Makers of Modern Thought. By David Nasmyth, Q.C. Vol. I.
(G. Philip and Son.)—This volume contains twenty-three " sketches of the lives and writings of the following emancipators of the European mind," the following being twenty-three great thinkers and writers, beginning with Roger Bacon (1214-1294), and ending with Grotius (1583). The twenty-three are chosen with sufficient liberality, Luther, Rabelais, and Loyola, for instance, coming together. The result is a volume which will be undoubtedly useful, but which will, we fancy, need correction before it can be implicitly trusted as a book of reference on its subject. " Tycho Brahe," for instance, according to his latest biographer, Dr. Dreyer, was not by any means the injured innocent of whom we read in Mr. Nasmyth's account. Denmark did not treat him very well ; but he unquestionably provoked his fate.
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