The Spirit of Blessed Alphonsus de Liguori; a selection from his shorter spiritual treatises. Translated by the Rev. James Jones; preceded by a memoir of the author. Baltimore: F. Lucas, Jr. 24mo. pp. 307.

The religious community are much indebted to Mr. Lucas for the publication of this delightful little volume, which, coming from the pen of so distinguished an author and so eminent a saint as Liguori, must at once commend itself to the attention and esteem of all Christians, but particularly of those who desire to sustain themselves in the practice of duty by the powerful influence of pious reading. In the volume before us, the reader will find some of the principal truths of Christian morality inculcated in a forcible and interesting manner, and above all with that spirit of unction which makes its way to the heart, and imparts to the style of a writer the twofold excellence of producing a deep impression upon the mind, and awakening a relish for the subjects which it considers. In addition to this general merit which the book possesses, it supplies in our opinion, a great desideratum, by treating of various matters which have not before been so well arranged for the advantage of the pious reader. The practice of meditation, the comforts of a soul in spiritual desolation, a compendium of rules for a Christian life, &c., are of this description, and will prove eminently interesting and instructive.

It may be observed that the wording of the title-page would be more correct and appropriate, if it announced the spirit of St. Liguori, instead of Blessed Liguori. This defect on the first two pages of the book may be easily removed in those copies which have not yet been bound. The work is handsomely printed and in a very convenient form. Upon the whole, it is one of the most valuable publications of a spiritual character that have been issued from the American press, for a long time. History of the Reformation in land, in a series of letters. Philadelphia: M. Fithian. Though the reformation was very tragical in its consequences, its pretensions, as an improvement of religion, have justly been considered in the light of a comedy. Especially in England does this view of the subject present itself to the reader of history, and Cobbett, in his quaint, popular, matter-of-fact style, has invested it with a de

England and IreBy Wm. Cobbett. 12mo. pp. 339.

gree of interest, which it would not possess in a graver and more polished form. As he relates facts which the best historians confirm, his statements will always be received as authoritative. The present edition of his history is neatly printed, and offered at a very moderate price, circumstances which, in addition to its intrinsic worth, will no doubt insure it a ready and extensive circulation.

The Youth's Library, No. 8. Baltimore, F. Lucas, 18mo. pp. 168.

This very useful publication has now reached the eighth number, which surpasses in its mechanical beauty all that have preceded it. It is ornamented with a beautiful engraving and a very handsome extra title-page. The tales, which are full of instruction adapted to the comprehension of young persons, are erdinanda or The Countess of Hennance; and The Glass of Water. There could be nothing better adapted than this little volume as an appropriate present for children at the approaching season. We admire the Youth's Library so much that we regret exceedingly the loss of No. 7, on its way. The American Almanac and Repository of useful Knowledge, for the year 1844. Boston, David H. Williams, 12mo. pp. 342.

This work has made its appearance with the usual amount of matter, embracing a chart of the United States, with a vast deal of meteorological information and the statistics of the country in great detail. What strikes us as commendable in this publication is its freedom from sectarian views. With regard to its accuracy, we shall merely observe, that St. Philip's University, mentioned on page 190, has not existed for the last two years. On page 194, the theological schools of the Catholic Church are not mentioned in the list of such establishments. They are included in a general way in the statistical account, p. 196, but it would be more satisfactory to place them in full under the proper heading.

The Following of Christ, in four books, translated from the original Latin, by the Rt. Rev. and Ven. Richard Challoner, D.D. V.A. To which are added Practical Reflections and a Prayer at the end of each chapter. Translated from the French, by Rev. Jas. Jones. First American edition. Balt. J. Murphy. 32mo. pp. 520. We have seen the sheets of this edition of the Following of Christ, which will be issued in a

few days, and believe it to be the neatest, cheapest and most convenient publication of this excellent work, that has ever been issued from the Catholic press in this country. Price of the plainer copies, bound in cloth, 25 cents; of the ornamented copies, on fine paper, 50 cents to $2, according to the binding. The Garland of Hops, translated from the French. Baltimore: John Murphy. 32mo. pp. 145. This beautiful little book is the fifth number of the Cubinet Library, intended for the instruction and entertainment of children. It is not inferior to any of its predecessors.

Prascovia, or Filial Piety, a true story, from the French of Count X. de Maistre. Baltimore, J. Murphy; N. York, E. Dunigan, 32mo. pp. 140. We are pleased to see this very interesting and instructive narrative, which has appeared in the columns of our Magazine, republished in a form which will better adapt it to the use of young persons. Books of this description cannot be too strongly recommended to the attention of parents. This interesting series, called the Cabinet Library, will furnish most useful and appropriate presents for children during the approaching holydays.

THE present number of the Magazine closes the second volume of the work, and reminds us of the many obligations we are urder to friends and patrons; to the former who have lightened our labors by their valuable contributions; and to the latter who have manifested a becoming interest in a work, destined to advocate and defend the cause of Catholicity, and to aid in the diffusion of a sound literature among the Catholic population of the United States. To all who have in any way favored the Magazine, we return our warmest acknowledgments, and we hope that their fostering assistance will be continued. We indulge this hope the more confidently, as the important objects of the publication, the defence of religion and the spread of useful knowledge, are acquiring an additional interest with the progress of events in this country and abroad, and require a well-sustained effort, on the part of those who are the friends of truth, to meet the exigencies of the times. So far as we are concerned, nothing shall be wanting to render our periodical a useful auxiliary in this great cause, and to invest it with still higher claims to a public regard. We have already stated, that several gentlemen distinguished for their talents, erudition and literary accomplishments, have pledged their assistance in supplying the columns of the Magazine, and under such auspices we confidently promise our subscribers a rare miscellany of instructive and entertaining matter in the forthcoming volume. By this arrangement also we shall be enabled to mould the character of our work something more into that of a Review, and impart to it a usefulness which is much to be desired, when we take into consideration the immense number of works that are issued from the press, and the

nature and tendency of which can be ascertained by the vast majority of readers, only from the pages of a periodical review. According to the plan which we have marked out for ourselves, about one half of the contents of each number will consist of critical articles, and the remainder will be appropriated to the usual variety of matter, embracing a well-condensed summary of ecclesiastical intelligence and a notice of the latest publications.

By the typographical arrangements that have been adopted for the next volume of the Magazine, the quantity of matter in each number will be equivalent to seventy-two pages of the present form. The January number will be ornamented with a splendidly executed portrait of the illustrious Dr. Carroll, the first metropolitan of the United States. This engraving, which will be followed by others of equal merit and interest, will be accompanied by an historical outline, exhibiting the state of the church during Archbishop Carroll's administration, and presenting many novel and valuable incidents of that early period which have been gathered with considerable research from the manuscripts of the Metropolitan Library in Baltimore.

We acknowledge with many thanks the receipt of the following excellent papers, which will appear without delay: The True Catholic, Nos. I and V, on the term Catholic and the Catholicity of the Church; Brande's Encyclopedia, a critical examination of the late American edition of this work, in a religious and scientific point of view: Eusebius on the Theophania, a glance at this production of the ecclesiastical historian, which was but recently brought to light by the researches of Rev. Mr. Tattam and translated by Dr. Lee, regius professor at Cambridge.

EK