most distant extremes from all sides come together, and to which they look up as to a common centre and emporium of the faith". This being the case, it becomes a cardinal point to show the unbroken connection between Rome and Ireland through all the chequered course of our history. If she be not sent, how shall she preach? This central truth is the subject of Dr. Moran's two books, although under a different aspect in each. He could not have rendered better service to our Church than by establishing so clearly and firmly as he has done, that Saint Patrick had his mission from Rome, and that the Irish Church was never merged in the so-called Church of the Reformation. Under any circumstances, such a work would be entitled to our gratitude. But the exceptional circumstances of the times were such as to make its appearance a real necessity. Dr. Todd, of Trinity College, in his _Memoir of Saint Patrick_, added his honoured name to the list of those who deny that Saint Patrick's mission to our island had any connection with, or sanction from, the Roman Pontiff, Celestine. In his preface to the same work he lays down the theory that the new Irish Church, which was long in opposition to the church of the English Pale, at last combined with it in embracing the reformed creed. In face of such assertions, coming from such a source, and which, as we have seen, strike at the very heart of our ecclesiastical glory, we had need of a work conceived in good temper, executed with scholarly precision, and giving proof as well of extensive acquaintance with our ancient records, as of critical skill in their interpretation. These qualities we find in Dr. Moran's works. In addressing himself to his task, he starts from the principle, that as being a question of facts, it must be discussed on its intrinsic merits, and decided by the mere authority of historical records and critical arguments. To this principle he carefully adheres to the close.