THE

Metropolitan,

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

DEVOTED TO

Religion, Education, Literature,

AND GENERAL INFORMATION.

Edited by a Committee of Literary Gentlemen.

VOLUME IV.-1856.

BALTIMORE... PUBLISHED BY JOHN MURPHY & CO.

MARBLE BUILDING, 182 BALTIMORE STREET.

PITTSBURG..GEO. QUIGLEY.

LONDON..C. DOLMAN.

1856.

TO OUR PATRONS.

In introducing the fourth volume of the Metropolitan to its numerous patrons, we feel that we can refer with no small degree of pleasure to the general Table of Contents, where the reader will find a variety of subjects worthy the attention of every intelligent Catholic, and creditable alike to the authors and to Catholic literature.

For our editorial labors we claim little else than a careful and scrupulous selection of subjects, in order to render the work not only a periodical devoted to the interests of religion, but also a periodical of general literature, governed and controlled by Catholic tone and sentiment. Under the Review of Current Literature, we have given a candid expression of our opinion on the merits of the current literature of the day. The Record of Events, though little more than an imperfect chronological table, will show itself more useful as time shall more or less erase the events from the memory.

Further than this, we claim nothing for ourselves. Of our contributors, many of whom occupy distinguished positions in the Church and in the secular walks of life, it is unnecessary to speak; their praise will be found inscribed on the many able articles which fill the pages of the present volume. For the valuable services they have rendered to the work, we tender the warmest expression of our gratitude.

Without disparagement to any, we deem it but just to pay a passing tribute to the Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Catholics, from the pen of one of the most promising Catholic writers in the country. These sketches, somewhat extended as they may be hereafter, rank with the best of our national literature, and will rescue many valuable names, perhaps from obscurity, if not from oblivion.

It is a subject of congratulation to us, and must be equally so to our patrons, to know that the course of the Metropolitan has merited the approbation of those whose judgment is worthy of our highest esteem, and that the work is not only extending its circulation, but also its reputation and influence.

Of the future we will not speak. We have in our mind a grand programme for the coming volume, but we prefer not to disclose its outlines. We can only assure our readers, that if they have heretofore found the work worthy of their confidence and support, the future of the Metropolitan shall be such as to deserve a continuation of their liberal patronage.

EDITORS.