Franciscana Notes

112MISCELLANEA Franciscana Notes FRANCISCAN INSTITUTE OF FAMILY STUDIES OPENED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTREAL In September 1945, L'Institut d'Etudes Familiales, staffed and directed by Franciscans, was annexed to the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Montreal. This Institute, spontaneously integrating itself with the pontifical program of Pope Pius XII for the restoration of the Christian home, aims to train specialists and teachers equipped for aiding in and working for the restoration of the family as the basis of society. It undertakes the scientific study of the process of integration and disintegration of the family in order to achieve the physical, mental, moral and spiritual wellbeing of that unit, as well as to furnish a university and intellectual guidance to the forces working for this attainment. Operating in complete cooperation with the Faculty of Philosophy of the Institute of Psychology of the University of Montreal, l'Institut d'Etudes Familiales carries a three-year program of studies completed by examinations for the degree of bachelor, licentiate, or doctor. The program for the first year includes: general ethics; law; psychology (general), psychophysiology (genetics, embryology, endocrinology) ; an introductory course on the origin, history and structure of the family, statistics and family research . The Institute has as director Hervé Biais, O.F.M. Dr. A. G. LITTLE DIES On October 22, of last year, Dr. A. G. Little died at Sevenoaks, Kent, England, aged eighty-two years. Dr. Little was one of the foremost scholars of English Franciscan history. At Clifton, where he was in Browne's house (1878-82), he came under the influence of his lifelong friend, Charles Edwyn Vaughan, afterwards professor of English Language and Literature at Cardiff, Newcastle and Leeds. Vaughan taught Little to appreciate great literature and turned his attention to history. In 1882, Dr. Little went to Balliol College, Oxford. He took a first class in Modem History in 1886. During 1886-8, he was in Germany at Dresden and Göttingen where he received instruction in palaeography and modern historical research under Weiland and Steindoff. During 1888-92, he worked in Oxford and London on his first book, "The Grey Friars in Oxford," which was printed for the Oxford Historical Society during 1892 and remains an acknowledged critical work. From 1892 to 1901, Dr. Little taught history at University College, Cardiff, first as lecturer and then as professor. In 1902, he accepted an invitation to teach palaeography in the new University of Manchester and continued this work for more than a quarter of a century, 1902-28. MISCELLANEA113 Dr. Little also founded the British Society of Franciscan Studies in 1902. This society was reconstructed in 1907 as a Society for the publication of original studies and documents. The first volume published was from the pen of Dr. Little and was an edition of a "Liber Exemplorum ad usum praedicantium" (A Book of Examples for use in preaching). Following the death of Paul Sabatier, Dr. Little became president of the Society which he had founded. Having edited the first volume published by the Society, it seemed fitting that the last book of the British Society of Franciscan Studies should likewise bear evidence of Dr. Little's work. And such was the case. In 1937, the society decided that its work was completed through the publication, that year, of the twenty-second and last volume under the title "Franciscan History and Legend in English Mediaeval Art." Dr. Little was the editor; he also wrote the Preface and two of the six lengthy chapters. Franciscans and those interested in Franciscanism owe Dr. Little a tribute of gratitude for his immense contribution to historical knowledge. It was through his initiative and persevering application that many ancient Franciscan manuscripts appeared in print. He also brought to publice notice the literary and scientific works of outstanding English friars, long dead, which were known to few and available to only scholars like himself. Because of this indebtedness, it is most fitting that a Franciscan, a former member of the British Society of Franciscan Studies, and one who knew Dr. Little and corresponded with him, should present this short and condensed biography of a great student in the field of Franciscan history...