of his youthful conferences with wisdom. She initiated him into her councils, and procured for him love, respect, honour, confidence, authority and command. She enabled him to "set the people in order" by good government, and an impartial, disinterested administration of it; when all public duties were fulfilled, and he "went to his house" to repose himself, "no tediousness or bitterness" mingled themselves in their conversation; but "joy and gladness," serenity of mind, and the pleasing conviction of conscious integrity.

Providence having preserved and lengthened his days, that he might rear up his country in the infancy of her independence, suffered him now to withdraw himself from the disquietudes of government. He had infused the spirit of his administration into all its departments. His excellent successor inherited, not only the mantle of his office, but his wisdom, firmness, and love of peace, subordinate only to a determination of never purchasing it at the price of national dishonour.

Washington beheld from his retirement, as the Jewish legislator from the summit of mount Phasga, the flourishing prosperity of his country. Health and rural occupations sweetened his repose: his body and mind retained their usual vigour. We flattered ourselves with the expectation of his continuing long to retain them. Joy beamed in our hearts, when on every annual revolution, we gratefully hailed this, his auspicious birth-day. But, alas! how dark is the cloud, that now overshadows it! The songs of festivity converted into the throbs of mourning! The prayers of thanksgiving for his health and life changed into lamentations for his death! Who feels not for him, as for his dearest friend, his protector, and his father? Whilst he lived, we seemed to stand on loftier ground, for breathing the same air, inhabiting the same country, and enjoying the same constitution and laws, as the sublime and magnanimous Washington. He was invested with a glory, that shed a lustre on all around him. For his country's safety he often had braved death, when clad in his most terrific form: he had familiarized himself with his aspect; at his approaching to cut the thread of his life, he beheld him with constancy and serenity; and with his last breath, as we may believe from knowing the ruling passion of his soul, he called to

heaven to save his country, and recommended it to the continual protection of that Providence, which he so reverently adored. May his prayers have been heard! May these United States flourish in pure and undefiled religion, in morality, peace, union, liberty and the enjoyment of their excellent constitution, as long as respect, honour, and veneration shall gather round the name of Washington; that is, whilst there shall be any surviving record of human events.

THE LENTEN MONITOR,

Or moral reflections and devout aspirations on the Gospels for each day, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday--by the Rev. P. Baker. Baltimore, P. Blenkinsop, 12mo. pp. 259.

THERE are few books better adapted to Lent, than this excellent work of Baker. In a style, at once pleasing and instructive, and with a piety which breathes in every page, he conveys to the reader the substance and pith of those portions of the sacred gospels, selected by the wisdom of the church, for every day in lent. Most books of a spiritual nature are written in a style too dry and didactic to interest every class of readers: and, indeed, so general is this defect, that it is with difficulty that young persons can be persuaded to take up a book professedly religious. What we very much stand in need of in this country, are works of piety and morality, written in a manner which would please all, by the propriety and elegance of the composition. Did we possess such books, it would no longer be necessary, in order to acquire a style, to have recourse to productions, not merely profane, but frequently dangerous. What a delight is it not for the French reader to instruct himself not only in his religion, but in the minutest principles of perfection, by the classic writings of a Fenelon, a Bossuet, a Massillon, a Bourdaloue, a Flechier, and so many others. In Italian, too, we may learn the most refined devotion in the most elegant style. Who has not heard of a Segneri, a Bartoli, a Pinnamonti, &c. &c.? There are, certainly, in the English language, several spiritual works of high standing; such as Manning's moral entertain

ments, Parson's directory, Gother, &c.; and among these, the "monitor," which is now under consideration, deserves to hold not the last place. The recommendation of it, by the Archbishops of Ireland, will convince the reader, that this praise is not exaggerated or unmerited. "We highly approve," write those respectable Prelates, "of the publication of BAKER'S WORKS, and recommend them to the perusal of the faithful, as eminently calculated to convey to persons of every station, solid and practical information, and to awaken in every breast sentiments of pure devotion. The simplicity, perspicuity, and purity of style in which the divine truths are unfolded, admirably adapt these reflections to all capacities. The Pastor will find them useful in his closet, and at the altar; and the laity will learn from them to meditate with fruit on the life and passion of the Redeemer, and dispose themselves to rise with Christ, and seek the things that are above."

As an instance of the style of the "Lenten Monitor," we subjoin the following extract, page 106.

