THREE ESSAYS ON RELIGION. By John Stuart Mill. New York: Henry
Holt & Co. 1874.
What John Stuart Mill was, and what his life was, our readers have been
already informed in a review of his _Autobiography_. The prince of modern
English sophists and sceptics, he was as miserable and hopeless in life
and death as the victim of an atheistical education might be expected to
be; as miserable as a man outwardly prosperous, enjoying the resources of
a cultivated mind, and exempted by the moral force of his character from
the consequences of gross crimes, could well become. These three _Essays_
are essays of the unhappy sceptic to reduce his readers to the same
miserable condition. Their scope is to overturn, not revealed religion
alone, but all theism; to destroy the belief in God; and to substitute the
most dreary atheism, fatalism, and nihilism for the glorious, elevating,
consoling faith of the Christian, and the imperfect but yet, in itself,
ennobling philosophy of the higher class of rationalists. It is a very bad
sign for our age, and a worse omen for the future, that men can profess
atheism without incurring public odium and disgrace, and that respectable
publishers find it for their interest to flood the market with the deadly
literature which is worse than that of France during the age of Bayle and
Voltaire. A large class of book‐sellers may always be found, not
scrupulous or over‐sensitive in their consciences about right and wrong in
morals, when money is to be made. We suppose, however, that those of them
who expect to make fortunes and transmit them to their children would like
to have the good order of society continue. What can such gentlemen be
thinking of when they help to lay the train under the foundations of order
and social morality? We know of a man who helped to run his own bank, in
which he had many thousands of dollars invested, by demanding specie for a
hundred‐dollar bill during a panic. Old John Bunyan tells of a certain
person living in the town of Mansoul whose name was Mr. Penny wise‐pound‐
foolish. Every one who helps on the spread of atheism, materialism,
impiety in any shape, even if he makes money or fame by it, is helping to
run his own bank. Moreover, he is helping to train the generation of those
who will cut the throats of the whole class he belongs to. We are just now
very wisely, though somewhat tardily, bringing the odious Mormon criminals
to justice, by a kind of blind Christian instinct which still survives in
our public opinion. What is the consistency or use of this, if we are
going to look on apathetically and see the next generation all over our
country turned into atheists? Practical atheism is worse than the most
hideous and revolting form of Mormonism. Why mend a broken spar when
mutineers are scuttling the ship from stem to stern? Would it not be well
for those conductors of the press who have some principles and some belief
in them, for the clergy, and for all who have access in some form to the
ear of a portion of the public, to be a little more alive to the danger
from the spread of atheism, and a little more active in counteracting it?
Pardon, gentlemen, for disturbing your nap. You are very drowsy, but is it
not time for you to wake up?
EAGLE AND DOVE. From the French of Mademoiselle Fleuriot, by Emily
Bowles. New York: P. O. Shea. 1874.
This is a story of Breton life and of the events of the siege and the
Commune of Paris. It is superior to the common run of stories in artistic
merit, its characters and scenes have a peculiar and romantic interest,
and its religious and moral tone is up to the highest mark.
THE WORKS OF AURELIUS AUGUSTINE, Etc. Vol. XI. Tractates on the
Gospel of S. John, Vol. II.; Vol. XII. Anti‐Pelagian works, Vol.
II. Edinburgh: J. & J. Clark. 1874. (New York: Sold by The
Catholic Publication Society.)
Two more volumes of the splendid edition of S. Augustine’s works are here
presented, and deserve a warm welcome. It is difficult to see how they
will serve the cause of the Church of England, but that is the affair of
the editors, not ours. Of course they are mighty weapons for High‐
Churchmen against their Low and Broad Church antagonists. But they tell
equally against these same High‐Churchmen in favor of the Catholic Church.
The treatise against Vincentius Victor, in Vol. XII., is crowded with
denunciations of the Donatists, who are the prototypes of Anglicans,
except in one respect, viz., that the former had valid orders.
RHYMES AND JINGLES. (Illustrated.) By Mary Mapes Dodge, author of
_Hans Brinker_, etc. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co. 1875.
This is a very pretty book for a Christmas present. The rhymes are nice,
and such as will please, amuse, sometimes instruct folk of the nursery.
The illustrations are numerous and well executed, some are funny, some
remarkably beautiful. Any little boy or girl who has not already been
surfeited with toys and books may be made happy by such a gift. Merry
little people, a merry Christmas to you!
LIBRARY OF THE SACRED HEART. Baltimore: J. Murphy & Co. 1874.
This is something towards supplying a great need among Catholic
publications. There are numerous and beautiful series of books issued by
the sectarian press, but comparatively few by Catholic publishers. Any one
who has had to procure Catholic libraries knows this want. Such series are
great aids in supplying Sunday‐school or household libraries. We welcome
the above, and trust it will be followed by others of the same kind. Much
credit is due to the publishers for their selection and the neat
appearance of the volumes. The selection comprises six small and choice
spiritual works. _God our Father_ and the _Happiness of Heaven_, by the
same author, have been noticed with high praise in our columns. The others
also are standard works. We recommend this “Library of the Sacred Heart,”
and hope it will be appreciated. It is contained in a neat and tasteful
box, appropriately ornamented with pious emblems of the Sacred Heart.
BRIC‐A‐BRAC SERIES—NO. IV.: PERSONAL REMINISCENCES BY BARHAM,
HARNESS, AND HODDER. New York: Scribner, Armstrong & Co. 1874.
This is quite up to the mark of the foregoing volumes, and full of very
agreeable anecdotes, criticisms, and literary chit‐chat.
ANNOUNCEMENT.—We shall begin, next month the publication of a new serial
story, entitled _Are you my Wife?_ by the author of _Paris before the War,
Number Thirteen, A Daughter of S. Dominic, Pius VI._, etc., etc.