WOKK WITH THE HIGHER " POWERS." 237 



however, it must never be forgotten that microscopic 

 investigations require more time and patience than per- 

 haps any others, even in regard to the determination of 

 simple facts of structure and qualitative composition ; 

 and although it is not very uncommon to hear those en- 

 gaged in them sneered at as wasting their time over a 

 very simple plaything, this may be regarded as arising 

 from one of those prejudices which will exist so long as 

 people will venture to express opinions upon matters with 

 which they are unacquainted, and which are beyond their 

 comprehension." 



The above quotation is well worth reprinting on its 

 intrinsic merits, and it may be that we shall find some 

 especial use for it bye-and-bye. Meanwhile, this mat- 

 ter of eye training calls for a word or two, for, among 

 the accomplishments tha/t go to make the first class ob- 

 server, this education of the eye. is generally supposed 

 to be quite as much a myth as the capacity to " handle " 

 an object glass. Let us take an item or two from our 

 personal experience : 



Not long since the author had the honor to address a 

 select party of gentlemen at the parlors of a private 

 residence. In the course of his remarks the matter of 

 " eye-training " was brought prominently forward and 

 its usefulness urgently insisted on. Subsequent to the 

 close thereof a gentlemen present stepped up to him, 

 saying, " I want a little talk with you about that eye 

 business, which you seem to regard as a sine qua non. 

 I do not see that thing as you do. You and I are about 

 the same age. We have both of us necessarily been 



