The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-07-17
Learn Something Thoroughly.

The trouble with the young people of our
day is that they skim over great many
things, but do not know anything positive
ly. They catch at the sound of words, as
did the lad, who, when asked if he had
studied German, answered, "I have not,
but my cousin plays the German flute. y
They study mineralogy, botany, and orni-
thology, but how little do they really know
about the rocks, the flowers, and the birds!
For this reason they find but little pleasure
in them. When 4 stranger comes to the
place where we live, we feel very little in
terest in him., but after we are Introduced
to him, and become fully acquainted with
him, and find him very agreeable, we wish
to be in his society as often as possible
Professor Agassiz once placed grasshop-
per upon his lecture table before a class of
young men, and told them that this insect
would be the subject of their conversation
for the hour. The class smiled at this,
wondering what new thing could be told
of this familiarlittle skipping fellow, jump
ing about their feet every summer. But
they found the hour to be only too short,
and wished for another, rs the Professor
opened before them all the curious and in
teresting facts about the grasshopper, which
his careful observation had revealed to him.
We may have an active business, employ
ing us daily, and still find time, if we are
in earnest about it, to become well acquaint-
ed with at least one of the branches of nat
ural science. One of the most active ply
sicians in the Connecticut Vale collected
a cabinet of insects and birds that was valu-
ed at $4,000 when he died, and college
considered itself very fortunate in securing
it, while the work of collecting it was the
joy of his life. Another, in the same Val
ley became the most thorough scholar in
the fossil tracks made i'll the sandstone for
mat ions of the vicinity. The writer well
recollects the great pleasure exhibited by
an eminent medical professor, who is also
avery busy and brilliant writer, when shown
large elm tree he whipped out his tape
measure in moment to learnits exact size.
1t proved to be a giant in circumference
All the facts about it were noted in his
diary. He was acquainted with nearly eve
ny very large tree in his native State, and
every thing of interest connected with
them. 1t was delightful to hear him re-
count the incidents which he had gathered
about them.
We have often met a charming old gen
tleman, who wore plain and neat Quaker
dress, and, until his lamented death, was
interested in the charitable institutions of
the State i'll which he lived. He made 4
large fortune by economy and diligence
Wherever lie went he carried with him a
convenient little flower case, and whenever
his quick eye fell upon a new blossom, or
even an old one, if attractive, he gathered
it as great prize. He knew each flower
by its own name, had learned all its habits,
and seemed almost to hold conversation
with it.
What pleasure to recognize every diff
fcrent bird 10y its form and note, to call
them all by their appropriate names, and
to know all their wonderful instincts shown
in making their nests, gathering their food,
and caring for their young! Choose
one of these branches-the rocks, the flow
ers, the trees, the insects and fishes, or the
birds, and then from books, from CONVEX
saton with those who have information,
and, above all, from careful observation,
learn all about them: and thus an mex
haustible source of enjoyment will be dis
covnrn1