The contrary thesis not only is without foundation, but is, in the eyes of true scierice, a monstrosity of the grossest type. LA VIE ET LA LEGENDE DE SAINT GWENNOLE, publiée par Pierre Allier. Bloud et Cie, 7 place Saint-Sulpice, Paris. The saints of Brittany have occupied a prominent place in the early history of that interesting country. Emigrating from Great Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, they guided the tribes who fled from before the Anglo-Saxon invaders, in the work of evangelizing the natives, as also that of reclaiming the forest lands and founding cities. One of the most illustrious of all these anchorites was Gwennolé, friend of King Gradlon and of Coventin, first Bishop of Kemper. An abbot of Landévennec named Wadislen wrote in the ninth century the life of "this holy and eminent father of monks." This naïve panegyric affords a striking picture of the lively enthusiasm of the disciple on behalf of his spiritual father. Its precious text serves as a basis for the delightful narrative of M. Pierre Allier. To complete his portrait of this most popular of all the Breton saints, the author draws also from other sources. All readers who are interested in the lives of the saints will find genuine delight in this graceful little volume. MISSALE ROMANUM. 48mo. Sumptibus et Typis Frederici Pustet, Neo Eboraci, 1909. This is a very remarkable specimen of book making. A few years ago no one would have believed that a complete Missal could be reduced to such small proportions. Even now, when one sees the book first, before opening it, he will be tempted to doubt that it is a complete Missal. And yet it is true. In this small volume, which looks like a small pocket prayer book, we have the best of all prayer books, the Roman Missal. It is beautifully made: splendid type, paper, illustrations and binding. Altogether a most attractive and useful book. MORALE SCIENTIFIQUE ET MORALE EVANGELIQUE DEVANT LA SOCIOLOGIE, par le docteur Grasset, professeur de clinique médicale à l'Université de Montpellier. One vol. in 16. Bloud et Cie, 7 place Saint-Sulpice, Paris. Doctor Grasset is one of those writers, whose works are their own recommendation. His far-famed and wide practice, as a physician, and his rare power of thought and judgment have secured to him such a position in the scientific and philosophic world as to render all praise superfluous. In this book, as well as in all his other works, we may see how the most genuine and certain science can exist in the sane mind side by side with the fullness and serenity of an unshaken and firm faith. DREI DEUTSCHE MINORITEN PREDIGER AUS DEM XIII. UND XIV. JAHRHUNDERT. Von Adolph Franz. Herder, Freiburg (St. Louis, Mo.), 1907. One who takes up this book is likely to want to read it through. It puts before him portraits of three to him probably unknown Minorite preachers who lived in Germany some six or seven centuries ago, and who reflect in their thought and style much of the quaintness, simplicity and sturdy straightforwardness of their timeConrad of Saxony, Brother Ludovicus (Louis) and one who bore the pseudonym Greculus. Little is known of the lives of these religious, but their manuscript sermons are preserved in various German libraries. From these manuscripts Dr. Franz has drawn his materials-which consist mostly of extracts characteristic of sermons and the times, with comments by the editor on the occasions that drew forth the original. Much light is thus thrown not only on their typical style of preaching, but also on the prevailing deeds and customs-evils especially against which the preachers inveighed. The work is well documented and evinces great painstaking research. The interest, however, of the narrative is not overwhelmed by a parade of superfluous erudition. LE MODERNISME. Sa position vis-à-vis de la science-Sa condamnation par le Pape Pie X. Par S. E. le Cardinal Mercier, Archevêque de Malines. Bloud et Cie, 7 place Saint-Sulpice, Paris. This opusculum of the eminent prelate and scientist is at once an exposition and a refutation of modernism. Realizing that souls have to be saved, the writer does not remain in the domain of simple theory. He shows what Christians ought practically to do nowadays to safeguard their faith by enlightening it. The importance of this publication, the name and renown of its author and the grave questions treated are such as to demand a close study of this book from all readers. I. BARBEY D'AUREVILLY. L'internelle Consolacion-Sainte Thérèse-Pascal -Bossuet-Saint Benoît Labre-Le Curé d'Ars. One vol. in 12. Bloud et Cie, 7 place Saint-Sulpice, Paris. This excellent work of Barbey d'Aurevilly has been the object of an unmerited forgetfulness and neglect on the part of students and scholars. Being the religious portion of his writings, it is richly instructive and worthy of attention and study. It well deserves to find a place amongst the masterpieces of religious literature. |