hands, and hung
on to him, a wretched appendage to his flight through the regions of the
air, till at last her strength failed her, and she fell to the earth.

Translation of Bohn Library, revised.

THOMAS AQUINAS

(1226-1274)

BY EDWIN A. PACE

Thomas Aquinas, philosopher and theologian, was born in 1226, at or near
Aquino, in Southern Italy. He received his early training from the
Benedictines of Monte Cassino. Tradition says he was a taciturn and
seemingly dull boy, derisively nicknamed by his fellows "the dumb ox,"
but admired by his teachers. He subsequently entered the University of
Naples. While studying there he joined the Dominican Order, and was sent
later on to Cologne, where he became a pupil of Albertus Magnus. In 1251
he went to Paris, took his degrees in theology, and began his career as
a teacher in the University. His academic work there was continued, with
slight interruptions, till 1261. The eleven years which followed were
spent partly in Rome, where Thomas enjoyed the esteem of Urban IV. and
Clement IV., and partly in the cities of Northern Italy, which he
visited in the interest of his Order. During this period he produced the
greatest of his works, and won such repute as a theologian that the
leading universities made every effort to secure him as a teacher. He
was appointed to a professorship at Naples, where he remained from 1272
until the early part of 1274. Summoned by Gregory X. to take part in the
Council of Lyons, he set out on his journey northward, but was compelled
by illness to stop at Fossa Nuova. Here he died March 7th, 1274. He was
canonized in 1323, and was proclaimed a doctor of the Church by Pius
V. in 1567.

[Illustration: THOMAS AQUINAS]

These honors were merited by a remarkable combination of ability and
virtue. To an absolute purity of life, St. Thomas added an earnest love
of truth and of labor. Calm in the midst of discussion, he was equally
proof against the danger of brilliant success. As the friend of popes
and princes, he might have attained the highest dignities; but these he
steadfastly declined, devoting himself, so far as his duty permitted, to
scientific pursuits. Judged by his writings, he was intense yet
thoroughly objective, firm in his own position but dispassionate in
treating the opinions of others. Conclusions reached by daring
speculation and faultless logic are stated simply, impersonally. Keen
replies are given without bitterness, and the