St. Catherine, Mount Sinai, etc. Besides the legends about Apostles properly so called, her volume contains 'The Martyrdom of St. Luke,' and that of St. Mark. Also two legends from a Vatican MS., and an appendix of palimpsest fragments (Syriac) entitled the Acts of Judas Thomas.' In addition to this the editor gives photographs of a page respectively of each MS. Needless to say her Introduction and Notes supply the student with all the information he can desire.

R. W.

COMPENDIUM SACRAE LITURGIAE JUXTA RITUUM ROMANUM (cum Appendice de Jure Ecclesiastico particulari in America Foederata vigente). Actore P. Inn. Wapelhorst, O.F.M. New York, Chicago: Benziger Bros. 1904. Price 10s. net.

FOR clearness, conciseness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness we do not think that Wapelhorst's Compendium of the Liturgy has been surpassed. Most willingly, then, do we extend a warm welcome to the sixth edition, just published, which has been carefully revised in accordance with the most recent resolutions of the Sacred Congregation of Rites. How quite up to date it is may be inferred from the fact that it contains extracts from the Motu Proprio issued by the reigning Pontiff as late as January last, and embodies decrees of even a later date. The plan of the present edition is in substantial agreement with that of its predecessors, if we except that some of the notes, originally arranged in an Appendix are now worked into the context, while the decisions of the Congregation of Rites are quoted, not from the Gardellini, but from the new authentic collection made under the auspices of the late Pope.

Those not familiar with the work may be told that it consists of three parts, one of which covers the Sacrifice of the Mass, the second the Divine Office, and the last the Roman Ritual. Each of these sections comes in for as much attention as may be reasonably expected in a book that professes to be only a Compendium. The rite and the method of performing it are fully explained; and occasionally very valuable information is given about the mystical significance of many ceremonies, especially those of the Mass. Here and there, too, we find statements of great archælogical interest about the

origin of certain rites. The book, we feel, will be not only a useful, but an almost indispensable addition to the library of every priest who desires a handy manual embracing the entire Liturgy.

BREVIARIUM ROMANUM. Sumptibus. Dublini: M. H. Gill et Filiorum. 1904.

We have much pleasure in bringing under the notice of the Irish clergy this admirable pocket edition of the Breviary, which has just been published by Messrs. M. H. Gill & Son, at 18s. and 20s., according to the binding. We are quite convinced that the new Breviary will rival in popularity the edition of the Hora Diurna, published by the same firm not long ago. In size, arrangement, and price it could scarcely be excelled. It has also the great advantage of having all the new offices of our Irish saints well and correctly printed. One misses, of course, the red lettering of other editions; but those who have become accustomed to the Hora Diurne of the same firm will not hesitate to avail themselves of the other advantages which this edition gives them.

The volume for each quarter of the ecclesiastical year is so arranged as to contain all Offices-whether of the General Calendar or of the Irish Supplement-that can be transferred to that quarter from any previous quarter or quarters. Two volumes (not always consecutive) or even three volumes (as in 1897, 1892, 1889, etc.) of other editions (including the latest and best) would be not infrequently necessary, where one volume of this edition will suffice. And this need for two or more volumes is likeliest to occur in the months usually available for a holiday.

The Psalms of Matins for all other Offices-whether of the General Calendar (excepting, for obvious reasons, the Tenebrae Offices), or of the Irish Supplement-are, when special, given almost in full, all Psalms (excepting a few of unusual length) being repeated unless they occur consecutively or almost consecutively elsewhere. Nothing of this kind is attempted in even the best rival editions.

The greatest pains have been taken to facilitate the making of Commemorations: the Antiphon and Versicle are given in full in cases presenting special difficulty, and are suggested by the opening words in all other cases. In the longer Offices the

Oratio is given at first Vespers as well as at Lauds. Great pains have also been taken to reduce to a minimum the need for such troublesome rubrical directions as the following: Homilia de Comm. Evang. [25] cum RR. de Comm. Pont. [72]; or for such references to references as : Omnia ut in I. Vesperis præter sequentia.

All the new Offices (1904) for the Patron Saints of the dioceses of Ireland are inserted in their proper places in the Irish Supplement, and are of course repeated in the volume for each quarter to which they are transferable.

The Offices of the Crown of Thorns and of the Passion, and the Votive Office de præcepto of the Blessed Sacrament, are not always given in Continental Editions of the Breviary in the form sanctioned for Ireland. This defect has been guarded against.

We have no hesitation in recommending this Breviary, which Dr. Magrath has taken such pains to make perfect, and which is published by an Irish firm which deserves every encouragement in this kind of work.

AL-MACHRIQ. Beyrouth. 1904.

J. F. H.

THE May number of this Arabic periodical is appropriately dedicated to one theme, that of the Immaculate Conception. One of the articles deals with the dogma as testified to by the Oriental rites, another with the Maronite tradition respecting it, and so on. It is pleasing to know that in the countries where the faith was first preached, the memory of the Blessed Virgin's incomparable honour has been so well preserved. Among the many excellent productions of the Jesuits' Oriental Press, this periodical deservedly holds a high place.

R. W.

SPIRITUAL DESPONDENCY AND TEMPTATIONS. By Rev.

P. J. Michel, S.J. Translated from the French by
Rev. F. P. Garesché, S.J. New York: Benziger Bros.
Price 5s.

IN the words of the Editor of this volume, the work appears to be specially intended for the instruction of persons living in religious communities, and for seculars aiming at perfection; but in this age of indifference and discouragement

all who profess the true Faith may here find no little help to undeceive them in their errors, and to strengthen them against the wiles of self-love.' It is often the lot of the director of souls to meet with persons afflicted with spiritual dryness and despondency, who require to be braced up for the struggle for salvation by the supernatural stimulants of hope and confidence in the Divine goodness. For such as these, excellent remedies against this specious sort of temptation, and invaluable incentives to greater trust in God, will be found in this book.

PSALMORUM SYNOPSIS. Fr. Cornely, S.J. Paris:
Lethielleux.

THIS little work ought to be useful to many of those who are bound to recite the Psalms day by day. It contains, first, a short description of the authorship, scope, and time of composition of the Psalm, and then a synopsis of its contents. Many questions, of course, regarding the Psalter in general are not touched on here. The reader who desires to know Father Cornely's views on the subject will find them in his Hist. et Crit. Introductio. The present work is for more practical purposes, and is intended to serve as a companion to the Breviary.

E. N.

W

KINGDOM'

But remember every grain of sand,
Wherever salt wave touches land;
Number in single drops the sea,
Number the leaves on every tree;
Number earth's living creatures, all

That run, that fly, that swim, that crawl;

Of sands, drops, leaves, and lives, the coun.

Add up into one vast amount;

And then for every separate one

Of all these, let a flaming sun

Whirl in the boundless skies, with each

Its massy planets, to outstretch

All sight, all thought, for all we see
Encircled with infinity,

Is but an ISLAND.

-ALLINGHAM.

WHEN last December a paper appeared from my pen, entitled, 'Our Isolation in Sidereal Space,' I expected it to be my last contribution on the subject matter of the noble and ennobling science of Astronomy in the pages of this ecclesiastical monthly. It has occurred, however, to me since, that I carried my readers nearly to the top rung of the aerial ladder and then failed to plant them on the apex. Step by step, through several articles, we mounted together through space. Starting with our own proximate solar and planetary system, we overstepped the Neptuan boundary and plunged beyond it into a vast sidereal void of interstellar space. Then, nothing daunted by the

FOURTH SERIES, VOL. XVI.-AUGUST, 1904.

G