Lecture on Botany. 337 



It is diflBcult at first to estimate the value of a science like Zoology, 

 Geology or Botany and how far the study of the one or the other may 

 bear upon intellectual improvement or general success in life. It 

 is this primary difficulty that forms the great drawback to .the more 

 general acquisition of scientific knowledge. It is moreovertoo often 

 considered that the study of science is an arduous task — one that 

 burdens the head with hard and inexplicable names as well as 

 many useless and may be questionable theories and dogmas. It 

 is much to be regretted that an error of this kind should prevail 

 so universally, since it places science in a false position and pre- 

 vents the student from attempting what he believes to be a labori- 

 ous undertaking, and one of little utility, even were he to prosecute 

 his studies and researches successfully. There is but one method 

 of reheving the doubts and difficulties that here harass the youthful 

 mind — it is, to search and receive the testimony of those who have 

 beeuintheir day active and diligent students of nature, acute obser- 

 vers of its laws and manifestations and faithful interpreters of its 

 great truths. The history of such men furnishes ample evidence that 

 there is in science an influence for good, a power within it to im- 

 prove the quality of the mindand in some measureto regulatehuman 

 action. In its study there are brought into play, in an eminent 

 degree, such powers and qualities as those of observation, compa- 

 rison and judgment, which may be at first -feeble, but they are 

 gradually increased in vigour and acuteness and at length per- 

 fected under the beneficial influence of a well regulated and me- 

 thodical training. The development of such qualities gives pre- 

 cision and force to the thoughts and actions, and their application 

 to the ordinary pursuits of life renders one more capable 

 of meeting its necessities and overcoming its difficulties. When 

 we observe the advantages of a well-regulated mind, we cannot 

 ignore the importance of those studies, whose tendency is to per-' 

 feet the qualifications necessary for the successful prosecution of an 

 active business or profession. The most marked facilities are now 

 given in this University for the attainment of scientific knowledge, 

 because it is felt that such a course will raise the standard of general 

 education, open up a new field for the active operations of the youthful 

 mind and give to those of the community, who value their own men- 

 tal improvement, such instructive information as will tend to elevate 

 their tastes, refine their qualities of mind, and extend the range of 

 their sympathies beyond the contracted limits of a business life. 

 It is within the reach of all, to partake of these advantages and 



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