In the exposition of the writings of Comenius, the author has made liberal use of English and German translations from Latin and Czech originals. In the case of the _Great didactic_, the scholarly translation by Mr. Keatinge has, in the main, been followed. Free translations of portions of this work had been made by the author before the appearance of Mr. Keatinge’s book; and in some instances these have been retained. As regards the account of Comenius’ views on the earliest education of the child, the author’s edition of the _School of infancy_ has been followed; and in the discussion of reforms in language teaching, he is indebted to Mr. Bardeen’s edition of the _Orbis pictus_, and to Dr. William T. Harris for the use of the handsome Elzevir edition of the _Janua_, which is the property of the Bureau of Education. WILL S. MONROE. STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, WESTFIELD, MASS. CONTENTS CHAPTER I EUROPEAN EDUCATION IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY PAGE Humanism, realism, and naturalism characterized—Devotion of the sixteenth century to the humanistic ideal—Study of Latin eloquence—Style the chief aim—Neglect of the mother-tongue—Views of John Sturm and the Jesuits—Devotion to Cicero—Decadence of the later humanists—Erasmus and Melanchthon on the enrichment of the course of study—Satires of Rabelais directed against the humanists—Protests of Montaigne—Attitude of Ascham and Mulcaster—Transition from humanism to realism 1 CHAPTER II FORERUNNERS OF COMENIUS Traces of the intellectual development of Comenius. Vives a realist—His early training in Spain and France—Educational activity in Belgium and England—Views on the education of women—Theory of education—Comparison of Comenius and Vives. Bacon the founder of modern realism—Views on the education of his day—Attacks mediævalism—Study of nature and the inductive method—Individual differences among children. Ratke—Studies at Hamburg and Rostock—Visits England and becomes acquainted with the philosophy of Bacon—His plan of education—Its reception by the universities at Jena and Giessen—Organization of the schools at Gotha—Call to Sweden—Summary of Ratke’s views—Harmony of his teachings with those of Comenius. Campanella, Andreæ, and Bateus—Their influence on the life and teachings of Comenius 15 CHAPTER III BOYHOOD AND EARLY LIFE OF COMENIUS: 1592–1628