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volumes. He begins with a description of the agricultural conditions of the age, the gradual amelioration of the life of the peasantry and the German colonization of the Eastern provinces. Then the growth of city life, with its trades and commerce, and the spread of the Hansa. Next a study of knighthood with its lights and shades. Finally the development of law and constitution. This forms the matter of Father Michael's first volume. The second volume is occupied with the religious and moral conditions of the thirteenth century; the life of the clergy, secular and religious; works of faith and charity; conflicts with heresies; education and elementary schools. By an easy transition the author, in volume third, deals with the higher education in the great age of Albertus Magnus and Aquinas; the preparation and sale of books; scholasticism; mysticism; the study of Holy Scripture; moral and pastoral theology; canon and civil law; the study of the classics and language; historical writings; physics; mathematics and medicine. The fourth volume passes to consider the creations of German mediævel art, poetry, novels, music and the beginnings of the drama. It is announced that the fifth volume will be mainly busied with the study of mediæval German architecture, which will form a fitting climax to the whole exposition of Germany's ante-Reformation "Kultur." The political history will follow. The reader will see at a glance what an important contribution to historical science the Innspruck professor has given to the world. If translated into English, even in condensed form, it would go far to dissipate many prejudices, begotten of ignorance, concerning the ages of faith.

MATILDA, COUNTESS OF TUSCANY. By Mrs. Mary E. Huddy. With four photogravure plates from drawings by George M. Sullivan. St. Louis, Mo.: B. Herder. London: John Long. Price, net, $3.25.

When we consider the important rôle assumed by Tuscany's "Great Countess" in the regeneration of Christendom in the eleventh century, we are surprised that, before the appearance of this biography by Mrs. Huddy, no attempt had been made by an English writer to set out her heroic personality in relief. Her name is familiar enough; for no history of her age, sacred or profane, could be written without repeated allusions to the woman who was Hildebrand's right arm. But there are a great number of details concerning the personal life and character of great men and women which lie outside the framework of general history and can be treated satisfactorily only in a biography. Hence it is with great pleasure that after having viewed Matilda so often amidst a group of Popes, saints, Emperors and warriors, we can now behold her, as it were,

isolated, or as much isolated, as was possible in the case of so active a ruler. The Countess Matilda is the eternal glory of the Catholic Church, which moulded her virtues, and she well deserves the distinction of being the only woman, except Christina of Sweden, whose remains are interred in St. Peter's at Rome. Mrs. Huddy has performed her labor of love remarkably well and merits the gratitude of all English-speaking Catholics.

A MODERN PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. With an introduction by Henry Sebastian Bowden, of The Oratory. 12mo., cloth, xvi.+284. Burns & Oates, London, England. Benziger Brothers, New York. Price, $1.60.

"This work is in no way an echo or adaptation of Bunyan's allegory, but a narrative of experiences gained in search for the Truth." Thus the author, who states in addition that the history was written at the wish of a very intimate friend, for whom alone it was intended. It is a narrative of the religious life and perplexities of one setting out in life from the "City of Confusion," of all the doubts and difficulties met and vanquished before arriving at the "City Beautiful" of the Church.

Those who have traveled the road as well as those who still linger at the wayside will find much to interest them and probably much to help them in extending comfort and aid to other weary pilgrims. Since Cardinal Newman's "Apologia" many accounts have appeared of the various ways in which souls have been led into the Church; none seem exactly alike and all are interesting both to those who have traveled home and those children of the Church standing at the gates of the city to welcome their lately separated brethren.

EXEMPEL-LEXICON FUR PREDIGER UND KATECHETEN, der Heiligen Schrift, dem Leben der Heiligen und andern bewahrten Geschichtsquellen entnommen. Herausgegeben von P. A. Scherer, Benediktiner von Fiecht. Zweite, vermehrte und verbesserte Auflage, besorgt von P. Johannes Bapt. Lampert, Doktor der Theologie und Kapitular desselben Stiftes, unter Mitwirkung mehrerer Mitbrüder. Erster Band: Arbitte bis Festtage (der "Bibliothek für Prediger" neue Folge, erster Band; des ganzen Werkes neunter Band). Freiburg and St. Louis: B. Herder. price, net, $3.60.

