362 Rez'iczus of Books nature without noticing the ambiguities so clearly pointed out by Ritchie in the term "nature." He opposes intuitionism to utilitarianism with- out considering a third possibility, and similarly he opposes natural law to utilitarianism without giving any serious attention to the conception of a common will. He does not notice the implications of modern social psychology, which shows that the individual is a social outcome rather than a social unit, and that hence by virtue of his very dependence upon the social and political organism for freedom, rights, and development, he is bound to act as a member of this organism. This philosophical in- adequacy, however, by no means interferes with the value of the work from other standpoints. For its able summaries, and its candid and ju- dicious comments certainly make it a useful and welcome treatise. James H. Tufts. Histoire dcs Rapports dc l' Eglisc ct de l Etat en France de ijSg a iSyo. Par A. Debidour. (Paris : Felix Alcan. 1898. Pp. ii, 740.) This large and elaborate history of the relations of Church and State in France during nearly a century, is the most valuable contribution to modern church history that has appeared for some time. The subject itself is of great importance and interest, comprising the whole story of the Church during the French Revolution, the settlement by Napoleon, and the resulting history down to the fall of the Second Empire. It in volves the fundamental principles of ecclesiastical policy and innumerable interesting problems. One of the most striking features of the book is the charming style in which it is written. One may read page after page of these long and solidly printed pages, not only without the slightest weariness, but with increasing interest and delight. The keen analyses, impartial judgments, broad views and critical scholarship find expression in a style which for grace and rhythm is rarely found in historical prose. In his preface, the author, well known to readers of modern French history, declares that he has no thesis to maintain nor any special plea to present, but he does believe that a clear historical narrative will bring out two fundamental principles equally precious ; freedom of worship and the sovereignty of the state. " The State," he says, "has no right to proscribe or fetter a religion which does not disturb public order nor has it any right to legislate in spiritual matters. But no religion ought, in ray opinion, to encroach on the domain of civil society, and if, in con- sequence of such abuse, a conflict should arise between the two powers. the last word ought always to belong to the State." The book opens with an extremely helpful and suggestive resume of the relations of Church and State in the old regime, especially consider- ing the Reformation settlement and its results in France down to the breaking out of the Revolution of 1789. The body of the work is di- vided into two parts : the first part, entitled '-Revolution," dealing
