CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 1 II. SANCTITY AND LEARNING 8 III. THE MENDICANT ORDERS ASSAILED 17 IV. THE MENDICANTS VINDICATED 23 V. MINISTER-GENERAL 30 VI. DISCIPLINE AND OBSERVANCE 37 VII. INCIDENTS OF ADMINISTRATION 45 VIII. ST. FRANCIS' BIOGRAPHER 56 IX. INTERIOR SPIRIT 64 X. LOVE OF GOD 72 XI. THE ARCHBISHOPRIC OF YORK 82 XII. MISCELLANEOUS ANECDOTES OF THE SAINT 88 XIII. THE CARDINALATE 97 XIV. DEATH 104 XV. CANONIZATION 115 {xii} LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. ST. BONAVENTURE _Frontispiece_ _From an Engraving by Eitel, after the painting by Cavazzola (P. Morando)_. THE CORONATION OF OUR LADY To face _To face p. 36_ _From a Photograph by Alinari of the picture by Pinturichio in the Vatican, Rome._ ST. BONAVENTURE IN ECSTASY WHILE WRITING THE LIFE OF ST. FRANCIS IS VISITED BY ST. THOMAS AQUINAS _From a Fresco by Giacomelli in the Franciscan Church at Cimiex_ _To face p. 62_ THE PAPAL ENVOY PRESENTING ST. BONAVENTURE WITH THE CARDINAL'S HAT _Page 73_ ST. BONAVENTURE _From Raphael's Disputa in the Vatican_. _Page 105_ ST. BONAVENTURE. _Church of S. Maria degli Angeli, Dintorni (Tiberio d' Assisi) From a Photograph by Alinari_. _To face p. 114_ {1} CHAPTER I. CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. It is refreshing to turn from the depressing materialism of the present time to the inspiring faith of the Middle Ages. The change of outlook is invigorating; it has on the soul the effect which a bracing atmosphere has on the body. The temper of modern times tends to enfeeble our sense of the supernatural. If we would maintain undiminished our spiritual vigour we must withdraw occasionally from its influence and endeavour to dwell for a time in a more healthy religious atmosphere.