The Irish Dames of Ypres. By the Rev. Dom Patrick
Nolan. (Browne and Nolan, Dublin. 10s. 6d. net.)—The House of Ypres traces its lineage, in a way told in detail in this volume, to a com- munity founded at Brussels in 1593 by the Lady Mary Percy, daughter of the Earl of Northumberland. The Earl, as Dorn Patrick Nolan. tells us, "shed his blood on the scaffold for the old faith." In other words, ho rebelled, and was executed for high treason. But our author frankly avows his own disloyalty. After speaking of the Dutch rule over Belgium, he goes on : "The sturdy Catholics of Ireland will use all legitimate means to shake off a yoke far more ignominious." With this, however, we need not concern ourselves on the present occasion. The " Irish Brigades " of to-day fight for the common country without any arriere pence, and if Dom Nolan recounts with something like exulta- tion how the corps which bore the name won English colours at Ramillies, let him enjoy the pleasure. The history of the House, which, after struggling with no small difficulties, became firmly established as an Irish community towards the end of the seven- teenth century, will be found in these pages. It still had times of depression. So not a single profession was made from 1760 to 1771. The French Revolution brought trials of a different kind. Belgium was occupied by the French forces, and was formally annexed in 1794, the annexation being confirmed by the Treaty of Campo Formio three years later. The most danper6us crisis in the history of the House came in 1799. Tho day for the expulsion of the nuns was actually fixed for November 13th, and they were ready to depart, when a violent storm of rain came on and kept them in the house. The next day arrived tidings of s change of Government, and the community was saved. A curious story is quoted from the Life of the founder. He had come to visit his sister, St. Scholastica. " She wished him to remain all night; he pleaded that he was bound to return to his convent. Then through her prayers a violent storm came on, and he and his companions were compelled to remain. It is not quite easy to see the wrongs and rights of the affair. Our own St. S within, who modestly desired to remain outside the Cathedral, had a better case. The House still flourishes, and engages, we understand, in the work of educa- tion. The history of the convent ended, Dom P. Nolan has something to say about Jacobitism and the "Hanoverian usurpa- tion," with which we need not trouble our readers.
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