Sketches of Old Downside. By the Right Rev. Abbot Snow,
G.S.B. (Sands and Co. 6s. net.)—The story of this book begins with the transference of the Brotherhood and school from Acton Burnell, where they had found a home after their expulsion from Douai, to the newly purchased property of Downside. It relates how the question of return to Douai was discussed after the restoration, of the Bourbons, actually settled in the affirmative, and reversed for a variety of reasons. Dr. Snow humorously suggests the sea-sickness of the delegates who went to inspect the Douai buildings, but gives graver causes. Among these the matter of ecclesiastical exemption may probably be put first. In England this could be, and actually was, secured later on. The history of the school follows, of its studies and amusements, and of its inner life generally. The author claims that the teaching was more effective than was to be found in non-Catholic schools, a claim which may be readily conceded. As to the highest class of scholarship, it has hardly had a chance, but it may well have it in the future,—in fact, has it now, witness the last election to the " Hertford " at Oxford. Dr. Snow's book is written for his old pupils and friends, its contents having appeared in the Downside Magazine. The outside reader has, for the most part, no reason to criticise unfavourably. Dr. Snow, however, might have spared us some unkind things, which we will not quote, on p. 56. Possibly, too, he might have used somewhat more judicious language in his description of " an Irish pike made and used in the rebellion of 1798 and polished up for 1848." This, we are told, is "a touch of the patriotic."
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