Year: 1869

THE trouble with the young people Of
our day is, that that they skim over Il
great many things, but do not know any.
thing positively. They catch at the sound
of words, as did the lad, who, when asked
if lie had studied German, answered, 81
have not, but my cousin plays the Ger
man flute" They study mineralogy, bot
any, and ornithology, 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 stranger comes to the place where
we live, we feel very little interest 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 a grasshopper 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, won
dering what new thing could be told OF
of this familiar little skipping fellow
| jumping about their feet every summer
But they found the hour to be only toe
short, and wished for another, as the Pro.
fessor opened before them all the curious
and interesting facts about the grasshop
per which his careful observation had re
vealed 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 ac-
quainted with at least one Of the branches
of natural science One of the most ac-
tive physicians in the Connecticut Valley
collected a cabinet of insects and birds
that was valued at $4,000 when he died
and a cnllnoa cOngiJarab itaalf uaru fNrtt,
nate in securing it, while the work of col
lecting 1t 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 vicin.
ity. The writer we'll recollects the great
pleasure exhibited by an eminent medical
professor, who is also very busy and
brilliant writer, when shown q large elm
tree; he whipped out his tape measure in
a moment to learn its exact size. IL proved
TO be a giant in circumference. All the
facts about 1t were noted in his diary. He
was acquainted with nearly every large
tree in his native State, and every thing
of interest connected with them. 1t wa,
delightful TO hear him recount the Incl
dents which he had gathered about them


We have often met a charming ole
gentleman, who wore plain and neat
Quaker dress, and, until his lamented
death, was interested in the charitable in
stitutions of the State in which he lived
He made large fortune by economy and
diligence. Wherever he went he carried
with him convenient little flower case
and whenever his quick eye fell upon
new blossom, or even an old one, if at
tractive, he gathered it as great prize. HI
knew each flower by its own name, hsC
learned all its habits, and seemed almos
to hold conversation with it.


What a pleasure to recognize every dii
ferent bird by its form and note, to cal
them all by their appropriate names, ant
to know all their wonderful instinct
shown in making their nests, gathering
their food, and caring for their young
! Choose one of these branches-the rocKs
the flowers, the trees, the insects and fish
es, or the birds, and then from books
from conversation with those who have
information, and, above all, from careful
observation, learn all about them and thu
an inexhaustible source of enjoyment will
be discovered. .-Amertcan AgricuLturia.