296 NEW BOOKS.

statement for purposes of comparison should be a somewhat slow process. There is nothing to be added here to what has formerly been said of the author's extraordinary patience and diligence in the composition of a work which he now describes (incidentally) as a " history of peoples in their social capacity, including their manners and customs, their government, their religion, their superstitions, and their literary, artistic and scientific advancement," or, more shortly, as " a universal history of civilisation ". That, as such, it differs from Mr. Spencer's Descriptive Sociology, as he now claims, and not less from the philosophic Principles, may readily be granted without prejudice to a remark previously made in these pages, that, when he formerly called it " a manual of Sociology a science as yet non- existent," the author did not appear sufficiently to recognise the construc- tive work already done on that field. Another remark that was then hazarded, as to the value of his authorities for facts, is, however, to be unreservedly withdrawn. It was made at the time upon a too cursory inspection of the volume under notice, and cannot now be in the least upheld against the evidence afforded, that when he rejects later for earlier records of travel it is done upon a deliberate and well-grounded opinion of their relative merit. Life of Giordano Bruno the Nolan. By I. FRITH. Eevised by Prof. MORIZ CARRIERE. (" The English and Foreign Philosophical Library," Vol. XXXI.) London : Triibner & Co., 1887. Pp. xii., 395. This long-expected book, although containing much reference to Bruno's works and philosophy, claims attention at present more as a biography than as a philosophical study. The change of title from that first announced " The Life and Works of Giordano Bruno" may be taken as an indication that the original purpose has been only partially carried out ; but we are told that " it is in contemplation to print a second volume, containing a summary of the works, with the documents of the trial and other con- firmatory evidence". The biography is interestingly written and accurate in its facts ; and if it is sometimes a little filled out by conjecture the reader is supplied with material for an independent judgment. It relates practically everything that is known of Bruno's life, including the results of the latest documents of all, those discovered in the archives of Geneva by M. Theophile Dufour. These documents (published by M. Dufour in 1884) fix Bruno's residence at Geneva in 1579, and make it five instead of only two months. For the rest they show that his aversion from Calvinism took an active form, arid explain sufficiently why he quitted Geneva so early ; relating some proceedings of the Council against him " for having caused to be printed certain replies and invectives against M. de la Faye " (then Professor of Philosophy in the Academy), in which " he had erred in the doctrine and had called the ministers of the Church of Geneva pedagogues ". The volume has been revised by Prof. Carriers, and appears simultaneously with the new edition of his own Philosophische Weltan- schauung der Reformationszeit, mentioned later on in the present No. The general view taken in it of Bruno's philosophical position is identical with Prof. Carriere's, of which something will be said in the promised Critical Notice of his work. In detail it does not simply follow any previous ex- position, but is the result of independent study of Bruno himself, of what has been written on him, and of his period. The critical part contains many valuable hints towards the understanding of his relations to later philosophy, and shows real appreciation of his character and writings. Before saying more, it will probably be best to wait for the appearance of the second volume, when we may 'expect further development of sugges- tions such as are made on pp. 45, 158, etc. The author has appended to