The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-05-23 00:00:00

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• litbittoo.
THE SCIENTIFIC EDIICATION QUESTION.
"Geology as a Branch of General Mileestion "is the
title of •n address by David Page, E-q.,
F.G.S.&c, published by Messrs. William Blackwood
and Sons, of Edinburgh, and London. Few silences
have undergone greater vicesitudes of pubic favour
than G.. ology ; and, therefore, few if thote that now
present themselves Tor popular tuition, or promise
best to reshar the day-dream, of Mr. Bucket:later, and
the Govern Meo t " Science Minute" have more to con-
tend against. We must own to the possession of an
opinion on this vexed qu stion ; and we are glad of Mr.
Page at an ally, who can quote from Herschell that
geology in the magnitude and sublimity of the objects
of which it treats, undoubtedly ranks second in the
scale of the sciences nevt to astronomy ,• for long as
even ladies' schools have boasted unchallenged of
"astronomy and the use of globe," it would seem
high time that something in the shepe of useful informa-
tion respecting our habitable globe were taught in the
shape of geology, Mr. Page also cites Sir Charles
Lyell to show that geology is as intimately related to
Nimes* sit the physical sciences, as history La to the
moral ; and we know very well how many inks in
civil service and Middle class examinations are now-a.
days gained for history. In fact, so far back as 1795,
when as yet our modern geology was in its very infancy,
it appears to have been said in Hutton's Theory of the
Earth, "The study of the structure of the earth must
tend to enlarge the mind of man, in seeing what is past,
and in foreseeing what must corns to pass in the economy
of nature." Mr. Page accordingly urges the necessity
of geology being taught in our schools, academies, and
colleges, both as a means of intellectual training, and as
a special preparation for 601110 of the most, essential
departrm nts of human industry. lie has much to
contend against—be has to meet religious prejudice,
which insists that physical facts shall be ipored until
we in our blindness
.can re-unite there with the Divine
word and wisdom, which, witli our imperfect natures,
seeing but as through a glass diukly, we may never be
fully able to do. lie has even to contend against the
less speculative mind of the practical man, who, not
baring himself had the benefit of scientific instruction,
eau hardly be led to believe in its importsnce to every-
day life and labour, to such an extent at least as to lead
him to advocate its estension to others who are to come
after him. But they will hated. Mr. Page insists that
the elements of this science should be taught by text-
books, diagrams, and exhibition of specimens to the
advanced pupils of our ordinary &Cools j and that with
the additiOn of field excursions it should also form part
of the systeinatiii training of ear higher academies.
While he goes so far as to maintain that In ottr colleges
there ought to be separate chairs for the fuller exposi-
tion, not only of its details, but of its principles and
scientific methods. We can second all this; we have re-
duced it to the test of experiment; and singularly
enough geology was the science we selected for illus-
tration in a Social Science paper read at the Guildhall
of London in 1862, and published in full in the Transac-
tions of that year, as showing bow the physical sciences
might competently be taught in common schools. We
have since had opportunities of testing the point on a
higher platform before the Royal Agricultural College
and elsewhere, and are on the whole well satisfied to
believe with Mr. Page in the perfect practicability of
introducing not only geology but other useful sciences
as branqhes lit general edttestion. One fact alone stated
by Mr. Page ought to impel the adoption of messure•
for the More systematic study of this science. It is
that theta of the members of our "Field Clubs" and
" Scientific Snot-ties," forming at present by far the
larger propel-Cott of geological inquirers, are so through
self-tuition and niuttifil inetruction. Whenever we see
a natural tendency such as this left to itself, there as
sure evidence of neglect. "It is true," he says, "that
their knowledge is self-acquired, as ninotenths of all our
knowledge is, but be adds, " it would have immensely
facilitated their efforts had they enjoyed at aohool the
benefits of an elementary training in the natural
sciences." We trust this important argument for a
grviteducatiOnal mini will !beet with due attention.
"The Study of the Physical Sciences : their value in
Ed ttcati on, and the part t hey pity in the adtanting Civil isa-
tion of Mankind,"is the titleof *nether ESsay in the same
direction, and by one entitled to be heard too On this
question—" George D. Wood. Esq., Lecturer on Physi-
cal Science, Queen's College Institution, West London
College, South Hampstead College, North-Fast London
College, &c." The publisher of this neat little volume
is Mr. F. W. Calder, 199, Oxford-streets We have had
it some time in our possession, and meat apologise for
not sooner taking up the points to which it is addressed.
With a calm and reasoning eloquence, Mr. Wood points
out the necessity of studying these scienoes, if only for
what they have done for man; rebukes the general and
prevailing ignorance of them, and demolishes the pre-
judices against them. He proves in successive chapters
how science disciplines the Intellect, hit* it Wars against
superstition, and becomes the interpreter of natural
phenomena; demonstrating scientific knowledge in bort
to be a neuessity, and not a necessity merely, but a
benefit which elevates and refines, illustrates man's
greatness, and shows the Creator in His works. We
thank Mr. Wood for these pleasant and persuasive
pages ; may they allure many to the lamp of science
which he keeps shining in so many first-class ladies
schools.—W. W. F.