CHAPTER VII.
MATHEMATICS, NATURAL SCIENCE, AND NATURE STUDY.
"The Arab told me that the stone (To give it in the language of the dream) Was "Euclid's Elements"; and "This," said he, "Is something of more worth"; and at the word Stretched forth the shell, so beautiful in shape, In colour so resplendent, with command That I should hold it to my ear.

I did so, And heard that instant in an unknown tongue, Which yet I understood, articulate sounds, A loud prophetic blast of harmony." WORDSWORTH, "The Prelude," Bk.

V.
Mathematics, natural science, and nature study may be conveniently grouped together, because in a study of educational aims, in so far as they concern Catholic girls, there is not much that is distinctive which practically affects these branches; during the years of school life they stand, more or less, on common ground with others.

More advanced studies of natural science open up burning questions, and as to these, it is the last counsel of wisdom for girls leaving school or school-room to remember that they have no right to have any opinion at all.

It is well to make them understand that after years of specialized study the really great men of science, in very gentle tones and with careful utterance, give to the world their formed opinions, keeping them ever open to readjustment as the results of fresh observations come in year after year, and new discoveries call for correction and rearrangement of what has been previously taught.