New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-14

WORK OF SOME PITTSBURG YOUNGSTERS
Herbert ~ Smith, Curator OF the Carnegie
Museum IN The Pittsburg Dispatch.
The inception of our boys clubs is due. first 10
.he boy. Earl In November he noticed that
several OF the young visitors 20 the eXniDluoIh
rooms showed an exceptional interest," III sne III
lectons asking questions. taxing notes anu so NJ
times bringing specimens for comparison II MI.
Atkins had never done anything else ior me
ing srattGde He got two or three OF the boys to-
gether encouraged and fed their enthusiasm ana
explained how easy it would be for them TO learn
to mount birds and insects ana finally ne brought
them to the laboratory and INTRODUCED theiii ~
me. Now. have a fellow-feeling ior boys, because
was a youngster myself once upon time. ana
have never quite forgotten IT, These lttie fellows,
with their bright, earnest faces, attracted me at
once and gladly offered 10 help them. Next day
one OF them came to see me with box or sheHs;
| helped him TO name them and gave MN some
duplicate specimens from our own set. so we had
one collection fairly launched;
dozen collections under way. and Mr.. Atkins was
giving regular lessons in taxdermy. may say
ability as a teacher selling and holding the at
tentlon OF his young pupils and gaining their affec,
ton few men cam ne mas been IT. the ie ana co sId
The boys. having the run Of the laboratory came
over by twos and threes every ailermooh ana '"e'
were simply bubblng over with enthusiasm
BOYS ARE UNDEREsTIMATED.
Now have an idea that underestimate boys;
when they in earnes; they are capabie Oh &C
complishing almost anything that men can do
Resides sNmpdlnl~S were tulSltu WY OWil
WAS ten year old my taste for natural history had
led to attempt small corrections OF plants anu
insects. bur there was no one 70 heIp me. 10 oiIe
who had the slightest sympathy with sucn pur-
suits think now OF the discouragemen. ana , even
ridcule that met me at every sep anu almost
drove me 10 despair. No wonder, then, that have
fellow feeling for tngse 99ys no wonaer .na az
heayen-giVen instinct a thing 10 be encouraged
as We encourage literary tastes and GOOD morals
Il enlarges and ennObes the nina, trains the pow
ers OF observation ard opens the way TO long hours
OF qule. enjoyment. the bes. and truest. perhaps,
h. nrofesstona! naturalists but ali OF them be
Intelligent amateurs. and do good scientific work,
I talked the matter over with Mr. Atkins. who
agreed with thoroughly finally we consulted
with the boys themselves, and proposed the for
nation of a naturalists' club The plan was taken
up eagerly So one Saturday afternoon. near the
end OF December held our first meeting In my
Ia horatory There ten boys in all. three or
them high school pupils the others younger
nicked ot every one earnest and enthusiastic
every one fully convinced OF the Importance Of
the move they were making and Its possible re-
suits
APPLICATION WITH OTHER SOCIETIES.
That meeting was revelation to me It IS well
read with interest a hundred years hence, when
the club numbers its organizations by scores and
its members by thousands. Mr.. Atkins and had
prepared q constitution, and we stood ready TO
coach the inexperienced members, but. truth 10
tell they proved themselves quite capable OF
carrying on their own affairs Every face was
grave with visibility and high resolve as we
spoke them OF the aim OF the organization ana
IT'S promises. imprcsslug the Importance OF avoid
ing mistakes In the outset Then the constitution
was taken up and discussed. article by article
with a carefuness and good taste that would have
done credit 10 any assembly. Several amend
ments were offered and several of them-excellent
ones. too-were adopted. After snort recess 10
discuss candidates the boys proceeded 70 elect
their officers. 4 committee was appointed 10 Sc
lect and report on "A club badge. The discussion
Of the bylaws laid over 10 the next session;
and the meeting broke up. But the boys remained
for an hour or TWO talk matters over and they
went away full OF high hopes and more IN earnest
than ever. =,
The organization named in honor OF the
founder of the museum. the Andrew carnegie
Naturalists' Club. Its objects are 10 promote
social Intercourse and recreation. combined with
the study OF natural history; the members are TO
aid each other in forming collections and making
special investigations. and during the summer we
hope to organize excursions and camping parties.
In order 10 extend its influence and dement's De-
yord Pittsburg the constitution provides Tor
affiliated clubs within radius OF 800 miles. such
clubs 10 correspond with the central organization
and 10 visit US when. they can. The Andrew Car,
negie club admits boys between the ages OF and
II years who have 4 love for natural history NO
restriction as 10 constitution or age Is placed on
the affiliated clubs any society having OBJECTS ana
organization similar 20 ours may be admitted 20
a.lliat!on by a unanimous vote OF us members