did to Johnson, but he lacks the sincerity and truthfulness of Boswell. He is a sycophant, but his very sycophancy is inspired rather by selfinterest than by honest admiration. He was, according to his own account, nothing else than a hireling writer, whose chief work was to "inspire" German newspapers with the sentiments Bismarck suggested, and very often to deny and misrepresent well-known facts, and to state as facts what were known to be not facts. There is every reason to believe, too, that his journal of Bismarck's conversations "at dinner, at tea, and on other occasions," was revised by Bismarck himself. Consequently Dr. Busch's accounts are not records of what Bismarck actually said, but of what he wished to be reported as having said. Yet perfect disguise is impossible. The most skilful concealment fails at one point or another to prevent glimpses, at least, of truth. And reading under or between the lines of this record of Bismarck's table talk, enough comes to view to show his vanity, his intense egotism, his utter want of moral principle, his cold-blooded selfishness, arbitrariness, and cruelty. He was intensely jealous of all others. Dissatisfaction and discontent seemed his chronic condition of mind. The suggestions of his fellow-councillors were regarded as officious intermeddling, and no one, from the King down, was correct or right in anything he said or did, except himself. He continually complained of the manner in which the war was conducted, of the slowness of the Generals, and of their want of severity. Though France was devastated wherever the German troops marched, Bismarck complained that they were too merciful. That every village was not burned, and that every French tireur who was taken prisoner was not at once shot, was to him a constant and sore grievance. THE GRAMMAR OF ENGLISH GRAMMARS, with an Introduction, Historical and Critical; the whole methodically arranged and amply illustrated: To which are added four Appendices, pertaining separately to the four Parts of Grammar. By Goold Brown, author of "The Institutes of English Grammar," "The First Lines of English Grammar," etc. Tenth Edition. Revised and improved. Enlarged by the Addition of a copious Index of Matters. By Samuel E. Berrian, A.M. New York: William Wood, 27 Great Jones Street. 1879. This admirable work has been before the public so long and has obtained so firmly an established and high a position as a standard authority on the subject of English grammar, that to praise it seems superfluous. We confine our notice, therefore, to a few statements of the author taken from his preface, of his own design of the work. “It is not," he says, "a work of mere criticism, nor yet a work too tame, indecisive, and uncritical; . . . not a mere philosophical investigation of what is general or universal in grammar, nor yet a minute detail of what forms only a part of our own philology; . . . not a mere grammatical compend or compilation." The work is all of these, but it is more. It is intended to describe the best method of studying and teaching English grammar, to facilitate the study of the English language, to settle, so far as the most patient investigation and the fullest exhibition of proofs could do it, the multitudinous and vexatious disputes which have hitherto divided the sentiments of teachers, and made the study of English grammar so uninviting, unsatisfactory, and unprofitable, to the student whose taste demands a reasonable degree of certainty." This edition of the work has been carefully revised or improved by an eminent master of English grammar. The typography and binding are of a style suitable to the valuable contents of the work. HEALTH AND How To PRESERVE IT. Professor McSherry, University of Maryland, Baltimore. D. Appleton & Co., New York. 1879. The reading of this work is about as good an example of the utile dulci as one can readily find, for the matter is most interesting, whilst the style is in the author's well-known pleasing manner of imparting information-in a conversational way. The work is simply scientific common sense, and must command a widespread study when known. There are few works of a medical character which do not bristle with technical terms, usually frightful to the uninitiated, whilst many such books treat of specialties certainly not intended for, nor suitable to the majority of the members of a family. This book, however, not only can be read by any one, but should be studied carefully by all who are interested (and who is not?) in the great subject on which it treats. It would certainly save ten times its cost every year were people to follow the sound advice therein contained. May we not indulge the hope that the distinguished Professor will continue to give us more and more of his extended experience and deep knowledge, since "preventives far exceed cures," and these efforts are in the right direction, and will bring incalculable good to the community at large. MOTIVES OF LIFE. By David Swing. Chicago: Jansen, McClurg & Co. 1877. If there were any room for doubt that Protestantism was fast lapsing into sheer infidelity, it would be dispelled by glancing over this little work. Its author