New-York tribune., 1902-05-17

'ne iolosyncrasies and cruelties and loyalties Of
oeer and beaver OF lynx and loon Of trout and
poicupine are here revealed to with truth and
huinor and tenderness-sonetimes with touch
VI tragedy, as in the last fight of the male lynx
DO graphically are set forth these histories so
personal is their atmosphere we read them as
IL they were tales of humanity, and half for
get that they concern folk accounted soulless
1t is hard to say which sketch most attracts
US Tor If we decide on the spirited Making of a
Glimmerglass Buck" behold the story of Mahng
'he Loon comes back TO haunt us; if we pause
JoHiuIIy over that strenuous life of a Canada
lynx we forget it in the adventures of the
beaver family. In truth, ii is all matter of en-
1oyment matter for gratitude. The reproduc-
lions of photographs which form the illustra-
tlons are largely taken from life and some of
them are of remarkable vividness
What the little people of the meadow and for
est do at night, when the little people of crib
and cradle are sound asleep is cleverly set forth
by Miss Mrs. Pierson. With grace and fun
and gentleness. with here and there a shrewd
little lesson in behavior, she describes the ram
blings. the escapades, the blunders and the joys
of feathered, winged and four footed wildlings
incidentally, she provides a bit of amusing and
useful information-as for instance the rea-
son why all the old mosquitoes laughed when
the little male mosquito impudently said that
ne could take care of himself, and would be out
biting people before morning. The story of the
skunks and the ovenbird's nest is particularly
neat in its lively simplicity The family life
here pictured is agreeable, though somewhat
self-centred. Father Skunk" says the chroni-
cler, always talked TO his children as his father
had talked 70 him, and probably his grand
father had also talked when he was raising a
family. Never turn out of your way for any
body, he said. Let the other fellow step aside
Remember that, no matter whom you meet and
no matter how large the other people may be.
If they see you they will get out of your path
and if they can't 1t is not your fault Don't
speak to them and don't hurry. Always take
your time" The story of the thrifty deer
mouse, the story of the inquisitve weasels, the
story of the raccoon children must not be
sighted.
In preparing his book of nature study Pro-
fessOr Hodge has meant he tells us to bring
nature into relation with child life rather than
TO school lfe-to make it continuous source of
delight, profit and higher education rather than
formal school task. He has, we think achieved
his purpose in fashion for which many gem
erations of children should thank him. "The
field which this book essays to enter" he says in
his preface, has ever spread out before me like
enchanted country thus he strikes the key
note of his work. Taking the keenest delight
himself in the study of living things, he could
not fail to make his method vitally interesting
The teacher who applies with enthusiasm as
well as conscience the details of this method
should find il OF infinite service in awakening
and developing mind and character in the pupil
as we'll as that sheer pleasure in the observation
Of animal and plant life which is one Of the
sweetest sensations can know. In rare
cases now says this wise teacher, " we find the
charm of childlikeness, the open interest and
rapid growth. extending through boyhood
and to the end of old age. When learn how
to educate normally this may become the rule
rather than the exception. The key TO the solu-
ton of this problem is original research. The
mind seeks for truth as the body for food
Search is a primordial element in all life, in all
education" The author appeals throughout this
volume to that zest of experiment and discovery
which is bliss to growing intellect. The chap