I38 HOW NATURE STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 



have charms and • advantages excelling those of 

 autumn even at her best. It must be admitted 

 that the outdoor attractions of spring are many, 

 but at that time their availability is somewhat les- 

 sened by the examinations, the approaching end 

 of the school year and the eager anticipations of 

 the long vacation. 



It is easy to advance arguments for the superior- 

 ity of any of the seasons for nature interests. They 

 are all good, all best, the best of the good things 

 of life. As Sir John Lubbock has said : " Happy, 

 indeed, is the naturalist ; to him the seasons come 

 round like old friends ; to him the birds sing as 

 he walks along, the flowers stretch out from the 

 hedges, or look up from the ground ; and as each 

 year fades away, he looks back on a fresh store of 

 happy memories. Every month has its own 

 charms and beauty." 



But taking all things into consideration, it seems 

 to me that after a short time for the readjust- 

 ment of the affairs of the schoolroom, there should 

 be at least six weeks for rich harvesting of out- 

 door knowledge, a gathering of a store of happy 

 memories for the coming winter. 



How attractive now is everything in its perfec- 

 tion of life and beauty ; how exhilarating the 