is a prominent and acknowledged representative of what is called Liberal Christianity, yet there is not one thought in the work that might not have been expressed by a heathen. The name of Christ is found in its pages, but you might substitute for it that of Confucius or Socrates, or Zoroaster or Brahma, without injury to the sentiments expressed, unless it be that such a substitution would necessitate a less feeble recognition of the existence of truth as an actual reality, and a stronger expression of the actual need of a divine revelation to man. The only idea that we can get from the whole, is that life, whether that of the individual or of the human race, is nothing more than a constant but confused movement, and that when this movement happens to be in the right direction, it is towards unattainable truth-a conclusion entirely consistent with sheer skepticism, but utterly irreconcilable with belief in divine revelation. DIATIKI, ETC.: The New Testament, or the Book of the Holy Gospel of our Lord and our God, Jesus the Messiah. A literal Translation from the Syriac Peshito version. By James Murdock, D.D. New York: Carter & Brothers, 1879. The idea of the translation was a very good one. Dr. M. was charmed with the simplicity of the Peshito, and determined that others should share his pleasure and delight. Hence this translation. The Syriac version, no doubt, excels in clearness, and there is scarcely a passage in it that presents mere verbal difficulties. Whatever difficulty there may remain is not to be ascribed to the interpreter but to the obscurity of the meaning hidden under the revealed words. We intend to examine in our next some of the rules that Dr. Murdock has prescribed for himself in undertaking the translation, and how far he has complied with them. It will be seen that while at times very exact in his rendering, at others he is loose and not always faithful. Yet his undertaking is a step in the right direction, for the Peshito is a valuable aid to the exegesis, especially, of the New Testament. BOOKS RECEIVED. MONTH OF MAY; or, A Series of Meditations on the Mysteries of the Life of the Blessed Virgin, and the Principal Truths of Salvation, for each day of the month of May. From the French of Father Debussi, S. J. Translated by Miss Ella McMahon, and revised by a Member of the Society of Jesus. New York: The Catholic Publication Society. An excellent and edifying manual of devotion. 1879. STATES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND VOCATION, according to the Doctors and Theologians of the Church. By Rev. J. Berthier, Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette. Preface by Rev. Joseph Shea, S.J. With the approbation of the Master of the Sacred Palace, and of his Eminence, Cardinal McCloskey. New York: P. O'Shea. 1879. 12mo., pp. 292. INTRODUCTIO IN SACRAM SCRIPTURAM ad usum Scholarum Pont. Seminarii Rom. et Collegii Urbani de Prop. Fide, auctore Ubaldo Ubaldi Presbytero Romano SS. Liter. Professore. Vol. Secundum: Introductio Critica, pars secunda et tertia. Romæ ex Typographia Polyglotta S.C. de Propaganda Fide. 1878. Large Svo., pp. 643. FIDEI ET MORUM FUNDAMENTA. Seu Instructio Brevis pro Omnibus, qui Salutem in Veritate Quærunt, nec Expeditam rei Tanti Momenti Investigandæ Opportunitatem Habent. Auctore J. Van Luytelaar, C.SS.R. Neo-Eboraci, Cincinnati, S. Ludovici, Einsidla: Benziger Fratres, Summi Pontificis Typographi. 1878. LECTURES, ON THE ORIGIN AND Growth of RELIGION, as Illustrated by the Religions of India. Delivered in the Chapter House, Westminster Abbey, in April, May, and June, 1878. By F. Max Müller, M.A. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1879. 8vo., pp. 382. THE ROMAN EMPIRE OF THE SECOND CENTURY; or, The Age of the Antonines. By W. W. Capes, M.A., late Fellow of Queen's College, and Reader in Ancient History in the University of Oxford. With two Maps. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. 1879. EARLY ROME. From the Foundation of the City to its Destruction by the Gauls. By W. Ihne, Ph.D., Professor at the University of Heidelberg, Author of "The History of Rome." With a Map. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. THE ENGLISH REFORMATION; How it came about, and why we should uphold it. By Cunningham Geikie, D.D., Author of the "Life and Words of Christ." New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1879. 8vo., pp. DESTRUCTION AND RECONSTRUCTION. Personal Experiences of the Late War. By Richard Taylor, Lieutenant-General in the Confederate Army. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1879. THE MYSTERY OF THE CROWN OF THORNS. With Practical Devotions. By a Passionist Father, Author of "The Christian Trumpet," etc. D. & J. Sadlier & Co. 1879. THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES. By J. Harris Patton, Author of the "Concise History of the American People." New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1879. THE MULTITUDINOUS SEAS. With illustrations. By S. G. W. Benjamin. New THE FAIRY LAND OF SCIENCE. By Arabella B. Buckley, Author of "A Short History of Natural Science," etc. Illustrated. New York: D. Appleton & Co. OCEAN WONDERS. A Companion for the Seaside. Freely illustrated from living objects. By William E. Damon. