256 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



SULLY'S HAND-BOOK OF PSYCHOLOGY * 



By CAEVETH BEAD. 



THE " Outlines of Psychology " vras written, as the title-page 

 showed, " with special reference to the theory of education. " 

 Sometimes in the midst of the text, but chiefly at the end of each 

 chapter, abundant remarks and reflections were introduced, showing 

 the bearing of the principles of mental science upon the training of 

 faculty and character in the young. The work has been (as it de- 

 served to be) very acceptable to the public — especially to students — 

 and it would be a great mistake to suppose that the present " Hand- 

 book " is intended to, or possibly can, supersede it. But it has been 

 felt that the "Outlines," in spite of its modest title, is too long and 

 detailed, and sometimes perhaps too abstruse and difficult, for many 

 parents and teachers, who would gladly see their task in the light of 

 science, but either have not much time to spare, or else lack the spe- 

 cial training that is requisite for the more intricate questions of psy- 

 chology. For them, accordingly, the present smaller volume has been 

 produced. 



The " Hand-book " begins with a discussion of the scope of educa- 

 tion and of its relation to psychology. After this preliminary chapter 

 the book is based upon and follows generally the course of the " Out- 

 lines," giving a succinct but luminous view of the best scientific doc- 

 trine with regard to the senses, perception, the higher intellectual pow- 

 ers, the emotions, and volition. But the applications of the science to 

 the problems of education are no longer, as in the larger work, sepa- 

 rated from the exposition of the science itself hv any difference of 

 type or arrangement. Doctrine and precept are fused into a continu- 

 ous whole, which, assisted by an openly printed page and an effective 

 style, becomes, I must say, extremely readable, considering the nature 

 of the subject. Upon each branch of the subject enough is said con- 

 cerning the principles of psychology to serve the ordinary purposes of 

 the educator ; and everything is said so simply that no one, however 

 unaccustomed to such inquiries, can fail to follow and understand it. 

 There is no attempt to enter into subtile disquisitions or vexed contro- 

 versies. The bog-fires of metaphysic, hardly seen to glimmer on the 

 borders of the demesne, can tempt no wayfarer to go astray. Every 

 sentence is subordinated to the single end of clearing up the problem 

 how best to train the minds and characters of the young. And the 

 inferences drawn step by step as the book advances, and the sugges- 

 tions made upon this most important of all subjects, are an admirable 

 example of the application of science to life. Who can help wishing 



* The Teacher's Hand-Book of Psychology. On the Basis of the " Outlines of Psy- 

 chology." New York : D. Appleton & Co. 1886. 



