New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-27
SCIENCE CLAIMS THE AMERICAN BLB

SCIENCE CLAIMS THE AMERICAN BlBT
The branch Of investigation now known rs in
FAINT psychology, and which is pursued by careful
and prolonged observation of the mental develop
mcnt of very young children. has, though newly
entered upon been already productive OF interest
ing and useful results IN several countries As Mr..
j. Jastrow writing in Science observes: For Eng
land Darwin and Pollock for France, Tanc and
Perez; for Germany. Tcdcmann; for Austria
Preycr for Italy, Fern. have contributed to this
study0 And he adds-wlth feeling " hich will
he easily understood and fully synpathzed
with" May we not soon expect To hear rs to tho
psychology of the American baby 7" what u
vista the question opens up, The psychology of
the American baby must IN the nature OF things DO
. better kind of psychology than that Of outside
barbarian babies, for whcIo are there any babies
whose development is 50 entirely untrammcled, and
who are Afforded such opportunities to manifest
without let or hindrance innate ideas. Inherited
ontitude instructive tendencies, and whatever
else may occur to thcmf
IL is indeed time that this aching void IN the lit
craturr of infant psychology was lllled what the
age is pining for IL tho scientific history OF the
American baby. Everybod nut HIM has been ill.,
teryiewed and investigated, but it is clear that tho
modern system of philosophy cannot be rounded
ont until tins research has been effected. Ii may DO
doubted whether the Psychcal Research Society IS
exactly the proper body to undertake the work.
Its tendencies are supramundanc and mystical,
and the American baby is neither ono nor the
other. but very practical. mittcr-ot-fact little
crcrturc who falls into the habit Of taking his
own way with an ease and celebrity full of suggcs-
tiveness. No doubt the American mother is pre-
norrd at a moments notice to demonstrate tho SUI
pcriorlty of that one fno child winch is common
propcrty TO all other and several infants conceiy-
able Also she would contribute II vast amount Of
observations concerning tho evolution of
baby. But thorc Is lingering doubt as to whether
she could sufficiently suppress her imaginative
faculty in the process, and rigldly conIine her
illuminating agent to the dry hgnt OF Science.
The American baby claimed by Science as her
own, quito clearly. The world knows nothing of ITS
greatest babies 50 long rs tins work remains I'M
performed. OF monarchcal infants the record Is
more than sufficiently abundant. 1t caunot DO
| expected that any abiding ID)l ctn oon3 of
the observation of French aud Austrian babies. 1t
Is from babies Graded in the arms Of the Goddess OF
Liberty. TO speak, that really important develop
ments can alone bo confidently expected. Infant
! psychology will proceed by leaps and bounds when
| once tho free and emil ghtencd American baby OF
! the period has been submitted to analysis
! and no donbt can be entertained as to
| his readiness thus 10 exhibit his true III
wardness All that Is needed is the man OF
science who Is prepared TO utilize his body
course with the consent and approval Of ~ mamma
in the interest vi civilization. Whom we Know