In short, it was through the influence of the same popish emissaries" that Kepler, "heretic" as he was, immediately received the appointment of imperial astronomer from the Emperor Rudolph of Austria, on the death of Tycho Brahe, with an annuity of 1,500 florins.* In our opinion some of our American jesuits of the present day, as well as those who regard them as emissaries of Satan, might learn a useful lesson in christian doctrine from some of those incidents two or three centuries old.

Now, if it must be admitted that those who are alarmed at an invasion of male teachers are unduly timid, and ought to be somewhat ashamed, what may be said of those who are alarmed at an invasion of female teachers? What American gentleman worthy of the name would not blush, at the bare imputation, especially when he bears in mind that the ladies of the various catholic orders, engaged in teaching, must be acknowledged by all to rank among the most timid of their sex? Nor should it be forgotten that the timidity natural to this devoted class is much increased by their studious and sedentary habits. We do not pretend to be more conscientious or tender-hearted than other writers; but we are, at least, sufficiently so to have always abstained from making criticisms on any institutions under the charge of the female catholic orders. Not but we have had sufficient opportunities to form an opinion of the work they are doing, thanks to the courtesy of several of the superioresses; but the truth is, that the more we have seen, the more unworthy we should regard ourselves did we speak in any other language of the general results accomplished by the sisters than that of approbation.

It is true that we criticise men much more willingly than we criticise women; but it is true, at the same time, that we have never shrunk from criticising the latter when we thought they really deserved it. Female authors we have condemned as freely as male authors; if we have not condemned our female teachers, protestant or catholic, as freely as we have our female authors or female orators, it is because we have always thought that the former do not deserve it as much. It is certain that our female seminaries, female boarding schools, &c., compare more favorably with the corresponding institutions of Europe than our male seminaries, colleges, &c.

Much is said at the present time about affording our young ladies facilities of education equal to those of our young gentlemen; but if those of the latter who have graduated at some of our best colleges compared with the graduates of the principal European colleges as favorably as our female graduates compare with the graduates of the best female seminaries of Europe, we should have no reason to complain, That they do not, however, is beyond question. The young ladies brought up in the best female seminaries of the United States and

*See "Breetschwert." Notices Biographiques."

(p. 128.) Also "Brewster's Martyrs of Science," and "Arago's

British America are, confessedly, as highly accomplished as those of any European country; but can a similar comparison be made in regard to our young men? Is it not true that the graduates of those of our male colleges that boast loudest find it difficult to get admission at all into a first-class European college until they study and learn more?

It is because we bear all this in mind that we are not disposed to criticise the better class of our female seminaries; and most readily do we admit that the female catholic orders are entitled to a full share of this credit. Our readers are aware of our opinion of institutions like the Van Norman Institute, Ferris Female Seminary, Rutger Female College, Rostan French and English Protestant school, etc. All of these are, more or less, representative, and would occupy a high rank in any country. But most cheerfully do we admit that the catholic institutions, whose names are mentioned at the head of this article, are worthy of comparison with the best of them. That we are not peculiar in our views on this subject as protestants, is sufficiently evident from the fact that, far apart as the seminaries of the ladies of Loretto, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of the Visitation are—one being in British America, another in New Hampshire, and another in Georgetown, D. C.—each numbers among its pupils the daughters of intelligent protestants, who are as steadfast in their protestantism as even our presbyterian friends; nay, some of the most rigid presbyterians we have known have been easily induced to entrust the intellectual and moral training of their daughters to the nuns. That Luther himself did not think very ill of the cloistered ladies might be inferred from the fact that, in selecting a wife, he preferred one of them to all others. The great reformer tells us more than once in his "Table Talk" and elsewhere, that although he had expected much from Catherine Von Bora, his most sanguine expectations were more than realized.

