The New York herald., 1867-03-05
3 OOK NO TIC E s.

FATHER MATHEW. Biography. by John
Francis Mcguire, NJ. p, author OF Rome, ITS
Ruler and Institutions. New York. ID. ).
Sadlier d Co.
The biography Of Father Mathew, familiarly known as
the 'Aposte Of Temperance, whose labors extended
over two hemspheres is the chronicle OF the greatest
moral reform Of modern times comprises chapter
in the history Of the nineteenth century which, omit
ted, would leave wide gap in the record Of progress
which has prominently marked the character OF this
age. Happily that blank has been nlled by the author
Of this book, who perhaps, better than any living wr
Ia qualified for tho taskor rather the evident labor Of
love-of telling the story Of Father Mathews life and
services portraying his snguarly beautiful character
and painting those pictures OF the time in which
he lived and labored-pctures which, although
often clouded with the dreamy shadow of human
misery poverty, degradation, famine and DEATH
often made respendent by the sunlight OF his ima-
BILE charity. II the character and Christian mnistra
tons Of Father Mathew and the vast amount OF good
he accomplished not as well known in this coun
In Great Britain and lrelandthe principal scenes
Of his extraordinary missionor II the results OF his
labors not familiar almost every day in the
numerous temperance societies bearing his name, which
form SO conspicuous part in all our public celebra-
and excellent example this community,
we might review the incidents rected in Mr.. Maguires
pages but the subject Of the book stranger to
life Of Father Mathew finds double interest and the
American edition acquires twofold value. The
author while strictly adhering TO the fidelity
of history, has enclothed his work now and then
with the golden vesture Of romance, which makes
the reader often forget that he is perusing simple
biography. Pathos hardly less touching than that Of
Sterne is blended at intervals with humor almost
freshng that of Dickens while here and there peeps
out bit Of irresistible not unlike that Of
Thackeray If we imagine the latter divcsed OF its
sting The story Of the Irish famine OF lS47 is fearfny
but faithfully brought before in connection with the
saddes period OF Father Mathews career, when, for
time, he almost laid aside his role OF great moral re-
former play the part Of mnsering angel Of mercy
TO thousands in this country Mr.. Maguire's Life Of
Father Mathew will prove welcome contribution to our
literature The interest in the book may be
enhanced also from the fact that the author s now
sojournng among having snatched brief time from
his active abors in the British Parliament TO gather
work the condition aud progress Of his
countrymen in America
PnILIP ii. OF SPAIN. By Charles Gayarre, author
Of The History Of Louisiana, under the French,
Spanish and American Domination" &c., &c.,
with an Introductory Letter by George Bancroft.
w. }. Middleton. New York.
After Prescott and Motley II might seem almost pre-.
rlmptuous to write about the reign Of Philip II.
without having explored original and hitherto undis
covered Of information. This Mr. Gayarre does
pretend TO have attempted He has not penetrated
mysteries which, he truly remarks give sort OF
PAINFUL attraction the reign Of Philip and form OF
its stinctve features. He leaves unsovcd such enig
the death Of Mongny, Of Don john Of Escovedo
Of Don Carlos the persecution of Antonio Perez, the
Incarceration Of the Princess Eboli and other deeds
equally dark To cite his words, ''Much is unex-
planned tic and circumstances of those events
which glide before with an iron mask on their faces,
like the celebrated prisoner Of the age Of Louis XIV
But If Mr. Gayarrt has not removed that mask IL he has
added largely the knowledge already accumulated
around his subject-the favorite study Of historian phi
osophe7 and poet IT, severe taste would be
offended by the somewhat gaudy rhetoric Of more than
Of his pages and If he has not amed TO present
chronicle in regular narrative OF the events Of
Philips reign, nevertheless must thank him for what
! intended 10 give and what he has gven-a phoso-
phca retrospect OF what most memorable in Spain
during that period shaped by the controlling
mind at the head Of affairs.
Mr. Bancroft in his Introductory letter takes occasion
10 welcome Mr. Rves as well as Mr.. Gayarre on their
return to the Union. "Our literature, like political
life, should develop unity in diversity, and the more
minds Of in part OF the country brought
closely alongside the minds of OF other parts the
better will 1t be for national cuturen Rives "Lfe OF
Madison, says Bancroft may certainly lay claim to be
tores perhaps IL more justly be said that 1t the
best history OF the formation Of the federal constitution
After eulogizing the sHistory Of LOUISIANA" by Mr..
Gayane, Bancroft adds that his present work, Philip H.
is written with and vivacity, with mind superior
to the influences Of superstition and comprehensive in
s study Of the and consequences OF eventa He
has quick eye for the picturesque and rapid move
ment in his narrative which, II sometimes too highly
omamented, Is never langud and he clearly porrays
the social and political tendencies Of the reign which he
descrbea The subject at the first blush might to
be remote from present inierests but 1t s not So
spanish America from the mouth Of the
Colorado to the extreme South still Ian
guishes from the attempt continued through
centuries to connect government and civil prosperity
with the church policy Of Charles v. and Philip IT, 80
the volume OF Mr. Gayarre, like that Of Mr. Rives has
important connection with the great questions which
the mind Of America Is now engaged in solving One
profitable lesson for those radicals Of day whose
watchword s determination s taught by tho history Of
Philips absurd and tyrannca legislation with regard to
the conquered Moors OF Granada What Mr.. Gayarre
says should have been the policy Of Charles might be
suggestive to the Washington politicians who are now
occupied with the question Of reconstruction. "h
should have been the aim Of Charles have kept
ordinate and heathful action the principles Of liberty
and Of legitimate authority which hc found coexisent
in the land have given uniformity to the civil cgs
aiion whilst amelorating II In all s ramincaons and
to have impaired durable unity 70 the former distinct
kingdoms Of the Iberian Peninsula whilst avoiding the
perils Of much Capitalization, and in particular 70
have bent all his diplomacy his military power toward
reuntng to Spain the kingdom Of Portugal which had
been torn from IT, and which was Ike branch violently
separated from the trunk Of the majestic OAK which
nature had Intended II TO grow" To have attempted
Cancellation and fusion before resortins 70 cruel
sures would Al least have been satesmanks for Charlea
REcoLLEcrroSs or HENRY WATKINS ALLEN, Briga-
der General Confederate States Army, ex-Gov-
ernor OF Louisiana. BY Sarah A. Dorsey. NJ.
Doolady, New York. ]. A. Gresham, New Or
leans.
M Dorsey declares that this biography Is not written