

KIDD'’S OWN JOURNAL. 
THE STUDY OF NATURAL HISTORY,— 
ADDRESSED TO THE MILLION. 
—_——_— 
Each moss, 
Each shell, each crawling insect holds a rank 
Important in the plan of Him who framed 
This scale of beings ; holds a rank, which lost, 
Would break the chain, and leave behind a gap 
Which Nature’s self would rue.—THonson. 

HEERING,— Most DELIGHT- 
\ FULLY CHEERING, ARE THE 
} ACCOUNTS WE CONTINUE TO 
RECEIVE from the Heads of 
Families, in all parts of the 
4 world, touching our progress. 
eae Here, there—everywhere, OuR 
JOURNAL finds the  heartiest welcome. 
Children love us; their parents love us; 
and their friends love us. Thisis well. We 
have indeed playeda deep game. Deter- 
mined to win the “ hearts of the people,” or 
die in the effort, we were tempted to stake 
all (and how much more than?) we possessed. 
Now that the game is our own, we may be 
permitted to rejoice in our triumph. But 
who shall tell of all our past struggles; 
our many misgivings; our many sleepless 
nights! 
The study of Natural History is, in every 
sense of the word, humanising. The more 
one sees of the wonders of the Creator, the 
more one must love Him. ‘The world, too, 
is full of wonders,—its treasures are inex- 
haustible. Only bring a heart to the pleasing 
task, and life becomes not simply endurable, 
but perfectly delightful. All true lovers of 
nature, be it observed, must be good subjects, 
true friends, amiable, and companionable. 
Why then do we not al/ turn “ naturalists ?” 
Avarice, Mammon, Selfishness, and Pride 
alone forbid. Wuo shall kill these demons’? 
Whilst directing the attention of our rising 
youth to the “study of Nature,” in all her 
operations, we felt convinced we were ona 
sure tack; and we rightly conceived that 
most respectable parents would in time 
second our efforts. This they have done. 
But they can serve us still further; by ex- 
tending our circulation at compound interest, 
far and near. To circulate by thousands 
does not content us,—we want to fly far 
higher, and to be numbered by tens—aye 
twenties of thousands. In short, our 
ambition has no limit. To spread our sails 
is all that WE can do; the popular gale must 
swell them out. 
Before quitting this subject, we take leave 
to introduce here a few pertinent remarks on 
the study of Natural History; inviting our 
eas friends in particular to ponder them 
well. 
and observations which we consider entitled 
to special notice :— 
The study of Natural History is most 
important in an educational point of view; 


Vor. EVi—=t7. 

We have italicised certain passages | 

257 
consisting as it does of the consideration of 
those physical objects which are continually 
before our eyes, and which press themselves 
upon our attention. In addition to this, dts 
importance as ‘an amusement” can scarcely 
be over-rated ; it being assuredly one of the 
purest that can occupy the attention of the 
human mind. But it has far higher claims 
on our notice. It leads us to investigate 
and survey the workings and ways of Provi- 
dence inthis created world of wonders, filled 
with His never-absent power. It occupies 
and elevates the mind; is inexhaustible in 
supply; and, while it furnishes meditation 
for the closet of the studious, it gives to the 
reflections of the moralising rambler admi- 
ration and delight; and is an engaging com- 
panion that will communicate an interest to 
every rural walk. 
In the philosophy of nature, every object 
in creation is worthy of regard—worthy of 
study. Every animal that bounds around 
us, crawls beneath us, or flies above us, bears 
upon it the stamp of supreme intelligence. 
Each has a definite path in existence, for 
which its physiological structure is admirably 
adapted. When we consider the innumerable 
and infinitely-varied objects with which the 
earth teems, their exquisite beauty, their 
intrinsic value, their indispensable utility,— 
we may well wonder that we do not make the 
study of Natural History a subject of systematic 
education. Not only do these objects meet 
us at every step, and seem to solicit investi- — 
gation, but a knowledge of them is absolutely 
necessary in every-day life; for, be it 
remembered, plants and animals supply us 
with food, with clothing, and with the 
necessaries of life. 
The study of animate creation is not only 
one of the most amusing, but it is one of the 
most ¢nstructive that can occupy our thoughts. 
What power, what wisdom, what goodness 
are displayed in every fibre that quivers— 
every artery that pulsates, and every nerve 
that vibrates in the various animals that 
inhabit and enliven the earth! Infinite 
diversity, precise adaptation, various function, 
beauteous form, elegant motion, perfect de- 
sign—everywhere meet the inquirer’s glance. 
Nothing is wanting, nothing superfluous— 
the means are everywhere suited to the end. 
How beautiful, too, is the world! How 
eloquently it speaks of a Creator! 
How 
actively every atom of it carries out the vast © 
design of which it forms an apparently 
insignificant, but really an essential part ! 
How plainly is the Divine Author traceable 
in the book of Nature! How orderly do we 
find every chapter of creation! Multiplicity 
does not produce confusion, dispersion gives 
rise to no distraction, destruction is not death. 
All are but parts of one stupendous whole 
Whose body Nature is, and God the soul. 

