AVERAGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN.

The average number of children in the family is 6+. This includes all the children born to the parents of the great man, but no half brothers or sisters. The time between the birth of the previous child of the marriage and the great man child is 22.87 months for 26 cases, while the average time between children of the family is 25.36 months for 33 cases. These latter facts seem to illustrate the biological law

of judicious use of a function.

POSITION IN THE FAMILY.

By birth, 11 are "only sons" and 16 are youngest sons. The position by birth can be shown by a line, A being the first child, B the middle child, C the youngest child, E the older half, and F the younger half, of the family, as follows:

From these results it will be seen that by birth the chances of greatness are as 24 is to 13 and practically as 32 to 16-that is, as 2 to 1 in favor of a child of the older half of the family. This confirms Galton's opinion.

PHYSICAL HEALTII.

Some biographers seem to have a tendency to contrast mental greatness with physical weakness. This may be due to the persistent idea that the body is inversely as the mind. But ill health is not a condition of greatness.

GENERAL STATEMENTS.

In regard to place of living in childhood, a large number resided in the country. The influence of poverty on great men is well known.

Great men have strong memories in the lines of their interests, although they may be very absent-minded generally speaking.

A careful study would probably show that in boyhood great men had more imagination than the average child. The popular idea that the great man owes his success to his mother's influence upon his education has at least many exceptions. The men given in the table above did owe much of their education to some one person, but often the mother's place was supplied by that of an aunt or other relative.

It is well known how unreliable are the estimates of the early childhood of great men, but at present there is a more scientific spirit in biographical writing, which, it is hoped, will counteract the usual tendency to exaggeration.

BARNARD CLUB SCHOOL OF CHILD STUDY.

The following syllabus for observations of children by the Barnard Club School of Child Study, of Providence, R. I., is given.

The syllabus contains "suggestions for the study of children from the second to the sixth year of school."

SYLLABUS 2.
Introduction.

This simple outline for child study has been prepared with the hope that it may aid primary teachers in coming into closer personal relation with their pupils, and that by the systematic study of a few children they may come to a better knowledge of child life and child nature.

Great delicacy and tact are required, however, in attempting this work, for the child studied must not suspect that he is the object of observation, and whenever direct questions are asked he should feel that they are prompted by friendly interest and not by curiosity.

It is recommended that only a few typical children in each class be studied in detail, but many points may easily be learned with regard to all the children. Walks through the school district will reveal much about their environment. Calls at the homes of the children under special study will bring out still more, while many points may be gained through oral or written exercises, which may be so planned as to come legitimately in the time devoted to language or natural science.

This work should not be taken up simply as an interesting psychological study, but rather approached reverently, remembering that the object sought is a deeper insight into the life and thought of the little child who has been "set in our midst."

Playthings. Which most prized? Why?
Books. Which most prized? Why?
Collections.

Occupation out of school.

Has the child any regular work to perform?
What form of play is most enjoyed?

II. Physical characteristics.

1. Physique: Slight or sturdy, feeble or strong.

BESSIE M. SCHOLFIELD.
RHODA A. ESTEN.

2. Color: Of hair; of eyes; of skin (pale or rosy, sallow or clear).
3. Health: Excellent, good, poor, fluctuating.

4. Bodily defects: Deformed or maimed.

5. Sense defects.

a. Sight.

b. Hearing.

6. Motor ability. Control of body.

a. Voluntary movements.

Direct or aimless, graceful or awkward,

quiet or noisy, quick or slow.

b. Automatic. Unconscious acts accompanying study or recreation.

III. Charac eristics of temperament and disposition.

Excitable or calm.

Energetic or sluggish.

Confiding or reticent.

Sensitive or indifferent.