constant invitation which the Brothers hold out to all interested in education to call at any time, either at examinations, or during school-hours, to question their students. Again, this employing of Protestant professors demonstrates that with the Brothers the merit of a professor, as a professor, is the only thing, apart from morality, which weighs in their estimation. Jealous or illogical people seek to found an argument against the Brothers on the fact that they employ considerable secular help in their colleges and academies. That the Brothers excite such jealousy is the greatest compliment that can be paid them, for we are told that "only such persons as avoid causing jealousy are worthy of it.”

Sometimes, say such critics, the Brothers employ those professors in the highest classes. It would be unjust to think evil of all who make these accusations, for we believe some do so in good faith, being impressed with these ideas, by others who should, and probably do, know better. Our view of the case is this: The Brothers are so much sought after by the more intelligent bishops and priests that they are obliged to distribute their numbers in many directions, giving sometimes little more than the required force to direct the establishments, leaving many of the classes to be filled by selected assistants. In many cases, where clergymen cannot receive a full quota of Brothers, they insist that at least some shall be sent to direct the schools. This holds true of parochial schools, as well as of colleges and academies. One of the finest Brothers' schools. in the country is managed in this way, there being, we think, but three Brothers out of sixteen teachers. Were the services of the Brothers less in demand, it might be possible to have all the professorships filled by them. Under present circumstances it would be simply impossible. But supposing, as the fault-finders say, the Brothers take the liberty of teaching only certain branches, what does this prove? Why, just this, that they do not pretend to know everything, and do not think they can master all that they do not yet know. Being more honest than ambitious, they limit themselves to a certain number of studies which they completely master, leaving to selected professors the remaining branches. Taking

even the malicious view of the case, which is sometimes suggested, that the Brothers are not capable men; even in this case, since they are honest enough to employ outside help when their opponents pretend they are not properly instructed themselves, the very act of so employing assistance prevents a confiding public from being a loser by misplaced (?) confidence.*

Again, in the highest classes, generally speaking, the number of students is quite small, and if Brothers taught these classes, they would be taken from the care of much larger numbers in the lower classes. We know that the earlier training is the keystone to after-progress. Any one can teach scholars who have been thoroughly grounded, for this preparation awakens love of science and desire to improve. With this preparation, teachers from without, who are competent to teach, but not to manage large numbers, find employment in every way suited to their ability. Where there is but a choice, the Brothers select the hard part of the work for themselves. In any case, then, it is clear that the Brothers act in a straightforward manner, and that their conduct will bear the closest scrutiny.

Since we have undertaken to speak thus far of the Brothers, let us be permitted to say a word about their taking charge of pay-schools of any grade; for some contend that they should not do so. We hold that, so far from going out of their sphere, they act only in keeping with the strictest justice. In the first place, Brothers never open such schools without the consent, nay, without the most urgent appeals and reiterated solicitations of the highest ecclesiastical authorities; hence, those in lower positions should have nothing to say in the matter. Supposing that the Brothers did not, for the first century and a half of their existence, take charge of those

* "The least that can be said of the Brothers is that that they are as able as secular teachers. Free from domestic trouble, they consecrate, each day, precious moments, to study. Moreover, they are not obliged, like seculars, to study without a guide, for they find among their Brothers men of ability in various specialties to instruct and in form them in science itself."-Les Frèes en Amerique.

advanced, or pay-schools, what argument could be founded upon this assumption, against their now controlling such institutions? But the author of a resolution or law must be supposed to understand its spirit. Now, it is known that the Abbé De la Salle maintained his first novitiate by the proceeds from such schools. In whom should we have the greater confidence; in the physician who for the first twenty years of his profession limits himself to the study and practice of the elements of his calling, or to the charlatan who, at the very outset, pretends to cure all the ills to which flesh is heir? It would likewise be next to useless, save for personal gratification, that the Brothers should, as they are required, devote themselves to earnest and continued study, if they were only to teach primary schools. The same would apply to pastors who are placed in country parishes-should they limit themselves to the study of the parable of the husbandman, or the lesson of the vineyard? What of Copernicus, who in his country parish went so far beyond the needs of his parishoners that he afterwards revolutionized the existing system of astronomy ?

