THE CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPAEDIA.*
WE must own that the general idea of a "Catholic" encyclo- Paedia pleases us no more than would be the case if the distinguishing epithet were " Anglican," " Wesleyan," or Agnostic." It suggests the idea of a part prix and of con- clusions formed beforehand. This feeling, however, does not PreVellt us from appreciating the industry which has been exercised in bringing together this vast mass of information, and the stores of learning which have been thus utilised. It is obvious also that, quite apart from controversy, there are 11)anY subjects which are more likely to he adequately treated ?n snail a work than elsewhere—technical terms, for instance, in ecclesiastical lore—and that noteworthy individuals may be accorded a place which would hardly be found for them in ordinary circumstances. Any one who will scan these pages /1,111 find, as he will find in The Jewish Encyclopaedia, names which it would be difficult to obtain information else- !here. The range of subjects is very wide. "Facts and information which have no relation to the Church" are omitted. Wo do not find, for instance, articles on acoustics, aeronautics, or subjects merely scientific or technical. It would be highly interesting to take subjects which touch more "less directly on vexed questions, but the task is not one to be attempted here. We note that the late Miss Agnes Clerks, Zriting on astronomy, thinks that the Star in the East could artily have been "an objective phenomenon." In another t?g'on of controversy we see that the traditional teaching la the nook of Daniel as a work of the sixth century B.C. la followed, though not in a very positive way. In the domain history the boy-Pope, Benedict IX., is frankly stated to have been a disgrace to the Chair of St. Peter, though we are i,o1a that he was twenty, not twelve, when he was put into the , aPal Chair, if that is any mitigation of the scandal. No is dismissed for Alexander VI. is attempted. Cardinal Antonelli U.18n118130d in a few neutral lines. It is to soon, we are told, 13 judge between the praises of his friends and the charges of his enemies. The work is to be completed in fifteen volumes, and we may find an opportunity of returning to it.
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