New Publications [pp. 139-144]

I40
New Fublications.
very good, and the exercises are ditto. Manual of Sacred Chant we transcribe
The schoolmaster must decide on their the explanation as given in the preface
merits as compared with other books of by the learned and zealous author:
the kind which are in general use. "One word on the fourth part,' Can tiones varie.' The Latin hymns which
HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS. By it contains are not intended to displace
J. M. S. Daurignac. Translated by some beautiful English hymns already
James Clements. Second edition, with in use, and which are so deservedly
an appendix from i862 to I877. Bal- popular; but only to furnish a variety,
timore: J. Murphy & Co. i878. and rescue from oblivion pious composi tions which were the delight of our fa This history, which is nominally con toswihwr h eih forf This history, which is nominally con- thers, and which all friends of true rotained in two volumes but really in one ligious art must eer hold in high
stout volume of eight hundred pages, in esteem
so far as it is a compendium of the well- "The words of these hym.ns, for the
known work of Cr~tineau-Joly, is com- Tewodoftsebnsfrte
known work of Cretineau-Joly, is cor-'most part, have been taken from the old
plete and valuable. The author's origi- manuals of the Congregations of the
1-manuals of the Congregations of the''
nal supplement is very well so far as Blessed Virgin. Many of them mav be
it goes, but is only an incomplete, su- regarded as belonging to those old ecperficial sketch, and the American edi- clesiastical chantsconsecrated byimmetor's appendix is still more scanty. The morial usage, and on this account may
chief value of the book, therefore, lies in be sung when the Blessed Sacrament is
this, that it furnishes in reasonable com- solemnly exposed, as an answer giverr
pass to the ordinary English reader an on the 3d of October, i85i, by the Card.
account of the ancient history of the il Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of
lustrious Society of Jesus. It cannot be Rites, intimates. However, to prevent
called properly a history of the order in all confusion we have carefully distinits recent and actual period, but only a guished them from the liturgical chants
brie andpartal nticeof sme ~ guished them from the liturgical chants.
brief and partial notice of some princi- " With regard to the melodies, they
pii- "With regard to the melodies, they
pal and prominent facts in its history, have been chosen (a few modern compoand the more nearly it approaches the sitions excepted) from amongst the most
present time, the more an iirmeamogstte most
present time, the more meagre and beautiful that the last six centuries have
vague it becomes. What information bequeathed to us
it does give, we believe, is trustworthy, " Repeating these simple accents of
and it is undoubtedly well worth read- the Christians of past ages, our hearts
ing. ~~~~~~~~the Christians of past ages, our hearts
~~~~~~~ing. ~will naturally respond to the sentiments
MANUAL OF SACRED CHANT. Containing of lively faith and ardent piety which
MANUAL OF SACRED CHANT. Containing
the Ordinary of the Mass, the psalms animated them. At least it is not rash
and hymns of Vespers for the entire to hope so.
" But perhaps this publication may be
year, and Compline, according to the
official edition of the Sacred Congre- considered too grave and too serious by
gation of Rites together with a collec- some persons, and scarcely suitable for
gation of Rites ~ together with a collec-scol,e.
tion of Latin hymns and prayers suit- schools etc.
able for different devotions. By Rev. "We admit that our selection ha
Joseph Mohr, S.J. *nothing in common with that style of
CANTIONES SAcRJE. A collection of melody which, in the opinion of all
hymns and A colletionalchantsfo e olovers of true religious music, ought tobe
hymns and devotional chants for the
*., ~~~~~~~at once and for ever banished from every
different seasons of the year, the feasts
of our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, of Catholic church. In making the selec of our Lord, of the Blessed Virgin, of
the saints, Low Masses, etc. Arrang- tion we were influenced by no other idea
the saints, Low Masses, etc. Arrang-
ed for four mixed voices. By Rev than that which occupies the mind of the
ed or ourmied oics.By Rev.
Joseph Mohr, S.J. church herself-namely, that in the
house of God every song should be a
These two works, issued from the pub- prayer, and never of that soft, light, thealication house of Mr. Pustet, are valua trical, or trivial character which is better
ble contributions to the cause of the re.- calculated to distract than to elevate the
vival of Gregorian Chant, and as such soul to God.
will be welcomed by many of our "If a trial be made of these pious
readers. The titles sufficiently explain hymns with a good number of voices,
their object, but of the latter part of the well kept together and well accorpa