Irish Jesuit Province

Some New BooksThe Irish Monthly, Vol. 42, No. 497 (Nov., 1914), pp. 651-656Published by: Irish Jesuit ProvinceStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20503651 .

Accessed: 16/06/2014 02:51

Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at .http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp

.JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range ofcontent in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new formsof scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

.

Irish Jesuit Province is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Irish Monthly.

http://www.jstor.org

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

651

SOME NEW BOOKS

i. The Flower of Peace. A Collection of the Devotiona Poetry of Katharine Tynan. London: Burns and Oates, Ltd. (Price 5s. net.)

It is now a long time since Katharine Tynan firmly estab lished her right to be considered one of the greatest among our

modern Irish poetesses. Before the issue of the present col lection she had published at least nine volumes of poetry, volumes that the critics read and admired and found to possess in a high degree lyrical grace, genuine poetic vision, and in timate appreciation of the beauty of external nature, merits that are assuredly not lacking in the present volume. Indeed, our poetess is at a particular advantage in some respects when the themes are devotional. Religious subjects, it is true, more than any other, test the poet's power to rise to what is most sublime ; but there is no reason to fear the verdict of such a test when the writer has, like Katharine Tynan, a Catholic heart of the truly Irish sort. On the other hand, they offer the grandest and most exalting sources of inspiration, sources that are here amply drawn on. There are beautiful and tender visions of Christ and His love, from His coming as the Christmas

,Babe to His coming in the glorious, ineffable condescension of the Holy Communion; charming pictures of the Mother of God, of St. Joseph, " The Man of the House," and of many another of God's friends and servanIs. We hope no reader will miss the delightful poems on St. Francis of Assisi. In the case of so well-known an authoress there is no need to comment on the subtle, refined, and, at times, venturesome art with which the poems are woven into words. The publishers have done their part well; the book has a dainty appearance, in keeping with its fine contents.

2. Down West. By Alice Dease. London: B. Herder. (Price Is. net.)

This, which is the fifteenth volume of the Catholic Library, contains nine sketches of life in Western Ireland ; brief sketches, lightly handled, and freshly and gracefully executed. They have the excellent and essential merit of being faithful pictures.

Miss Dease evidently knows the Connemara country folk in

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

652 THE IRISH MONTHLY

timately, and has studied them at close quarters; and they may be called faithful, even though she concerns herself more with their good qualities than their failings. Needless to say, there are many bright touches of humour; there is passion, too, and there is pathos in plenty. But, more than anything else, there is the light of faith; the stories and conversations reflect strongly the admirable religious spirit which casts a radiance over the hard austere lives of these simple western people. There is much truth in the remark which Sir Hency Bellingham makes in the Preface which he contributes to the book: the genuine Irish character can only be explained by a Catholic. Some Protestant writers have given us stories and sketches of the Irish Catholic peasants that are excellent in many respects; but in this point, that attitude to religion which is the deepest and dominating influence in their character, they necessarily fail ; they either omit it, or misrepresent it, or, at best, they describe it from the outside and superficially. Miss Dease, on the contrary, is particularly successful in rendering this phase of the people's lives ; herein, we may say, is the outstanding

merit of the volume. 3. Commentary on the Seven Penitential Psalms. By John

Fisher, Bishop of Rochester. Edited by J. S. Phillimore, M.A. Vol. I. London: B. Herder. (Price is. net.)

This Commentary is a series of sermons on the Psalms, and was first published in I509. It is now, for the first time, made comfortably available to modern readers in a form which pre serves all the essential characteristics of the original. Of two previous editions, one, that edited by Professor J. E. B. Mayor for the Early Eng'ish Texts Society, is useless to the ordinary reader, owing to the archaic spelling and punctuation, which are retained; the other, edited by Father Kenelm Vaughan, has been so transformed as to be in some respects practically a modern book. The present editor, Professor Phillimore, of

Glasgow University, has contented himself with modernising only the spelling and punctuation, adding a glossary of the few obsolete words which occur. By this means the book re tains its qujaintness of style and its value to the student of the historical development of English literature, while pre senting no obstacle to its propei appreciation by the ordinary reader.

