Monsignor Mann steadily continues his monumental Lives Of the Popes
in the Middle Ages. The fifteenth volume, just published (Kegan Paul,- Trench, Trubner & Co., 15s.), deals with the second half of the thirteenth century. It covers four short reigns-the easygoing Alexander IV, Urban IV the son of a French shoemaker, and two pontiffs of noble character : Clement IV and Gregory X. This is, of course, a period full of incident, especially incidents closely affecting the Papal power a time of great saints and great soldiers, of vigorous spiritual and political life. The careers of -Manfred and Conradino, the Battle of Benvenuto, the Council of Lyons, the institution of Corpus Christi, and the condemnation of the Eternal Gospel are only a few among the many and varied events with which Monsignor Mann has to deal. This volume, therefore, will be read with particular interest by all students of the Mediaeval Church.
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