Zeller's History of Greek Philosophy : the Pre-Socratic Schools. Translated
by S. F. Alleyne. (Longmans.)—Zeller's great work has appeared in piecemeal translations hitherto, as the studies of the translators or the requirements of students determined. Miss Alleyne, who began by translating the sixteen chapters that deal with Plato, now gives us the sections covering the Pre-Socraticr philosophy, and may be congratulated on the honour of having thus brought the largest portion, and certainly not the least important, of the book to the knowledge of English students, "who are, perhaps, less familiar with German than Greek." The translation, as a whole, did not need the deprecatory words of the preface in which Miss Alleyne pleads "the requirements of the English language, and its deficiency in precise equivalents for German philosophical terms," as an excuse for shortcomings in her achievements. It may fairly be doubted whether such deficiency exists, and the expression " German philosophical terms." looks something like a surrender of philosophy to the Germans. But Miss Alleyne shows herself quite capable of expressing in inteffigible English Zeller's exposition of Greek thought ; and in the frequently polemical and minute notes the help of Mr. Abbott of Bellied, which she mentions in her preface, has enabled her to present her author's meaning fully, and at the same time rather less roughly than in the original. Zeller's style is hardly ever inspired or inspiring; and if the translator does not go beyond her author in this respect, at least she does not fall behind him. Style, however, is a subordinate consideration in a philosophical work' and the clearness and thoroughness of Zeller's treatment (it is superfluous to speak of the high qualities of a work so well known as his) are well represented in this English version. It is much to he wished that an uniformly revised edition of the English translations, with Zeller's co-operation, could be made. We should get more continuity, and have the advantage of the author's menus ultimo. And Miss Alleyne would probably be the best editor.
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