Accordingly I have endeavoured in this small work to give a brief summary of the more essential portions of Austin's Theory of Positive Law and Sovereignty (for that is the part of his work which has caused most discussion), together with a. Summary of the various views and discus sions which it has provoked. On the ground that the book is intended only for those about to take up the study of Jurisprudence for the first time, I have deemed it advisable to add an introductory chapter, dealing with the meaning of Jurisprudence and giving a biographical sketch of Austin. The references do not pretend to be exhaustive. Such books only are referred to as the student will be able to find on the shelves of a moderately well-equipped library.