Viscount Bryce on Nature-Study 



M. A. BlGELOW 



Teachers College, Columbia University 



My attention has been called to a strong statement in favor 

 of nature-study in an article on the "Worth of Ancient Literature 

 to the Modern World," which Viscount Bryce wrote for The Fort- 

 nightly Review, of April, 191 7 and which has now been reprinted 

 by the General Education Board. I quote as follows: 



"What sorts of capacities and of attainments go to make a 

 truly educated man, with keen and flexible faculties, ample stores 

 of knowledge, and the power of drawing pleasure from the exer- 

 cise of his faculties in turning to account the knowledge he has 

 accumulated? How should the mental training fitted to produce 

 such capacities begin? 



"First of all by teaching him how to observe and by making 

 him enjoy the habit of observation. The attention of the child 

 should from the earliest years be directed to external nature. 

 His observation should be alert, and it should be exact. 



"Along with this he should learn how to use language, to know 

 the precise differences between the meanings of various words 

 apparently similar, to be able to convey accurately what he wishes 

 to say. This goes with the habit of observation, which can be 

 made exact only by the use in description of exact terms. In 

 training the child to observe constantly and accurately and to use 

 language precisely, two things are being given which are the 

 foundation of mental vigor — curiosity, i.e., the desire to know — 

 and the habit of thinking. And in knowing how to use words 

 one begins to learn — it is among the most important parts of 

 knowledge— how to be the master and not the slave of words. 

 The difference between the dull child and the intelligent child 

 appears from very early years in the power of seeing and the power 

 of describing: and that which at twelve years of age seems to 

 be dullness is often due merely to neglect. The child has not 

 been encouraged to observe or to describe or to reflect. 



"Once the Love of Knowledge and the enjoyment in exercising 

 the mind have been formed, the first and most critical stage .in 

 education has been successfully passed. What remains is to 

 supply the mind with knowledge, while further developing the 

 desire to acquire more knowledge." 



196 



