248
The Green Bag
and great obstacle in the defects of
leadership, and in general will promote
prevailing methods of education, espe
the clarity of vision and the correct
cially as shown in the emphasis which is laid on the mere acquisition of facts.
estimate of values so indispensable an
In the freedom of choice of elective systems, and the consequent tempta tion to follow the path of least resistance, he sees as the inevitable result a dissi pation of mental energy and an implant ing of tendencies which unfortunately do not terminate with school life. As a single illustration, he quotes a dis
tinguished educator to the effect that the Americans suffer more than any
other people “and more now than at any other time" from a weakness of attention, which be directly attributes
endowment for the body of citizens at large. The author adds by way of illustra
tion a sketch of the reorganized course of study in the Boston University School of Law. Based on the theory that dy namics should be substituted for statics,
the scheme requires that the student should do his own work, and stimulates
the development of the active functions of the mind by requiring a constantly increasing intensity of effort. That energy may not be misdirected, the various subjects are treated as a co
to the reaction which has swept the
herent whole, unity being regarded as
country in “a wave of electivism."
preeminently the foundation of legal education. The Master's Course, in which the work of the school culminates,
Having summed up the evils, the Dean presents his thesis that the remedy is to be educational, and that any edu
cation that is to be effective must be based on unity; that the brain should be persistently directed along definite and interrelated lines with a constantly
increasing degree of intensity. The gist
is designed to give men a broad and com prehensive view which will fit them not
only for a high grade of efliciency at the bar, but also for competent service in coping with the problems that confront the State. Altogether, the book is a
of each new idea is to be seized and put
notable educational contribution. Unity
in its proper relation, while needless details are to be eliminated. That systematic and persistent effort will
is its keynote, and a careful reading will show that the author has given the word a new and deeper significance
result in a well organized brain is axiom atic. The physiologists, as the author
shows, go a step farther and tell us that the brain under such conditions under
than heretofore it has had.
goes a permanent change which varies in degree with the intensity of the
stimulus. In support of this proposition, the author cites the most eminent authorities, and it may be noted that Dr. Maudsley and other well-known
physiologists hold the same view. The principle of unity in education, it is confidently asserted, will make for the maximum
realization
of the individual. parts it will
of
the powers
To the man
of
develop the powers of
Dean Bige
low’s book is itself an illustration of the system he so fully sets forth. PERRY ON TRUSTS A Treatise on the Law of Trusts and Trustees. By Jairus Ware Perry. Sixth edition, revised and enlarged by Edwin A. Howes, Jr. Little, Brown 8: Co., Boston. V. 1, pp. clxvii (contents and table of cases) + 774; v. 2, pp. xviii, 739 + 128 (index). (813 net.)
“
ERRY
on Trusts"
has
been a
landmark on the shelves of every law library for a generation. Since the learned author first ventured in 1871 to present an American book on the subject of trusts, this work has earned