Nobody will expect in this book, or from me, the results of original research, or a settlement—if any settlement is ever possible—of vexed questions which have occupied the gravest students. An individual glance at the aspect of these questions which most clearly presents itself to a mind a little exercised in the aspects of humanity, but not trained in the ways of learning, is all I attempt or desire. This humble endeavour has been conscientious at least. The work has been much interrupted by sorrow and suffering, on which account, for any slips of hers, the writer asks the indulgence of her unknown friends.

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.
HONOURABLE WOMEN NOT A FEW.
CHAPTER I.
ROME IN THE FOURTH CENTURYpage
[1]
CHAPTER II.
THE PALACE ON THE AVENTINE[14]
CHAPTER III.
MELANIA[29]
CHAPTER IV.
THE SOCIETY OF MARCELLA[43]
CHAPTER V.
PAULA[65]
CHAPTER VI.
THE MOTHER HOUSE[89]
BOOK II.
THE POPES WHO MADE THE PAPACY.
CHAPTER I.
GREGORY THE GREAT[119]
CHAPTER II.
THE MONK HILDEBRAND[181]
CHAPTER III.
THE POPE GREGORY VII[230]
CHAPTER IV.
INNOCENT III[307]
BOOK III.
LO POPOLO: AND THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE.
CHAPTER I.
ROME IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY[381]
CHAPTER II.
THE DELIVERER[402]
CHAPTER III.
THE BUONO STATO[428]
CHAPTER IV.
DECLINE AND FALL[460]
CHAPTER V.
THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE[486]
CHAPTER VI.
THE END OF THE TRAGEDY[493]
BOOK IV.
THE POPES WHO MADE THE CITY.
CHAPTER I.
MARTIN V.—EUGENIUS IV.—NICOLAS V.[513]
CHAPTER II.
CALIXTUS III.—PIUS II.—PAUL II.—SIXTUS IV.[552]
CHAPTER III.
JULIUS II.—LEO X.[581]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.

page
Pope Gregory[Frontispiece]
Colosseum by Moonlight, by H. P. Riviere[37]
Temple of Venus and River from the Colosseum (1860), by H. P. Riviere[73]
Temple of Vesta, by H. P. Riviere[111]
Arch of Constantine, by H. P. Riviere[153]
The Forum, by H. P. Riviere[171]
Arch of Titus, by H. P. Riviere[209]
Santa Maria Maggiore, by H. P. Riviere[247]
Arch of Drusus (1860), by H. P. Riviere[267]
Island on Tiber, by H. P. Riviere[287]
The Capitol, by J. Pennell[317]
Porta Maggiore, by H. P. Riviere[327]
In the Campagna (1860), by H. P. Riviere[347]
St. Peter's and the Castle of St. Angelo, by H. P. Riviere[367]
Approach to the Capitol (1860), by H. P. Riviere[387]
Theatre of Marcellus, by J. Pennell[407]
Aqua Felice, by H. P. Riviere[463]
The Tarpeian Rock, by J. Pennell[481]
Ancient, Mediæval, and Modern Rome, by J. Pennell[503]
Modern Rome: Shelley's Tomb, by J. Pennell[519]
Fountain of Trevi, by H. P. Riviere[527]
Santa Maria del Popolo, by H. P. Riviere[547]
Piazza Colonna, by J. Pennell[565]
Old St. Peter's, from the engraving by Campini[585]
Modern Rome: The Grave of Keats, by J. Pennell[593]

ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT.