STAR-GAZERS

N life generally people may be roughly classified as belonging to one or other of the two divisions indicated in Stevenson's lines:

Two men looked out through their prison bars;

The one saw mud, the other stars.

There are those-and they are numerous-young and old, rich and poor, who see what they look for, but who do not behold that for which they do not look. Let us take an ordinary case in family life. How great a factor for good, how potent in the maintenance of cheerfulness, contentment, peacemaking, is the bringer-out of the best qualities in the characters of others, the member who "sees the stars," who persistently refuses to look down on the mud caused by human infirmities, by sin and sadness, by that through which we all, are more or less forced to walk, or who, if he does see it, holds fast to his optimistic view of the situation.

Two members of the family are in opposition, living ever on the verge of a quarrel-the "star-gazer" does his best to avoid those subjects likely to bring them into verbal collision, tactfully changes them, or distracts the attention of one or other person, while the "mud-finder," by his very attitude, makes

matters worse.

Fault-finding is such easy work! One grieves to hear it said that women are supposed to make better telegraph clerks than men, because of their proficiency and natural aptitude for detecting errors. Though this may have value in commercial or other labour, it does not by any means make for peace in the home-circle, where the seer of good qualities, the finder of little-known virtues in others, does work of love; strengthening, sustaining, encouraging, cheering, those who, perchance, need all this to make those virtues flourish and increase.

Why look at the mud instead of the stars? Again I may quote Stevenson's charming verse

There is so much of bad in the best of us,
There is so much of good in the worst of us,
That it ill-behoves any of us,

To rail at the faults of the rest of us.

There are some people who seem to think," as Father Faber says in one of his poems, 'that there is a special merit in detecting the faults of others," and an American writer says very wisely: "To be swift to discern the faults and follies of others, does not argue the possession of superiority. It takes far less insight to discover defects than to discern noble and lovely qualities. 'It requires a god to know a god.' Noble people recognise each other intuitively.'

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One is often reminded of these wise words when listening to ordinary conversation, especially when occurring among people whose limited repertoire of subjects seems to drive them on to personalities, to discussing people rather than things or places-what is known as parochial chat, having this quality very markedly evident. Instead of looking for the good qualities, say, in the parish clergy, how frequently their characters are pulled to pieces, each fault dragged into the light, every failing exaggerated, instead of-if they are spoken of at alltheir many excellent traits of character being dwelt on, the good they do or have done, the kindness shown, the self-denial exercised the something or things about which it is best to speak, if, as I say, they are brought under discussion at all.

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Try to see stars in your surroundings, dear reader; in the circumstances of life to which you did not come by accident," but which go to make the very place God meant for you," in which your character could be developed, where Christian virtues could be practised, where He could be served and glorified, your own eternal salvation being efficiently worked

out.

Do not look at the poor surroundings of your home, the squalor of the dingy street, the smutty trees, the dismal vista of many backs of squalid houses; but conquer your own difficulties by making your habitation as bright as you can. Much will be effected by hands which work with a will, by hearts which are determined to make the best of things. This attitude of mind being infectious, is capable of stirring up others to do the like.

The force of habit is so great, that if you begin to star-gaze, and do it constantly and from principle, little by little the habit will be formed which will prove a mighty factor for good. In the memoirs of Sergeant Bellasis we read, "It is well to praise in people some sign of the virtues you wish them to possess . . also "Never imagine slights, or if such should

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occur, persist in putting a good construction upon them." These are some marks of "star-gazers."

How much they lose, those lovers of gazing down on the muddy ground! How much gain in faith, in courage, in the strengthening of all that makes the Christian strong, do those star-gazers" acquire! To none is it too late to join the ranks of the "star-gazers," and they will find life more beautiful, their way more perfect, and their steps guided more surely to where they may gaze for ever on the Light of all stars.

PAUL HASTINGS.

HIS TEMPLES

EARTH builded for its God a fane;
And God it pleased to hear the choirs
Of bird and beast, of wind and rain,
From forests raising temple spires.

Man builded for his God a shrine

Of stone and gold; and every morn
By mystery of the Bread and Wine
God blessed it-Christ again was born.

God builded for the living God

Not temples dead of tree and stone;
O blessed man, once worthless clod,
Now living church for God's own throne.

