_Lectures on Modern History, delivered at the Catholic University of
Ireland._ By Professor J. B. ROBERTSON; cr. 8vo, p.p. xvi., 528. Dublin:
W. B. Kelly, 1864.
The lectures included in this volume were delivered in the Catholic
University of Ireland, on various occasions, in the years 1860 to 1864,
and their purport has been well expressed in the author’s own words.
Speaking in reference to all his literary labours, “I devoted”, says
Professor Robertson, “my feeble powers to the defence of God and His holy
Church against unbelief and misbelief; and of social order and liberty,
against the principles of revolution, which are but impiety in a political
form”. In these words we have the key-note of the entire work. The
“History of Spain in the Eighteenth Century” forms the subject of two
lectures. To these is added a supplement of more than fifty pages, in
which the late Mr. Buckle’s “Essay on Spain”, contained in his “History of
Civilization”, is severely but most deservedly criticised, and, we may
add, is refuted by solid and convincing arguments.
In four lectures our author discusses the “life, writings, and times of M.
de Chateaubriand”, involving, much of the internal history of France,
especially as regards literature and religion under the first Napoleon and
the succeeding governments down to the Revolution in 1848. These lectures
are full of interest. But what must be considered as by far the most
important portion of this volume is that in which Professor Robertson
treats of the “Secret Societies of Modern Times”. In two lectures he
traces the origin and progress of the Freemasons, the Illuminati, the
Jacobins, the Carbonari, and the Socialists; and in an appendix adds a
“brief exposition of the principal heads of Papal legislation on Secret
Societies”.
Such are the contents of the work. The style is agreeable and clear, the
diction felicitous, and above all, the sentiments just, equally
characterised by extensive information, political sagacity, and a profound
reverence for divine faith. The professor has happily avoided both the
tedious exhaustiveness of the German, and the brilliant flippancy which so
often charms us in the French. Nor has he been unmindful of the more
laborious students who would not shrink from the toil of research after
further information. For these he has provided such an array of
authorities, on each of his subjects, as must greatly facilitate the
progress of those who would engage in diligent historical investigation.
We know not where else there could be had so intelligible an account of
the secret societies which have been so active in all the political
convulsions of Europe, from 1789 to the present time. We need not advert
to the part which secret societies have had in producing the present
deplorable state of Italy. To the readers of the _Civiltà Cattolica_ such
reference would be unnecessary. To those who have not the advantage of
regularly reading that most instructive periodical we would recommend
Professor Robertson’s lectures, as containing, in a moderate sized volume,
a most perspicuous summary of what is requisite to be known concerning
those dark conspiracies and their objects. If it were only for this, the
volume would be a most welcome addition to our historical library.
The book has been brought out with the utmost elegance of paper, type, and
printing.