unlike them-they want to learn how much they are behind others; instead of being told so much of an island of saintsthe focus of divine truth-the school of the west-the quiet habitation of sanctity and literature; and they actually imagine Ireland is all this still, as if by divine prescription-as_if_by hereditary and alienable right. Would that it were so! For then we should not witness the scenes which are daily enacted. The Irish would not then be a people to be played upon by the demagogues; and their occupation of sedition being gone, they must needs take to some honest calling. In whatever way the Roman and Protestant Churches may apportion between them the blame of this state of things, it has reached a pitch beyond their present power to remedy. The leaders of the people have shown that the wise counsels of the Pope have scarcely any more weight with them than if such counsel had been given by the Duke of Wellington. Religion may have done too little-might have been a preventative or a corrective in past times the evil is beyond the immediate reach of religion now. The opening of railroads, giving facilities of intercourse, will do something in time; the bursting of one bubble after another, by which the people have been gulled, may destroy their confidence in these false guides; their pockets are not exhaustless, and the continual drains upon them must ere long find the bottom; and, above all, excitement may produce a reaction, and, even in the Irish cranium, end in something approaching to sobriety and common sense.

And, finally, notwithstanding all the endeavours of interested persons to prevent it, commerce will work its way, while peace is preserved; and will also bring knowledge and science in its train. These must now be the pioneers of religion, and cast up the broad highway for the evangelist. The din of party faction-the clamour of political agitation—the vulgar strife of tongues, rage too loudly, too incessantly, at present, for the still small voice of the Gospel to be heard, save in some retired hamlets, and the secluded dwelling of the poor. Even under these difficulties the ministers of Christ may not relax-they must do what they can in their way: but the evils of Ireland require, we fear, caustic for the proud flesh, as well as emollient ointment; and may need the probe and the cautery for the humours, before the patient can be trusted with the healing balm.

Assertions of a Roman Catholic Priest Examined and Exposed: or, the Correspondence between the Rev. John Venn, M. A., Vicar of St. Peter's, Hereford, and the Rev. James Waterworth, Roman Catholic Priest, of Newark: respecting certain Assertions made by the latter at the "Hereford Discussion." With an Appendix and Index to the Discussion and Correspondence. By the Rev. JOHN VENN. Hereford: Anthony; London: Seeleys; Dublin: Curry and Co. 1845. 8vo. THE authenticated report of the "Hereford Discussion" was introduced to the notice of our readers in the sixteenth volume of our journal, page 505. To that work this publication is a necessary appendix: and a most complete exposure it is of the "Assertions of the Roman Catholic Priest." But though the correspondence now published may seem chiefly to be interesting to the possessors and readers of the authenticated report of the "Hereford Discussion," it will be found highly useful and interesting to others, and especially to those who live in the neighbourhood of zealous papists. Among the various topics, which are here fully and satisfactorily discussed, we may notice the demonstrations:-1. That the canons ascribed to the fourth Lateran Council were actually passed by that assembly of Romish divines; 2. that the charge so frequently brought against the modern Church of Rome, of being opposed to the free circulation of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongue, is well founded; and 3. that the blasphemous Psalter of Bonaventure is fully sanctioned by that Church. Cordially do we concur with Mr. Venn in the hope that the publication of this correspondence may help, not only to make known the real character of Romanism, but also to put Protestants upon their guard against the statements of Romanists. Our own experience in the Popish controversy (for which the clergy must prepare themselves), enables us to bear our willing attestation to the truth of Mr. Venn's remark, that "the system of the Church of Rome exercises such a fatal influence over her most able and learned advocates, that their statements, though made in the boldest tone of confidence, and with all the air of truth, can never be received with safety." But as this is known as the English clergy are put upon their guard-as they feel that no assertion is to be received without examination; so will THE TRUTH be more and more made known. This is the only advantage of controversy. This is the end, which in all discussions should be kept in view. While this is done, controversy is of advantage to the Church; if this be lost sight of, it degenerates into anger and strife, and every evil work."

W. E. Painter, Printer, 342, Strand, London.