The Selected Letters of William James, edited with an introduction by Elizabeth Hardwick. Boston: Nonpareil Books/David R. Godine. $8.95.

The superb intellectual and spiritual vitality of William James was never more evident that in his letters. Here was a man with an enormous gift for living as well as thinking. To both people and ideas he brought the same delighted interest, the same open-minded relish for what was unique in each, the same discriminating sensibilty and quicksilver intelligence, the same gallantry of judgement.

Miss Hardwick has made a selection that admirably displays the variety of Jame's genius, not to mention the felicities of his style.