war of the peasants, in which his voice, hitherto allpowerful with those who had separated from the Catholic Church, was raised in vain on the side of moderation; the excitement and humiliation of his defeat by the supple Erasmus in "De libro Arbitrio," the shame and misery occasioned by the fanaticism of the rabble of Munster, are all represented with sufficient faithfulness, and cannot fail to prove interesting in D'Aubigné's record. In taking leave of the work, of whose peculiar characteristics we should delight to speak more at large did our space permit, we would again remind the reader that it will afford, at the best, but secondary aid to those in this country, who, uninfluenced by political or partizan views, seek a comprehensive estimate of the great Protestant movement in Europe, as connected with the inherent strength of the Catholic Church, its organization for effective inroad and defence, and the subsequent reaction, so memorable and powerful, by which it has already gone so far towards regaining its ancient dominion. This subject involves one of the greatest, if not the very greatest problem of modern history; not to us, an abstract or curious question, but one of vital importance. Judge Haliburton said, some time since, that in less than fifty years all America would be under the spiritual dominion of Rome.* Gregory XVI. hopes for the same thing and almost expresses the hope in regard to England. His honor and his holiness may both, and we trust will, be mistaken; but there is matter for serious reflection and effort in the mere fact that such things are said and believed by grave and forecasting men, accustomed to study the signs of the times, and the symptoms of great movements in society. Singular enough it seems to us, is language like the following from the pen of Professor Ranke, in his "History of the Popes of Rome."

"What is there that can now make the history of the papal power interesting and important to us? Not its peculiar relation to us, which can no longer affect us in any material point, nor the anxiety or dread which it can inspire. The times in which we had anything to fear are over (!) we are conscious of our perfect security. The Papacy can inspire us with no

* Clockmaker.

Letter to the Earl of Shrewsbury.

other interest than what arises from its historical development and its former influence."

They who read Professor Ranke's really excellent book, will be somewhat puzzled to account in any satisfactory manner for the philosophic calmness in which his arduous labors seem to have left him. To American inquirers at least, whose field of view is somewhat dif ferent from that afforded the author from his dim studywindow at Berlin, there is a great deal that is both very "interesting and important" in the present position, and probable prospective action of the Papal power. To them it has a "peculiar relation" and that man is blind who sees it not. Miss Austin, the accomplished translator of the "History of the Popes," remarks, in her preface to that work, that it is impossible to contemplate the rapid and apparently resistless progress of the Reformation in its infancy, without wondering what was the power which arrested and forced back the torrent and reconquered to the ancient faith, countries in which Protestantism seemed firmly established. How was it that in less than a century after the rise of "the great Reformation," whose beginnings and early progress D'Aubigné has so glowingly recorded, almost every trace of Protestantism was swept from France, Austria, Poland, Belgium, and southern Germany? Whence, in so short a time, came the power which gave to the Catholic Church a recoiling force so tremendous and effective? And how is it, that ever since, in spite of the boasted intelligence, intellectual energy, and hatred of superstition and priestly usurpation, which the Protestant movement has engendered, the aggressive inroads of the Papacy have been so steadily successful? We are no bigots; we are not alarmists; but really the singular and almost sneering indifference with which Dr. Ranke shirks the true difficulties of this great problem, no less than the calmness with which, under the name of Protestant (a term, however, which may cover almost any views with an exterior of respectability) he looks upon the momentous contest which is shaking the very foundations of the system for which Luther and his associates contended, is strange, to say the least. So far from his having solved the problem,

it

seems, after passing through his hands, more difficult of solution than ever.

To some of the causes of this reaction, we can point, and there is much to be learned from the review, although we pretend not to deal with those great theological questions which, after all, involve the true answer to the inquiry. Catholicism, after the first vigorous and successful attacks of the Reformers, became animated with a new spirit. The monster Borgias, the atheistical Leos, gave place to the fervent and zealous Paul IV., the humble, self-denying, ascetic, Pius V., the high-minded Gregory XIII. In place of a brazen-browed, brawling, avaricious Tetzel, or a craven-hearted, skulking Erasmus, rose up a zealous and impassioned Ignatius Loyola, a laborious, holy, heavenly-ininded Francis Xavier. The faith, the zeal, the energy, the purity of life by which the Reformers had achieved their triumphs, seemed to animate the whole Catholic body almost as one man ; while no men like Luther and Melancthon succeeded to arouse the Protestants of the continent from the lukewarmness, the worldliness, the ruinous disunion and endless schisms into which they had fallen. The Protestant world presented a strange spectacle of disorder and misrule, while the adherents of the Catholic faith, thoroughly organized upon principles which no revolutions were able to impair, steadily advanced to take possession of the fields from which they had once been driven.

