two works of Spinoza which are most important for the student of philosophy. At the same time, it is distinctly to be regretted that Mr. White's translations of the Ethic and of the Tractatus de intellectus emendatione were not printed and bound in one volume, as the latter work is at once very brief, and the indispensable introduction to the former.
It is with the translator's introductions to these two volumes [apparently by Mr. White], however, that we are here principally concerned. The new introduction to the translation of the Ethic is quite long (105 octavo pages); and that to the translation of the Tractatus of proportionate length. Here, again, one must wish that the contents of the two volumes could have been incorporated into one, so that the introductions, which partly cover the same ground, could have been combined. It is not that one objects at all to the total length of the two, but that one feels that the same space could have been employed to better advantage.
The Tractatus is properly regarded by the translator not only as important in itself, but as a great help to the understanding of the Ethic. The introduction is largely of the nature of a paraphrase, but is carefully and well done, and the translator takes pains to explain the meaning of most of the technical terms used in the essay itself. The introduction to the new edition of the translation of the Ethic is much more elaborate than that prefixed to the first edition. In the latter the translator had said that his desire was "not to provide a commentary, but a stimulus." Rather more than that is attempted in the present case, and it may at once be said that we have here presented much that will prove useful to the student of Spinoza. First, a brief but interesting account of the philosopher's life is given; then a statement of the dates of publication of Spinoza's various works, together with the substance of what is known regarding the order and time of their composition. Distinctly interesting is the comparison, in parallel columns, of certain definitions in the Short Treatise upon God, Man, and Man's Well-being, the letters to Oldenburg, and the Ethic. The remainder of the introduction is devoted to an exposition of Spinoza's doctrine, particularly as contained in the Tractatus de intellectus emendatione, the Tractatus theologico-politicus, and the Ethic. Here, again, the treatment largely takes the form of a highly condensed paraphrase. This is perhaps not, on the whole, to be objected to, provided it be recognized that the introduction is calculated to serve rather as a commentary on, than as a preparation for, the translation.
