such parties as now exist, that is by the faithful generally, by individual bishops, &c., and even by those who now hold even the Papal dignity, as they now hold it.

And in what are they bound to obey? In those things which belong to Faith and the extirpation of the said schism, and the general Reformation of the Church of God in (its) Head and members. It is to be observed that the mention of Faith does not occur in the earlier extant copies of this decree. But its mention causes no serious difficulty. There need be no question of final definitions of Faith by the Council, but only of causes regarding Faith-trials of persons even of Papal dignity, on charges appertaining to Faith-the enforcement of former definitions, &c. The other words concern disciplinary

matters.

The whole, then, of the first decree, comes to this: that this particular Council, under existing circumstances, is Divinely authorized to settle all that now requires to be settled, including very specially the termination of the schism and all steps needed for this object, and among the rest the setting aside of doubtful Popes, or of a Pope convicted of heresy; and that, with relation to this object, all, even of Papal dignity, are obliged to obey the Council, that is all those persons who are at present in any way invested with Papal dignity are so bound.

The second Decree (passed in the fifth session) extends to any other Council the right to be obeyed by all. But here there is question of another Council legitimately assembled and, of course, legitimately sitting, there is question too of mandates and precepts concerning the premisses or other things thereunto belonging. Now this may be well understood of another Council called to put an end to this schism, or at most, a similar schism. The Council of Constance was the second General Council which had been convoked for the purpose of extinguishing this particular schism, and it was far from clear that one or more additional Councils might not still be required for the same purpose. John had, at this time, fled from the Council, called, as it was,. and opened, by himself, and there might be reason to apprehend that he would try to put an end to it.

The words of the decrees admit of the explanation I have given of them, and therefore they may at least be so taken. Add to this that the Council, circumstanced as it was, can hardly be presumed to have set about defining a doctrine which neither concerned the actual state of things nor belonged to any controversy with the heretics of the period, a doctrine too that had much appearance of novelty and was never dominant in the Church before or since. It was not unnatural, on the other hand, that the Council should lay down what regarded its own authority for the time being, and in as strong and comprehensive terms as could well be employed. The statement contained in the decrees is, no doubt, emphatic and full and impressive in the variety and legal formality of its terms, and no wonder, if we consider its bearing with reference to the Council's action. I will say more later on of the precise character and nature of this statement; I do not mean as to its truth nor as to its sense-though the sense is thence

illustrated-but as to its object in the mind of the Council, and its dogmatic position.

Now, turning for a moment to the Vatican definition; this definition treats of the Roman Pontiff in what may be called his normal state, that is to say, where he is the undoubtedly genuine Vicar of Christ, whether good or bad as to his conduct, provided he be not personally an external heretic. The sense of the Vatican definition regarding the Pope's Infallibility and his superiority over the Church and its other pastors, distributively and collectively, and over Councils, is unmistakable. The Decrees of Constance ought, or at the very least can, be understood of doubtful Popes. The Vatican definition, as a matter of course, regards certain and not doubtful Popes and must be understood of the infallibility of such Popes and their superiority over Councils, &c. In all this there is no mutually destructive opposition. between decrees and decrees.

THE CANTICLE OF THE VOWS.
(From the French.)

OR ever, when of this glad feast, to me unworthy given,

FOR

More vivid comes the memory which ne'er can be forgot,
My heart and tongue shall never tire of asking Earth and Heaven
To bless my God for sending me such glorious, happy lot.
O sacred fetters, bind me well, my rapture and my crown!

The union I have vowed to-day not death itself shall sever.
If all the crowns of earth were mine, I'd gladly fling them down
To bind myself to Jesus' Heart for ever and for ever.

For ever and for ever, O POVERTY, my mother!

I'll cling with trustful fondness to thy hallowing embrace.
The shrinking and the cowardice of nature I will smother

By gazing on the smile that lights thy pale, etherial face.
And if, O sacred Poverty, thou biddest me to seek

From door to door my daily bread, I'll cheerfully endeavour,
Though I should be all shelterless and none a kind word speak,
Still, as my mother, thee to love for ever and for ever.

For ever, Virtue fair and sweet, O thou whose peerless beauty
Makes dim the whitest lilies that o'er limpid waters shine-
For ever in my heart, absorbed in prayer and cheerful duty,
Serenely thou shalt reign as queen, O PURITY divine!
Beloved and prized thou needs must be by ev'ry child of Mary,
With love like that wherewith on high the blessed thrill and quiver
And, in a world whose evil charms ensnare so oft th' unwary,
May my poor heart be true to thee and cherish thee for ever!

For ever and for ever unto Thy will most holy

OBEDIENCE, O almighty Lord! my heart and mind shall pay :
Without delay or pause or fear, at Thy soft whisper solely,

My will and judgment unto Thee I'll immolate for aye.
Jesus, my King! ah, grant that I may be at all times faithful-
Obeying Thee, my God, in all, through love alone for ever.
Yes, rather let me die than live rebellious and ungrateful-
Dispute Thy slightest wish or word? Dear Jesus, never! never!

For ever, Mother Mary, beneath thy sheltering wing

I'll place these holy, happy vows which I have vowed to-day.
O faithful guardian! still to thee I'll humbly, fondly cling,

And may the gen'rous hopes I feel fade not with time away!
Ah! sinful earth is still around, and earth and hell and sin
From heaven above and God and thee will strive my soul to sever:
Be thou, O Virgin! my defence, and I shall surely win,
And I shall love thee then indeed for ever and for ever.]

M. R.

NOTES IN THE BIG HOUSE.

NEVER were our wards more full than just now, and never did they look brighter and pleasanter. It is always a nice time with us when we have a good many convalescents hopping about, and sitting up ready to look round the world (our own little world) and be amused at everything. Our little friends at a distance would like to see Mary K—, who for six months lay unable to move on her couch in one of the windows, now sitting up, dressed, with her crutches by her side, and such a bright, happy face! What do you think but Mary was heard to whisper a wish for a game of "blind man's buff" the other day. It couldn't be thought of, you know, for the doctor is still very careful of Mary's back, but the poor little woman felt quite eager to enter into the fun of the game.

Another sight our young protectors would be glad to see is our little deaf and dumb child who has had a crooked foot made straight, and is constantly trotting about the wards after a go-cart. Though she cannot speak she can shriek her delight at the exercise, and is very quick to understand signs that are made to her. She is a dear little intelligent creature, and the doctors, I am glad to say, have some slight hope that her deafness may not be incurable.

Jamie, one of our nicest little cripples, has gone home, having made his First Communion with us. He was very earnest about this, and learned eagerly of holy things. The New Testament stories were a great delight to him, and he specially loved to hear about "David and Goliar." I venture to say that Jamie would have dearly loved to have thrown that famous stone himself!

• We have news of two little patients who had left us. One went to heaven the other day; and the other came to see us, having passed through hard usage, poor little chap, since last we had seen his face. Thin and white he looked, and no wonder, for he had had his arm taken off in another hospital. Wasn't he glad to see us? and weren't his old little friends in the cribs delighted to have a peep at him— looking like a soldier from the wars, with his empty sleeve pinned across his jacket!

We have had two great field-days at the Big House since last these notes were written to you. One was the first meeting of the "Little Children of Mary," a society which gives our little girl-benefactors

equal rights and privileges with the members of the "Boys' Brigade." Small maidens who wish to join this merry little band can now send in their names, and having been elected at one of the meetings, will receive the pretty lily-badge which they are to wear on the shoulder. At the great meeting the other day the Rev. Chaplain spoke beautifully to the children, and told them many interesting stories. There was a great crowd of little rosy faces round him, and all listened with eager attention to his words.

Yesterday, a good number of knights met in spite of the wet weather, and over fourteen pounds were placed in the treasurer's hands. Some very interesting letters were read from knights in the country and abroad. We find that a truly ardent spirit is firing the hearts of the Brigade. No Red-Cross Knight, or Irish Knight at Fontenoy, ever fought better than many of these brave boys are fighting with the world for their suffering fellow-children. We cannot help wishing again our oft-repeated wish, that the dear zealous brigadiers who are far away could visit us sometimes and see the effect of their work.

I must tell you that we got a delightful surprise the other day when a wonderful box arrived from London, full of exquisitely dressed dolls, and a quantity of doll's clothing most prettily made. Many of you know and enjoy the children's magazine called Little Folks. Our box was sent to us by the Editor of Little Folks, and the dolls had been dressed by industrious little girls who are fond of reading his magazine. Prizes were given to these clever little girls, and a share of their work

was sent to us.

"You chap with the snow-storm," said Leo, "do you speak first, and tell us what you did with it? I must say you are a very small fellow to carry about a snow-storm in your pocket."

"When I passed down through the lake," said the rain-child, "I came out at the bottom of the clouds that hang above your earth. Then I floated about a long time, and hovered away over the world, growing larger as I went along, and spreading myself out into great trails of mist. At last I came and paused above a beautiful mountainous country called Switzerland-have you ever heard of it ?"

"I should think so," said Leo. "My mamma and papa were there lately, and have just come home."

"Well, I came and took up my station behind a mountain peak, just over a pretty little village which lay at its foot. I waited there a long time, curled round a high crag and basking in the sunshine, and I gazed down into the village and soon came to know every creature that lived in it, and all their occupations and affairs. I knew all the village children particularly well, and there were two nice little things who played about together, and I took a great fancy to them, and used to watch them at all their games. They were not dark, heavy lumps of children, like us up here, but had nice rosy cheeks, like yours, and bright eyes and soft skins. Their mother and father lived in a pretty little house a short way above the village, and the children were fond of roaming up the mountains as far as their little wandering feet would carry them. Their father was a chamois hunter, and they loved to climb the crags to meet him on his way home.

"One day I thought I had hung about the mountain peaks long enough, and that it was high time to see about business; so I began to puff and blow, and spread myself out till I darkened the sun and covered the whole of the blue sky with threatening clouds. Then I let loose the snow-storm over the world, and it fell, and fell, till the houses in the village were nearly covered up, and the mountains were awfully sheeted in white. On the first evening of the fall I looked down and laughed to see the children all flying home, shouting and shrieking with glee"

"Such fun!" cried Leo. "Don't I wish I had been there!"

"Yes, it was great fun for awhile," continued the rain-child; "but very soon everybody was safely shut up indoors, and then I gave way