St. Antony of Padua. By Mrs. Arthur Bell (N. D'Anvers).
(Sands and Co. 3s. 6d.)—" There are few thoroughly trustworthy materials for relating the life-story of St. Antony of Padua," truly says Mrs. Bell. This being so, she has done the best she could, telling the tale with its marvels complete, and not subjecting it to an ungracious and useless criticism. Even the miracle of the fishes finds its place in this way, and the less familiar miracle of the mule. In this the doctrine of transubstantiation was proved by the discrimination of the animal, which, after a fast of three days, turned from a feed of oats to adore the Host. Does this seem to savour of irreverence ? Possibly; but we are told that " versions of it are found in nearly all Franciscan churches." In one case we are inclined to ask for the authority. Did the Moorish King of Seville really kill the five Franciscan preachers ; with his own hand ? Moorish Kings ought not to be slandered any more than Christian. Certainly no Christian people would have behaved with the exemplary patience that the Moors of Seville exhibited.
Previous page