And what shall be said of the surprising success with which the Catholic Church maintained herself during the quick and disastrous revolutions which followed, until, at the Peace of Westphalia, she arose up calm and majestic from the troubled waters, with a strength more apparent, a dominion wider than before? And what shall be said of the inherent energy of that church, when, after having passed through the long dark night of trial, during the reign of atheism and a French revolution, she still stood when the moral anarchy was over, almost the only monument of the world that had passed away, remaining to influence and control the world that had taken its place?

To religious men, these facts open an interesting and momentous field of inquiry. To those who are at all aware of the well directed and systematic efforts of the

Papacy at the present moment, they must necessarily bring something of warning and much of instruction. The serious and profound study to which they will lead cannot be supplied by such works as either that of D'Aubigné or Ranke, although these, to an intelligent and discriminating reader, will be no despicable auxiliaries.

In the meanwhile, the public will feel indebted to the one for the vivid and life-like pictures which he has given of a period pregnant of great events, and distinguished by great men; and to the other, for the light of learned research which he has thrown upon the history of the Papal Church, taking care to enter due protest against what seems, from the author of such a book, the strangest of all assertions: "The Papacy can inspire us with no other interest than what arises from its historical development and its former influence." Infandum!

THE WOMEN OF AMERICA.

By

CLAIMS OF THE COUNTRY ON AMERICAN FEMALES. MISS COXE, author of the "Young Ladies Companion," "The Wonders of the Deep," "The Infant Brother," etc., etc. 2 vols. Columbus, Ohio. Isaac N. Whiting.

1842.

THE influence which a pious and well educated woman exercises over the minds and character of those around her, is at all times a pleasing subject to contemplate. Though the days of chivalry have gone by, and no valiant knight now dons helmet and puts lance in rest to dispel the frowns or vindicate the charms of his ladye-love, the legitimate empire of woman, we are safe in affirming, has been increased, and not diminished, with the lapse of years. The refinement which the advance of civilization has introduced in the intercourse between the sexes, and the chivalrous delicacy of sentiment entertained in all Christian countries towards woman, prove that the heart of man has not waxed old, nor have his affections become dead to the impulses of

love. Christianity, along with innumerable other blessings, has taught us a more just appreciation of the true excellence of woman, and pointed out the station which, in the economy of God, she was designed to occupy, as the co-operator with man, and help-mate who should console him, so far as his present condition permits, for the lost glories of paradise. But there has sprung up in our midst, of late years, a sect of philosophers who have discovered that great injustice is done to woman, that her natural rights are disregarded, and her vassalage scarcely less complete now than it was in the barbarous eras of the world. In private circles, in popular lectures, through the medium of the press, and from other sources, a perpetual stream of froth and folly is poured forth, about "the political privileges of the sex," and the right of woman to participate in the administration of public affairs.

Whoever will take the trouble to reflect for a moment on the inequality of the gifts bestowed on the sexes, will be at no loss to discover that in the mind of the Creator they were intended to fill different departments of duty and distinct spheres of action. The superior physical strength as well as courage and resolution, possessed by man, qualify him admirably for the rough conflict with material things, and to wrestle with the accidents of the world. The Creator foresaw, from the beginning, the trials and conflicts to which, by reason of his fall and banishment from Paradise, he would be subjected, and was graciously pleased so to form his constitution, mental and physical, that it should receive strength from each successive triumph over antagonist principles. It is from the possession of these powers that man, daily, derives the most important benefits. By the exercise of them he achieves his mighty conquests over the elements of nature, and exalts himself in the ranks of the creation; through their agency, he makes the solitary places to be glad, and the wilderness to blossom like the rose. The beauty and grace of woman, on the contrary, appear to most advantage, and shine with greatest lustre, in the retired walks of life. There is a delicacy in her nature which shrinks from the coarse contact of the world; and as it would be inglorious in man to desert the post which, in the allotments of Providence, has fallen to his share, so,