of the more systematic treatises which expound the antimonarchic doctrines that reflect the struggle of Europe against the oncoming absolutism of the new monarchy—the Vindiciae contra Tyrannos, the work of George Buchanan; the Systematic Politics of John Althaus (Johannes Althusius); and the astute De Rege et Regis Institutionis of the Spanish Jesuit, Mariana.
Bodin, Grotius, Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu each have the distinction of a separate chapter devoted to their political philosophy. Between Bodin and Grotius falls a chapter on the Catholic controversialists and jurists; among them, Bellarmin, Barclay, Suarez, and Campanella. Between Grotius and Hobbes come two studies, first a survey of the English political philosophy before the puritan revolution, embracing a notice of the commentators on the common law like Glaniel, Richard Nigel, and Bracton, lawyers like Sir John Fortescue and Sir Edward Coke, and writers of the Tudor century like Moore and Hooker; and, second, the theories of the Puritan Revolution.
Between Hobbes and Locke we are asked to turn aside for a study of the development of continental theory during the age of Louis XIV. Spinoza, Pufendorf, and Bossuet receive commanding attention; Leibniz and Fenelon are considered as classing within the minor currents of continental theory. In passing from Locke to Montesquieu, Johann Christian Wolff, Frederick the Great, Bolingbroke, Hume, and Vico are considered—Germans, Englishmen, and Italian. This array of names and hint of historical episode give some intimation of the vast labor requisite for pronouncing qualified judgment on such a number of writers of books. But this self- imposed task has been well performed.
If I were to venture to name the distinguishing excellence of this volume, I should say it is the fine sense of proportion that guides the author in the distribution and arrangement of his ponderous material. Professor Dunning skilfully accords the great epochs and the great names their due place and importance, without neglecting to give a fair measure of recognition to minor currents and lesser lights. The order of subjects is not always chronological—it could not well be so; but it is always logical, and always guided careful weighing of inner relations of men and events. There is enough reference to contemporary history to guide the student not too unfamiliar with the setting of the great treatises in the real world of strife and conflict. Occasionally one finds himself wishing for a change of
