Rome. By Emile Zola. Translated by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly. (Chatto
and Windus.)—It would not be difficult to expurgate this volume. The idea probably seems a profanity to the translator.
Anyhow it has not been done ; in default, we would recommend our readers to miss out all M. Zola's story,-they will thereby save themselves not a little disgust. A young priest, who has enthusiastic ideas about the possible future of the Church, and has written a book in whiah he sets forth his ideas and his hopes, comes to Rome. His object is to defend his volume on Lourdes- our readers will remember that M. Zola has written about Lourdes-and in carrying out this purpose be sees much of Monseigneurs, Cardinals, and the Pope himself. We do not in any way commit ourselves to an approval of what is said about the ways of thinking and acting attributed here to the Roman hierarchy; but it is well worth while to read what the author has written. One matter of special importance is the temporal power. However the Roman Curia may reconcile itself, or appear to reconcile itself, to modern ideas, on this there can be no compro- mise. The restoration of the Patrimony-possibly there might be negotiation about the boundaries-is an indispensable condition. One cannot help wondering what Rome would do with the dominion if it could be obtained. Would she venture to allow freedom of worship ?
Previous page
