A Complete Calendar of the English Saints and Martyrs. Com-
piled by William Canon Fleming. (Sands and Co. 2s.)—As this little volume has been sent to the Spectator for notice, not without knowledge, it may be presumed, of the view which it takes of certain controversial questions, we must again express, at the risk of giving offence, our opinion that many of these "saints and martyrs" have no just claim to these titles. From the day that the Pope ex- communicated and deposed Elizabeth there was open war between the Roman Church and the English Government. The priests who made their ways into England were just as much invaders as the soldiers and sailors of the Armada. Their object was the death of the Queen, the subversion of the Anglican Church, and the restoration of Papal supremacy. To call them saints and martyrs because they made this attempt and failed seems to us an abuse of language. We will take one example only ; it is one we have taken before. Mr. Fleming puts the name of John Felton among his worthies as one who suffered for the glory of God. We say that he was guilty of high treason and constructive murder, and suffered justly. He may, no doubt, bare been a good and religious man according to his light, but that can be said of many revolutionaries, and even Anarchists.—Studies in the Lives of the Saints. By Edward Hutton. (A. Constable and Co. as. 6c1. net.)—When we wish to read about the saints, we like to have our knowledge at first hand. We must own that a book of sentimental reflections about them is not to our taste. Let them reveal themselves to us, as far as may be. This is a far better test of what they really were than any decree of beatification or canonisation.
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