New-York tribune., 1905-06-26
Wbaf N. y. Booksellers Say Obey
Are Telling Most

The intent OF the compilers Of the volume re-
Gently issued by the Century Co. and entitled
Medieval Civilization is laudable one The
book is the work of Dana Carleton Miner and
George Clarke Selbys Of the University of Wis
consin, and it is designed to furnish course Of
supplementary reading for classes in med9val
history. With this idea in view the compilers
have drawn not on original sources. but, with
few exceptions, on modern writer's in Conti-
mental languages, making their selections on
topics not adequately treated In English. and
from authors who often express opposing views.
The hope is. of course, expressed that the frag-
ments here furnished in translation will lead
the student to seek the originals for further
guidance. In far this object is attained
the work Will prove of real value but the COM
pliers have not hesitated. or. hesitating, have not
refrained. to take very large liberties with the
authors from whom they quote, not only by
great freedom in translation. but by omit
ting portions of the text without indicating the
hiatuses. The very fact that they express the
belief that in no one case have we made any
change which is not in accordance with the au-
thors point of view" is In itself admission of
doubt. II not their part, at least to
how the book may be regarded by others Still,
in spite of the occasional subordination of the
avowed purpose of the volume to it's use
text book. the compilers have generally shown
excellent judgment In their choice of subjects
and of the writer's upon whom they have drawn.
The articles on THE Victory of the Latin Lam
guage,' from Bloch: on THE Faith and Morals
of the Franks from Lavisse; The Eco
nomc Influences of the Monasteries." from Gun
ningham; on THE Non-U -Universalism Of Feu-
dalism," from Saige; on "Moslem Civilizat tion in
Spain' from Dozy, and THE Development of
the Romance Languages. Especially Those of
NJ he
wide range covered by the book and OF the way
in which the editors seek to illuminate medieval
history from the point of view of eminent spe-
cialists not readily available by college stu
dents. Certainly the selections from Dozy on
Medieval Civiliza tion in SPAIN must convey TO
the student better picture of that period than
he is likely to get from any professedy historical
treatise. Take, for example. the following an
ecdote of Motacim. who ruled the diminutive
prncipality of Almeria in the latter part of the
eleventh century-"An enlightened patron of art
and learning. he encouraged and recompensed
talents OF every nature"
Besides being just Motacim loved to pardon ot-
lenses He had heaped poet with his favors; but
Matadha ibnAbbsd he vas so 90 tes court m OF
dared to insert this in dithyramb composed
a1lI5 'a the BARRIERS
IMotaciml the chickens in his villages"
Motacim was informed OF the poets joke; but
aod he eTnss child m Of the had f9TsottsR
he was invited TO supper at the palace he was very
much astonished 10 the table nothing but
chickens. But. my lord" he said have you
nothing else to eat in Almeria except chickens?'
I'VE have other things" replied Mofacm. but I
wanted 10 show you that you were mistaken when
you said that Ibn-Man had exterminated the
| his unfortunate verses and attempted make
excuse: but the prince said: Don't be uneasy;
man OF your profession makes his living only when
| he acts you have done. ] angry only with
the prince who heard you recie this and did
not protest when you insulted one of his equals. "
| Then. wishing to show the poet that he did not
| harbor malice he gave him some presents