ople would
not winter at Geneva; it was so dull--no amusements; and as soon as the
snow was knee deep at Chamouny, they all ordered horses and flew away to
Paris or Italy. This affected the prosperity of the good citizens, and
they talked among themselves; but no one of the Town Council would
propose a theatre, until it was discovered, by private communication,
that they were unanimously agreed,--then the proposition was started and
carried. But there are many concomitants attending a theatre, and with
the theatre many other innovations have crept in; so that in a few years
Geneva will be no better than Paris. When I was last here, Science was
the order of the day. There were many celebrated men residing in the
town, but they are all gone to their forefathers. Every branch of
Natural History had its _savant_; but, above all, Mineralogy was the
most in vogue. But Mineralogy has been superseded lately, by her eldest
sister Geology, who, although not so pretty, has been declared more
interesting and profound. Still Mineralogy is the more scientific,
although Geology is the more speculative. In the education of children,
I know no study which so enlarges the mind or gives a habit of research
and application, as that of Natural History; it is amusement and
instruction so happily blended, that it never tires. Perhaps, the
natural cupidity of our natures assists, as the knowledge of every new
specimen is for the most part accompanied by the _possession_ of the
specimen and an addition to the collection. Moreover, it is a tangible
study; not a nomenclature of things, but each substance is in your hand
to be examined. The arrangement and classification gives a habit of
neatness and order, and children are taught to throw nothing away until
its value is known. Every child should be made acquainted with Natural
History; and where the specimens can be obtained, and there is room for
them, they should be allowed to have a collection, such as minerals,
corals, shells, and plants; for these sciences, amusing in themselves,
will gradually impel them to the others more abstruse, as every branch
of Natural Philosophy is intimately connected with them. The mind will
ever be active, and if not interested in rational pursuits, it will fly
off to the sensual.

They have a very excellent plan in Switzerland, in many of the boys'
schools, of all the scholars setting off together on a pedestrian tour
of some weeks. You will meet a