New-York tribune., 1912-01-20

HISTORY OF POPE BONIFACE VII
AND HIS TIMES. With notes and DOC %
Don Louis Tosti, Benedictine monk or
Monte Casino Translated from the
Italian by Right Rev. Monsignor Eugene
]. Donnelly, V. +. Svo, pp. DID, Chrls-
tian Press Association.
The motive for the translator's pious
la Dor in turning into English the two
volumes on Boniface VIII which Tosti
gave to the world some sixty years ago
is found in the laudable desire TO fur
ther the Italian historians purpose or
offering reparation TO tho memory OF
pontiff whose character has been
oftener maligned than understood. by
many historians Boniface VIII has been
given his portion with the worst OF
Popes Dante. in the Paradise makes
St Peter address the Pope as usurper
Of the holy office, and describes the ele-
ments as abashed at the scene:
AS level clouds that blush to fiery red
When the day dies OF rises from the dead,
saw I the face OF heaven with shame
o'erspread.
But Dantes opinion. says Monsignor
IIOnUelN,
count Of political reasons, and ne
speaks with the usual license Of poet,
and not with the truthful spirit Of
historian" After the outrage at Anagni'
where Sciarra Colonna seized the aged
Pontiff and caused him 10 be placed
backward upon n horse and thus led
through the town. Dante's resentment
abated, and he spoke with Indignation
concerning the insult offered to Christs
vicar. The tendency Of the writer's or
the time being in favor Of either Guelph
or Ghibelline, they portrayed the ac-
tions OF this Pope to suit their own
views, and just as rumor expressed
them. French writers OF the period are
to be read with like caution. for often
they knew only French fact or were
under the impression of some momen-
tary quarrel with the Holy See. 1t was
during this Pontihcate that the tenn
poral power Of the Pope was for the
first time. attacked by France. and the
prestige of the Papacy subjected to
violent indignities.
by Boniface VIII, claims which Tosti
interpreted as the assertion OF lofty,
II misunderstood, spiritual principle,
Monsignor Donnelly is convinced that
no one now dreams OF reviving doc
trines which. confessedly. exercised a
salutary sway in the Middle Ages. but
which are not TO be made actual In the
world at this hour, when the Church.
very far from claiming an interference
in the temporal affairs Of states, prefers
rather TO preserve her incontestable
spiritual rights" There were memorable
services to the credit OF Boniface. apart
from his assertion and defence Of Papal
supremacy Well .versed In civil law,
his fame as lawyer was handed down
in the Gatani code, and he became also
the first canOnist OF his age a liberal
protector and patron Of art. he en-
bellshed his beloved town Of Anagni
and completed the beautiful Cathedral
Of Orvieto In Rome he rebuilt the
Church of st. Laurence in Panisperna.
II was his invitation that brought
NiOllO W iNOIit W hpNciotO ~" wv .
and St John Lateran. The founder Of
more than one university. his own liter
airy gift was indisputable. Tho hymn,
AVE Virgo Gloriosa," and the prayer,
Deus qui pro redemptione mundi," be-
sides five orations on the canonization
of ST. Louis, are from his pen. Finally,
religion owes TO him the consoling In
stitution Of the jubilee. the most beau
| tiful conception of his Pontifcate."