The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-05-04
Catholic Novels.

efeW ls we'll up to the standard anticipate
by the great reviewers friends. We ca
atpresent notice but one of his articles
that entitled "CathOlic Popular Literature.
While mentioning great many works com
ing within that classification, the article
specially notices two: one entitled Al
HafLop-Eue, and other stories and tn,
other Geraldine.
The first named volume contains three
stories, one of which, Jenifers Prayer, hal
been already presented to cur readers il
the columnes of this paper, and another
AH-HaHor Ere, is now in course of repub
LEGATION by us.
The reviewer commepds the former
OF these quite freely and finds but little
iault with the latter, beyond it's recogni-
ton of q popular superstition on the foot
ing OF something very serious and prophe-
tic. The remaining story of this volumn,
called "Cncon victed, or Old Thornley's
Heirs" is strongly censured, on two grounds
principally ; lst. that all the bad characters
are Catholics and, I'd, that n very atrocious
female villain is made to die a M ost exemp-
larry death without any special reason being
assigned therefor. Indeed Mr.. Brownson
remarks "nearly all the Catholic villains in
Catholic novels make edifying deaths"
The reviewers strength is however re.
served FOR Geraldine, a book published
quite number years ago, but noticed
now on account of its republication and of
the reputation which it has acquired. His
estimate of the work is of quite a mixed
character. ave admit" he says, "the rare
ability of 'Geraldine,' the intense interest
If the struggle it depicts and the truthful
less of its doctrinal statements. The au-
hor Is woman of extraordinary intellect
md power" His COMMUNICATION scarcely
'oes, however, any fugther than this, while
g exposes several serious defects. &
Most readers of the book will. We think {
olnclde with Brownson in both his COM '
lendatIon and his objections. The work
rs not particle of pretension to interest l
romance or novel, and ought not in 8
eed to be classed under that head. AS O
Is not biography either, nor an autobio- e
Apply, it is simply SUI generis and cannot u
placed in any department of literature.
which we have ever heard. unless il
lght be theology. 7
We do not mean to find fault with il for ri
Is, but we do for something else. 1t ia d.
ost discouraging book. Sanctity, accord OF
to "Geraldine,' hasn't smile about til
1t Is all distress. Enormous ties have to til
broken, people all have grave face,
II young folks are permitted to talk to 1t
another at all, it is under their breath. in
raldine makes Catholicity, as 81 general in
ng, pretty much what st. Lawrence all
md it to be on the gridiron. err
5ut that is all we have against it. The sp
noreness of lingering Puritansm hangs ca
und the spirituality of the book it ia st.
e, but its dogma seems to be unim- ha
enable. If we desired to put in any an
'testants' hand work which would give "c
through and accurate view of many full
holic truths and rites, we should gladly mu
e recourse to "Geraldiae." las
there is anything in Mr.. Browrson:s
Gle from which we should be inclined pee
Withhold assent, 1t is found in the last Ho
Use OF the following sentence. ear
e should be glad to see the novel less fro the
l,,,-1
'mposl ton, and it's inevitable tendency 70 ~"
eoie the mind both of the writer aud the aud
er. VIZ
his embodies an important assertion the,
one which perhaps few reflections sve
the author might show to be quite
enable ; but it does lot appear to be tt
evident. Novels written with the bless
exhibited by Bulwer are almost as full bish
ought as work Oh philosophy, while 'ne
ed with all the witchery of glowing eNpe
lnation. They are works of fancy. M;sa
true, and, for the most part, of fiction. last
he same may be said of some of the TIL
poems, epic and dramatic which lit lows
ire can boast. That novels are how
as general thing, precisely what The
'nson says they are, we have not the M
doubt. 'D0 ne
vol
1ETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAu1-Tbs oen. V
Of the members of this So,.;. ra
box place last Sunday at St. Peters ~ a .o -
b. Third District, about leo BEING g,