SCHOOL SOCIETIES. 19 



are neither junk-shops nor dime-museum? . Our purpose 

 is rather to learn about the stones by the roadside and in 

 the quarry; to become familiar with the plants we pass 

 on our way to school, and with the insects that feed 

 upon and fertilize them; to get on speaking terms with, 

 and out of all cruel relations to, each warbler of the or- 

 chard and the wildwood; to discover what fishes swim 

 in our brooks, what shells lie on our beaches and hide 

 in our groves, what invisible animalcules live in our 

 ponds and ditches, what stars ?bine in our sky. It was 

 a dream of Louis Agassiz himself to see American youth 

 early led into the pleasant paths of natural science; to 

 see them forsaking all foolish and wanton sport for the 

 sake of a wise and loving study of the works of God. 



Every teacher has at some time felt how delightful it 

 would be if she could only lead her pupils to see the inex- 

 pressible beauty that lies hid from unawakened eyes in 

 pebble and leaf and wing. But many have been dis- 

 couraged from making any serious endeavor from fear of 

 failure. It is better to try and fail, than fail for fear of 

 trying. It must be admitted, however, that there are 

 usually serious hindrances in the way. First of all, many 

 teachers feel that they are already working at too high a 

 tension. Then others, not having enjoyed special training 

 in natural science, feel a modest reluctance about attempt- 

 ing to train others. In other cases it is found difficult to 

 inspire and maintain among the young' a strong and 

 growing interest in these matters. The first of these 

 objections can be met by making the association-work 

 an avocation instead of a vocation ; a calling from work, 

 instead of a calling to it. Take your pupils with you for 

 an occasional afternoon, if you can get leave of absence; 

 and, my word for it, you and they will fare none the 

 worse at the end of the term for the exchange of one 



