The Roman Catholicism which is, of course, the dominating feature
of the Month, is quite up to date. Matters of general historico-ecclesiastical interest are adequately treated in the new number,—in such papers as Mr. Nathaniel Hone's "Documents of the Apostolic Chancery." But present-day controversy is not for- gotten. Thus, the Rev. Sydney Smith gives, under the title of "The Primitive Church and the See of Peter," a bright and argumentative contribution to the controversy between Father Rivington on the one side, and Canon Bright, Mr. Puller, and other Anglican writers, on the other. Still fresher, besides being of more general interest, is the editor's "The Muse of Evolution," asking not altogether irrelevantly, "Why should we brand Nero or Domitian with a mask of infamy because they wallowed in human blood ? " since "on evolutionary principles they were but the product of their circumstances as much as Socrates or Miss Nightingale ;" and he proceeds to analyse mercilessly the poetry of Mr. Grant Allen, and of another bard of evolution who says such things as,— " No cynosure are we of orbs that whirl
The rhythmic measure of the cosmic hymu! No hub are we of heaven's eternal swirl! But unconsidered' trifles on the rim."
Among other papers of more than merely sectarian interest are " Croxden Abbey," "Great Sea Mammals," and "Consecrated Deaconesses," the last giving an account of a visit to the Car- thusian Convent of Notre-Dame-du-Gard.
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