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In his preface to this first volume of selected papers, Dr. Glover once again proclaims his scientific credo: he will not accept any theory that is not consonant with clinical observations, respectful of psycho-biological probability and continuous with the basic concepts of psycho-analysis. Once again, he thunders against the 'hypothetical reconstructions' of early development and 'the moulding of theory in accordance with individual speculations'. He is (and perhaps this is a national characteristic) a fundamentalist, however much he may talk of 'breaking new ground' or tease the student for his 'virginal' reaction to theory or for 'a tendency to regard it like the Ark of the Covenant as a sacred untouchable structure'.
He openly hopes for the victory of the orthodox side (ambivalent though he feels towards it) because 'Freudian principles are still vital to the development of psycho-analysis'. The general impression conveyed is one of a deep and abiding devotion to psycho-analysis as conceived by Freud and a desire to see it develop through evolution and not revolution. He seems only too ready to observe that there is nothing new under the psycho-analytical sun. What is new is not true or else it is old. He remarks on the frequent bursts of exultation on the part of newcomers over apparently fundamental discoveries ('a little more reading may, however, lead to the rather dashing realization that the discovery is one of Freud's accepted observations') and he recommends them to 'constant browsing in his (i.e. Freud's) earlier works before proceeding to publish discoveries'. He insists that 'since the death of Freud in 1939 no advances of importance have been made in the field of psycho-analysis in Great Britain', and that 'a survey of so-called progress in psycho-analysis during the past twenty years shows conclusively that it still consists for the most part of giving body to the skeletal structure set up by Freud'. Conclusively to whom? one might ask.
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