"In the order of charity, our zeal should be first directed to ourselves, and then towards others. If we are careless of ourselves, how can it be expected we should have any sincere regard for our neighbour; for how is it possible that those who are indifferent about their own salvation, should give themselves any concern about the salvation of others? I speak not here of those whose character and office oblige them to take care of those under their charge, but of Christians in general, who ought to have a zeal for the spiritual good of each other. Such ought in the first place, be careful that their lives are conformable to the maxims of the gospel, and then they are well qualified to exercise their zeal towards their neighbour, and endeavour to reclaim him from vice to virtue; for what can be more ridiculous, than for a blasphemer to reprimand another for swearing, or for a drunkard to preach sobriety; the answer to such would undoubtedly be: Physician cure thyself. We forfeit a just pretence to reform others, when we do not correct ourselves; it is for this reason our blessed Lord gives to such, this severe reproof: Why dost thou see a mote in thy brother's eye, and dost not behold the beam in thy own eye? Hypocrite, first draw the beam out

of thy own eye, and then thou shalt see to draw the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew, vii.) We must first exercise our zeal in reforming those abuses of which ourselves may be guilty. Where this rule is not observed, our zeal will be not only unprofitable to ourselves, but of little service to others."

As the season of lent has arrived, it would be adviseable for the faithful to procure this instructive and pious work, which will be of use to them and their children, every succeeding year.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF BLESSED ALPHONSUS LIGUORI.

ALPHONSUS Liguori was born at Naples, in the year 1696. In his earliest youth, he was the model of his equals, for application to study, fervour in prayer, charity towards the poor and the sick, and many other virtues. So rapid was his progress in the sciences, that, at the age of sixteen, he was received Doctor of Canon and Civil law. In 1723, he embraced the ecclesiastical life; from which epoch, he approached, almost every day, the holy sacraments; he devoted himself with increased zeal to study, and delighted in visiting Churches and Hospitals. Raised to the dignity of the Priesthood, in 1726, he divided his time between the confessional and the pulpit, and exhausted himself by the ardour of his exertions, to such a degree, that he fell dangerously sick.

Actuated by this intense zeal, he instituted a congregation, which diffused itself, in a short time, through Italy, and was approved by Benedict XIV., in his brief dated 25th of February, 1749, in which that great Pontiff lavishes his praises on the zeal and holiness of Liguori.

He was accustomed to meditate several hours of the day: it may be said, that his life was a continual prayer, and that he was always united to God. His ordinary food consisted of herb-soup, to which he added some fruit: he never used meat or fish. On Saturdays, he took but one meal, and that commonly was nothing but bread and water. He slept only five hours, on a hard pallet. In winter he never approached the fire.

The reputation of his sanctity, and the miracles which he wrought, attracted vast multitudes to his sermons: on leaving the pulpit he repaired to the confessional. He refused none; even at the moment when called to his meals, or at the hour for retiring to sleep: and far from evincing any impatience, he received all with the greatest charity and kindness.

Being appointed Bishop, he ceded the episcopal apartment to his Vicar General, and reserved for himself two or three small rooms with naked walls, furnished with a few chairs, a hard bed, a book-case, and a table. His meals were the same as before his consecration, but for strangers he had other dishes provided.

His zeal for ecclesiastical discipline was great, his solicitude for the clergy extraordinary. He wished his clergymen to be at once learned and pious, and to this end, procured able professors, and a good library. He founded monasteries and houses of refuge and retirement. He was extremely assiduous in the visitation of his Diocess; from which duty, neither the badness of the weather, nor the distance of places, nor the roughness of the roads, could ever deter him. He was the father of the poor and the helpless: his palace was open to them at all hours; in his journeys he never sent one away unaided. He caused a list to be made of all the poor in the different parishes, and afforded them assistance every month. Twice a week he visited the prisoners, payed their debts, and afforded relief to their families. He paid for the education of young ecclesiastics who had not the means to proceed in their studies, and provided for the wants of Priests who had grown infirm and inefficient, in the ministry.

In 1775, he abdicated his bishopric. In his eightieth year, though wasted with infirmities, mortification, and penance, instead of giving himself to repose, he continued to preach, to study, and compose works of piety. At length, not being able to go out, he spent eight or ten hours daily, before the Blessed Sacrament. He expired in the odour of sanctity, in the ninetieth year of his age, on the first of August, 1786.

Immediately after his death, King Ferdinand IV., six Cardinals, the Patriarch of Venice, twelve Archbishops, seven VicarsCapitulary, sixty Chapters, and the most distinguished regular orders, solicited Pius VI., to proceed to his beatification. On the