278 EVAPORATION. 



of the nature or cause of the magnificent display of power 

 and grandeur, which he is about to witness. 



It is a fact, which, were it not so common, would strike 

 us with surprise, that multitudes, although nature is con- 

 stantly exhibiting to their view interesting phenomena 

 and beautiful illustrations of philosophical principles, yet 

 pursue their way amid all her sublime scenery and inter- 

 esting illustrations, unconscious that they themselves are 

 thereby furnished with any means of intellectual improve- 

 ment, or sources from which they may derive accessions to 

 their stock of knowledge. And it is a lamentable fact, 

 that many teachers have yet to learn that the laboratory 

 of nature is one of the most important objects to which 

 they can direct the attention of their pupils. Many seem 

 to imagine that when they have conveyed to those under 

 their instruction, the ideas contained in a certain number 

 of books, they have done all that is required of them. 

 It does not even occur to their minds that the book of 

 nature, which is open to the eyes of ail who will read, 

 contains any valuable instruction. But let them once 

 become accustomed to directing the minds of their pupils 

 to the operations of nature; let them once familiarize 

 themselves with the practice of referring to scenes and 

 .events around them for illustrations of philosophical prin- 

 ciples, and they will find science in everything ; they 

 will find it in the wind that sweeps over the hills, in the 

 clouds that hang on the mountain's top, in the fire that 

 burns on the hearth, and even in the fly that crawls on the 

 window. Few things are more important for men and 

 especially for teachers to learn, than that science is not to 

 be considered as standing aloof from the common con- 

 cerns of life, but that it is simply the explanation of facts 

 and events which in different ages have arrested the at- 

 tention of observing and reflecting minds. The book of 

 nature is open with lessons appropriate for all. A very 

 simple problem in mechanics or hydrostatics presented by 

 the operations of nature, may be as truly a source, and 

 perhaps as great a source of mental improvement to one 

 individual, as a much more difficult one to another whose 

 mind is more expanded and better disciplined. Then let 

 not him who cannot have access to the volumes in which. 



