record, even though the restatement involves some repetition. Finally, I should explain that the letters have been reproduced _verbatim_, though not _literatim_, except for superscriptions, which have often been simplified. As respects spelling and punctuation, the manuscripts are not consistent. James wrote rapidly, used abbreviations, occasionally "simplified" his spelling, and was inclined to use capital letters only for emphasis. Thus he often followed the French custom of writing adjectives derived from proper names with small letters--_e.g._ french literature, european affairs. But when he wrote for publication he was too considerate of his reader's attention to distract it with such petty irregularities; therefore unimportant peculiarities of orthography have generally not been reproduced in this book. On the other hand, the phraseology of the manuscripts, even where grammatically incomplete, has been kept. Verbal changes have not been made except where it was clear that there had been a slip of the pen, and clear what had been intended. It is obvious that rhetorical laxities are to be expected in letters written as these were. No editor who has attempted to "improve away" such defects has ever deserved to be thanked. Acknowledgments are due, first of all, to the correspondents who have generously supplied letters. Several who were most generous and to whom I am most indebted have, alas! passed beyond the reach of thanks. I wish particularly to record my gratitude here to correspondents too numerous to be named who have furnished letters that are not included. Such material, though omitted from the book, has been informing and helpful to the Editor. One example may be cited--the copious correspondence with Mrs. James which covers the period of every briefest separation; but extracts from this have been used only when other letters failed. From Dr. Dickinson S. Miller, from Professor R. B. Perry, from my mother, from my brother William, and from my wife, all of whom have seen the material at different stages of its preparation, I have received many helpful suggestions, and I gratefully acknowledge my special debt to them. President Eliot, Dr. Miller, and Professor G. H. Palmer were, each, so kind as to send me memoranda of their impressions and recollections. I have embodied parts of the memoranda of the first two in my notes; and have quoted from Professor Palmer's minute--about to appear in the "Harvard Graduates' Magazine." For all information about William James's Barber ancestry I am indebted to the genealogical investigations of Mrs. Russell Hastings. Special acknowledgments are due to Mr. George B. Ives, who has prepared the topical index. Finally, I shall be grateful to anyone who will, at any time, advise me of the whereabouts of any letters which I have not already had an opportunity to examine. H. J. _August, 1920._ CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION 1-30 _Ancestry--Henry James, Senior--Youth--Education--Certain Personal Traits._ II. 1861-1864 31-52 _Chemistry and Comparative Anatomy in the Lawrence Scientific School._ LETTERS:-- To his Family 33 To Miss Katharine Temple (Mrs. Richard Emmet) 37 To his Family 40 To Katharine James Prince 43 To his Mother 45 To his Sister 49 III. 1864-1866 53-70 _The Harvard Medical School--With Louis Agassiz to the Amazon._ LETTERS:-- To his Mother 56 To his Parents 57 To his Father 60 To his Father 64 To his Parents 67 IV. 1866-1867 71-83 _Medical Studies at Harvard._ LETTERS:-- To Thomas W. Ward 73 To Thomas W. Ward 76 To his Sister 79 To O. W. Holmes, Jr. 82 V. 1867-1868 84-139 _Eighteen Months in Germany._ LETTERS:-- To his Parents 86 To his Mother 92 To his Father 95 To O. W. Holmes, Jr. 98 To Henry James 103...