i8th February, A. D. 1904. 



ADDRESS 



BY 



Rev. Dr. WILLARD SCOTT, Worcester, Mass. 

 Theme: — On the Trail of the Naturalist. 



I use the word ''trail" this afternoon in the sense of a clue, 

 or series of clues, given us by those lovers of nature who have 

 truly influenced our views of the world and life more than 

 any others of our time. Primarily, of course, it means the 

 mark, or marks, which the Indians' lodge-poles, trailing from 

 the saddles of their horses, made as they drag over the virgin 

 surface of the earth, carrying the Indian's squaw and papoose, 

 or the utensils of their simple life. 



But this is as fair a picture in outline, as we can think of, 

 of the work of the naturalists, those pioneers of all mental 

 discovery and civilization, to whose patient research we all 

 are indebted for our modern view of the world, our relation 

 to it, and our duty in it. 



To them we owe those first advances, often hazardous and 

 solitary, by which the world of the past, unknown and dreaded, 

 has become known and rid of its superstitution and uncertainty, 

 preparing for the new interest and faith in it, which are the 

 characteristic moods of our age. 



They are the new discoverers of the world, who have ventured 

 out on as noble a quest as the ancient knights of the Holy 

 Grail, bringing to us in their train more precious treasures 

 than bold warrior or crusader ever aspired to. These latter 

 sought with hatred to overcome an enemy; or by war to win 

 a superstitious token, which by some magic charm might 

 make the world blessed. 