Its intrinsic merits can hardly be over-rated. The division of the matter into points in each sermon is surprisingly clear and even sharp, yet the parts are so skilfully woven together

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

SOME NEW BOOKS 653

that the division does not at all detract from the smoothness and grace of the whole. The exposition of the Psalmist's words is equally remarkable, on the one hand, for simplicity and

clearness, and, on the other, for penetration and unction. The literary taste and skill displayed are of a very high order and,

coupled with a faculty for apt and beautiful illustration, they should prove the right of the saintly Bishop to an honourable place amongst English prose writers. The book can be strongly recommended to all lovers of good literature, and especially to

those who desire to unite intellectual enjoyment with very profitable spiritual reading.

4. The Knight of the Pleu,r-de-Luce. By Sophie Maude. London: R. & T. Washbourne, Ltd. (Price 2S. 6d.)

In this well-conceived historical novel the hero, a follower of the Black Prince, tells his own story. We get a picture of

Court life in England during the reign of Edward III., and the narrative takes us through the eventful campaign, which cul minated in the capture of Calais. We have recorded in spirited

language the exploits of the English knights, and are shown that the days of chivalry were not yet over, and that young nobles

made every endeavour to win their spurs, and by prayer, fasting, and vigils prepared themselves to take the oath: " To fight for

Holy Faith, and do service to our Sovereign Lord the King women to worship; and to help the weak and oppressed." The book is suitable for boys and girls, and will be found interesting by more mature readers.

5. A number of devotional and religious books of smaller size issued by the very active firm of \Vashbourne may be grouped together. The Spirit oj the Lord and His Holy Operations is by a Priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (price is. 6d. net in cloth, gd. in paper.) It is to be lamented that so

little has been written about devotion to the Holy Ghost, the

origin and mainspring of all our spirituality. This devotion surely needs only to be explained to the faithful in order to receive the important place which it ought to hold in their lives. Hence

we welcome this little volume which gives, in catechetical form, a

brief and interesting instruction on the Holy Spirit and His

Operations in the Church and in the souls of men. Dominican Mass Book, by a Dominican of the Second Order (cloth 6d. net),

is a neat little book containing the Ordinary of the Mass according to the Dominican rite, with prayers for Holy Communion. etc.

It contains, in two short chapters, very interesting information about the Dominican Rite and the origin of the different prayers

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

654 THE IRISH MON71ILY

of the Mass. Baptism and Extreme Unction and Holy Orders and Matrimony, by the Sisters of Notre Dame, are catechetical booklets, and cost twopence each. They are full of useful and practical information. They are based on the English " Penny Catechism," and will be found of service also in schools even where that Catechism is not in use. The series to which they belong received warm praise from Cardinal Vaughan. Meditations on the Rosary, by a Brother of the Little Oratory, contains a series of poems of a simple and devout character, one of ten verses on each of the Mysteries of the Rosary. The verses are marred somewhat by an unfortunate choice of metre; the alternation of hexameter and pentameter lines has a jolting effect. The price in paper wrapper is sixpence. We give last place in this group of booklets to the most valuable, a remarkable prayer book, small, light, and compact in size, but containing a thousand thin pages, A Manual oJ Church Prayers. Cardinal Gasquet contributes to it a brief preface. Its main object is to enable the faithful to join intelligently with the sacred ministers during

Mass and the evening service of Vespers and Compline ; it is, therefore, a combination of missal, breviary (as regards the -Hours mentioned), and ordinary prayer-book. The Antiphons and many of the shorter Missal prayers are given in Latin as well as in English. The type is excellent and the price is very moder ate: in cloth, two shillings ; in leather, from three to six shillings.

6. Lourdes. By the Rt Rev. Monsignor R. H. Benson. London: B. Herder. (Price is. net.)

This volume, No. i2 of the Catholic Library Series, is a reprint of some articles, written six years ago, by Monsignor

Benson, for the Ave Maria, and conveying his impressions of Lourdes, which he had just visited, of the miracles he himself

witnessed, of the crowds of pilgrims, and of " the all but sensible presence of the Mother of God." The tone of the book is re freshingly simplt,e honest, and sincere. The reader finds it all the more convincing since Monsignor Benson tells how he approached Lourdes in the attitude of a " reverent agnostic," how he attended the eminent doctors' searching investigations of the miracles at the bureau, in a most critical spirit. He dis cusses the attempts of scientists to explain away the wonderful cures, as the efficts of " hysteria," " auto-suggestion," or " French

imaginativeness,"-and then declares unhesitatingly that the age of miracles is not yet past; that still at Lourdes the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed. He adds: " the greatest

miracle of all at Lourdes is the peace and resignation, even the

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

SOME NEW BOOKS 655

happiness of those who after expectation has been brought to the highest, go disappointed away, as sick as they canme."

