girl who rears butterflies and moths and sells them to get money to pay her board, 

 clothes and tuition on a lower plane than these admittedly great scientists? I 

 am really frank in saying that I do not know where or why a distinction can 

 be drawn. Can you make it plain to me? 



I am ready to admit that the individual who begins the study of entomology 

 or of any of the sciences with a purely mercenary motive, with no higher desire 

 than to obtain the money which the business affords, is in no better position 

 than the one who studies law, medicine or any profession or avocation with the 

 thought of earning money with which to support himself and his family, and just 

 as these men sometimes bless mankind because of their energy, enthusiasm and 

 great knowledge in their chosen work, just so it is quite possible that the woman 

 who breeds lepidoptera or collects coleoptera to enable her to make a living, 

 may at last become entranced with the beauties of scientific research and make 

 her mark in the scientific world. 



Perhaps it is girlish ignorance which leads me to think that it is a very 

 noble and praiseworthy thing for a girl to learn something which will enable 

 her to support herself. With all the dire poverty and pitiful want which exist 

 in this twentieth century, I wish I could tell every young girl how to make a 

 living. I wish I could convince her of the profits to be obtained from a few 

 hives of bees, or from raising silk-worms, or from breeding rare varieties of moths 

 and butterflies which the true scientist who scorns her "commercialism" has not 

 the time or opportunity to breed. 



I know that you have been a College Professor., and I understand that 

 you are amply endowed with worldly goods, and I know that you are a devotee 

 of Science because your heart glows with a sincere love for its God-like mysteries. 

 But I trust you are too generous and broadmmded to forget that many boys and 

 girls who are endowed with talents, tastes and scientific yearnings cannot dream 

 of studying any branch of science unless they can earn the price of their living 

 and tuition. 



I was not thinking or planning to complete my college course until my 

 inspiration came from the money which Dr. Barnes paid me for last year's catch. 

 I did not dream of College because I did not have the money necessary to pay 

 my expenses. Will you, or will any learned scientist scorn my future work, if 

 I accomplish anything during my lifetime, because my start in science was based 

 upon "commercialism"? 



My admiration for you and the work you are doing is profound. You 

 have helped me cordially, bountifully and with unstinted generosity. In the 

 friendliest possible spirit and with a deep veneration for your good opinion I 

 venture to suggest these thoughts in order that you may convince me of the error 

 of the position I assume. 



THE FUN OF SEEING THINGS. 



This is the heading of a new department in "The Guide to Nature," 

 which will strongly appeal to young and old. The Guide has been enlarged 

 and improved and takes first rank as a general magazine of nature. Dr. Edward 

 F. Bigelow has for over fourteen years been editing the "Nature and Science" 

 department of "St. Nicholas," but has discontinued this work in order to devote 

 his entire time and energy to "The Guide to Nature." With his wonderful 

 ability and experience he is peculiarly qualified to make his publication all that 

 its name indicates, a perfect Guide to Nature. 



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