HOW NATURE STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 1 53 



where there are greater aggregations of people, 



rather than in the land of stumps and trees, fields 



and brooks, flowers and birds. It is only the 



greatest teachers and poets, and the greatest 



souls, that seek the wilderness and the mountains, 



to find strength and comfort. It is ever true that 



outdoor life must be a pleasure to the teacher 



first, before that teacher can make it a power to 



benefit others. First of all, then, go alone, and 



make it to yourself what you would have it be to 



others. 



" Nature ever yields reward 

 To him who seeks, and loves her best." 



And this seeking and loving must be done in 

 all seasons, and in the rain as well as in the sun- 

 shine. Nature exists in the winter, in the snow 

 storm and the rain, and even at night. Know 

 nature ; woo her even under difficulties ; you 

 will appreciate her all the more. Take the young 

 folks with you to find and admire icicles and snow 

 crusts ; do not look for daisies and scarlet tana- 

 gers only. Is there anything more beautiful than 

 the lace-fringed brook in winter ? 



Lowell's love of nature was not Hmited to spring 

 and summer. He found joy in the winter: 



" For my own part, I think Winter a pretty 



