The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-31
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Brief Reviews and Notices

Long. Published by CHM and Com
pany, Boston, New York and Chi
cago.
1.-The aim of this book" says the
authors preface, lis to present an
accurate and interesting record of
American literature from the colonial
to the present age, and to keep the
record in harmony with the history
and spirit of the American people,
Even a cursory reading of this
volume shows how we'll the author has
fulfilled this self-imposed task. He
succeeds in COMPRISING within it's
five hundred pages a surprising
amount of detailed and accurate in
formation about the writings which
reflect the national traditions by up
holding the ideals which America
reveres and strives to embody in it's
national life. The average reader will
find in this text book an excellent
philosophical review of the whole field
of American literature by one whose
canons of criticism and judgment are
sane and unbiased.
The work is divided into five chap
tiers dealing with as many periods in
our national literature, namely, the
colonial, the revolutionary, the first
national or creative, the second ma
tional or creative, and the present
Each period is given it's proper set
ting and prominence in the ensemble
It may be we'll to call the attention
of our readers to the fact that this
study of American literature accords
due recognition to the Catholic Church
as the patron of letters. In the chap
ter on Colonial Poetry" the author
tells us that ito the Franciscan monk,
Juan de Zumarra the first Bishop
of Mexico whose vast diocese in
Guided large section of the present
United States, belongs the honor of
introducing printing to America. The
first book printed in the New World
was probably a translation from Latin
into Spanish of The Spiritual Ladder,
by St. John Climacus, in 1885," In
the same chapter he gives specimen
of the cuts used to illustrate book
on Christian Doctrine published in
Mexico City in 1544-the first book
printed in America which used this
method of emphasizing the teaching
of the text. Here and there through
out the book Mr.. Long shows his COM
prehensive grasp of the history of
American literature by references to
the influence brought to bear upon
many non-Catholic writer's by contact
with the educated sons of the Church.
The text is we'll illustrated. A
copious index and several pages of
General References" add to the value
of the work which can be recon-
mended without hesitation to the gen.
eral reader DESTROYS of obtaining a
bird's-eye view of the interesting field
of American literature.
On the Threshold of Home Rule: By
P J. Conlan Published by the
Angel Guardian Press, 90-100 Rug
giles Street, Boston.
At the present time when the eyes
of the civilized world are turned
towards Ireland as she enters upon
the final stage in her long struggle
for Home Rule, this volume is Of par
ticular interest. The author has no
need to emphasize the fact that its
compilation was Labor of love-" for
this is fully evidenced by the text it.
self into which he weaves a mass of
testimony about Home Rule drawn
from the records of the past, from the
reports of modern proceedings and
from the eminent leaders of the cause.
ION the Threshold of Home Rule
which is dedicated to "the scattered
children of the 'sea-divided Gael
tells the story of Ireland's struggle
for Home Rule from the inception OF
the movement down to the present
when the successful outcome of that
struggle seems to be only matter
of few months at most. Mr.. Conlan
writes from the viewpoint of an Irish
American who is thoroughly imbued
with the American ideals Of liberty
and right. A number of portraits OF
the Irish leaders adorn the pages OF
this book and add to the interest
which it has for the general reader
who wishes to get brief but accu-
rate survey of one of the most inter.
esting questions of the day.
Personal Hygiene. General Hygiene:
BY Frank Overton. Published by
the American Book Company, Chi
cago. Price 40 and so cents.
These books emphasize hygiene in
every chapter, and at the same time
give enough facts of physiology and
anatomy for the understanding of the
hygiene of every part OF the body
They show how to prevent disease
and teach the pupil how to keep wei
and strong. They teach practical ny
giene in clear, concise language, to {
greater extent than any other gram
mar grade books. Throughout the
series, alcohol and tobacco are dis
cussed sanely, simply and compre
hensively.