138 HOW NATURE ^STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 



have charms and advantages excelling those of 

 autumn even at her best. It must be admitted 

 that the outdoor attractions of spring are many, 

 but at that time their availability is somewhat les- 

 sened by the examinations, the approaching end 

 of the school year and the eager anticipations of 

 the long vacation. 



It is easy to advance arguments for the superior- 

 ity of any of the seasons for nature interests. They 

 are all good, all best, the best of the good things 

 of life. As Sir John Lubbock has said : " Happy, 

 indeed, is the naturalist ; to him the seasons come 

 round like old friends ; to him the birds sing as 

 he walks along, the flowers stretch out from the 

 hedges, or look up from the ground ; and as each 

 year fades away, he looks back on a fresh store of 

 happy memories. Every month has its own 

 charms and beauty." 



But taking all things into consideration, it seems 

 to me that after a short time for the readjust- 

 ment of the affairs of the schoolroom, there should 

 be at least six weeks for rich harvesting of out- 

 door knowledge, a gathering of a store of happy 

 memories for the coming winter. 



How attractive now is everything in its perfec- 

 tion of life and beauty ; how exhilarating the 



