sought to overthrow it during that reign of terror. Many English and American authors have been studied and a special study was made of Tennyson's "Idylls of the King." The American authors studied were mostly of the present century and special attention was given to prominent Catholic authors of to-day. Among the latter were Christian Reid, Maurice Francis Egan, Walter Lecky, Mary A. Sadlier, Anna T. Sadlier, Anna Hanson Dorsey and several other Catholic authors of prominence. The year's study was a most pleasant one, the variety of the work of the different authors suiting all tastes, and the members have profited much by the work done. At the closing meeting, which was held at the home of the president, Mr. Albert L. Bartlett, Superintendent of Schools, read a most learned and interesting paper on "The Holy Grail." Mr. Bartlett has made a special study of the "Idylls of the King" and his presentation of the story of the search for the Holy Grail, or cup used by our Lord when he instituted the Blessed Sacrament at the last supper, showed deep study and a thorough familiarity with the subject treated. The paper was very much appreciated by all present and was a most pleasant ending to the study of the year of 1896-'97. None of the members of the Circle have much leisure time, as all are engaged in daily occupations, and to keep up the required reading has required an effort on their part. But those who joined the first year, and have continued, have been amply repaid for the time spent, and realize that they have profited by the studies followed and have also learned much from each other. All the members are interested in the work, and the sociability which is promoted at the meetings is a very pleasant feature. It is also in accordance with the primary object of establishing Reading Circles, which was to bind Catholics together socially, as well as to improve their minds by study and to diffuse sound Catholic literature. The St. Gregory Reading Circle has sought to follow the lines laid down in the course mapped out by the Catholic Educational Union of America, with which it has been affiliated since its organization, and it has fairly succeeded in doing so. Catholics in general are not as yet fully awake to the good which these Circles are doing in a quiet way to prepare their members to meet the slanderers of the Catholic Church with facts from authentic history of which many Catholics are not aware until they have carefully studied the history of our Church and its wonderful growth and sta bility amid the storms and tempests of heresy and error which have swept over her, and the dangers she has encountered from the enemies within her fold as well as without. If Catholics were to study carefully the history of their religion and become familiar with what the Church has been and done through almost nineteen centuries, they would be able easily to refute the many calumnies cast upon her instead of being obliged to keep silent through ignorance of the reasons for the faith they believe and profess. Let it not be inferred, however, that the Reading Circles aim at reading and studying noth ing but the Catholic side of every question discussed or study entered upon; but they do aim at finding out the whole truth regarding questions discussed in the studies and giving credit to Catholics and the Catholic Church when it is justly due, and they leave to the candid consideration of all Catholics if such a purpose is not a commendable one. During its five years of existence, the St. Gregory Reading Circle has aimed at doing this, and if it has not succeeded in doing as much work as some other Circles, where the members have more leisure time, it has accomplished at least some good, and has ever endeavored to live up to its motto, which is: "Let knowledge grow; let truth prevail." MARY E. DESMOND. CATHOLIC STUDY CLUB, DETROIT, MICH. The Catholic Study Club of the this city, of which Mrs. J. H. Donovan is president, closed its work for the year on the 10th of May. On the evening of April the 28th, the Club gave a delightful evening, With Washington Irving, to their friends, in the drawing rooms of the Hotel Cadillac. The program consisted of vocal and instrumental music, essays on Irving, readings from his works, and an address by the president. Many of the reverend clergy of the city were present. THE MOUNTAIN CHAPEL. BY ELIZABETH A. TULLY. Nestled within the mountain's heart, A tiny chapel stands; Made all of logs from forest won By loving, reverent hands. No sound from out the busy mart, And all about the mountains rise, They love and homage bring. And stately pines like courtiers tall, Their changeless banners wave in awe, The altar, plain, but dainty, meet; For music, singing of the birds, Sweet are the woodland chimes. Oh! good it is our summer days, Forgotten all life's care and din, TRINITY COllege for CATHOLIC WOMEN. As reports have been prematurely circulated of late in the daily press, it was deemed advisable by those immediately concerned to publish the following authoritative statement : Since the establishment of the Catholic University of America at Washington, enquiries have been repeatedly made as to what the Catholic Church is prepared to do for the higher education of women. An impo:tant step in that direction is announced today, for it has been decided to establish in Washington a Woman's College, of the same grade as Vassar, thus giving young women an opportunity for the highest collegiate instruction. The institution is to be known as Trinity College, and will be under the direction and control of the Sisters of Notre Dame, whose mother-house is in Namur, Belgium. This congregation of religious women is devoted exclusively to teaching; their colleges in Belgium, England, and Scotland, and their academies and parochial schools in the United States, have won for them high distinction in educational work. Trinity College will offer to its students all the advantages of