27 



Ami you will now also fully realise why wo strongly urge that 

 it is before all things important to iiitroiluce the study ox the new 

 language into our schools : it is because directly we ]j(^gin life on 

 our own account we are all continually called upon to do things, 

 not merely to exhibit knowledge of things and of events — especially 

 such as hapjiened in classical and mythical times ; and it is because 

 we believe that no amount of classical or mathematical training 

 will serve to develop and cultivate the j^ower of doing, and that 

 tlie faculties involved in doing thintjft acquire their highest develop- 

 ment through the study of natural science — the exact study, that 

 is to say, of Xature's methods and workings. IJut it is right to 

 caution you that your sons and daughters cannot gain this know- 

 ledge merely from books : as chihlren they must learu to do 

 things — that is, to make experiments, and to do things with a 

 definite object in view ; and they must learn to grasp tin; meaning 

 of all they have done, to apply the knowledge gained, and to draw 

 logical conclusions. It is no easj' matter thus to teacli young 

 people : a more highly trained teacher than is ordinarily met with 

 in schools is required ; and the making of experiments — which, let 

 me repeat, is indispensable — will involve some expense. 15ut if it 

 is once made clear to us that our children do stand to gain much 

 from the study of the new language of which 1 have said so much, 

 I am sure there Avill be few who will grudge the extra cost. 



Time does not permit of my pointing out in detail all the 

 manifold advantages arising from a proper training in the use of 

 the new language. Let me thou refer you to Herbert Spencer's 

 Essay on Education, a cheap edition of -which, co.sting 2s. 6d., is 

 published by Williams & Xorgate ; it is the most valuable con 

 tributiou to the subject ever written. Also let me refer you to 

 Kingsley's Scientific Lectures and Essays (Macmillan), and to 

 Huxley's collected writings. If you will but read, mark, learn,, 

 and inwardly digest these, you will not fail to do your duty as 

 Members of this Association, and — those of you who enjoy the 

 responsibility — as parents. 



Coming from a clergyman, much that Kingsley says is of 

 peculiar value, and I would specially urge you to read his preface 

 to the book I have mentioned : from betiinniu" to end it is full of 



