28 MARCH 1891, Page 26

Dante and his Early Biographers. By Edward Moore, D.D. (Rivingtons.)—It

was a happy inspiration in the Council of University College, London, that led them to appoint Dr. Moore to the Barlow Lectureship. Here we have another valuable pro- duct of his study of the great poet's life and works. He begins by discussing the two biographies attributed to Boccaccio, known respectively as the "Vita" and the "Compendio," and pronounces against the authenticity of the latter. He then goes through a succession of Lives, from that by Filippo Villani (" Do Vita at Moribus Dantis insignia Comici") down to that by Giovanni Fidelfo, who died in 1480. Other early biographical notices follow, and then there is a chapter, which will be found the most interesting in the book, on "Personal Traits and Characteristics of Dante."