A child is naturally curious to know about mountains, rivers, caverns, the causes of rain, dew and wind. Just as this encyclopaedia shows itself the best of instructors in regard to the plant and animal world, so with natural phenomena it serves to bring the child into close, sympathetic touch with the truths of science.
Physical Geography made Interesting
The principles of physical geography are clearly explained in Geography, Principles of (Vol. 11, p. 630), by Dr. H. R. Mill; and when these are learned young people will turn with eager interest to such articles as Alps (Vol. 1, p. 737), partly by W. A. B. Coolidge, author of The Alps in Nature and in History; Andes (Vol. 1, p. 960); Appalachian Mountains (Vol. 2, p. 207), by Dr. Arthur C. Spencer, geologist to the Geological Survey of the United States; Himalaya (Vol. 13, p. 470); Volcano (Vol, 28, p. 178), by F. W. Rudler, of the Museum of Practical Geology, London; Vesuvius (Vol. 27, p. 1063), by Sir Archibald Geikie and Dr. Thomas Ashby; Earthquake (Vol. 8, p. 817), by F. W. Rudler and Dr. John Milne, author of Earthquakes, etc.; Geyser (Vol. 11, p. 913); Cave (Vol. 5, p. 573), by Dr. William Boyd Dawkins, author of Cave Hunting, etc.; Mammoth Cave (Vol. 17, p. 531), by Rev. Horace C. Hovey, author of Celebrated American Caverns, etc.; Luray Cavern (Vol. 17, p. 127), also by Dr. Hovey; Grand Canyon (Vol. 12, p. 347), by R. S. Tarr, late professor of physical geography, Cornell University; Great Salt Lake (Vol. 12, p. 421); Yosemite (Vol. 28, p. 937), by Dr. John Muir, president of the American Alpine Club, and author of The Mountains of California; Yellowstone National Park (Vol. 28, p. 912); Glacier (Vol. 12, p. 60), by Rev. E. C. Spicer, of Oxford University; Niagara (Vol. 19, p. 634), by Dr. G. K. Gilbert, author of Niagara Falls and their History; Mississippi River (Vol. 18, p. 604); Amazon (Vol. 1, p. 783), by Col. George E. Church, the famous American explorer of the Amazon; Orinoco (Vol. 20, p. 275), also by Colonel Church; Rhine (Vol. 23, p. 240), by Dr. J. F. Muirhead, editor of many of Baedeker’s Guide Books, and Philip A. Ashworth; Nile (Vol. 19, p. 692), by F. R. Cana and Sir W. E. Garstin, governing director, Suez Canal Co.; Niger (Vol. 19, p. 674) and Congo (Vol. 6, p. 914), by F. R. Cana; Yangtsze-Kiang (Vol. 28, p. 903), by George Jamieson, formerly British consul-general at Shanghai; Desert (Vol. 8, p. 92), by Dr. H. N. Dickson, professor of geography, University College, Reading; Sahara (Vol. 23, p. 1004), by Edward Heawood, librarian of the Royal Geographical Society, London, and F. R. Cana. There are also separate articles on the oceans and large lakes.
Astronomy is a science which is peculiarly attractive to children, since it arouses the imagination and makes a strong appeal to their delight in all that is marvelous. There are 277 astronomical articles in the new Encyclopaedia Britannica to which the classified list in the Index Volume (Vol. 29, p. 888) is the key.
Readings in Astronomy
In the preceding chapter are mentioned a few articles which will serve for the beginning of an acquaintance with astronomy. When a child has learned to know the zodiacal constellations he will certainly want to read Zodiac (Vol. 28, p. 993), by Agnes M. Clerke, author of A History of Astronomy in the 19th Century, for the story of the signs and what they meant to the nations of past ages. There are separate articles on the principal constellations and stars. Astrology (Vol. 2, p. 795), by Prof. Morris Jastrow of the University of Pennsylvania, will prove both entertaining and instructive.
Those who wish to know about methods of observation will find the complete story in Telescope (Vol. 26, p. 557), a beautifully illustrated article by H. Dennis Taylor, author of A System of Applied Optics, and Sir David Gill, formerly astronomer royal at the Cape of Good Hope.
Games and Pastimes
In the preceding chapter a few articles on games were mentioned as being useful to parents helping very young children to amuse themselves. A little later, the child will be delighted to choose for himself among the 260 articles on sports and pastimes; and the analysis of this department of the Britannica, in Part 6 of this Guide, will then be of service. We may mention here the articles Golf (Vol. 12, p. 219), by H. G. Hutchinson, golf champion and author of Hints on Golf; Lacrosse (Vol. 16, p. 54); Bowling (Vol. 4, p. 344); Rowing (Vol. 23, p. 783), by C. M. Pitman, formerly stroke of the Oxford University Eight; Model-Yachting (Vol. 18, p. 640); Angling, Methods and Practice (Vol. 2, p. 24); Cricket (Vol. 7, p. 435); Archery, Pastime of (Vol. 2, p. 364), by the late W. J. Ford. A long list of indoor and out-door games will be found in the classified subject-list (Vol. 29, p. 946).
Diverting and Profitable Occupations