Monsignor Benson has written a Preface and added notes to bring the book up to da'e.

7. C. J. Kickham, Patriot and Poet. A Memoir. By R. J. Kelly, K.C. Dublin: James Duffy & Co., Ltd. (Price 6d. net.)

Mr. Kelly -has succeeded in compressing into the narrow compass of 64 pages a great deal of interesting information about one of the most gifted and charming personalities of

modern Irish politics. His object is not to enter into an ade quate critical study of Kickham's character and policy, or of his literary productions, but rather to present the leading facts of his life. Naturally, there is frequent mention of many other prominent personages who were bound to Kickham by ties of affection or common interests; and we have brought vividly before us men and times whose memory we are too prone to forget and whose recollection brings with it a refreshing atmosphere of patriotism.

8. The Dublin Linen Hall. Its Times and its Neighbourhood. By S. O'Reilly. Dublin: Fowler. (Price 6d.)

Probably many who attended -the late Civic Exhibition real ised then, for the first time, that such a building as the Linen

Hall exists in Dublin, and that the linen trade, now so flourish ing in the North of Ireland, had its origin in the Metropolis.

We have in this pamphlet of forty pages an interesting account of the rise and development of the linen industry, of the great prosperity it enjoyed for ninety years in Dublin, of the big fortunes derived from it owing to the encouragement given by the native Government. We read with regret that the year after the Union the export of linen fell five million yards, and steadily declined in after years until the Dublin Board was dis solved. The building was turned into a barracks, later became a workhouse, and is now under the Board of Trade.

9. Lisbeth. The Story of a First Communion. By Mary J. Waggaman. New York: P. J. Kenedy & Sons. (Price.

75 cents.) This is a pretty story, told with the author's customary

charm, of a lonely little girl brought up in a cheerless home by a harsh grandmother. Lisbeth had seldom heard a kind word until the good Sister Angela accidentally came across her and, with difficulty, persuaded the grandmother to let Lisbeth attend school. Young folk will read with as much pleasure as ad vantage of how Lisbeth made a fervent preparation for her

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions

656 THE IRISH MONTHLY

First Holy Communion, of her earnest efforts to keep her heart a spotless resting-place for her Lord, in spite of many home

difficulties and temptations, of how she finally triumphed and brought peace and gladness to herself and those about her. The book is most suitable for school libraries and prizes; it is, of course, primarily intended for those who are about to make, or who have recently made, their First Holy Communion.

Another tale, by the same authoress, published by the firm of

Benziger, is The Ups and Downs of Marjorie, a very pleasant little tale of the adventures of an orphan girl. The book is full of thrills and can be recommended for boys and girls, and likewise f or their elders. The price is the modest one of a

shilling and sixpence. IO. The Handbook of Irish Volunteers. Simple Lectures on

Military Subjects. Bv "H." Dublin: M. H. Gill & Son, Ltd. (Price Is. net.)

This neat little handbook is written specially for the Volun teers by one who has had " many years experience as an officer " and who made " a special study of drilling." It is in the form of lectures and at the end of each lecture there is a series of questions which will enable the reader to test whether he has grasped the lesson he should have learned. It may be that, before long,the use of arms and the knowledge of military science will form part of the education of every boy in Ireland. Please God we may never have to fire a shot against an enemy on Irish

soil; but if the time does come it is well for us to be ready. iI. Our Ally. By M. E. Francis. London: John Long.

(Price 7d.) This is a popular edition of a simple story, told with the

well-known grace and charm of the famous author. The pic ture on the wrapper tells us that the story deals with a romance of a soldier and a maid ! It is to be hoped that the wrapper

will attract many purchasers at the present martial time though the book was published before the war began. The story cannot be called an expressly Catholic tale, but it is one

which must do good to all who read it, for it portrays with touching sympathy the romance of a Lancashire lass whose simple innocence is rewarded by a happy ending. There is a great charm about the local dialect, which M. E. Francis has evidently studied with care. It may be well to warn careful purchasers that the story is not as " fast " as the wrapper

might suggest ! It can be safely recommended.

This content downloaded from 185.2.32.141 on Mon, 16 Jun 2014 02:51:09 AMAll use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions