The simple threads of the love-story of Erwin and Hermengarde serve pleasantly to connect together the other more important events of the tale, and serve to illustrate on the one hand the finest type of feminine affection and constancy, and on the other that of manly nobility and courage. We think the author can fairly lay claim to historical accuracy in the main events of his tale. Every matter of public interest, even the wonderful pestilence which checked Frederic in his victorious career at Rome, is related as given by contemporary writers. We venture to bespeak for BARBAROSSA a kind and gracious reception from the American public. It is a well told tale, which will afford real instruction, as well as pleasant amusement. It will serve to give true ideas about medieval history, and to make Catholics more interested in learning the truth about those real Pontiffs, who did battle for religion and the rights of man against the Kings and rulers of the day. We consider it a valuable contribution to our lighter literature, and we hope to see it followed by many others of the same purpose and object. The translator has done his work well, and we trust BARBAROSSA in its English dress will become a universal favorite. J. K. PHILADELPHIA, _Ascension Day_, 1867. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. INTRODUCTORY II. THE AMBUSCADE III. CHANCELLOR RINALDO IV. THE BATTLE V. AFTER THE VICTORY VI. THE COURT FOOL VII. FATHER AND DAUGHTER VIII. THE ABBOT CONRAD IX. FILIAL DEVOTION X. THE TEMPTER XI. THE JOURNEY XII. THE TOLL XIII. CASTELLAMARE XIV. THE SIEGE XV. THE ANTIPOPE XVI. THE EMPEROR'S SLAVE XVII. AN EVIL SPIRIT XVIII. CONFIDENTIAL SECRETS XIX. THE CONSULS XX. THE ASSAULT XXI. THE EMPEROR'S POLICY XXII. VANITY XXIII. THE MEETING XXIV. THE WALK XXV. THE CAPTURE XXVI. TREACHERY XXVII. THE BETROTHAL XXVIII. THE POPULACE IN THE TWELFTH CENTURY XXIX. HUMILIATION XXX. AMUSEMENTS XXXI. AT RIVOLI XXXII. ALEXANDER'S AMBASSADOR XXXIII. A WARNING XXXIV. THE DIVORCED DUCHESS XXXV. LAON XXXVI. KNAVERY XXXVII. THE SPY XXXVIII. THE QUEEN OF FRANCE XXXIX. UNDER THE OAKS XL. A TRUE BISHOP XLI. A HARDENED SINNER XLII. THE ABBEY OF CLUNY XLIII. IN THE CLOISTER XLIV. POPE ALEXANDER III. XLV. A KNAVE'S STRATAGEM XLVI. THE SERMON XLVII. THE DUEL XLVIII. THE TRIUMPH OF FORCE XLIX. HERMENGARDE'S CONSTANCY L. THE CONSPIRATORS LI. THE TRIBUNE LII. SEDITION LIII. BARBAROSSA IN ROME LIV.