New-York tribune., 1920-11-28

resolved itself into mere matter of
months. At birth fifteen months sepa-
rated them; at death the months
mounted to six years, but with the
publication Of their personal CORE
spondence the monthly schedule again
came into vogue.
Last April Scrbners published the
letters of Henry James in two vol
rmes. To-day, seven months later,
come two more volumes from The Az
lsn,ic Monthly Press, The Letters of
William James, edited by his son,
Henry James.
Certainly there is every justification
for this shower of James correspond
ence. The only possible regret one
might express is that there are no
more James brothers who have become
famous and left behind them a trail
OF interesting letters. Biography and
autobiography appear tame when COM
pared TO the informal and intimate ut
terances uncovered in these personal
letters.
His Harvard Work
William James has been a leading
figure in philosophy and psychology for
more than thirty years. He practi
cally founded these two departments at
Harvard University. His Principles of
Psychology, Il massive work TO which
he devoted twelve years of investiga-
ton and writing, is still used by most
James's prophecy that his material
would become old-fashioned soon after
it was published.
The majority of English-speaking
students entering the field of psychol-
ogy know James. or Jimmy" as the
abridged edition is nicknamed, before
they are introduced to any other
writer Perhaps he was not the Chris
topher Columbus of psychology, but
his was an extraordinary contribution
to a science that had not reached &
very advanced stage when it first stim-
ula,ed his interest.
Aside from the readable qualities of
his letters they furnish an opportu-
nity to trace his career from the days
when he was aoundering about wor-
dering just where he fitted into the
universe up through the time when
ne had achieved such an imposing po-
sition of authority and influence in
the world OF philosophy.
Handicapped by sickness and cer-
tain neurotic disabilities in youth,
James found his academic studies con-
stantly interrupted Aiming for a
medical degree, yet not sure that he
should to care TO follow up that pro-
fession, he began the study OF chem
istry at Harvard. There he met Presi-
dent Charles ". Eliot, who at that
time had charge of the laboratory Of
me Lawrence Scientific School.
His Judgment of Eliot
After the first few days James wrote
his family:
"Elict have not seen much Of;
don't believe he is very accom-
plisAed chemist, but can't tell yet"
President Eliot, however, was more
discerning. He writes.
Il first came in contact with Will
Am James in the academic year of
lsSl-'62. l received a dis
tinct impression that he possessed un-
usual mental powers, remarkable spir-
ituality and great personal charm"
Ten years later, after James had
taken his degree in medicine, studied
in Germany and endured several years
Of invalidsm, President Eliot appoint
ed MIN an instructor Of anatomy and
physiology at Harvard.
The appointment to teach physiol-
ogy is perfect godsend to me just
now" he wrote his brother, Henry, "an
external motive TO work, which yet
does not strain me--a dealing with
men instead Of my own mind and
diversion from those interpretive
studies which had bred sort Of philo-
sophical hypochondria in me Of late,
and which it will certainly do me good
to drop for a year"
A Long Service
Thus began q service in the univcr-
shy which lasted almost continuously
until 1907. James passed from teach
'ng physiology TO psychology, and later
70 philosophy, though the two latter
subjects we're never completely di-
yoFced in his thought or in MS writ
Ing With definite duties and respon-
abilities his health improved, and he
never suffered any further incapacity
1otil late in lie.
Some idea Of his enthusiasm for his
WORK az Harvard may be gathered from
ietNr addressed TO Henry James in
1892.
I have been seeth;ng in fever Of
politics about the future Of our philos-
'2ay dspartrncnt. Harvard must lead
20 Psychology, and I, having founded
as' laboratory, an not the man to
esrry On the practical work. have
Anoss succeeded, however, in clinch-
'as bargain whereby M1nsterberg,
sas solczs experimental psychologist In
's'msny. allowance made for his being
my f"snty-eight years old-he Is, In
-S''' she RUdyard Kipling Of psychol-
'sy--fs 70 come here. When he does
VIII scoop out all the other univer-
*'i'ts as far az that 1tre ~ yorL onsu