mind in such form that it can be published without change. One of its chapters appeared in the first volume of the Menorah Journal, December, 1915 (pp. 298-308), under the title "Liberalism and the Jews."

The careful reader will notice that the Intro

duction and various parts of the book show the polished style of the master, while here and there the absence of his revising hand is keenly felt. Nevertheless, the brilliant mind, the wide reading, and the broad information of the author are manifest everywhere, and his calmness and objectivity of judgment will make this, his last work, a valuable contribution, not only to Jewish literature, but to the history of modern civilization.

Joseph Jacobs was not an apologete-his wish was to point out the share of the Jews in the world's progress. His occupation with the general subject had convinced him that the part played by the Jews had never been adequately acknowledged. On the other hand, he was careful to bring forward no claims which could not be substantiated by solid facts. It is a matter of deepest regret that he was not to finish his task and to bring the later chapters to the high level of the Introduction. Let us be sincerely thankful for what we have.

As stated in his Introduction, Dr. Jacobs had planned to divide this work, dealing with Jewish

contributions to European civilization, into three books. In the first book, entitled "Jews of the Past," he intended to dwell upon Jewish achievement in the various fields of research during the past two thousand years and to show that the Jews have made themselves a constituent element of that civilization to which they are heirs equally with other nations, creeds, and peoples. The second book was to be devoted to the evaluation of the contributions of individual Jews to modern European culture in the immediate past and present. The third book was to determine the value of Jews in the modern cultural State and thus meet the question raised by the modern higher antiSemites who, in consonance with their mediæval ideals, are opposed to Jewish influence in the Church-State which they would like to see revived.

When, in January, 1916, Dr. Jacobs died, this task had been but partially accomplished. Book I was practically ready for publication, though, had the author lived, he would undoubtedly have subjected many parts to a thorough revision. Of Book II he left notes, which would have served him as an outline. These notes show the masterly fashion and the thoroughness with which he had intended to treat this important subject. Nothing has been found of Book III.

Book I, being complete in itself, is herewith offered to the public, with the express statement that

it has not been altered in word or fact. The author embodied in it a wealth of knowledge and information, accumulated during a busy and energetic life, and the arguments are marshalled with the brilliancy characteristic of Dr. Jacobs. It may indeed be said that the question raised by the higher antiSemites, which was to be dealt with in the last book, has been adequately answered in the present volume.

During the last few years the political situation in many European countries has undergone radical changes, and it is therefore natural that some of the statements in this book should appear obsoletesuch as the numerous references to the treatment of the Jews in Russia under conditions which have since been materially changed.

January, 1919.