Nor is it anything new for the Sisters to be excellent teachers; and there is as little novelty in comparing them as we have to the Fathers. This is not the first country or age in which they have not only rivalled the fathers as teachers, but, in many instances, surpassed them. Sismondi gives various examples of this in his History of the Republics of the Middle Ages, and Michelet bears similar testimony in his History of France. The latter informs us that learned men came to the convent of Nivelle from all parts to consult Saint Gertrude on abstruse passages in the bible. The historian relates that both men and women heard with equal respect the lessons of Saint Bertilla at the monastery of De Chelles near Paris; that the kings of England requested some of her pupils to found schools and monasteries, and that she sent them both teachers and books.* None who know Michelet will accuse him of undue venera

* Au monastère de Chelles, près respect, les leçons de sainte Bertilla. -uns de ses disciples pour fonder des et less livres.

Paris, les hommes et les femmes écoutaient, avec un égal Les rois de la Grande Bretagne lui demandaient quelques écoles et des monastères; elle leur envoyait les maitres

tion for religious orders; but if he has but little faith in religious dogmas he has much faith in a good education, and there are few better judges of what constitutes the latter. Even Voltaire, who scoffs at all religions, admits that the cloisters "contain admirable souls that do honor to human nature." The most pious catholic could not have paid the female orders a more touching tribute than the "infidel philosopher." "Perhaps," says Voltaire, "there is nothing grander on earth than the sacrifice made by a delicate sex, of beauty, youth, often of high birth, in order to solace in the hospitals the mass of human miseries of which the view is so humiliating to our pride, and so revolting to our delicacy."*

It is admitted by the catholics themselves-indeed by all the intelligent class that there are several orders of monks that have greatly degenerated as educators; but neither protestants nor catholics, that are competent judges, make any such charge against the principal female orders. On the contrary, it is universally admitted that the latter never taught more thoroughly than they do at the present moment. And to none does this remark apply more forcible than to the ladies of Loretto Abbey, whose principal institution is at Toronto, C. W., and which is patronized by some of the most distinguished protestant families in British America. In short, we are assured by both protestants and catholics, Americans and Canadians, in whose judgment we have implicit confidence, that there is no female institution in this country, on either side of the great lakes, belonging to any denomination or order that is doing nobler educational work, or contributing more to allay all sectarian bigotry, than this excellent seminary. The same order has two other academies in Canada, which are highly spoken of— one at Niagara Falls and the other at Hamilton.

The Sisters of Mercy are generally confounded, even by catholics, with the Sisters of Charity; but they are entirely different from each other. Both do much good; but the sisters of mercy do more, in proportion to their numbers, especially as educators, than the sisters of charity. The former are also more liberal in their sentiments towards protestants than the latter; and there is perhaps some reason for the apparent anomaly; in other words, they are less prejudiced, and have more of the genuine christian, conciliatory spirit towards "heretics." Thus it is that they are said to resemble the christian brothers much more than the sisters of charity.

The order of the sisters of charity was founded in 1633, near Paris, by St. Vincent de Paul, assisted by Madame de Gras; that of the sisters of mercy was founded in Dublin, in 1827, by Miss Catharine McAuley, who, though born of wealthy and highly respectable catholic

* Peut ètre n'est-il rien de plus grand sur la terre que le sacrifice que fait un sexe délicat, do la beauté, de la jeunesse, souvent de la haute naissance, pour soulager dans les hopitaux ce ramas de toutes les misères humaines, dont la vue est si humiliante pour l'orgneil, et si révovoltante pour notre delicatesse.-Dict. Philosph., art. “Abbaye.”

parents, was brought up as a protestant, having been left an orphan in early childhood. Catholics and protestants, who are afraid of placing their children under the literary tuition of those who differ from them in religion, may learn a useful lesson from the history of this exemplary lady, Although taught to be a protestant in her childhood, and thoroughly educated, no sooner did she attain the age of discretion, than she embraced the catholic faith with an ardor she might never have felt had she been educated in its doctrines. She inherited a fine fortune from her parents, but, like the good De la Salle, founder of the christian brothers, she devoted all, with her life, to the service of the poor. Inducing a number of other ladies to join her, she established an asylum for the destitute young women in her native city, together with a free school for children of the poor. Her noble efforts were approved, in turn, by Pius VIII. and Gregory XVI.; and in 1841, the latter pontiff formally confirmed the order of the sisters of mercy, which has now excellent academies, seminaries and schools, not only in England, Ireland and Scotland, the British colonies, the United States, &c., but also in almost every state of South America. The best in the United States is, we believe, the Academy of Mount St. Mary's, Manchester, N. H., whose prospectus is among those placed at the head of this article.

