'L'Observateur Catholique' is the title of a Parisian' Bi-monthly,' of which twelve numbers are before us. It is written with great spirit and ability; and Gallican, or even Jansenist in principles, its object is to expose, which it does in no unsparing language, Ultramontanism in general, and the Univers in particular. Its principles are those of the late Abbé Laborde. It constitutes a very distinct proof that we are not to take for granted the real character of the French Church from its Parisian externals. The Correspondant, again, under the influences of MM. Albert de Broglie and Montalembert, exhibits a wide and happy divergence, not only from the politics but from the ecclesiastical tone of the Univers. M. de Montalembert's admirable 'De l'Avenir Politique de l'Angleterre,' (Paris: Didier,) has already commended itself to our readers. L'Observateur Catholique,' we ought to have observed, signalizes itself by a very strenuous and consistent opposition to the new dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Had we space we would describe and recommend several publications by the late—that is, politely displaced-Bishop of Chartres, M. Clausel de Montals, especially his 'Coup d'Œil sur la Constitution de la Religion Catholique.' (Chartres: Garnier.)

From Bishop Doane we receive as usual another pleasant remembrance of his zealous and loving spirit in the shape of a 'Lenten Offering, 1856.' (Burlington: Atkinson.)

Sir A. H. Elton's-we believe that the author is familiarly knownTracts for the present Crisis.' Though we did not in all things sympathise with him, we can speak with respect of the writer's general good and sound feeling, and with considerable admiration of his popular talents and telling style.

Six parts of a serial, published at regular intervals—‘The Seasons of the Church; what they teach,' (Mozley,)—have been forwarded to us. They are edited-not, we believe, all written—by Mr. Newland, of S. Mary Church; and on the whole they form a valuable body of instruction and meditation. The style of the Sermons is familiar, without being vulgar, and it is full of illustration, always forcible and interesting, and generally correct. If the series has a fault, we should say that occasionally this fondness for original illustration betrays the preacher into extravagance. In a Sermon on the Day of Judgment (p. 64), we find an allusion to the lost Pleiad. We are told that, many centuries ago, one of these stars was observed to grow much brighter: in a few days it became still brighter; gradually this brightness lessened, and at last the star went out. Now we are quite ready to admit that this fact is a very good illustration, but we hardly think it right to say, 'No doubt in that star this brightness was its day of judgment. The earth and all the works therein shall be burned up. So it was there.' Surely this assumption of the historical tense is bold even to the limits of presumption.

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Among Confirmation Papers we are able to single out two of rare combinations, brevity, pith, and practical importance: A Plain Tract on Confirmation,' and its sequel, 'A Plain Tract for those who have lately been Confirmed,' (Mozley,) by Mr. Ridley, of Hambleden,

Mr. Paget's Series of Popular Tales' (J. H. Parker,) has reached its fifteenth or sixteenth monthly issue, and always with sustained life and

interest. popular.

" 'Windycote Hall we may select from the series, as particularly

As we are going to press. a translation of M. le Comte de Montalembert's volume on The Political Future of England,' already recommended by us, reaches us from the publisher, Mr. Murray.

Mr. Beresford Hope has printed,—or rather Mr. Grundy, a publisher of Maidstone, has printed, from a short-hand writer's notes,- A Lecture delivered at the Kilndown Library,' on the celebrated Greek and Roman writers. This fashion of rural lecturing, with which we sympathize a good deal, is calling out some very useful publications. Among them we specify Mr. Beresford Hope's as a really remarkable effort to have said so much and yet so intelligibly on a subject somewhat foreign to the thoughts or habits of the Kentish yeomanry, and to say it so flowingly, and yet with such point, does credit to the lecturer's versatile talents and popular habits. And though the thought is obvious, that perhaps not much solid instruction is given in these occasional lectures, we must express our convictions that much of indirect good accrues from them, not only to the lectured in expanding tastes and in stimulating dormant powers,-not only to the lecturers in giving them ease and readiness in expression—but in cultivating intercourses far removed both from mere hospitality among equals and mere condescending charity to inferiors. We are glad to see the clergy in various places taking part, or the lead, in these courses of secular lectures. Nor is this custom confined to the country. We have heard of courses well attended at Stoke Newington, at S. Andrew's, Holborn, and elsewhere, during the past winter.

From this general approval of popular lecturing we desire to except such productions as A Lecture on the Jews,' (Oldham,) delivered to a Young Man's Christian Association at Dublin, by a Mr. Fleury, who certainly is not in powers a descendant of the celebrated Church historian. What are we to think of the judgment, either in religious or political science, of a person who asks, 'What more probable than that the present bloody contest between England and Russia should terminate in the stipulation that the land of Palestine, with its holy places, should be resigned to its ancient possessors, the Jews, in trust, under the safeguard of the powers now at war, but then reconciled, on condition,' &c. What more probable? We can conceive nothing less probable-except Mr. Fleury's return to

common sense.

Among Sermons we have to acknowledge: volumes, 1. by Mr. Alford, of Quebec Chapel, (Rivingtons;) 2. Mr. G. Hill, of S. Philip's, Regent Street, (Rivingtons,)-both, we believe, popular preachers-3. by Mr. Copner, (Darling;) 4. 'Sketches from our Lord's History,' by Mr. Heffernan, (Hatchard;) 5. Homilies on St. John: the Fourth Seal,' by Mr. S. Bosanquet, (Hatchard;) 6. Five University Sermons,' by the Bishop of Melbourne, (Macmillan.) Unfortunately, we cannot think very highly of any of these Volumes.

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ERRATA.

In our last Number, in the article 'Mozley on S. Augustine,' page 154, line 4, for 'they ha v merits,' read they have no merits;' and in page 195, from We,' line 17, to 'election sure, line 30, should be removed from the text, and read as a foot-note.

SHORTER NOTICES OF BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.