REV. HUGH F. BLUNT.

I. Lourdes. Ingleborg Lund. 2s. 6d. net.)

SOME NEW BOOKS

By Johannes Jörgensen. Translated by
London: Longmans, Green & Co. (Price

Another book on Lourdes! There are many already, but there is always room in plenty and welcome for a book by so distinguished a writer as the Danish Convert, Johannes Jörgensen, who has written so admirably about St. Francis of Assisi. The sincerity, the charm, the apparent simplicityreally concealing finished skill and artistry-which are evident in his Life of St. Francis, are here again to be found. He tells first the story of Bernadette and the Apparitions; then he proceeds to describe Lourdes as he found it, and he is most successful in conveying a true and touching impression of the place: of its scenery, its fascination, the sensations and the religious atmosphere that invest the most famous of Mary's shrines. Here and there we come on deeply moving descriptions of the mingled suffering and hope of the piteous sick, and of the generous self-sacrifice of the hospitaliers. Incidentally he gives an account of several of the cures, and considers the attempts of scientist unbelievers to explain them away on natural grounds. It is a really beautiful book, beautiful if considered simply as literature, more beautiful still for its joyous appreciation of the higher things, the glorious works of God. Indeed, it is a standing argument against his own pessimistic views about the future of Catholic literature, expressed in his conversation with an Irish priest (Chapter XVI). Several excellent illustrations, and a preface by Mr. Hilaire Belloc, go to enhance its value.

2. The Religious Poems of Richard Crashaw. With an introductory study by R. A. Eric Shepherd, M.A. London: B. Herder. (Price Is. net.)

There is every reason to justify the inclusion of this volume in the Catholic Library Series, the aim of which is to bring into prominence the "best of English Catholic Literature." Crashaw is a poet to whom criticism has given much less than his due; for, while Protestants have very naturally failed to understand and appreciate him fully, it is to be feared that Catholics on their part are not as well acquainted with him as his high qualities deserve. Born in 1613 and dying in 1649,

he belongs to the "Metaphysical " movement in English poetry, and is, in fact, often regarded as the culmination of that movement. Yet he is more than a "metaphysical " poet, for, with the intellectual agility of his school, he combined an ardent religious enthusiasm which gives his work its truly lyric quality. The present volume includes over thirty poems selected from the three original editions of Crashaw's works (Steps to the Temple; Carmen Deo Nostro, and Delights of the Muses). All the poems from Carmen Deo Nostro are given, together with some three or four from the other works; and although the title may seem to imply that this is a selection somewhat narrowed in scope, yet it will be found that Crashaw's best and most characteristic work is fully represented. The introductory study is both biographical and critical, and offers some useful suggestions for the right appreciation of the poems. It alludes, of course, to the well-known extravagances of the "metaphysical" school, and accounts for them, in Crashaw's case at least, as being the result of ecstasy. It is noteworthy, however, that these defects are least frequent wherever the poet seems genuinely inspired; hence one is rather inclined to ascribe them to a want of humour and of self-criticism, and to the influence of the prevailing literary fashion. In other respects the introduction is worthy of praise and attention. It rightly insists upon the importance of Crashaw's temperament, conversion, and mysticism as influences on his poetry, and points out that though he does not preach, he is none the less a truly religious poet, for "a hymn may be as inspiring as any homily." Few critics have been as just to Crashaw as Mr. Shepherd.

3. Perilous Seas. By E. Gallienne Robin. London: R. & T. Washbourne, Ltd. (Price 3s. 6d. net.)

This is a tale of the days of the French Revolution. Emigrés come to settle in the island of Guernsey, bringing their refinement and their Catholic Faith into the narrowly Protestant community of the island. Love affairs and the development of this religious influence ensue, and form the substance of the story. It is agreeably told, and interest is consistently maintained. The characters are drawn cleverly and faithfully: Escapes and adventures are not wanting, but it moves at a quiet, leisurely pace that is in keeping with the quiet old-world life in the little island a hundred years ago. The customs and the habits of the Guernsey folk are skilfully interwoven in the story and increase the air of reality. Both emigrés and islanders follow with deep interest the news that trickles in from Paris