CHAPTER VIII 



LOVE OF NATURE AND THE LOVE OF MOTHER 



Nature study is not one of the utilitarian stud- 

 ies. It must not be expected to do something 

 it should not do. It may coalesce with other de- 

 partments of an education, and should do so, but 

 it is not a stepping stone to them ; it stands alone. 

 Language-study, drawing, and even mathematics, 

 may be benefited by companionship with it, but 

 they should never be allowed to use nature study 

 as a tool for their own purposes. 



In its effect on character building, nature study 

 is closely akin to patriotism, as I have already said 

 in a previous chapter, and to the life of the indi- 

 vidual. 



The sentiments are so closely allied that they 

 may be said to be companions ; and what ex- 

 President Harrison writes in the introduction to 

 "This Country of Ours," may well be remem- 

 bered for the excellence of his proposed methods 

 toward character building. 



After citing examples of love, indifference and 

 93 