We have borne cheerful testimony on a former occasion to the educational efforts of the ladies of the Visitation.* None are more earnestly devoted to teaching; nor have any accomplished nobler results. The origin of the order of the visitation was similar to that of mercy. The former was founded by Madame de Chantal, a lady of high rank. large fortune, superior education and exalted piety. Although wishing to retire from the world at an early age, she complied with the wishes of her parents, and was induced to marry the Baron de Chantel. She did not prove less exemplary as a wife than as a daughter. She had several children whom she educated in the most careful and thorough manner, while intending all the time to spend her last days in a convent.

It is worthy of remark, in passing, that one of the children whom she so carefully and tenderly educated, became a distinguished officer, and was killed in 1627, while bravely defending the Isle of Re against the English; and that the one who met so glorious a death was the father of the celebrated Madame de Sévegné, whose admirable letters have been translated into thirty different languages. When the husband of Madame de Chantel died, and left her free again, it was thought she would retire at once; but her resolution was, not to part with her children until she could no longer be of any use to them. Accordingly, seeing, in 1610, that all were settled to her satisfaction, she retired from the world, and founded the order of the Visitation, which very soon became famous throughout Europe.t

SeN. Q. R.," No. xxxvi.. p. 376.

See Vie de I. F. Fremsit barronne de Chantel, par Beaufi's.

Nor has it ceased to this day to occupy the highest rank. That it is well represented in this country, will be readily admitted by all who are aware of the high character of the academies of the Visitation of Georgetown, D. C., and Mount de Chantel, near Wheeling, W. V. With our estimate of the latter institution our readers are already familiar. We have been honored with an invitation to visit the former also; but as we have not yet been able to avail ourselves of it, we extract the following from a well written, intelligent, recent article in one of our leading metropolitan journals, the writer of which has visited the institution, and been permitted to be present at all the principle recitations, &c.:

"From the commencement, this convent has been noted for the large number of accomplished and refined women who, from the highest circles in the states, left the outer world and became members of the order of visitation. Among those who are yet living, and, though over 70, still én full vigor of intellect and imparting knowledge, is the daughter of the distinguished Commodore Jones, of the American navy. Her knowledge at that time (fifty years since) of some of the modern languages, in which she spoke fluently, and her otherwise refined culture, rendered her a valuable acqusition to the academy, which already was patronized by the leading families, protestant and catholic, on account of the high tone of its educational advantages to pupils.

“There were, and have been since then, and are now within its walls, many members whose qualifications, birth and education have kept this institution one of superiority, and have sent forth from it women, year by year, who have adorned and benefited society. A few we recall from the families of Judge Gaston, the Carrols, Livingstons, de Blanc, niece of Secretary Seward, Hartiet Lane, Mother Angela Gilliespie, Superior General of the Holy Cross, Mrs. Douglas, the daughters of Madame Burtinatti, Mrs. Martin, head of the female college in Tennessee, Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren, Mrs. General Sherman, the daughters of Gen. Butler and Admiral Porter, Mrs. McMasters, now of New York, one of the most gifted among the pupils, and a crowd of others equally distinguished as accomplished, useful women in society. There are at present in the academy many of the daughters of our best families of the North and South."

Georgetown College and Georgetown Academy of the Visitation are two institutions of which any city might well be proud. We should, indeed, wish the college to have the advantage of a more enlightened and anore judicious rector than it has been its destiny to be ruled by for some three or four years past. This has somewhat obscured its fame; but the reputation of the new provincial for good, sound sense, as well as learning, is such that the friends of the institution may soon expect a change which, ere long, will renovate its brilliant and enviable prestige. We cannot help thinking, however, that, in the meantime, the parents and guardians of young ladies educated at Georgetown will have much more reason for congratulation than those of the young men educated at the same justly famous seat of learning.

The Scholar's Companion; containing Exercises in the Orthography, Derivation, and Classification of English Words. With an Introduction and Copious Index. By RUFUS W. BAILEY. A new edition thoroughly revised. 16mo, pp. 312. Philadelphia: E. H. Butler & Co. 1870.