166 Bureau of Faumeus' Institutes. 



dustry. Our educational system, excellent as it is in some re 

 spects, could be made of greater value by helping the student 

 to obtain a knowledge of the forms of life about him through 

 observation and personal research, thus arousing his dormant 

 capabilities and securing the harmonious development of all his 

 faculties, often giving an incentive to further study. 



It seems to be the fad now to make the child appear " smart " 

 rather than " substantial ", and through a system of cramming 

 a superficial knowledge of books is obtained without knowing 

 how to put it to practical use. They have not learned to do 

 by doing. It is not enough to learn the principles of mathematics 

 and science, but we must know how and where to apply those 

 principles in our avocations. Childhood is naturally active, ob- 

 servant and inquisitive. Children see many things in the natural 

 world they do ilot understand, and are continually thirsting for 

 knowledge. Do we recognize this in their education? Do we 

 realize its significance and encourage them to develop powers of 

 observation? We do not! From his earliest school days books 

 are placed before the boy, his memory alone is trained until 

 nearly over-burdened, while his eyes and ears are left to train 

 themselves, with the result they are gradually closed to the 

 wonders and beauties of the natural world, and he steps forth 

 only partially equipped to take his position in the struggle of life. 



Ruksin says : " There is no moment of any day of our lives 

 when nature is not producing scene after scene, picture after 

 picture, glory after glory, and working still upon such exquisite 

 and constant principles of the most perfect beauty that it is 

 quite certain it is all done for us and intended for our perpetual 

 pleasure." Not many of us see these masterpieces nature places 

 before us, because our eyes have not been trained to habits 6f 

 observation. No one can appreciate the works of nature without 

 knowing nature, and to know her you must get nearer to her and 

 study how she works. A student, boy or girl, who has learned 

 to observe and can describe correctly so apparently as simple 

 a matter as a leaf, insect or bird, has learned the art of accurate 



