May, 1889 . 
THE WORK OF FIELD CLUBS. 
Ill 
into the causes of things is the chief aim of science ; it is 
thus that we reach that inner laboratory of the universe 
where some knowledge may be gained of the actual working 
of her majestic laws. 
But I pass on to that science of which I can speak with 
more familiarity. The geology of our county is probably 
unrivalled for the variety and interest of its phenomena. It 
attracts scientific men from all parts of the civilised world. 
A year rarely passes without visits from eminent strangers. 
It is to the great loss of Shropshire men and women if they 
remain in ignorance of the remarkable phenomena amidst 
which they live. Many, no doubt, are withheld from taking 
up the study by the difficulty of making a start. They are 
afraid that if they were to plunge in medias res they would be 
quickly overwhelmed with perplexities and discouragements. 
But the difficulties may not be so great as they anticipate. 
To rush at once into problems fit only for an advanced 
student would be unwise, but there are shallows in which 
they may paddle before they strike out for the deeper questions. 
There are two ways in which we may approach the study 
of geology. Some thirty years ago I commenced to collect 
fossils, and this is, perhaps, the most frequent method of 
acquiring an interest in the science. At first, the fossils are 
mere curiosities ; they are what stamps are to boys. But, 
after a time, we pass from the symbol to the meaning that 
underlies it; we are led to study the wonderful pages which 
record the history of successive dynasties of plants and 
animals ; we learn how type after type has come into being, 
and, after giving rise to higher forms, has passed away ; how 
each type has foreshadowed with ever-increasing distinctness 
the highest type of all, man ; and how the law of progress 
from lower to higher forms in the inferior creation seems to 
prophesy hopeful things for the future of the human race. 
But we may approach the study of geology from another 
side, the artistic or aesthetic. The dullest eye can see that 
our Shropshire scenery is beautiful. It needs no Buskin to 
point out to us the graceful lines of Wenlock Edge, the 
elegant curves of the Wrekin, the serpentine meanderings of 
the Severn. But there is a meaning in every line of the 
landscape. Our mountains owe their form to the hand of the 
cunning sculptor, Nature, chipping, grinding, polishing, with¬ 
out pause or loss of skill, for countless ages. Compare 
together the semi-lunar ridges of the Wrekin or Caer 
Caradoc, the sharp straight line of Wenlock Edge, the liog’s- 
back elevations of the Longmynd, the serrated outline of the 
Stiper Stones, the tabular summit of the Titterstone Glee, 
