder). 3s. 6d. Mrs. Dann, a hustling American lady, owing to a clause in her husband's will, comes to look up a relative of his who has married the clergyman of a remote village in Co. Galway. Mrs. D. immediately sets to work to "boost" Druminawona and to liven things up generally. To the great embarrassment of Mr. Mervyn and Fr. Roche, and of their respective bishops, she wants, among other things, to run a miracle play on commercial lines. The clash of her transatlantic notions with old-world traditions in Druminawona provides much excellent comedy. The effect is heightened by the amusing American talk of Mrs. Dann and her nephew, Bobby Sebright. The title is due to Mrs. D's. pursuance of her husband's idea that the lost tribes of Israel might be located in Ireland. |