propositions pointed out above. "We proposed," he says in his conclusion, "to show the influence of the Cartesian philosophy on classic art or at least, if the influence is disputed, to point out the features common to both" (p. 361). But after a few pages, in which he does nothing but enumerate these common features, he concludes: "Thus classic art accepts from the Cartesian philosophy the three distinct data which make up an æsthetics—its ideal, its criterion, and its rules of composition" (p. 365). The vacillation, the confusion, the rapid shifting from one standpoint to another, indicated by the words we have italicized, is characteristic.
When the first edition of the book appeared, crowned by the French Academy, sixteen years ago, M. Bouillier, of the Institute, wrote a severe criticism of it, charging deception to the title, gross exaggeration to the main contention, non sequitur to the argument, the use of extraordinary formulas to express simple things to the style, and inexactness in the interpretation of Descartes. He concedes to the author skill in literary analysis and considerable subtlety in the elaboration of his theme; but what in the theme itself is true is not new, and what is new is not true (Rev. Ph., Nov., 1882, pp. 556-562). It will be seen from the above that we subscribe in part to this criticism. We are unwilling, however, to adopt the magistral severity of tone of the historian of Cartesianism. We find the book an exceedingly clever and instructive, in the main interesting, and in parts epigrammatic and brilliant, piece of work, but, as regards its final purpose, inconclusive.
H. N. Gardiner.
and enlarged. New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1898.—pp. xvi,
470.The present edition of Professor Seth's work retains all the distinctive features which have marked the earlier editions. In its underlying unity of thought, its mediation between the theories of the two chief historical schools, its skillful interweaving of historical and critical matter, as well as in the charm of its literary quality and its freedom from conventional textbook form, the identity of the book is strictly preserved. But a close examination shows that its revision has been most thorough, extending even to minute details. Of still greater interest are the additions to the body of the work, which include one entirely new chapter that upon 'Moral Progress.' These additions are of such significance as to demand more than a mere reference.
To the first chapter of the 'Introduction' is appended a section upon 'Aspects of the Ethical Problem,' which, although brief, will be of service to the beginner in the study, who needs to have the chief problems clearly defined, if his reading is to be fruitful. The 'good' is indicated as the central problem, and to it are related, in a thoroughly teleological view, the notions of 'right,' 'virtue,' and 'duty.' Thus to the question
