THE BOOK ABOUT THE SEA GARDENS 



the "waste of time." They have eyes but see not, 

 memories which are virgin ground after the ex- 

 perience as they were before. 



It is because they have not been taught to see ; 

 perhaps also because they do not, as they think, 

 know what they like. Many people would sin- 

 cerely enjoy what at present they gape at without 

 further mental process, if only they could find 

 some point of contact with themselves in the 

 abundant interest that awaits them, if only they 

 would take the trouble to obtain it. 



Only time and study can develop any interest to 

 its fullest extent ; but there is no creature so mean 

 that a careful study of its habits and structure 

 will not open a new world to the student. We 

 should approach animals and all that has life 

 through our common bond with them and en- 

 deavour to see what they see. If in Rome we can 

 do as the Romans, so in imagination we can be a 

 bird among birds and a fish among fish. There is 

 always something as a common starting ground 

 the desire to live, to love and to eat. Through the 

 primitive instincts common to all we must ap- 

 proach them ; but if we have not the curiosity to 

 go that far, we may at least take the trouble to 

 find out what there is to see, if we take the trouble 

 to go and see it. It is seldom possible with nature 

 to see all in a minute, an hour, or a day. In the 

 Sea Gardens many astonishing things are gath- 



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