KNOW BEFORE YOU SPEAK.-Among altogether ignorant of the language in the petty dishonesties of common which it is written, or have been unlife, there are some more hurtful, able to follow the sense of the passage but perhaps none more paltry, than with any degree of clearness. that of pretending to know where one

is

When any rational and well-meaning is ignorant. It is a fault into which person feels himself tempted into such many, not ill-meaning, persons are courses, let him only consider how abdrawn, from a false shame which surd it is to suppose that there can be would probably be checked if any im- any real disgrace in being ignorant of mediate evil consequences seemed any particular fact whatever. Science likely to flow from it. They dislike to is a vast field-so is learning—insoappear at a loss, or under a shortcom- much that there can be no man in exing, about any thing; and thus are istence acquainted with the whole of tempted either to affect knowledge either. The most eminent in both where they have it not, or in some scientific knowledge and in learning way to allow it to be supposed that know only a part, and are liable to be they are not ignorant. For example, found ignorant of much. When, some one adverts to a fact in science therefore, any ordinary person with which he is familiar. Perhaps it found unacquainted with some partiis brought forward for the instruction cular fact, or even with some entire or entertainment of the rest-perhaps science, or some whole language, there to show his own knowledge-perhaps is no reason why he should be deemed only in the fair course of conversation: a generally ignorant man. It may be no matter how it may be in this re- presumed that, if he is ignorant of one spect, the point at present in question thing, he is conversant with another, is the want of candor in the persons as is the case with the most eminent whom he is addressing, in hearing as students; and thus he may pass very if they understood that and all the re- well, though openly acknowledging lated facts, putting on an intelligent that on the point in question he is look, assenting to the proposition as if blank as a new-born babe. There is a convinced of its soundness, and per- story of Sheridan having once aphaps even hazarding some remarks that may favor the supposition of their being as well informed on the subject as the first speaker. Or perhaps a passage of a classic or foreign author is gentleman, who spoke after him, fully quoted-pedantically or otherwise, it assented to the application of the pasmatters not—what we have to remark sage to the case in question. How inis the unconscientiousness of the rest effably ridiculous must that man have of the company, or of particular mem- appeared when Sheridan disclosed the bers of it, in letting the thing pass as trick! This is a dishonor to which every an intelligible part of the discourse, one is exposed who in any way, howand appearing to sanction its apposite- ever slight or negative, affects to ness, when, in reality, they are either appear knowing where he is ignorant.

parently quoted a passage from a Greek poet in the House of Commons, when in reality he only uttered a gabble resembling Greek. An honorable

ble teacher of divine truth. Men may prate of the thinker and the scientist as the coming leader of England; but if her future is to be truly a noble and grand one, it rests entirely with that favored one to whom God has given a higher commission than to prince or philosophers,—the humble Catholic priest.

The dainty essayists of the English press are becoming seriously apprehensive over the uprising of the agricultural laborers in the moral districts of England. If, as parliamentary reports have often gone to prove many of these poor people are so ignorant as to hardly know of the existence of God, they are showing that they hold some power, at least, to endanger the public peace and The Catholic press in England have been security. It is rather an ominous sign lately devoting considerable attention to the when these hitherto sadly neglected laborers question of Catholic organization, and evince not only denounce their masters, but evince an interest in the subject which might well a decided hostility towards the "parsons," be emulated on this side the Atlantic. There whom they regard as leagued with their is already existing a system of association common enemies. The highly refined organs of modern heathenism in England are evidently unequal to the consideration of this social problem. They contemplate its bearing with ill-concealed dismay; and however much disposed to treat the matter as the precursor of a merely peaceful revolution, they betray a well founded fear of most dangerous results. After all that has been said of the conservatism of her people, it is not so sure that England is entirely safe from the violent convulsions which have nearly wrecked many of the European nations. A state church every day becoming more and more a sham - a brutal mob in the large cities imbibing the infidel teachings of the higher circles-and this late movement of the ignorant moral populationform elements which may yet bring about a serious and, perhaps, terrible disorganization. Whilst godless writers and philosophers vainly speculate upon these evil omens, the disciples of the old faith are striving with inspired zeal to avert the threatened danger. They are bravely meeting the issue of the lay,—that inevitable contest between the Church and Infidelity,-which is destined to be fought the world over. Step by step they are battling with unbelief in its every aspect; and it is encouraging to note the success that has rewarded their labors.

