The Writings of S. Francis of Assisi. Newly Translated into
English, with Introduction and Notes, by Father Pascal Robinson. (Dolphin Press, Philadelphia, U.S.A. 4s. net.)—Father Robinson accepts the conclusions of the editors of 1904, conclusions which greatly reduce the bulk of the Franciscan writings. First come the "Admonitions," twenty-eight in number ; then follows the "Salutation of the Virtues," and after this we have the " First " and the "Second Rule of the Friars Minor." It would be an interesting task to compare them. Here is an example. The First Rule gives a severe rule of fasting :—" And all the brothers shall likewise fast from the Feast of All Saints until the Nativity of our Lord, and from Epiphany, when our Lord Jesus began to fast, until Easter; but at other times let them not be bound to fast according to this life except on Fridays." In the Second Rule the Advent fast is retained, but the second fast is made voluntary, the Lenten fast remaining, of course, obligatory. And there is a general relaxation in the words, "But in time of manifest necessity the brother shall not he bound to aorporal fasting.' There is also the "Testament of St. Francis," of the .genuineness of which (questioned by M. Renan) there seems to be no real doubt. In Part II. we have six letters of St. Francis, and in Part III. his prayers, &c. Finally we have a "Bibliography." Father Robinson kas done an excellent piece of work, carefully avoiding giving offence to those who, while admiring St. Francis, do not accept the Roman obedience.
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