Again, in this country, where the Brothers have to fight their way through every sort of opposition; where they have to support their own normal school, and where they have so persistently refused questionable aid, by what other means, save by their academies and colleges, could they meet the great demands upon them? It certainly could not be by means of the miserable pittance which they allow themselves in their free schools-a stipend so small, that were it not, we are told, for the academies generally attached to them, the Brothers could not meet their expenses. Who, with any sentiment of fair-play in his nature could object to so honorable a method, or course of action?

It is a well-ascertained fact that all religious bodies, not employed in teaching, and several that are, give the most unequivocal testimony to the Christian Brothers. Thus, the Rev. F. Müller, one of the most prominent members of the Redemptorist Society, is not afraid to declare in his "Public School Education," that "These men (the Brothers) are pro

foundly learned in all the sciences. They have abandoned home, friends, and have devoted themselves for a scanty support to the education of youth." The Abbé Gaume, the learned author of many works, and one of the most powerful writers on education, says: "God came to the succor of the faith by many religious congregations, especially that of the Christian Brothers." "Their founder," he says, "drew up rules far superior to those given by men of the world for the instruction of youth." The most prominent member of the Augustinian order in America, the Very Rev. P. E. Moriarty, in a recent article, bestows like praise on the Christian Brothers. One of the most learned of the clergy in the archdiocese of New York, a student of the Christian Brothers, and a most accomplished historian and antiquary, declared at a meeting of the Christian Brothers' schools, in Steinway Hall, in presence of various members of religious orders: "If we wish to save our children from the atmosphere of vice by which they are surrounded, let us educate them as Christians in a Christian school, taught by the Christian Brothers."

Dr. Barnard says: "Any description of popular education in Europe would be incomplete which would not give prominence to the Institute of the Christian Brothers, including in this term the earliest professional school for the training of teachers in Europe."

The opponents of the Christian Brothers pay them, indirectly, the greatest compliment, for they move heaven and earth, and then think the trouble well repaid if they can secure a few boys from the Brothers' common schools. Thus, without knowing it, do they give an eloquent testimony to the efficiency of the Brothers as teachers.

We had almost forgotten a terrible accusation which we have frequently heard made against the Christian Brothers :*

* Une preuve du cas que l'on fait de leur enseignement et de leurs livres classiques, c'est qu'en 1848 plusiers furent l'objet de contrefaçons; ainsi leur Traité d' Arithmétique, l' Abrégé de l'Histoire du Canada et l' Abrégée Géographie. Tout le monde s'accorde à dire qu'ils ont rendu un très-grand service à l'instruction par leurs livres classiques, bien rédigés et parfaitement adaptés à l'intelligence des enfants.-Les Frères en Am.

"They write no books." Well, the fact is that they have too much active work on hand to allow them time for book-making. It is false, however, to say that the Brothers write no books. Their present Superior-General has written no less than eight or ten different volumes, which havė been translated into nearly all the modern languages. The Brothers in France have the best series of school-books ever published, and which American publishers would do well to study. Their system of drawing, as we have seen, is declared superior to all other methods, this having been decided at the late French Exhibition, where, as the president of the jury announced, the Brothers had saved the honor of France in the department under which drawing was classed. The Brothers in Canada havė published, or are now publishing, all their own books. The Brothers in the United States have not as yet published any series of text-books, though they have issued several independent volumes. But what would be proved against the Brothers did they never publish a book? Do our best physicians, those having immense practice, publish many books? Is this department not rather taken up almost exclusively by the quacks and charlatans who infest the land? So much for the question of publishing books.* Thus we see that the slightest investigation of those high-sounding charges made against the Brothers, as a literary body, fail, when subjected to the logic of facts. Far from envying their neighbors in this or any other respect, the Brothers rejoice when they find the work in which they engage successfully pursued by others. Says the Figaro : "The Brothers claim no monopoly, not even that of selfsacrifice. Liberty to all, even to those who wish to give their blood and their vigils for their country, claiming in return only the right to do good."

Before concluding this paper, a few words may be allowed, in a journal which, without being the organ of any denomina

* Besides, many works are published by Brothers in France, under their own names, among which may be mentioned the learned and venerable works of Brother Ogerien on Mineralogy, reviewed in a former number of this journal. Within the last six months no less than four or five books have been issued by as many different Brothers.