Natural Science.

The reading and study of poetry is much like the interest one takes in
the beauties of natural scenery. Much of the best poetry is indeed a
poetic interpretation of nature. Whittier and Longfellow and Bryant
lead their readers to look on nature with new eyes, as Ruskin opened
the eyes of Henry Ward Beecher.

A great deal of the best prose is in style and sentiment of a true
poetic character, lacking only the metrical form. To become familiar
with Tennyson and Shakespeare, and the brilliant catalogue of British
poets is in itself a liberal education. Rolfe's Shakespeare is in
handy volumes, and so edited as to be of most service. Palgrave's
"Golden Treasury" of the best songs and lyrical poems in the English
language was edited with the advice and collaboration of Tennyson. His
"Children's Treasury" of lyrical poetry is most attractive. Emerson's
Parnassus, and Whittier's "Three Centuries of Song" are excellent
collections of the most famous poems of the ages.

Of Books of Travel, here are a dozen titles, where one might easily
name twelve hundred:--

Edmondo de Amicis,--"Holland and Its People," and his "Constantinople."

Frank T. Bullen's "Cruise of the Cachelot Round the World After Sperm
Wales."

J. M. Hoppin's "Old England."

Clifton Johnson, "Among English Hedgerows."

W. D. Howell's "Venetian Life"; "Italian Journeys."

Irving's "Sketch Book," and the "Alhambra."

Henry James, "Portraits of Places."

Arthur Smith's "Chinese Characteristics," and especially his "Village
Life in China."

It would be impossible to list books more interesting and more useful
than most fiction, which may be called Nature Studies.

I will name a few books that will certainly incite the reader to search
for more:--

Ernest Ingersoll's "Book of the Ocean."

Professor E. S. Holder's "The Sciences," a reading book for children.

Jean Mace's "History of a Mouthful of Bread."

E. A. Martin's "Story of a Piece of Coal."

Professor Charles A. Young's "The Sun," revised edition 1895.

Serviss' "Astronomy with an Opera-Glass," "Pleasures of the Telescope,"
"The Skies and the Earth."

Thoreau's "Walden; or Life in the Woods."

Mrs. F. T. Parsons' (Smith) Dana. "According to Seasons"; talks about
the flowers in the order of their appearance in the woods and fields.
Describes wild flowers in order of blooming, with information about
their haunts and habits. Also, by the same author, "How to Kno