the best American colleges, and will have, in addition, those benefits that come from education given under the direction of experienced, religious teachers. The Sisters of Notre Dame have purchased twenty acres of land near the gateway of the Catholic University, at the junction of Michigan and Lincoln avenues, and plans will be at once prepared for a suitable college building. The establishment of this college in the City of Washington offers opportunities to the student, which can be found in no other city of our country: the libraries and museums, as well as many of the educational institutes; the scientific collections of the government, etc., present opportunities for intellectual development that cannot be equalled elsewhere in America; while its close proximity to the Catholic University will give to the students of this college the rare privilege of following regularly the public lecture courses, private courses by specialists, and it is hoped of one day enjoying the honors of the University degrees. The College will have the benefit of direction from the University, and regards it as a boon to establish itself under its protection. This college idea has been under consideration for some time, and has met with the cordial approbation of his Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Baltimore and Chancellor of the University, who welcomes its establishment in his diocese and near the University as a providential step in the higher education of Catholic women. It is to be a post-graduate school, and no preparatory department is to be connected with it. It is intended to be the complement of the academies and high schools of good standing throughout our land; and the candidates for admission must have certificates of graduation from such school, or pass an examination before entering, equivalent to such graduation. It will offer three courses of study, each extending through four years: the classical course, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts; the scientific course, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science; and the course of letters, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Letters. All the courses will ultimately lead to the degree of Ph.D. The age required for admission is seventeen years. Endowments for scholarships will be gratefully received, as well as donations and bequests of any amount, to help in building up and establishing this great work. CARDINAL GIBBONS' ENDORSEMENT. CARDINAL'S RESIDENCE, DEAR MOTHER-I heartily congratulate you on the good news you send me,-that you are about to erect a college for the higher education of Catholic young women, in our National Capital, and near by the grounds of the Catholic University of America. I am pleased to know that the institution which you propose to establish, is intended exclusively for post-graduate work, and therefore will not come in conflict with existing academies for Catholic young ladies, but will be to them what the University is to our colleges. I hereby give my endorsement, approval, and blessing to your noble work, and I pray that it may succeed beyond your most sanguine expectations. Such an institution under your able and experienced direction, and in the shadow of our great University, will, I am convinced, offer educational advantages to our young women, which cannot be found elsewhere in our country. It will relieve the University authorities from the embarrassment of refusing women admission, many of whom have al ready applied for the privilege of following our courses, and will be a light and a protection in faith and morals to that class of stu. dents, while pursuing the highest branches of knowledge. Your work with that of the University will complete and crown our whole system of Catholic education; will be a blessing to our country and a glory to our Church, Praying God's blessing most abundantly on you and all your works, I am, dear Moth er, Faithfully yours in Xto., JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS, OPINION OF THE VERY REV, DOCTOR CON. Very Rev. Dr. Conaty, Rector of the Cath olic University, when questioned about this matter, expressed himself as delighted with the prospect of a first class college for our Catholic women, and said that he welcomed it as a great step in higher education, supplying as it does a great want for the collegiate instruction of women. He said while the University, as such, was not prepared to pledge itsself for anything, yet he was satisfied that everything that could be done consistent with the interests of the University, would be freely rendered for the encouragement of those, who have so generously undertaken this great enterprise. He expressed himself as confident of the ability of the Sisters of Notre Dame to establish a first-class college, as he has had experience with them as teachers during the whole period of his ministry, and could certify to the thoroughness of their instruction and to the evident determination of being satisfied with nothing less than the best, in all the departments of education in which they were engaged. He feels confident that great success awaits the enterprise of the Sisters, and is pleased to see their college seeking the friendship of the University; for in so doing they desire to be in close touch with the wishes of the Bishops of the Church, under whose direction the University is placed. At least one answer is given to the enquiries constantly repeated, of our Catholic women with regard to higher education; for the University frequently receives letters from all parts of the United States making enquiries concerning it. For further particulars, application should be made to Sister Julia, Provincial Superior of the Sisters of Notre Dame, K and North Capitol streets, Washington, D. C. