A Peep Behind the Scenes at Rome. By T. A,
Adolphus Trollope. (Chad° and Windus.)—Mr. Trollope does not love the ecclesiastical authorities of Rome. We must, it is to be presumed, take his observa- tions cum grano. On the other hand, he knows beyond question a great deal about his subject, and his judgments therefore are not lightly to be dismissed. Certainly this book, whether trustworthy or not—and it has a veracious air—it is undoubtedly amusing. It is ohiefly occu- pied in tolling us how the Papal party get hold of a wealthy citizen, how they work on him through his own sense of his importance and dignity, and through the burning anxiety of his wife and daughters to get into " society "; till at last we find him drinking "to the pro- longed life of our Blessed and Holy Father, Pins the Ninth, may he live to see the overthrow of his enemies, and to enjoy his own again." There is also an episode of a young woman of fortune entrapped into taking the veil. If this story is, as Mr. Trollope declares it is, typicat, dr. Nowdegate is not so unreasonable as he may seem.
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