[FLETCHER ] NATURE STUDY IN EDUCATION 159 
happy spring, when all is fresh and young with the vigour, hopeful- 
ness, and ambition of youth ; in summer, when all things are maturer 
grown and with brighter hopes of the autumn fruitage, or even in 
winter with its changing moods of quiet restfulness or fierce tempestu- 
ous rage. Nature is always changing but yet is always the same and 
full of interest at every season. Everything is indeed best as it is, and 
the more we strive to unlock its sealed door with the golden key of 
knowledge, the happier we shall be and the more useful will our lives 
have been. 
In nature, until interfered with, all things are perfect, all things 
are fitted exactly to the ends they have to serve. Perfect method, 
perfect harmony, an all prevailing principle of absolute perfection, 
there to be found and nowhere else. Well then may those entrusted 
with the education of others turn to these natural models to inculcate 
those principles so necessary in developing the mind. Alertness to 
observe, coupled with an increasing power to think and draw the right 
conclusions from things seen, a keen appreciation of the absolute 
necessity of the strictest accuracy in recording, noting only what is 
actually seen, whether understood or not, or even whether at the time 
thought to be of value or not. All knowledge, if it really is knowledge, 
that is an accurate observation, will at some time be useful either for 
ourselves or someone else. All in nature is so systematic and neat 
that the ardent student is led to see the value of these virtues in all 
his work, and habits so acquired will remain for a lifetime. 
Thus I claim that Nature Study gives all that education demands. 
It is an open book written in plain characters which become plainer 
the more we study it, with volume after volume in infinite number, 
each one the close sequel of the last, free to everyone who will read, 
absolutely reliable, liberally giving more than credit due to all its 
readers, as though they had originated, and not merely read off the 
plain record of their discoveries. These studies enlighten constantly 
and give capacity for helping others and making them happy, because 
everything seen is true, everything is perfect, everything is useful. 
Nature is all-pervading, has no landmarks, no limits, is the free 
possession of all. How natural it seems for thinking mankind, when 
tired and weary of the things of this life and contact with other men, 
to go out into nature, to find in the leafy woods, on the rolling mead, 
or by the flowing stream, the quiet and peace so needful ! There, all 
can understand and know and see that everything in its place is bes 
and does strengthen and confirm the rest. With all reverence I say it, 
thank God, we have that rest, the free and beautiful world of nature, 
where all can go and find true rest. 
MERCANTILE LIBRARY, 
NEW YORK, 
