The Lives of the Popes during the Early Middle Ages.
By the Rev. Horace K. Mann. Vol. III. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co. 12s. net.)--Mr. Mann brings his work to a conclusion with this volume. It includes a period of thirty-three years (858-891) and six pontificates,—Popes in those days very seldom even approached the "anuos Petri." This was the time of the "False Decretals," and Mr. Mann is at great pains to show that the Popes with whom he is concerned did not use the evidence which these forgeries offered to support their claims. In fact, he goes so far as to say that they were not used by the Popes till two centuries later, and even that they were not intended to promote the Papal power. We do not intend to argue the point, but the contention has a somewhat paradoxical appearance. The history of pro-Papal forgeries—if we may use the term—fa a very large one, and it will be difficult to persuade mankind that they were not intended for a certain purpose, and actually used to promote it. But though we differ from Mr. Mann on various points, we may sincerely congratulate him on bringing this learned work to a successful conclusion.
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