Page:Philosophical Review Volume 31.djvu/112

100 spurious works attributed to Aristotle and called by Caster "the most popular book of the middle ages," as the numerous Latin manuscripts, vernacular translations, and early printed editions attest. Bacon's hitherto unpublished version (at pp. 25-175) takes some liberties with the Latin translation by Philip of Tripoli, changing the division into books, altering the chapter headings, and inserting several passages. His Introduction (at pp. 1-24) is in large part devoted to one of his characteristic attempts to distinguish such 'natural' and 'experimental' sciences as astrology from illicit divination and magic. Mr. Steele further publishes (at pp. 176-266) an English translation from the Arabic text of the Secret of Secrets and (at pp. 287-313) an Anglo-Norman poetical version, Le Secre de Secrez. Mr. Steele's Introduction (at pp. vii-lxiv) treats of the textual history of the Secret of Secrets as well as of Bacon's version. Thus the volume under review makes accessible much that is of interest and value not only to students of Roger Bacon, but of the pseudo-Aristotelian writings, or of medieval thought, science, and superstition in general.

One hesitates to accept Mr. Steele's identification of Philip of Tripoli with a canon of Byblos and the consequent late date of 1243 for his translation, or his theory of a subsequent 'official revision of Philip's translation.' And one is surprised at the impression which seems to be given (pp. xvi, xlvi) that astrology and astrological medicine were extensively cultivated among Mohammedans and in western Europe only toward the close of the thirteenth century. But space fails to discuss these matters further. One could wish, however, that Mr. Steele had given the dates and other details concerning the manuscripts of the Arabic text of the Secret of Secrets which he publishes in English translation, so that on might rest more assured as to its claim to represent the original on which Philip's translation was based. The general appearance of the volume and type-page is attractive, but typographical errors are frequent.

The following books also have been received:

Lotse's Theory of Reality. By. London, Longmans, Green, & Co., 1921.—pp. 1, 218.

An Introduction to Philosophy. By. Translated by. London, T. Fisher Unwin Ltd., 1921.—pp. 365.

Philosophy and the New Physics. By L. . Translated by. Philadelphia, P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1021. pp.—xvi, 160.

Moral Values and the Idea of God. The Gifford Lectures for 1914-1915. By. 2d Edition. Cambridge, The University Press, 1921.—pp. xx, 528.