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SIXTH SESSION OF THE CATHOLIC SUMMER SCHOOL OF AMERICA-CHAMPLAIN ASSEMBLY-AT CLIFF HAVEN, ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN, N. Y., JULY 11, TO AUGUST 28, 1897. RELIGIOUS OPENING. The religious opening of the Catholic Summer School at Cliff Haven, N. Y., took place on the morning of Sunday, July 11, the Very Rev. Thomas E. Walsh, D. D., V. G., rector of St. John's Church, Plattsburg, having kindly given his church for the public Sunday morning services. A Pontifical High Mass was celebrated at 10:30 A. M. by the Rt. Rev. Henry Gabriels, D. D., Bishop of Ogdensburg, with the Rev. James F. Loughlin, D. D., Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, assistant priest; the Revs. John S. Jones, of San Francisco, and J. R. Kennedy, O. P., of New York, deacons of honor; Father Gilmartin and the Rev. Dr. Smith, deacon and subdeacon, respectively; and the Rev. M. J. Lavelle, president of the Summer School, master of ceremonies. The Rev. James T. O'Reilly, O. S. A., rector of St. Mary's, Lawrence, Mass., preached the sermon from this text-"Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain who keepeth it."-Psalm 126-1. After defining the Church and her universal mission, Father O'Reilly continued: "Need it be asked, what are the duties of lay Catholics in this great army? What are the duties of rank and file in any army? Do they discharge their obligations simply by wearing the uniform of the soldier, or cheering for their flag? No. The lay Catholic must do the fighting. He must advance the by the enemy. In the literary, scientific, outposts of the Church in every field held commercial and social field it is the duty of the lay Catholic to plant the standard of the Cross and to defend it. "Priests have their own portion of the work. It is theirs to lead, to preach, to exhort, aye, even threaten at times, to offer sacrifice, to dispense the mysteries of God's grace; but there is a great struggle going on, and the questions of the day, affecting man's social and religious life, are being discussed in the forum of the shop, the street, the club, the steamboat, and the railway train. There the lay Catholic must uphold his honor and the honor of the Church. In the arena of every day life the voice of the layman alone is heard. Religion is the one great question that is argued everywhere and by everyone. "Whence is to come the remedy? The Catholic Church alone has the power. She has the message of peace to the world in the Divine law of universal brotherhood in Christ Jesus. The lay Catholic must teach it to his non-Catholic neighbor. The lecturers of the week were the Rev. Hugh T. Henry, of St. Charles' Seminary, Overbrook, Pa.; the Rev. Mortimer E. Twomey, of Malden, Mass.; Dr. C. M. O'Leary, of New York, and the Rev. James F. Loughlin, D. D., Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Rev. M. J. Lavelle, rector of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, and president of the Summer School, presided at the opening of the lecture courses, at 10 A. M., Monday, July 12. The Rt. Rev. H. Gabriels, D. D., Bishop of Ogdensburg, spoke briefly of the success already attained by the school, of the interest it has excited abroad, and of the promotion of its late president, Mgr. Thomas J. Conaty, to the rectorship of the Catholic University. Brother Justin, Manhattan College, New York, Provincial of the Christian Brothers, after an interesting account of the recent Convention of Charities and Correction, in Toronto, Ont., introduced the Rev. Hugh T. Henry for the first lecture of the Shakspere course. PHASES OF SHAKSPERIAN STUDY. Professor of English Literature at St. Charles The reverend lecturer began by saying that the commentators of Shakspere have been endless in numbers and unflagging in zeal. Every year brings forth new lecturers and new books illustrating the poet, of all grades of merit and prominence. Nevertheless, the vast multitudes for whose benefit this prodigious energy professes to expend itself, have in truth little enough familiarity with the poet. This seems to be an age that loves rather to read books about books than the original books themselves. It is the purpose of the present course of lectures, to attempt to show how the study of Shakspere may be undertaken without the postulate of a long array of critical impedimenta. Proceeding on the assumption that in many artistic respects the poet does indeed repeat himself, the lecturer took as the text of his discourse the tragedy of Macbeth, and in elaboration of it purposes to study all of the plays in some fashion by means of intelligible allusions to the other plays, indications of simil arities and contrasts in their plan and execution. This first lecture dealt with the first act. Having read the first scene, he adverted to the opinion of Seymour, who found no reasonable motive for it and therefore considered it spurious. There are two weighty reasons for differing with this critic, a poetic and a dramatic one. The poetic reason is that Shakspere wished to draw us away from the actual world with its prosy weights and measures of motive and action into a preternatural world, unembarrassed by any of the ordinary subjective clauses of our own personal environment. The scene of the weird sisters is the key-note of the play. The second reason is a dramatic one-the scene sounding the dramatic key-note of the whole action. The lecturer then illustrated the principle of the key-note in other plays of the poet. He next made the same scene serve as a text for a discourse on the other preternatural creations of Shakspere. The contrasted characters of Macbeth and Banquo in the third scene formed another text for illustrations of the principle of the dramatic foil. The method of Shaksperian study in the schools is faulty because undue stress is laid on the critical and not sufficient on the artistic phases of the study. Tuesday, 15. The second lecture in the study of Shakspere was largely devoted to a study of Shaksperian psychology, the second act of Macbeth forming the text. Hallucinations of |