PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. It is pleasing and gratifying to find a second printing of this little book is demanded so soon after its original production. The author laid no claim to a new or unique interpretation of psychology. His only purpose was to present the recognized principles of scientific psychology in such a way as to be of practical value to his readers. While generally the author is classed among the idealistic writers, he seeks no vague metaphysics or fantastic faith wherewith to bolster up a theory or a vain religion. He attempts to lay the foundations of a genuine idealism, one that is logically deducible from discovered or discoverable facts, but not a system resting only on conjecture and speculation. He is gratified to find so many sympathetic readers and to have received such generous treatment at the hands of his critics. By sticking closely to the indisputable data of the so-called rationalistic scientists, and yet showing how naturally a genuine optimism springs from such common soil, the author believes he is building on firmer foundation for truth, than if he strove to erect a bewildering air-castle of imaginary hypotheses. There has been added a brief alphabetical index which in addition to the analytical contents should assist the student to find with ease any subject in the book he may desire. It would be gratifying to the author to receive personal communications from his readers conveying their impression of the work. NEW YORK, HENRY FRANK. CONTENTS. Limitations of traditional psychology.-Sir William Hamil- ton's definition of mind.-Relation of mind and brain.- Descartes' conception of mind.—The mind as architect of the body.-Can the mind think without a physical instrument ?—Explanation of Swedenborg's clairvoyant vision. The mind compared with the sun.-Subtle psy- chic forces in lives of Louis XV., Peter the Great, George PAGE Scientific analysis of the substantiality of thought.-Strange experience of an author.-How mental images are made. -A psychic voice.-Resurrection of buried memories.- Experience of Gen. Joe Wheeler.-The law of cell-segre- gation and thought forms.-Professor Carpenter's story illustrating mechanical action of subconscious mind.- Where brain activities are recorded.-Parallel growth of Secret springs of desire.-Experience of Horace Fletcher in conquering anger and worry.-How Pestalozzi became a great teacher.-Dangers of despondency.-Count Tol- stoy's melancholia.-Classification of ethical elements in natural impulses.-How moral character is made.- Different interpretations of the soul.-Plato.-Leibnitz.— Mahomet's apology.-Aristotle.-Sir J. Davies's metrical definition of soul.-Forces which compose the soul.— Soul-force measured in foot-pounds. -How mind-force |