and coöperation among our English brethren, which is to be extended and strengthened until the whole body shall become united in purpose and action. When can we show promise of any such result? It is not at all to the credit of Catholics in America, that as yet they have made only spasmodic efforts at obtaining a union among themselves, the want of which strengthens day by day the hands of their enemies. It is to be fervently hoped that our Catholic union, commenced under such favorable auspices, will not be allowed to fall into inactivity by reason of indifference and lack of zeal. No doubt there are difficulties in the way. The movement must depend in a great measure upon the clergy who, in a city like New York, have more than they can do to attend to their large congregations and pay off the debts of their churches. But let our priests feel that they shall have the earnest coöperation of prominent Catholic laymen, willing to devote some time to the work of organization, and they will hesitate at no sacrifice to advance this most important undertaking. The urgent necessity existing for a plan of combined action among our people, is too apparent to need explanation. What with a daily press constantly assailing, under the most insidious guise, the integrity of their faith-with the general tone of public Hardly a day passes but some earnest opinion decidedly irreligious-and with a inquirer, disgusted with the false pretences thousand other hostile influences around of Protestantism, returns to the only infalli- them-it must be admitted that Catholics

stand in some danger of being liberalized. | nothing so easily disposed of, as his other The Jesuits The importance, then, of the principle of enemy, the Catholic Church. association, as a defence against such ten- will make a nice sop for Cerberus: and, as he has no sympathy with the Church, and dencies, cannot be overrated, and should be only partial sympathy with the Socialists, it immediately recognized. is exceedingly convenient to give up the whole of one, in order to half satisfy the other. At least it puts off that terrible day of reckoning which is hanging over the head of Bismarck and of all Europe, the reckoning with the Revolution. It is coming on with rapid, silent strides. It is true the meeting of the International at the Hague has not shone forth with half the éclat of the meetThe ac

counts are confused, and we rise from the study of them with a general impression that everybody quarrelled with everybody else, and that no conclusions were arrived at.

the minds of all as to who will be the ex

Mr. James Anthony Froude has come and The seen, but he has hardly conquered. remarkable exposure of his dishonesty by that admirable reviewer Meline, which is still fresh in the minds of men, has chilled his welcome to an extent totally destructive of his pretentious mission to teach the Ameri-ing of the Emperors of Berlin. can people what they ought to believe about Ireland. And he has had the further misfortune to fall into the hands of Father Burke who, intellectual giant as he is, tosses The impression is partially a wrong one. this pigmy historian about until he presents The quarrelling did indeed exist; but the a very sorry appearance under the operation. sum total of the whole is more decision in His audience grows beautifully less, while the treme men and who are capable of becoming newspapers, usually the trumpeters of hum- the leaders. The homeless dogs of the streets bugs, find that he cannot be written down of Constantinople quarrel and howl over the the throats of the public, and join in the bones they are discussing. But at the end of general laugh at his pretensions. We rather the scrimmage they know who are the better fear that the philanthropic, sweet-intendogs of the pack. And so it has been with the Congress of the Internationalists. tioned historian, who defames Mary Queen of Scots and admires the adulterous Harry, will not be pleased with his experiences in our midst. He has hardly any other alternative than to return home and write a new history of the United States, proving that Washington was a vile traitor and Benedict Arnold a sadly abused patriot.

We present our readers this month with an able article on the "Ethical Aspects of Science" by Prof. C. M. O'Leary of Manhattan College, in connection with which the following communication will prove of interest:

THE INDUCTIVE METHOD MISAPPLIED.

