The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-04-04

Very Rev. DIR. Newman, Of the cTdt"ry'
recently published by Barts. Oates Il Co.,
London:
Asaru'e. literary ventures with ap"in-
getic titles ins,ify the deprechtory attitude
OF their authors. We rarey l'ght up'n
volume Of vertes styled ''occa-i'bai thft
ne do not think the more occasional they
are the better. Next to beiog told that
composition is the fruit Of mans leisnre
hour the very worst recommendations, a.
a ruie. with which an effort of the mind
can be offered to the public lie the announce
mept that it was performed scut CAMS dd
6iIup,. or in the hurried intervals of the
ususl life-routine. Bot every rule has lts
exception, and in this matter OF literary
production the exceptions have been very
brilliant. Some of our most delightful
poems are the fruit of inspiration, which
came like fiashes in the midst of toll, and
Obliged the poet to vent his fancy perhaps
even in his own despite. The occasional
verses of those born to the divine art are
in effect the natural outpoorlpgs OF mines
which. when mpelled to display their gift,
cannot do otherwise than exercise 1t well.
How far we are to discriminate with regard
70 the present delightful volume We are un-
able to say bot under whatever circnmstsn-
ees Of suggestion, place, and time these YER
ses were written, they have the andoRbted
quality of true poetry. DR.. Newman, In
his modest, and e1quisitely written preface,
observes that il would never have occurred
to him to bring formally together under
enc title effusons which he had considered
ephemeral, but that he had found, from
publications OF the day, that there were
cri,ics who thought well not only of bis
compositions, bat a 60 of his pOTer OF COM
posing. l. requires no singular c!!tIca! ac1-
men to detect the rneF . OF these pieces. and
the honest a. vsll as tie ability OF British
-.r - -. - = /. -
their manic i aud striking beauties were
overlooked without notice or approval. IL
deed, II is not Only an Intellectual elevation
10 give oneself to the PeTus.l Of tlese
charming outpouringa Of Il ChristiaD and
Catholic muse-it i. a new and agreeable
sensation to turn from the rhymed rawlings.
she himsy sentiment, the confused aud too
frequently disedifyin philosophy of our
principal poets to the pure piety, the calm
strength of thought, the happiness of idea,
and the rare beauty of language and versi
6cation in which these Occasipual verses
aTe expressed. There is no moral teacher
like the poet. This is al old and, We believe,
true saying. But his teachings must have
the nameless, indescribable, seldom found,
spel of sympathy. They must appeal to
the heart as well as the iGtellect of the
reader Dr.. Newmsus poems appeal in
this way, and in this fact lies the most
substantial of all enlogies. They breathe
of the peace and holiness of the sanctuary,
but they have the robnstne6s and energy
Of the priest militant. From this large aud
handsome volume, containing 50 many
compositions, it is difficult to select any
single piece which is not equalled by many
others. The subjects of the most
various, but all of them are treated to CON
yey some sublime moral OF to express the
influence and lovelness of religion. The
individuality which pervades them all adds
fn nf
poems. They half reflect the history of
holy life Thus the follo~ing almost
perfect sonnet reads like a confidence Of
che author:
THE PILGRIM.
There strayed a " hils amid the woods OF Dart
One who coud love them, but who durst love
vow had bound him ne'er to give his heart
To stieamlet bright or soft seciuded grove.
Twas hard. humbliDg task onward TO
HIS easy oapsured eyes from some fair spot,
Der happy meads wbich It's prize forget:
Yet kept he safe MS pledge prizirg HE pIgriGi lot
The very perfume of poetry breathes 10
Ihis delicate effusiOn. DR.. Newman pos
Sesses the true poetic capacity which fits
she temper Of the mind to the immediate
topic. AS there is a sad sweetness in The
Pilgrim" just SO much of "saintly meian-
ch0iy" az gives it TIE grrafeAt power of
song, changing with his changing theme,
abe ilnstrious Father OF TIE Orator. stTIkes
his lyFe To other measure in
TIE PATIENT CHUEcH
BIdc Il GU ihy tfjut!
watch with u TEX 'Ne the rrC. at Pride aud Ct
Sit Oh the gate AID be the heatnen- Jrsr,
Smiling and self poS-~--
y lhOn to whom Is pledges rho victor sway,
BIde tnen the victor day.
Think the Elm
1AAt feap"h the unripe seed and t"iisd TO win
Ippl history MAJ ks at Bethel and at Dan;
No blessing, but ban
whilst the wise Sbep herd hid hr heaven told fate
Nor reeked tyrAuts hate.
Such loss is gain.
Wait the bnE Advent that shall icose thy chain
Zen now the shadows break and gleams dyILy
Edge the dim. disttn' line
when thrones mblin taIihs fat ones quail
True seed tAOu sbait prevail
This theme of the tr;bulatIons and as
sured triumph of the Cnurch is one to
which Or. Newman addresses himself
again and again in words which breathe
= prophetic spirit of faith as we'll as the
Tarest graccs Of poetic form and feeling
Another topic which has grown to gigantic
dimeDsions in our day, and threatens to
grow still more, furnishes the motive of the
following apostrophe -
LIBERALISM
Ye cannot have the Gospel of Gods grace.
Men OF prcaumptuouH heart, know yOu welt
Ne are of those who plan that we should dwell
zach in his tran quill home and holy place,
Seeing the Word refinoS all nAtuI rude,