PREFACE 



THE novel, the play, and the poem have for years been 

 regarded as the center of the study of English in our schools ; 

 the claims of the essay and the oration have been recognized 

 more recently. Outside of this great body of standard 

 writings in the strictly literary lines there have appeared 

 works of note in other fields which are now considered 

 appropriate for reading in English classes, and which 

 the Committee on College Entrance Requirements in Eng- 

 lish urges the schools to read. It was the purpose of this 

 Committee that works like the " Selections from Huxley " 

 should serve as stepping-stones to that great body of scien- 

 tific writings which have made so lasting an impress upon 

 the nineteenth century. Without such knowledge the boy 

 or girl of to-day can hardly hope to be liberally educated. 



These " Selections from Huxley " have been placed by 

 the Committee in that group designed for reading, and not 

 for study. They are not to be overstudied killed by 

 over-analysis. As one college catalogue has it, the atten- 

 tion of the student " should not be so fixed upon details 

 that he fails to appreciate the main purpose and charm of 

 what he reads. 1 ' Perhaps with this caution in mind, the 

 student may, through works of this character, acquire a 

 genuine appreciation for the works of our great scientists. 



J. P. GUSHING. 



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