368 THE • LION ' LETTERS 



tions of places visited are recalled and linked with some reading 

 in Scott's novels or English history. If a journey is described, 

 let it be followed on the map. The capture of rare insects 

 for the home collection is noted ; due report is made of the 

 caterpillars kept in captivity and of the ants in the formicary, 

 with all the sad history of the accidents to its population and 

 the end of a queen who seemed unable to survive her subjects. 

 And later, when the keeping of a rain gauge had been added 

 to the home interests, special notes on this subject appear. 



Natural history plays a large part, for a young botanist 

 was in the making ; he encourages careful botanical collecting, 

 identifies and discusses plants which the boy has found, and 

 is pleased when the names have already been made out. 

 1 Always,' is his advice, ' get the names of the Natural Orders 

 when you can as it is the greatest point to help to knowing 

 plants.' Drawing also is made much of. At eleven ' you should 

 always be trying to draw whatever comes in your way ; by 

 that means alone can you acquire facility and accuracy.' 

 And three years later : ' I am glad you are drawing plants ; 

 be very careful as to the setting on of the leaves and flowers. 

 The greatest advantage of drawing is that it teaches accuracy — 

 or ought to do so.' 



Unceasing, too, is the desire to know how the boy's own work 

 is getting on ; what mark he receives ; wjiat subjects be likes 

 best ; what books he is reading ; whether he is getting on with 

 his riding and his swimming. A characteristic remark is, 



* You should be able by this time (13) to swim fairly well if 

 you give your mind to it.' By all this he could manage to 

 visualise the boy's actual life and understand where encourage- 

 ment could best be given, during those absences when he 



* missed him so much ' and would not willingly let a week 

 go by without sending a letter ' from the old den.' 



As with the boy, so with the young officer serving in the 

 Boer War or in India. The cinema in London and photographs 

 sent home from South African towns help in the realisation 

 of his surroundings, but still, 



your account of your daily life and experience interests 

 me more than anything else. . . . You cannot think how 



