New York, 1877 Sep. 13

Dear Sir,

Will you permit me to address a word to you in regard to the candidature of my friend Dr. William James for the chair of psychology in the John Hopkins University. I don’t know whether you are aware that I have made a somewhat profound study of some subjects kindred to psychology, endeavoring to see them in such light as

I therefore venture to say this.

Every science, before it was a real science, was a theatre for empty talk & metaphysical nonsense. Psychology has just left this stage, and is just entering the scientific stage. Hereafter, we are not to hold all opinions as equal in psychology. There are to be settlements of belief about it, as in other branches of real science. There

Therefore, the Johns Hopkins University must select for its professor of psychology, a man competent to teach the New Psychology. He must be 1. Deeply read in the old Philosophies. 2. Thoroughly a scientific man. 3. An accomplished anatomist. 4. Perfect in the specialty of psychology.

All that James is. I believe he

Besides that, his personality is on every account that which it is desirable for a university to secure. His character is one of the noblest & finest I know, and he is eminently the man to have a good effect on the minds of his pupils. Such men are rare, and I hope you will have the good fortune to get him, being perfectly sure that if you do, he will do your university a great deal of honor.

Your obedient servant,
C. S. Peirce