Early Essays and Lectures. By Canon Sheehan, D.D. (Long- mans
and Co. 6s. net.)—It was a great but well-deserved compliment when Dr. Sheehan was asked to " disinter," as he puts it, these papers from the magazines, &c., in which they first appeared. His co-religionists put a proper value on the learning and ability of their distinguished champion. The earliest essay is little more than a quarter of a century old,—appropriately enough for a volume of revivals, it deals with the subject of religions education. Among the latest is an address delivered on the fiftieth anniversary of Daniel O'Connell's death. We are not sorry that there is some reason for passing the volume over with a general commendation to our readers. For ourselves, we find, as might be expected, that the essays are the more to our taste the more remote they are from theological or political subjects. " The Poetry of Matthew Arnold," for instance, we can admire almost without reserve. The eulogium of O'Connell inspires something like astonishment. How is it that the saintly hero here described has not been beatified at Rome ? Or has that process only been postponed ? There are some figures which seem more imposing when viewed from a distance, and an Englishman may be excused for thinking that the "Liberator" is one of them. We would mention as specially worthy of attention V.-VII., treating of "German Universities," and IX. and XI., both occu- pied with books, &c., treating of Augustine of Hippo. " Emerson and Free Thought in America" is notable for the prophecy with which it concludes, that with the "advance of education most of the Protestant sects will disappear, or, merging with each other, descend to the dead level of Unitarianism." Twenty-four years have passed since Dr. Sheehan was "rapt upon this wind of prophecy." Does he see the world moving to this event? What the "advance of education" may do for the Canon's own Com- munion is another matter. There are signs that its future on the other side of the Atlantic will be stormy, that there will be an Americanism as there was a Gallicanism, only much more vigorous. Generally we would suggest that "Lord Acton and his Circle " should be read along with Canon Sheehan's Early Essays and Lectures.
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