The Nature-Study Idea 115 



the more artificial do they become. Teaching 

 is ever more methodical and complex. The 

 pupil is impressed with the vastness of knowl- 

 edge and the importance of research. This is 

 well; but at some point in the school-life there 

 should be the opening of the understanding to 

 the simple wisdom of the fields. One's happi- 

 ness depends less on what he knows than on 

 what he feels. 



In these increasing complexities we need 

 nothing so much as simplicity and repose. In 

 city or country or on the sea, nature is the sur- 

 rounding condition. It is the universal environ- 

 ment. Since we cannot escape this condition, 

 it were better that we have no desire to escape. 

 It were better that we know the things, small 

 and great, which make up this environment, and 

 that we live with them in harmony, for all 

 things are of kin; then shall we love and be 

 content. The growing passion for country life 

 and the natural unspoiled world is a soul- 

 movement. 



More and more, in this time of books and 



