74 
JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
the human evolution of culture must be orderly, as in other 
domains of Nature ; for Nature 
" Doth not seek, 
For her delight wild ferment or mad freak." 
Children's minds are ever putting questions on Nature which, if 
answered in strict truth, open wide general truths and poetic 
feeling. This method of knowledge and feeling should be con- 
stantly used by the teacher, in order to open the child's mental 
vision to the wonders and beauties around him. The habit or 
method thus nurtured to bud in youth, would grow in manhood 
and age; thus national thought and feeling would be elevated. 
There will be no true civilization until the masses have just know- 
ledge and enjoyment of the laws and beauties of Nature. To give 
education so-called to the masses without poetic culture, will be 
vast danger to the State and to Society. What the study of the 
ancient classics did for the culture of the educated classes during 
many centuries, must now be done for the masses by the study of 
Nature ; but this study must also embrace the poetry of Nature. 
On spoken language, as an instrument of education and culture, 
Sir W. Jones quotes from the Sanscrit — 
" Knowledge produces mildness of speech, 
And mildness of speech a good character." 
Can we use any remedy more powerful for the too prevailing 
coarseness of speech amongst our youth than that during their 
school days a fair share of time should be devoted to reading 
poetry aloud in class % for poetry catches the attention more 
readily than does prose. Not only would the beautiful language 
of poetry impress the speech, but the mind, led to noble sentiment, 
would react on speech. It is an absolute property of the mind, 
that a truth or beauty once felt is a light and true method for ever 
to that mind ; hence the paramount importance of opening the mind 
to the truths, laws, and beauties of Nature, and to poetry in youth. 
The grand catholicity of poetry is, that poetry knows no differences 
between the nations, sects, or times of man's history. True know- 
ledge of Nature and poetry is amongst the chief channels for the 
future harmony of nations and happiness of man. 
" Feeling is all ; 
Nature is but an echo of the voice 
That rings through all — a vapour 
Hiding heaven !" — Goethe. 
