520
NOTES AND QUERIES, no s. vm. DEC. 28, 1907.
roast eggs for himself during a fast by the Father
of Evil, who happens to hear the excuse, and cries
out indignantly that it is a lie. He does, indeed,
spend his days in tempting laymen, " but at night
I come to convents as a humble scholar."
Some of the tales are more elevated in tone. The legend of the man who proved that the race of the trustworthy had not died out is a fine version of 'Damon and Pythias.' The beautiful story of Abraham worshipping first a shining star, then the full moon, and afterwards the glorious sun, only to reject them all in turn, "because I love not things that change," is a worthy example of the poetic and religious feeling of the Semitic races.
Jlistory of the Society of Jesus in North America, Colonial and Federal. Part I. 1605-1838. By Thomas Hughes, S. J. (Longmans & Co.) TT is rarely that we have taken up a book with s little expectation of pleasant reading, or laid it down with such a sense of keen satisfaction. The author has endeavoured to trace, in the most cir- cumstantial manner possible, the whole progress of the operations of the Society of Jesus in North America.
Beginning with the period when, in consequence of the odium in which the Roman Catholic religion -was held in England, George Calvert, Baron Balti- more, founded the colony or Avalon in Newfound- land, the narrative takes us through the various vicissitudes of that colony, the founding of the later colony of Maryland, and the operations of the Society amongst the settlers and natives. The Tiistory of the Society, as told by the author, is virtually that of the colony generally, the religious and secular interests being apparently inextricably intermingled. The quarrels of the Society with Csecileus, the second Lord Baltimore, and the oppressive measures formulated by that very feudal nobleman, are dealt with in detail in a spirit of moderation and fairness, and supported by a mass of reference to documents absolutely bewildering in their copiousness. A distinct bias in favour of the Society of which the author is a member is natural, but generally we have here a view of the conditions of life and religion in America which cannot fail to arrest attention amongst those who Are interested in such matters.
So far as the history of the colonies themselves is concerned we have nothing but praise. However, the lengthy Introduction is full of controversial matter. We find a masterly exposition of the rai-ton (fetre of the Society of Jesus and of the high aims which animate its members, principally in the field of missionary work. Evidence is given of the severe tests required to be overcome before a novice was finally received as a member ; likewise of the literary and scientific excellence which was insisted upon in all their published literature. But here we come to the crux of the trouble which for cen- turies has operated between the Jesuits and out- siders, even of their own religious persuasion, viz., the " Policy of Silence," otherwise the abstention from any defence against attack, concerning which we quote the following extract :
" Early in 1631 the order was issued that silence should be kept in this fratricidal war ; and the fathers had to keep it. They pleaded with the General for leave to speak out in self-defence ; but he was inexorable. Rome desired it so ; their profession bound them to acquiesce ; and he bade them see to it that the example of the unruly
did not count for more with them than the rule of
duty."
And again : " There were deeper reasons for such a policy of abstention ; but they were not always discernible at the time by men who. being on the spot, were blinded by the dust of the affray. In- deed, this is one of the prudential reasons in sound organization for men placed higher, to see further, and to check the movements below. Beyond the actual issue there was always another practical question how far and to what extremities your opponents would go and if they would go any length whither you could not follow them, it were as well not to start out with them."
A policy of silence and abstention from contro- versy, combined with a system of working in devious channels, is at all times and places likely to foment doubt and suspicion as to the genuine- ness of aims and intentions ; and the Jesuits cannot complain if they have for ages been mis- understood.
Although we gather that the author claims to be addressing the community at large, it is obvious that the book can only be properly appreciated by members of the Roman Catholic Church. For instance, it is not easy to sympathize with the reiterated query, made with reference to the per- secution of the Roman Catholics during, and sub- sequent to, the Elizabethan era, " Why all this intolerance ? " " Why all this persecution ? " Does the reverend author regard as of no account the Marian persecution of the Reformed Faith, the operations of the Holy Office, or Inquisition, the oppression of the Hugenots in France, the iniquities of Alva in the Netherlands, and so on ? As Mr. Spurgeon said, every religious sect would persecute others if it could.
We may point out a tendency on the part of the author to diffuseness, an inclination at times to abandon the thread of history and wander into the paths of philosophic disquisition, and to introduce extraneous matter, notably the Chalcedon dispute, which has no particular bearing on the subject at issue.
Whilst we do not at all points agree with the arguments and conclusions of the author, we must express our admiration at the erudition displayed, and the dignified language in which the history is couched. It is evident that no care has been con- sidered too great in searching for documents, to make the work of value. The task of weaving the information so obtained into a coherent history has been obviously a labour of love, and we look with pleasure for the next volume.
H. A. ST. J. M. (" What we gave we have," &c)
Few subjects have received more attention in
' N. & Q.' : see, for instance, under "Quod expend!
habui," 7 S. xii. 506 ; 8 S. i. 155, 503 ; ii. 74 ; v. 75 ;
9 S. i. 164.
LINDUM ("Punch, the Beverage"). The origin of punch has been thoroughly discussed in ' N. &. Q.' : see 8 S. iii. 166 ; vi. 64, 150, 192 ; viii. 248, 394, 510 ; 9 S. i. 346, 431 ; ii. 192.
CORRIGENDUM. Ante, p. 478, col. 2, 11. 7 and 8, the words "easternmost" and "westernmost" should be transposed.
