were Jesuits indeed, and, like all the members of that Society, were
bound, so far as possible, to sink all human affections and consecrate
every thought to the work of their order. If such a sacrifice be lawful
for any man, if it be permitted any thus to suppress the deepest and
holiest affections which God has created, surely such a sacrifice could
not have been made in the pursuance of a worthier or nobler object than
the rescue from destruction, and the preservation to all ages, of the
facts and documents contained in the "Acta Sanctorum."

GEORGE T. STOKES.

FOOTNOTES:

[8] Henschenius was a man of great physical powers. He always delighted
in walking exercise, and executed many of his literary journeys in Italy
on foot, even amid the summer heats. Ten years later, when close on
seventy, he walked on an emergency ten leagues in one day through the
mountains and forests of the Ardennes district, and was quite fresh next
day for another journey. He was a man of very full complexion. According
to the medical system of the time, he indulged in blood-letting once or
twice a year.

[9] Since this paper was written the Bollandists have issued a
prospectus of an annual publication called "Analecta Bollandiana." From
this document we learn that disease and death have now reduced the
company very low. De Smedt has had to retire almost as soon as elected.

[10] Cf., for instance, Colebrooke's "Life and Essays," i. 309. iii.
360, 399, 474; W[oe]pke, "Memoir on the Propagation of Indian Cyphers in
Jour. Asiatique," 1863.

ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND MADAGASCAR.

The present difficulties between France and Madagascar, and the recent
arrival of a Malagasy Embassy in this country, have made the name of the
great African island a familiar one to all readers of our daily journals
during the last few weeks. For some time past we have heard much of
certain "French claims" upon Madagascar, and alleged "French rights"
there; and since the envoys of the Malagasy sovereign are now in England
seeking the friendly offices of our Government on behalf of their
country, it will be well for Englishmen to endeavour to understand the
merits of the dispute, and to know why they are called to take part in
the controversy.

Except to a section of the English public which has for many years taken
a deep interest in the religious history of the island and given
liberally both men and money to enlighten it, and to a few others who
are c