NATURAL SCIENCE. 237 



in it can scarcely be looked for but with those persona who, to 

 eminent talents of research, and an extraordinary enthusiasm in 

 the pursuit, devote their time almost exclusively to this object. 



A general knowledge of its principles and discoveries, and a 

 facility in making some experiments in it, are all, perhaps, that 

 can be expected to be given in the education at an agricultural 

 college j but it is desirable and most requisite, even for this 

 object, that the institution, in a competent instructor, and all 

 the necessary apparatus, should furnish the means of accom 

 plishing it in the best manner, and to the greatest advantage 

 This undoubtedly will be done. 



XXXI. NATURAL SCIENCE. 



Every possible facility should be provided for the study of ev 

 ery branch of natural history, for every branch of natural history 

 may be made subservient to agricultural improvement. There 

 is, in my opinion, nothing which so invigorates and strengthens 

 the mind as earnest and deep inquiries into nature, the study of 

 natural facts, the observation of natural phenomena. There is no 

 knowledge, especially to persons residing in the country, which 

 affords so many practicable uses and such varied and important 

 application. The man who studies books exclusively is always 

 liable to be the slave of other men s opinions j and his mind, 

 losing by such restraints its native elasticity, never travels out of 

 its prescribed limits. The man who goes himself to the original 

 sources of knowledge, and draws water out of the very wells of 

 life, acquires a force of inquiry, maintains a healthful freshness 

 of mind, which grow strong continually by what they feed 

 upon, multiply for themselves the sources of knowledge, turn 

 every object and occurrence which they meet with into an in 

 strument of instruction, and find the world and nature no longer 

 a dull, desolate, inanimate chamber, but its walls all over radiant 

 with lessons of wisdom, and every object with which it is 

 crowded vocal with the teachings of a divine spirit. 



