* * * * * Referring to the Letter of the Holy Father to Cardinal Manning and the Bishops of England, which we give elsewhere, the _Moniteur de Rome_ says that it constitutes "the recompense and the consecration" of the noble and heroic efforts of his Eminence and the English Episcopate in the cause of Christian education. * * * * * The 22nd of February is the anniversary of the birth of George Washington. We give many incidents of his life in this issue of our MAGAZINE. * * * * * THE IRISH CONVENTION.--Patrick Egan, president of the Irish National League of America, has received a cablegram from T. M. Harrington, M.P., secretary of the National League in Ireland, in which he states that Mr. Parnell will not be able to attend the League convention intended to be held in Chicago in January next, and that he is "inclined to think it best to postpone the convention until after the meeting of parliament in February." It is, doubtless, the desire of the Irish party to know with some definiteness the probable outcome of the present situation before making any authoritative announcement of their plans, or before sending any message to their American brothers; and it also seems that they regard Mr. Parnell's constant presence on the scene of negotiations as indispensable. The convention, in accordance with this suggestion, is, therefore, postponed to a date to be determined upon hereafter between the executive of the American League and Mr. Parnell. Mr. Egan will call the National Committee of the American League together some day in January, by which time there may be information from Ireland enabling a definite date to be fixed for the convention. * * * * * MUNSTER BANK.--In reply to a letter from Mr. T. N. Stack to the liquidators, inquiring when the sum of L500,000 now in their hands would be distributed amongst the creditors, the liquidators of the Munster Bank have written to say that there is L650,000 in hands, that the mere routine work of arranging for a dividend occupies a considerable time, but that they expect to pay an instalment in March. PRIVILEGES FOR MAYNOOTH.--In reply to a petition from the Irish Episcopate, the Holy Father, through the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda, has granted to the Superiors of St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, the privilege of presenting students for ordination to the Diaconate and Subdiaconate on days which are ordinary doubles. This important concession, however, can be made use of only once in the year. * * * * *