The purpose of this "Exempel-Lexicon," the first volume of which lies before us, is to supplement the eight volumes of Herder's "Preacher's Library" with a vast storehouse of historical illustrations grouped under the headings of the different topics of discourse. The idea is certainly an original one and will enable the preacher to add vivacity to his sermons. Nothing so takes the fancy of the audience as a judicious blending of anecdotes with the solid matter of the discourse. Sherer has drawn his illustrations from all sorts

of sources; principally, of course, from Holy Writ; next, from the Lives of the Saints, the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church; in fact, from every source, sacred and profane, which suited his purpose. There are few more brilliant examples of German industry.

ENCHIRIDION SYMBOLORUM ET DEFINITIONUM. Quae de Rebus Fidei et Morum. A Conciliis Oecumenicis et Summis Pontificibus emanarunt. In Auditorum Usum edidit Henricus Denzinger, Wirceburgensis Professor. Editio IX. Aucta et Emendata ab Ignatio Stahl, Parocho et in Univers. Wirceb. Theol. Professore. Herder, Freiburg and St. Louis. Price, net, $1.50.

Denzinger's classical little "Hand-book of Symbols and Definitions in Matters of Faith and Morals," which went through five large editions during the author's lifetime and was known and loved throughout the length and breadth of Christendom, now appears in a ninth edition under the supervision of Professor Stahl, aided by the critics of all Germany. The greatest care has been taken by editor and printer to make the book as perfect as possible. Denzinger's "Enchiridion" is a little book which no theologian can get on without. The Index Systematicus at the end is extremely valuable.

SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-DISCIPLINE. By B. W. Maturin, formerly of Cowley, St. John, Oxford. 12mo., pp. 301. Longmans, Green & Co., New York and Bombay.

Father Maturin's book has already had a flattering reception from his friends and admirers in the United States, and their name is legion. It is many years since he left this country, and something from his pen seems to bring him back again. It does indeed in thought if not in person. This book might have been called "A New Growth in Holiness." Its purpose is to make men holy. But the purpose is worked out in a very practical manner. The author addresses every-day men and women, in the midst of modern environments. He speaks plain, direct language, and he draws his illustrations from the immediate surroundings. The result ought to be very good and lasting.

CHRIST, THE PREACHER. Sermons for Every Sunday of the Ecclesiastical Year. By Rev. D. S. Phelan, author of "The Gospel Applied to Our Times." B. Herder, 17 South Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. Price, net, $2.00. The sermons in this second volume of Father Phelan possess the same praiseworthy qualities which we noticed in the previous volume.

They give the pith of the Sunday's Gospel without much affectation of rhetoric. If we had any suggestion to make it might be that a sermon ten pages in length is, to the average layman, a trifle too much for his ordinary Sunday diet. It is the short Gregorian chant, with a sermon not exceeding fifteen minutes, that is steadily increasing the popular attendance at the High Mass. A gifted preacher like Father Phelan might safely be permitted to extend the limit to twenty minutes.

STUDIES FROM COURT AND CLOISTER. Being Essays, Historical and Literary, Dealing Mainly with Subjects Relating to the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. By J. M. Stone. London and Edinburgh: Sands & Co. St. Louis: B. Herder. Price, net, $3.50.

Under this caption Miss Stone has gathered together thirteen essays which have appeared in various magazines, one of them in our own. The talented writer wields a facile pen, and her articles, especially on Reformation subjects, are always accepted and read with pleasure. We are glad to see them once more in permanent form, thoroughly revised and enlarged, and bespeak for them a benevolent reception.

