The Mystic Will | Page 2

nature of the book, and the author's own idea,
than the inquiry embodied in the title of the original edition.
(5) Several unimportant footnotes, references to other books, etc., have
been omitted after careful consideration.
(Those who would wish to read the book in its original English edition
will be able to procure it from the English publisher, Mr. Philip Wellby,
6 Henrietta street, Covent Garden, London, W. C, England.)
To the few readers of this book who are not familiar with the author,
Mr. Charles G. Leland, it may be said that this gifted man was an
American by birth, but who lived in Europe for many years before his
death. He died March 20, 1903, at Florence, Italy, at the ripe age of 79
years, active until the last and leaving unpublished manuscripts, some
not completed. He lived up to his ideas and profited by them. His
writings are spread over a period of nearly, or fully, fifty years, and his
range of subjects was remarkable in its variety, style, and treatment.
Among his best known works were "Practical Education," "Flaxius,"
"The Breitmann Ballads" (which introduced his well-known character
"Hans Breitmann"), "Gypsy Sorcery and Fortune Telling," "Wood
Carving," "Leather Work," "Metal Work," "Drawing and Designing,"
"The Minor Arts," "Twelve Manuals in Art Work," "The Album of

Repoussé Work," "Industrial Art in Education," "Hints on Self
Education," and many other works along the lines of Manual Training,
etc., and the Development of the Constructive Faculties; "Kulsop the
Master, and other Algonquin Poems and Legends," "The Alternate
Sex," and many other works, some of which are now out of print, but a
number of which may be purchased from, or through, any bookseller.
There has been recently published a biographical work embodying his
memoirs, written and edited by his beloved niece, Mrs. Pennell, to
which volume all admirers of this wonderful man are referred.
Every subject touched upon by Mr. Leland was brightly illuminated by
the power of his marvellous mind. He seemed to be able to go right to
the heart of the subject, seizing upon its essential truth and at the same
time grasping all of its details. His mind was so full of general
information that it fairly oozed out from him in all of his writings. The
reader will notice this phenomenon in the present book, in which the
author has evidently had to fight his own mind in order to prevent it
from intruding all sorts of valuable and varied general information in
among the particular subjects upon which he is treating. While not a
professional psychologist, Mr. Leland has given utterance to some of
the most valuable and practical psychological truths of the last fifty
years, his contributions to this branch of human thought is sure to be
recognized and appreciated in the near future. It is hoped that this little
book will carry some of his valuable precepts and ideas to many who
have never had the advantage and pleasure of his acquaintance up to
this time.
It is believed by the publisher that this popular edition of Mr. Leland's
valuable work upon the Use of the Will, issued at a nominal price, will
carry the author's teachings to the homes of many of those whom
Lincoln called the "plain people" of this American land, who need it so
much, but who would not have been able to have purchased it in its
original shape. This work has been well known in England, but here, in
America, the birthplace of the author, it has been comparatively
unheard of. It is to be hoped that this edition will remedy this grievous
fault.

April 11, 1907 THE PUBLISHER.

CONTENTS
Introduction . . . 13
* Chapter I.--Attention and Interest . . . 19
* Chapter II.--Self-Suggestion . . . 28
* Chapter III.--Will-Development . . . 34
* Chapter IV.--Forethought . . . 48
* Chapter V.--Will and Character . . . 58
* Chapter VI.--Suggestion and Instinct . . . 66
* Chapter VII.--Memory Culture . . . 74
* Chapter VIII.--The Constructive Faculties . . . 81
* Chapter IX.--Fascination . . . 85
* Chapter X.--The Subliminal Self . . . 100
* Chapter XI.--Paracelsus . . . 109
* Chapter XII.--Last Words . . . 116

THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
During the past few years the most serious part of the author's study
and reflection has been devoted to the subjects discussed in this book.
These, briefly stated, are as follows: Firstly, that all mental or cerebral
faculties can by direct scientific treatment be influenced to what would

have once been regarded as miraculous action, and which is even yet
very little known or considered. Secondly, in development of this
theory, and as confirmed by much practical and personal experience,
that the Will