The New York herald., 1872-08-30
LITERATURE.

wholesome

LECTURES AND SERMONS. BY the Very Rev. Thomas
N. Burke, o. p. New York: p NJ. Haverty. 1872.
The volume Of lectures and sermons by the
distinguished Father Burke, which Haverty has
just published, will be welcomed by many readers,
besides Irish Catholics. In range OF subject and
breadth OF treatment no work OF the same kind
which has come from the press in years surpasses
1t. Beginning with ST. Patrick and ending with
sermon on ''The Divine Commission Of the Church."
the volume Is replete with topics bearing on Ire
land and Ireand's religion. Most OF the lectures
and sermons were delivered In this country, and
many Of them were revised for publication In book
shape from the HERALDs reports at the time Of the
delivery. Father Burke accordingly apologies I'm
his preface for the absence of anything like stye,"
though with his quick appreciation OF the force and
directness Of the press reports OF his lectures he
can scarcely regret that his sentences are not more
ornately and elaborately rounded. Persons accus-
toned to Father Burkes oratory will miss In this
volume the graces Of his elocutlon, and It must be
confessed that his printed productions lack
something OF the fire of his spoken
Efforts Every really great preacher
suffers in the same way, and all Of them know that
1t is hazardous to print even their finest efforts.
Some Of the best plays on the modern stage make
but sorry reading; the most ornate and powerful
OF the Greek classic drama would be the vehicles
for very sorry acting. Shakespeare alone among
the playwrights met both requirements and reached
the highest excellence In each. To be acknowledged
as q really great man as we'll as a great preacher
the same qualities must be found in sermons as in
plays. The pulpit ana o the platform shave have
supply even the lack Of genius. Father Burke
s II to se wo IN
manent shape they have now assumed we tnink,
however, his fears II he really entertained tnemy
were not well founded There Is IN az MS MS enor.s
his oratory Is gained IN the superior suggestve-
ness closer scrutiny affords IN his printed ad-
dresses. when he relates the history OF Ireland as
told in her ruins or dwels on the Churcn as the
mother and inspiration OF art; when he discourses
of the national music Of ireland or OF music In
Catholic worship we would follow him with de-
light and years could .a not nispeI tae I,e,, IN.
different charm and leaves behind 1t different
SPELL In the case II Is the orator, In the other
the logician who holds us by his power. That
sion OF very great faculties, and Is in Itself sum-
cient justification for the appearance OF this book.
The subjects where they relate to Ireland Will be
interesting to most Americans as the Views OF an
to the Church they viii commend themselves to all
classes intelligent discussion OF the relations
OF modern Cathollctty to the present needs
and circumstances OF the world. 1t -
itself. 1t is no book OF dull sermon!zngs, but q
series Of discussions on subjects in themselves OF
the prooundest interest and treated with skill in
every way worthy OF the reputation Of the author
Burke's funeral grafton OF O'Connell; some OF the
ornate sermons which gave him distinction even
at Rome; a few OF his discourses at Dublin UNI
versity and nearly all his addresses In this country
The work is well printed and is very handsome.
and its contents win not detract from the reputa-
tioD Of the author, which Is saying great deal.