“There is a wonderful charm about these readings——so calm, so true, so thoroughly Christian. We do not know where they would come amiss. As materials for a consecutive series of meditations for the faithful at a series of early celebrations they would be excellent, or for private reading during Advent or Lent.”——Literary Churchman.
“From the French of Jean Nicolas Grou, a pious Priest, whose works teach resignation to the Divine will. He loved, we are told, to inculcate simplicity, freedom from all affectation and unreality, the patience and humility which are too surely grounded in self-knowledge to be surprised at a fall, but withal so allied to confidence in God as to make recovery easy and sure. This is the spirit of the volume which is intended to furnish advice to those who would cultivate a quiet, meek, and childlike spirit.”——Public Opinion.
A DOMINICAN ARTIST; a Sketch of the Life of the Rev. Père Besson, of the Order of St. Dominic. By the Author of the “The Tales of Kirkbeck,” “The Life of Madame Louise de France,” &c. New Edition. Crown 8vo. 6s.
“The author of the Life of Père Besson writes with a grace and refinement of devotional feeling peculiarly suited to a subject-matter which suffers beyond most others from any coarseness of touch. It would be difficult to find ‘the simplicity and purity of a holy life’ more exquisitely illustrated than in Father Besson’s career, both before and after his joining the Dominican Order under the auspices of Lacordaire.... Certainly we have never come across what could more strictly be termed in the truest sense ‘the life of a beautiful soul.’ The author has done well in presenting to English readers this singularly graceful biography, in which all who can appreciate genuine simplicity and nobleness of Christian character will find to admire and little or nothing to condemn.”——Saturday Review.
“It would indeed have been a deplorable omission had so exquisite a biography been by any neglect lost to English readers, and had character so perfect in its simple and complete devotion been withheld from our admiration.... But we have dwelt too long already on this fascinating book, and must now leave it to our readers.”——Literary Churchman.
“A beautiful and most interesting sketch of the late Père Besson, an artist who forsook the easel for the altar.”——Church Times.
“A book which is as pleasant for reading as it is profitable for meditation.”——Union Review.
“Whatever a reader may think of Père Besson’s profession as a monk, no one will doubt his goodness; no one can fail to profit who will patiently read his life, as here written by a friend, whose sole defect is in being slightly unctuous.”——Athenæum.
“The life of the Rev. Père Besson, who gave up an artist’s career, to which he was devotedly attached, and a mother whose affection for him is not inaptly likened to that of Monica for St. Augustine, must be read in its entirety to be rightly appreciated. And the whole tenour of the book is too devotional, too full of expressions of the most touching dependence on God, to make criticism possible, even if it was called for, which it is not.”——John Bull.
“The story of Père Besson’s life is one of much interest, and told with simplicity, candour, and good feeling.”——Spectator.