DE riŒSSKXSÉ ON MF.N AND PARTir.S. 103 



radical inf(Mni):ilil)ility between lus party and that of his ene- 

 iiîios. 



The arclihislioji has brounlit to Paris, or at least has allowf.-d 

 to grow up about hiui, a ])o<ly of yc^ung clcrtr.v, leanied, enlight- 

 rncd, li])cral, who would uivc promiso of a nol)le future yet for 

 the Church f)f France, if the contrar}' current wore not so slronir, 

 and were not favored every day by the highest ecclesiastical 

 authority. 



The boldest step of the Arclilnshop of Paris has been to place; 

 in the pulpit of Notre Dame Father Hyacintiik, on whom the 

 mantle of Lacordaire has fallen, and who has restored under the 

 vault of the old basilica the grandest days of religious eloquence. 



Father Hyacinthe brings to his preaching a generous inspira- 

 tion, a fiery ardor, which has made him at once a power, and a 

 power <jf liberty. Born of a literary family, trained in solid 

 classical studies, he entered at an earl}' age into holy ordei-s, and 

 became a Barefooted Carmelite. ]Sren recognized in him, at the 

 outset, the gift of speech in a degree of eminence which placed 

 him in the first rank of oratoi-s. His first appearance at Notre 

 Dame was a trimnph. The crowds that gather to hear him, stand 

 waiting for tAvo hours before the time. IJe seems to send over 

 them a breath that lifts them like the waves of the sea. His face 

 is open and intelligent; his voice is sympathetic; he seems ever 

 to be lifted by the movement of his own thought and heart, and 

 at his best moments he has a power of fascination which is abso- 

 lutely incomparable. The imagination of Father Hyacinthe is 

 beautiful and grand; but it is never more brilliant than when he 

 reproduces the sublime scenes of the scriptural East. Hitherto 

 he has approached only such general subjects as The Personal 

 Cod, Independent ^lorality, Civil Society, Religious Societ}-. "We 

 are in haste to see him deal with the more direct questions of the 

 religious life which lead directly to the feet of Jesus Christ. The 

 most remarkable thing about his preaching is an admirable liV)- 

 erality with which he recognizes and greets true piety outside of 

 his own Church. 



