Probably few who talk easily of Cardinal Newman's literary or
religious greatness could pass an examination in his principal works ; and even of those who know and value the Apologia and Grammar of Assent, not many are familiar with the magnificent and characteristic passages hidden away in the numerous volume5 of his sermons. Messrs. Sheed and Ward have therefore done lovers of literature as well as students of religion a real service by publishing an English edition of Father Erich Przywara's Newman Synthesis (7s. 6d.). This industrious compilation of passages from every part of the great Cardinal's writings is so arranged as to form a complete epitome of his teaching : and if the choice and order is somewhat influenced by the compiler's special angle of approach, it yet gives a remarkable and Newman impression of his thought. The picture of Newman which emerges from these pages is that of a great and convinced ecclesiastic and superb literary artist, who was also a temperamental ascetic • austere to the point of grimness, and almost entirely lacking in suppleness and joy. For him the " kindly light " always shone amidst encircling gloom. Even the beauty of his private meditations —many of which are given here—and the splendour of his prose style, fail to disguise the inherent pessimism and other- worldly temper of his soul.
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