As a study of diction, Dr. Newman's works are richly worth whatever they cost. We doubt if any author of the time has done more to bring both writers and speakers down from the stilts formerly thought essential in the expression of thought. Almost unconsciously, the leaven of his pure idiomatic English has worked, until its influence is shown in a large number of written and spoken productions, both at home and abroad. As a reflex of a truthful, honest soul, deeply solicitous for the spiritual welfare of his kind, they have a pathos and unction which will have an ever-increasing influence as time goes on. The first of the above-mentioned volumes embraces the matter which bore the title, _The Church of the Fathers_, on its first appearance in the _British Magazine_; and the latter was published as _The Scope and Nature of University Education_. SACRED ELOQUENCE; OR, THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PREACHING. By Rev. Thomas J. Potter. Troy: P. J. Dooley. 1873. This work is too well known to require any notice at our hands, having received the warmest commendation of the hierarchy and press on its first appearance in England. While this edition will hardly please those who are fastidious in the matter of print and paper, it presents an argument to the pockets of purchasers which many of our seminarians will highly appreciate. Our clerical readers are already aware that the _Sacred Eloquence_ was prepared for the author's own class in the Missionary College of All Hallows, and resulted from the necessity felt for a work adapted to English-speaking students in that department. BOOKS RECEIVED. From BURNS, OATES & CO., London (New York: Sold by The Catholic Publication Society): Sermons for all Sundays and Festivals of the Year. By J. N. Sweeney, D.D. Vol. II. 12mo, pp. vi. 498.--Spain and Charles VII. By Gen Kirkpatrick. 8vo, pp. 87.--A Theory of the Fine Arts. By S. M. Lanigan, A.B., T.C.D. 12mo, pp. xiii. 194. From D. & J. SADLIER & CO., New York: Bible History. By Rev. James O'Leary, D.D. 12mo, pp. 480. From HENRY HOLT & CO.: Dimitri Roudine. By Ivan Turgénieff. 18mo, pp. 271. From BENZIGER BROS., New York: Neue Fibel, oder: Erstes Lesebuch, für die Deutschen Katholischen Schulen in den Vereinigten Staaten von Nord-America. Bearbeitet von mehreren Priestern und Lehrern.--Zweites Lesebuch, und Drittes Lesebuch, of the same series 12mo, pp. 58, 120, and 276. From KELLY, PIET & CO., Baltimore: A Course of Philosophy, embracing Logic, Metaphysics, and Ethics. By Rev. A. Louage, C.S.C. 12mo, pp. THE CATHOLIC WORLD. VOL. XVIII., No. 104.--NOVEMBER, 1873.[49] SPIRITUALISM. CHAPTER I. "Spiritus sunt vagi, et insinceri, pervolantes et perscrutantes."--_S. Max. Taur., Tract. iv., Cont. Pag._