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(*) Only a few of the most important and accessible works can be mentioned here from the vast mass of material relating to the Reformation. The student wishing an extended bibliography will turn to DAHLMANN-WAITZ, Quellenkunde, 6th Ed., pp. 344, ff., or to the bibliographies given in Vol. IV. of the Histoire Générale, edited by Professors Lavisse and Rambaud.

Ranke, Leopold: The History of the Reformation in Germany. Translated from the German by Sarah Austin. 3 vols.

Only three volumes, reaching the year 1535, of the six volumes of the original (Deutsche Geschichte im Zeitalter der Reformation) are included in the English version, which was never completed. Volume six of the original is, however, devoted entirely to documents.

Bezold Geschichte der deutschen Reformation. Berlin 1887-90. 2 vols. Beautifully illustrated, but contains no bibliographical references.

This and Ranke's work are the two standard treatments of the period.

Baumgarten, H.: Geschichte Karls V. Vols. 1-3. (1885-92.)

This important work was interrupted by the author's death. It reaches, however, the year 1539.

Creighton: A History of the Papacy During the Period of the Reformation. Vol. V. (Longmans.)

This is one of the most remarkable historical works relating to continental history ever produced in England. The author has construed the "period of the Reformation" so liberally that it is only with the beginning of the fifth volume that he reaches the opening of Luther's public career.

Beard, Charles: Martin Luther and the Reformation to the close of the Diet of Worms. I vol. London, 1889.

Very scholarly. The best treatment of the subject in English.

Köstlin, Julius: Martin Luther; sein Leben und seine Schriften..

Berlin, 4th Ed. 1889.

2 vols.

This work is generally regarded as the most scholarly and impartial life of Luther. The author has prepared an abridgment in one volume which has been translated into English and published in two versions. The one issued by Charles Scribner's Sons is preferable since it contains a number of interesting facsimiles.

Since the Reformation Period was characterized by the bitterest animosity between the conservative party, which adhered to the Catholic traditions and organization, and the innovating Protestants, no thorough student will neglect the more scholarly works of those historians who sympathize on the whole with the conservatives. Of the valuable contributions made by Catholic writers the following would probably prove most useful:

Janssen, J.: Geschichte der deutschen Volks seit dem Ausgang des Mittelalters. 8 vols.

This is a very suggestive work furnishing much new material which has been laboriously searched out by the author. A French version is in course of publication; and two volumes of an English translation have been issued. B. Header, St. Louis, Mo.

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During the sixth and seventh centuries the greatest missionary activity was shown by the Scots who dwelt in Ireland. In that country religion was cherished with greater zeal than elsewhere, and learning was fostered for the sake of the Church. But not content with the flourishing state of Christianity in their own island, the most zealous monks often passed over to the continent. There even the nominal Christians were little inclined to follow the precepts of the religion which they professed. Gaul especially attracted the attention of the bold missionaries from Ireland, and the Irish usages became well established in some parts of the country. Unfortunately almost all the accounts of the missionaries from Ireland have been lost; consequently this biography of Columban is of great value.

Jonas, the author of this life, became a monk at Bobbio, in northern Italy, three years after Columban's death. He was soon employed on this biography, for which he obtained material, as he himself said, from the stories told by the saint's companions. Living as he did, among the latter, his account reflects their feelings faithfully, and we may be certain that he has recorded the events accurately, and has often reproduced the saint's own words. As is usual in such biographies, the miracles are numerous; for the contemporaries these formed the most valuable portions; for modern students they are full of instruction, and throw much light on the daily life of the monks.

The language of Jonas is somewhat bombastic and difficult to put into English. In some cases, the translator has been unable to determine the exact connection of certain clauses with the context. In such sentences he has translated literally, hoping that others might see a connection which he missed. In general, where he suspected any mistake, he has followed the Latin closely. A new and careful collation and transcription of the manuscripts would undoubtedly remove many of the difficulties.

There has been no translation of this life into any modern language before, except a very imperfect rendering of selected passages by Abel in the "Geschichtschreiber der deutschen Vorzeit." In this translation the preface, which has little or no importance for the life of the saint, has been omitted from lack of space. All the rest is translated in full. The names of places have generally been modernized, because readers who live far from large libraries, might otherwise lose the geographical information given here.

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