The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-10-30
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN.
''Beatrice" Sets Forth the Power Within
the Scope of nm Observing Person.

''Beatrice" Sets Forth the Power Within
the Scope of nm Observing Person.
DEAR II. L. c.. FRIENDs-It has been so
long since l have had the pleasure of adj
dressing you that I've almost forgotten
how to compose Howard letter. But the
opportunity of being with you again is too
precious to be neglected, so you may ex-
pect to hear from me quite often. | should
have been pleased to attend the reunion
at Indianapolis, but it was impossible for
me to be there. OF course, you who at
tended all enjoyed yourselves.
Some time ago / met one of our num-
Der, Florence Nightengale," very socia-
bic, intelligent lady, with whom l spent an
enjoyable day. | might describe her
pretty home and pleasant surroundings,
but prefer to leave that 20 the reader pen
OF Spanish Cavalier"
People not infrequently think that be-
cause they are deprived OF the privilege of
attending some college or university, it is
impossible for them to have an education.
But this is an error, for there are other
means Of bringing about the desired end
besides going through college course,
though that is an excellent way. A habit
OF closely observing What we see,
afterwards rejecting on it, and CLASH
fying the objects seen with fire.
quent reviews of the knowledge thus
gathered, will go far toward making an
educated man, for it gives the necessary
training to the faculties of attention, con-
centratiOn, reflection, imagination and
memory. Mans aesthetic and moral nature
is also best trained by observing and re-
flecting on that which is beautiful and
moral This faculty of observation may
be exercised in all directions so as to give
a general education, or in some particular
line for a special education. In this each
person should be governed by his or her
tastes and talents. Man observes and re-
members those things in which he is in
terested much more readily than that for
which he has no especial liking.
The opportunities for training the faculty
everywhere present themselves. Human
nature may be studied in a walk along the
crowded streets, in stores, stations and
public assemblies, where you NAV learn
more of man and his capabilities than in
hours of study. We remember that
which is seen more readily than that
which we read or hear. One interested in
botany is not lacking for material land OPP
portunities as flowers and plants are
everywhere. The lover of nature finds
material for study in the country. While
he who delights in the arts finds beauty
everywhere. A wise providence has
placed all means for acquiring an educa-
ton about us, and we have but to employ
them.
People differ very much in this power
One person may see a great deal in a stroll
down a street, another scarcely anything
Some people can take up an article and in
a few minutes they have observed it so
well that they viii mention facts concern
ing it never noticed before Others see
nothing new. This difference is some
times natural, but more frequently it is
the result OF training. \ habit of quick
observation may be acquired by giving a
half-minute glance at shop window, a
house or some interesting object and try
ing to see all possible in that time. Re-
peat the observation the next day and a
picture of the object will grow in the
mind. This method of study, observing
objects, classifying them according to their
relations, and making general rules, is
called the inductive method, and fur
nishes, perhaps, almost as good training
to mans faculties as the deductive method.
This system OF study should be assisted bv
frequent reference to cyclOpedias and
books bearing on the subjects studied.
There is no excuse for an uneducated per-
son. The pleasure experienced from
studying by observation is worthy of the
effort alone, besides the consciousness that
one is fulfilling that duty of self-culture
which every man owes himself. To
Howard, ""Maud Maple, ""Hoosier Boy"
and, 'Sappho, through whoseinf1uence we
have secured place to write, extend the
thanks OF "BEATRICE."
Lima. O.. Oct u.