PUBLICATION

New Zealand Tablet, 6 April 1916, Page 47

PUBLICATION

Orhts CatholiGUS : A . Tear Book of the Catholic World. Edited by Canon . Glancy. Sydney: Louis Gille and Co. Pp. 685 ; price, 6/- net. This is an ambitmus undertaking, being nothing less than a survey of - the widespread activities of the Catholic Church throughout the world. A glance atthe contents will convince the reader that Canon Glancv has succeeded in producing a work which cannot fail to be of incalculable, value as a book of reference It has been prepared, at a cost of- great labor, to supply in a readily accessible form a most interesting fund of information. The editor in a prefatory note states that in a work of this character, involving an immense mass of detail, it is,:.perhaps, inevitable that mistakes should occur, especially when disturbances of postal communication have rendered the checking of statistical and other information difficult. Should ' the reader come across any such mistakes he will, no doubt, be ready to make "reasonable allowance, considering * the varied nature of the contents. The book is divided' into three parts. The first deals with Rome and the Popes. A mere chronological list of the Popes is no new feature in a book of reference. But here-we have in addition an alphabetical list of the occupants of the Chair of. St. Peter, in which is set out some striking event in the reign of each one. Then we have chapters devoted to the Papal Chapel and Household, Papal Orders of Knighthood, the Sacred College? the Roman Curia, Diplomatic Representatives, and Apostolic Delegation's. The second part is devoted mainly to the Church outside Rome—the Dioceses (with historical sketches) the Hierarchy, Residential and ■ Titular Sees, Abbeys, and Prelatures, Vicariates, etc. The third part gives a list of. Patriarchs,- Archbishops, and Bishops, with date and.'place of birth, date of ordination, nomination," and consecration, and other information., These are only some of the most - pro- : minent features of the book, which in range, scope, method, and fulness may be styled unique. As a wellknown reviewer remarks, the book is a gratification to the eye as well as to the mind; the black type is judiciously employed, and the, essential features of each page leap to the eye. They have not to be sought amidst a mass of small print. Without undue flattery it may be said that compiler and printer have combined with complete success to produce a book of reference which should be found in every Catholic household.. One can only express, the hope that the iipmeiise amount of labor involved in its. production will be. properly appreciated. ' ’ ’