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1879. A LATIN GRAMMAR, founded on Comparative Grammar. By 7. H. Allen and J. B. Greenough. Revised edition. Boston: Ginn & Heath, 1878. LATIN LESSONS, adapted to Allen & Greenough's Latin Grammar. Prepared by R. F. Leighton, Ph.D. Revised edition. Boston: Ginn & Heath, 1878. HEALTH PRIMERS. By Botts & Bothing. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1879. THE AMERICAN CATHOLIC QUARTERLY REVIEW. Vol. IV.-JULY, 1879.-No. 15. THE RELIGION AND CULTURE. * HE simple and comprehensive idea of education includes within itself almost everything. It is as many-sided as human nature, and its limits are as wide as the capacities of the soul, which in its hopes, desires, and aspirations is infinite. All things have an educational value, and that man is educable is the great and guiding fact in history. Forms of government, laws, social customs, literature, industrial arts, climate, and soil not only educate, but are esteemed according to the kind of education which they give. Whatever tends to make one more than he is or to hinder him from being less than he is, is a part of education. The various races of men are doubtless unlike in their natural endowments, but they differ far more widely by reason of the dissimilar educational influences which have acted upon them. It may be affirmed with truth that our good qualities are acquired. We are taught to be modest, truthful, brave, gentle, humane, as we are taught to speak a language. Excellence is thus a triumph over nature, and virtue is the result of victories over instinctive passion. The tendency so common in our day to exalt instinct, almost to consecrate it, springs from an optimistic theory which is utterly at variance with the facts. The wise man does not follow nature but subdues it into conformity with reason; though to do this he must, of course, work in accordance with the laws of nature. The first and deepest element in the life of the individual as of the race is religious faith, which consequently is the chief and highest instrument of education. Religion is man's supreme effort to rise above nature and above his natural self. It gives him a VOL. IV.-26 definite aim and an absolute ideal. "Be ye perfect," it says, "as your Heavenly Father is perfect." It constitutes him a dweller in a world where mere utility has no place. It gives him high thoughts of himself, and thereby exalts his aims and heightens his standards of conduct. It makes him feel that to be true, to be good, to be beautiful, is most desirable, even though no practical gain or use should thence follow. It turns his thoughts to spiritual worth and diminishes his estimate of what is accidental and phenomenal. It addresses itself to the soul, and seeks to give it that pre-eminence which is the condition of all progress; for, "by the soul only shall the nations be great and free." It proclaims the paramount worth of right conduct, which alone brings a man at peace with himself, and thus makes possible the harmonious development of his being. Little cause for wonder is there that everywhere in all time priests should be the first teachers of the race; that poetry, and music, and painting, and sculpture, and architecture should first become possible when the creative voice of faith in the unseen commands them to exist. But upon this it is not my purpose now to dwell, and I merely intimate that true religion, as it appeals to all man's highest faculties with supreme power, must necessarily promote true culture. The direct aim of religion, however, is not to produce culture, nor is it the immediate aim of culture to produce religion; and it may, therefore, happen that they come in conflict. I take the matter seriously, and have not the faintest desire to join in the easy sneer with which this word, culture, is often received. That in the mouths of the frivolous and the vulgar it should be no better than cant, is only what may happen to any word which such persons take up, and it were wiser to reflect that the ideal of culture has exercised an irresistible fascination over many of the most finely endowed minds that have ever lived. The word itself may not indeed be the best; but it seems to serve the purpose better than any other which we who speak English possess. They who propose culture to us as something desirable, would have us aim at a full and harmonious development of our nature, greater freedom from narrowness and prejudice, more disinterested and expansive sympathies, flexibility and openness of thought, courtesy and gentleness, and whatever else goes to form the idea of a liberal education. And if we ask them what end we may expect to gain by following this advice, we betray our inability to appreciate their words. Culture is an end in itself, and brings its own reward. It is good to have a trained and flexible mind, wide and refined sympathies. Just as those who are truly religious do not value their faith for any worldly advantage which it may give them, so the disciples of culture cannot consider the pursuit of excellence as a means of success. To aim at such a |