The London Crusader, a remarkably able NEW YORK, Sept. 12, 1872. To the Editor of the Herald:-As the question Catholic paper, lately contained an article on the meeting of the Emperors of Prussia, touching the differences between the Christian and scientific camps continues to attract Austria, and Russia, which we wish we could the attention of thinking men more and give in full. The writer declares, the real more every day, and as Dr. Carpenter's recent object of the conference among the Emperors assault on the scientists has lent additional and their ministers was the consideration of interest to the subject, I have thought it not some common plan of defence against the amiss to bring to your notice a paper read last month, by Dr. C. M. O'Leary, before advance of the revolution. the University Convocation of this State, in following explanation of Bismarck's policy, as which the same views are advocated as those the master mind of the conference:

He offers the

Communism has no taste for princes, and Bismarck has lately become one. Still less does it like emperors, and Bismarck is the maker of the German Empire. Communism has a terrible way of sucking up whatever it gets hold of; and while Bismarck lays his hand caressingly, though in secret. on its ugly head, he is thinking what he can throw into its maw to keep it quiet. He has not far to look. Nothing so near at hand,

set forth in the later address of Dr. Carpenter. If there is any credit due to priority of statement, it undoubtedly belongs to Dr. O'Leary. The mistake of Darwin, Owen, Huxley, Mill, and Spencer, has been one of method, and the essential defect of the so-called scientific theories consists in a radical disregard of the true scientific method, and a repudiation of the system of inquiry which Aristotle introduced, and which the experience of fifteen hundred

years sanctioned. In a few words, the mis- points are amply discussed in the paper take of modern science, when attempting referred to, it is not necessary to enter into a the solution of cosmic and anthropological repetition of details. The credit, therefore, problems, springs from a misapplication of of pointing out the mistakes of recent savants the so-called Baconian or inductive method, in their dealings with the problems of costhe application of a wrong method to socio- mic and human genesis, and destiny, belongs logical and theological questions, and the to the paper referred to, in proof of which rejection of the syllogism as an instrument you are invited to examine the manuscript. for the elucidation of truth. As these JUSTITIA.

OBITUARY.

JAMES J. DELANY, A. M.

Again has death robbed the De La Salle Catholic Association of one of its members, and this time the loss has been unusually severe; for in James J. Delany was recognized one of their best aids, one of their most zealous workers in the interests of Catholicity.

alone offers a hope of a reunion of heart in that true home of ours,—that home where there shall be no more tears, no more sorrow, and no more death. And this is the comfort we would offer to his sorely tried parents and friends. We would not ask them not to weep, for we feel, like them, that he has left vacant a place which none can fill; but we would remind them that his was the death of the just man. Surrounded by the ministers of God, he had the happiness to receive all the consolations of that holy religion of which he was a most worthy child; he died a happy death, giving up this life for one of endless joy in the possession of his God. The last sad rites of religion were performed at St. Peter's Church, Brooklyn, on Thursday, October 17, when a solemn requiem mass was sung for his spiritual repose. It was strangely sad to notice that the four good priests who celebrated the mass, -Father Murphy of Brooklyn, and Fathers McClancy, Kean, and Lynch, of New York,—were for a number of years constant companions and intimate friends,—were, in fact, fellow-schoolmates and fellow-graduates of Mr. Delany's. As Father Murphy expressed it: "They studied with him side by side, they read the same books, solved the same problems, and had to contend with the same difficulties; their hopes for the future were identical, and now they had come to pay the last mark of Yes, it is religion alone that can awaken respect and love to their dear companion the crushed spirit to a new life: religion and cherished friend:" and those who saw

Attacked by a hemorrhage of the lungs, too violent to be withstood by a constitution not usually strong, Mr. Delany lingered for a few days, and then died; called, we are confident, to the enjoyment of heavenly delights, the assured recompense of a life well spent, a life Christian in the highest degree, an example deserving of study by all whose good fortune it was to know his worth and virtues. Look upon death as we will, and it produces but one feeling,-an overwhelming grief and desolateness; and when the victim is a young man before whom there yet seemed to be much good work, whose life had already given promise of great result-whose love and devotion had been the solace of the advanced years of his parents-whose gentleness, modesty, uniform kindness of heart, and real genuine worth had commanded the esteem and admiration of all with whom he had any dealing: when, in a word, the victim is such a man as was our friend, James Delany, the sadness is such that we combat it in vain; such as finds relief in one only solace, Religion