124 SELECTED ESSAYS FROM LAY SERMONS 



and not mere book learning; and a panoramic view of Na- 

 ture, accompanied by a strong infusion of the scientific habit 

 of mind, may thus be placed within the reach of every child 

 of nine or ten. 



After this preliminary opening of the eyes to the great 

 spectacle of the daily progress of Nature, as the reasoning 

 faculties of the child grow, and he becomes familiar with 

 the use of the tools of knowledge — reading, writing, and 

 elementary mathematics — he should pass on to what is, 

 in the more strict sense, physical science. Now there are 

 two kinds of physical science : the one regards form and the 

 relation of forms to one another; the other deals with causes 

 and effects. In many of what we term sciences, these two 

 kinds are mixed up together; but systematic botany is a 

 pure example of the former kind, and physics of the latter 

 kind, of science. Every educational advantage which train- 

 ing in physical science can give is obtainable from the proper 

 study of these two; and I should be contented, for the pres- 

 ent, if they, added to our "Erdkunde," furnished the whole 

 of the scientific curriculum of school. Indeed, I conceive 

 it would be one of the greatest boons which could be con- 

 ferred upon England, if henceforward every child in the 

 country were instructed in the general knowledge of the 

 things about it, in the elements of physics, and of botany. 

 But I should be still better pleased if there could be added 

 somewhat of chemistry, and an elementary acquaintance 

 with human physiology. 



So far as school education is concerned, I want to go no 

 further just now; and I believe that such instruction would 

 make an excellent introduction to that preparatory scientific 

 training which, as I have indicated, is so essential for the suc- 

 cessful pursuit of our most important professions. But this 

 modicum of instruction must be so given as to ensure real 



