The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-08-06
Learn Something Thoroughly.

| Learn bomethmB IhoIougnly
The American Agricultpjst gives some
excellent advice in the following article
The trouble with the young people Of oul
day is, that they skim over great many
things, but do not know anything posi-
lively. They catch at the sound Of words
as the lad who, when asked if he had
studied German answered, have not
but my cousin plays the German flute. D
They study mineralogy, botany and or
anthology, 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 Il stranger comes
to the place where we live, We feel very
little in him, but after We are introduced
to, and become fully acquainted with him,
and find him very agreeable, we wish to
be in his society as often as possible. Pro
| iessor Agassiz once placed a grasshopper
on his lecture table before 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 Won
dering what new thing could be told Of
this familiar little skipping fellow, Jumping
about their feet every summer. But they
found the hour to be only too short, and
wished for another, as the Professor opened
before them all the curious and interesting
facts about the grasshopper, which his
careful observation had revealed to him. =.
We may have an active business, en-
ploying us daily. and still find time if we
are in earnest about it, to become well ac-
quainted with one of the branches of
natural science. One OF the most active
physicians in the Connecticut Valley col
tcted a cabinet of insects and birds that
were valued at $4,000 when he died, aud
college considered itself very fortunate
in securing it, while the work of collecting
it was the Joy of his life. Another in the
same Valley, became the most thorough
scholar in the fossil tracks made in the
sandstone formations of the vicinity. The
writer we'll recollects the great pleasure ex
hibited by an eminent medical professor,
who is also very busy aud brilliant writer,
when shown large elm tree he whipped
out his tape measure in moment TO learn
its exact size. II proved to be giant in
circumference. All the facts about it were
noted in his diary. He was acquainted
with nearly every very large tree in his ma
tive State, and everything Of interest con0
nected with them. 1t was delightful to
hear him recount, the incidents which he
had gathered about them.
We have often met charming cd gen
tleman, who wore plain aud neat Quaker
dress, and, until his lamented death, was
interested in the charitable institutions of
the State in which he lived. He made a
large fortune by economy and diligence.
Wherever he went he carried with him a
convenient little flower case sand whenever
his quick eye fell upon new blossom, or
an old one, if attractive, he gathered it as
a 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
crent bird by its form aud note, to call them
all by their wonderful instincts shown in
making their nests, gathering their food,
and caring fol their young Choose one
of these branches-the rocks, the flowers,
the trees, the insects aud fishes, or the
birds, and then from books, from CONVEX
satlon 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
covered.