Irish Jesuit Province

Essays and Recollections by Séumas O'SullivanReview by: E. H.The Irish Monthly, Vol. 72, No. 853 (Jul., 1944), pp. 308-309Published by: Irish Jesuit ProvinceStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20515278 .

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Book Reviews

Between Ourselves. By Aloysius Roche. Browne and Nolan, Ltd. 7/6.

Father Roche has made a speciality of light, readable essays on subjects of topical interest. In his latest volume he talks about work and leisure (coming down strongly in favour of leisure), psycho-analysis, and woman's place in the world.

Many of his illustrations are so apt and witty that the book will probably be plundered extensively by people aspiring to be raconteurs. It is excellent occasional -reading, although a cover-to-cover perusal becomes a little unP attentive, owing to the unfailing regularity of argument, example and reflec tion. Father Roche's large circle of readers will be glad to add this to their collection of his other books.

E. H.

Essays and Recollections. By Seumas O'Sullivan. The Talbot Press, Ltd. 5/-.

Seumas O'Sullivan in many ways resembles Charles Lamub. He, too, is a lover of his native city, particularly its odd corners and forgotten vistas; he too browses among old books, and to some purpo e, as may be seen here in several diverting papers about little-known 18th century poets; and he

writes quite in the wildly ironic style of Gentle Elia. But then his style, evanescent and elusive as the mists that do be on the

Liffey, is inclined to take its colour from its ?urroundings. When he is writirig of Lamb-like things, books, city streets, childhood recollections, he writes like Lamb. But in a short story; Miss Rendall, he writes like his friend S6amus O'Kelly, and evokes just such another character as that

writer's Lady of Deerpark. Then there is a short sketch at the end of the book, " The Miracle ", in which the two knowing bank-clerks- are pure Arnold Bennett; they and the stolid, phlegmatic policeman-surely a pu'rely British phenomenon-arouse no sense of recognition in the Irish reader. He does not seem to look very closely at things. Thus, he quotes with approval someone's remark that Dublin, although it is bound on the south by the

Wicklow mountains, is bounded on the north by the 18th century. Would it be breaking in too rudely upon this epigrammatic calm to men

tion Collinstown Airport, or -the miles of new roads that have spread all

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BOOK REVIEWS 809

over North Dublin in the last ten years or so? The point imade, of course, is that 18th century Dublin breaks off abruptly at Great Charles Street and Fitzgibbon Street, and beyond that all is suburbs and outer darkness. But this leaves out the crescents and terraces of Clontarf, th.e leafy avenues of Drumcondra, and the deep-set windings of Richmond Road. Mr. O'Sullivan does do justice to the roads near the Park, for that is where he was born. Inde&d, Dublin is indebted to him for the delicate charm of many poems about her streets and houses; not the show-places of archi tectural merit, but the little by-paths known ouly to the strolling, inquisitive citizen.

Among his essays the writer includes some pleasant memoirs of George Moore, Arthur Griffith, Seamus O'Kelly and Susan Mitchell. There is also a "Prelude to an Autobiography" which seems to be a promise of an extremely interesting volume to come.

E. H.

St. Francis de Sales, The Doctor of Devotion. By Rev. James F. Cassidy, B.A. M. H. Gill & Son, Ltd. 2/6.

The author of this little book has given us a brief and interesting account of the life and work of St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church. Those who only know St. Francis as the author of the Introduction to tht Devout Life and his Treatise on the Love of God-and perhaps as the founder of the Visitation Order-can have but little knowledge of the wonderful mis sionary work done by him, and the extraordinary zeal and activity which enabled him to fit so nmuch into his short life of fifty-fiv& years. All this, along with many interesting aspects of his private life and sanctity, is told sympathetically in this book, which can be warmnly recommended for spiritual reading. Perhaps the most valuable contribution made to the work of the saint is the appreciation of the value of The Introduction to the Devout Life as a guide for the spiritual life of people " in the world ". As Pope Pius

XI said, this short but complete book ought be read by all. This is especially true of girls educated in Catholic schools, who leave school with high ideals and-perhtps without knowing it-with every intention of leading a devout life as understood by St. Francis. There is, it is hardly too much to say, no book which gives better advice and instruction as to the dangers and difficul ties of life of lay people. Much of the falling off from high ideals which is unfortunately too common would be avoided were this book read by all at

the threshold of life. But this is only one of the many good features of Father Cassidy's excellent book.

A. B.

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