Page:Mind (Old Series) Volume 12.djvu/466

 M. CABRI^RE, DIE REFORMATIONSZEIT. 453 review, and everywhere we feel that the author has more than a mere external interest in his subjects, that he has himself seen things in turn from all the points of view that he is describing. Every chapter is drawn from original sources ; and while there is no want of detailed information, a clear general idea is con- veyed of the meaning of each movement and the purport of the doctrines of each individual thinker. The minor figures of the Eenaissance and the Eeformation are not neglected, and indica- tions are given of the nature of the preparation for both movements in the later Middle Age ; the German mystics of the 14th century in particular being dealt with at considerable length. The bio- graphies and the general historical background make the book full of human interest. The general introduction and conclusion being counted sepa- rately, the first four chapters deal with movements, the rest, except the sixth which is a short introduction on " Eeligion and Philosophy in Italy," placed at the beginning of the second volume with individual thinkers. The movements dealt with are (1) the revival of Greek philosophy, (2) the scientific move- ment and the occupation with " magic," (3) the effort after social and political reform and the speculative ideas in which it found expression, (4) German Mysticism and the Eeformation. The writers who are considered to be of sufficient philosophical importance to demand treatment in separate chapters are Bohme (i. 310-419), Cardan (ii. 7-33), Telesio (34-45), Bruno (46-189), Vanini (190-214), and Campanella (215-296). The sixth chapter (ii. 1-6) is chiefly a study of Savonarola. The chapter on Giordano Bruno is the longest in the book, and for the author Bruno is the centre of interest. These reasons might suffice to justify a critic in devoting special attention to that chapter. There is, however, the additional reason that the writer of the present notice will thus be discharging an old engage- ment. Prof. Carriere's general view of Bruno has been adopted, as was pointed out in the last number of MIND, by the author of the English Life of Giordano Bruno, recently published by Messrs. Triibner, for the appearance of which the continuation of a former article on Bruno in MIND (Vol. ix.) was reserved. Such a critical estimate of Bruno's philosophical position as was promised in the postscript to that article must necessarily be stated or implied in any detailed judgment on Prof. Carriere's chapter. The present review, in dealing with this chapter, will accordingly be at the same time a fufilment of the promise then given. In making the chapter on Bruno the main subject of criticism, we shall not lose from sight Prof. Carriere's general purpose, which, as has been explained, is more than merely historical, being to treat the philosophers of the Eenaissance and Bruno in particular in their relations to the present time. His treatment of Bruno is, besides, more open to criticism than his treatment of philosophers for whom his admiration is less ; for this admiration causes him to