Portions of the book have already appeared in various periodicals—_The Century Magazine_, _The Outlook_, _McClure’s Magazine_, etc.—and to the editors of these publications I owe a word of grateful acknowledgment. I am also under obligations to numerous medical and psychological friends for valuable information. But most of all, as always, I am indebted to my wife, whose critical reading of the manuscript has resulted in many helpful suggestions. H. ADDINGTON BRUCE. Cambridge, Massachusetts, _February_, 1915. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE PREFACE vii I THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT 3 II SUGGESTION IN EDUCATION 39 III THE SECRET OF GENIUS 71 IV INTENSIVE CHILD CULTURE 113 V THE PROBLEM OF LAZINESS 161 VI A CHAPTER ON LAUGHTER 193 VII HYSTERIA IN CHILDHOOD 221 VIII THE MENACE OF FEAR 249 IX A FEW CLOSING WORDS 283 I THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT Many years ago, according to a story which remains vividly in my memory by reason of its grim suggestiveness, two small boys were one day sauntering along a country road. The sight of an orchard, resplendent in its autumn glory of red and green and gold, tempted them with irresistible appeal, as it has tempted thousands of other boys before and since. Over the rail-fence they scrambled, up a well-laden tree they climbed, and soon were merrily at work filling their pockets. But now from a near-by cottage came the man who owned the orchard, and his coming was the signal for a hasty descent. One of the boys made good his escape; the other, less quick-footed, was dragged, a loudly-protesting captive, to the home of the local magistrate. “More apple-stealing!” this stern functionary exclaimed. “Something must be done to stop it. Let us make an example of this bad boy.” To prison forthwith he consigned the luckless youth. His companion, thankful for his happier fate, returned to his home, his school, and his books. From school he went to college, and afterward took up the study of law, beginning his professional career with a reputation for great intellectual ability and strength of character. In course of time he was made a judge.