HOW NATURE STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 37 



nature will seem to be lovable. We may talk about 

 the lovableness of nature, but we must inspire an 

 interest, and arouse a curiosity, before we exhibit 

 nature's wonders and beauties. At first thought 

 and in the first attempt, this would not seem to be 

 the correct method. The non-lover might reason- 

 ably argue, that if nature is so instructive and so 

 lovable, then the best method must be to collate 

 her interesting and winning points, and by their 

 graceful and attractive presentation, win the af- 

 fection that we are seeking. That process applied 

 where there is no inherent and dormant love, may 

 obtain a transient result, but it will be illusive 

 and hypocritical. Do not mistake open-mouthed . 

 wonder and open-eyed exclamations of surprise { 

 for love of nature. Such dime-museum interest 

 is worse than none. It is repellant and ludicrous. 

 How well Mark Twain has presented this method 

 of viewing interesting things. You will recall his 

 experience with the European guide : 



"All their lives long, they are employed in 

 showing strange things and listening to bursts of 

 admiration. It is human nature to take delight 

 in exciting admiration. 



" After we discovered this, we never went into 

 ecstasies any more, we never admired anything, 