CHRIST THE PREACHER. Sermons for Every Sunday of the Ecclesiastical Year. By Rev. D. S. Phelan. St. Louis, Mo.: B Herder. Price, $2.00. This is a second volume of sermons by the distinguished author of "The Gospel Applied to Our Times," which has been received with marked favor throughout the country and was lately commended in these columns. The present series maintain Father Phelan's reputation as a ready, practical and, though he affects no rhetoric, eloquent preacher.

MISSALE ROMANUM, ex Decreto Sacrosancti Concilii Tridentini Restitutum S. Pii V. Pontificis Maximi iussu editum. Clementis VIII., Urbani VIII., et Leonis XIII. autoritate recognitum. Editio septima post alteram uti Typicam a S. R. C. declaratam. Cum approbatione Sacr. Rituum Congregationis. 4vo. Neo Eboraci: Sumptibus et Typis Frederici

Pustet. MDCCCCVI.

The latest reproduction of the editio typica is well worthy of the publishers. Substantially and handsomely bound, good paper and clear, artistic press work leave nothing to be desired. A feature worth noting is that the latest Masses are all to be found in their proper places, dispensing with the great inconvenience of loose leaves and feasts not in proper order.

MATILDA, COUNTESS OF TUSCANY. By Mrs. Mary E. Huddy. B. Herder, 17 S. Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. Price, $3.25 net.

A well-told popular narrative of the life and fortunes of the great Countess, who in the stormy days of Pope St. Gregory VII. staunchly maintained the cause of the Church and of religious liberty. It is but just to the immortal heroine of Tuscany that the Catholic people should retain a lively sense of their indebtedness to her.

JESUS CRUCIFIED. Readings and Meditations on the Passions and Death of Our Redeemer. By Rev. Walter Elliott, of the Paulist Fathers. The Columbus Press, New York. Price, $1.00.

This is an extremely devotional and edifying series of meditations on the Passion of Our Lord, the ripe fruit of a life-long devotion to Christ Crucified. It is well adapted for readings to the people during the Mass in the Lenten season.

DER ROEMISCHE KATECHISMUS nach dem Beschlusse des Konzils von Trient fur die Pfarrer auf Befehl des Papstes Plus des Funften herausgegeben. Vierte verbesserte Auflage. Regensburg, Rome, New York and Cincinnati, Friedrich Pustet.

A beautiful edition, in two volumes, of the Roman Catechism in Latin and German.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

AT THE PARTING OF THE WAYS. Considerations and Meditations for Boys.
By Herbert Lucas, S. J. B. Herder, St. Louis. Price, $1.00.
ATTITUDE OF CATHOLICS TOWARDS DARWINISM AND EVOLUTION.

By H.

Muckermann, S. J. Herder, St. Louis and Freiburg. Price, net, $0.75. DAS GEISTLICHE LEBEN in Seinen Entwicklungsstuffen_Nach der Lehre des HI. Bernard. Quellenmaessig Dargestellt von Dr. Joseph Ries. Freiburg and St. Louis, Herder. Price, net, $2.35.

THE ASCENT OF MOUNT CARMEL. By St. John of the Cross. Translated by Davis Lewis, with a prefatory essay on "The Development of Mysticism in the Carmelite Order" by Benedict Zimmerman, O. C. D. 8vo., x.+21+388. Thomas Baker, London, England.

OUTLINES OF SERMONS FOR YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN. By Rev. Joseph Schuen. Edited by Rev. Edmund J. Wirth, Ph. D. 12mo., 451. Benziger Brothers, New York.

LECTURES, CONTROVERSIAL AND DEVOTIONAL. 12mo., 218. Benziger Brothers, New York

By Father Malachy, C. P.

LARGER CATECHISM. Part II. Prescribed by His Holiness Pope Pius X. Translated by Right Rev. Thomas Sebastian Byrne, D. D., Bishop of Nashville. 12mo., 315. Fr. Pustet & Co., New York.

IN HARD DAYS and THE CONFESSOR at CourT. From the German by Rev. L. A. Reudter. 12mo., 200. Society of the Divine Word, Techny, Пl.

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