We bare received u Letter from Mr. Mentz; by which
it will be perceived, that we were arguing against his opinions on Instruction,. when they were in reality the same as mu. own. Our readers vill re- member, that at the time, although we spoke distinctly about our own views, we doubted whether we had fully understood the meaning of MT.. MUM&
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.
Grove Cottage, Chelsea, 29th December 1834.
Sift—In a notice of' my little book on the Natural History of Birds, which appeared in your journal of the 20th instant, there is a small mistake, which, whether it arose from the imperfect manner in which I had expressed my meaning, or from your misapprehension of it, I am anxious that you should gorrect, either in your own words or in mine, as may be most agreeable to you. I have mislaid my copy of the paper, and therefore cannot vote the precise words; but the gist of the observation is, that "1 would wish every one to imi- tate the original observer in learning any science—that I would discard all the labours of those who have gone before us—and that, insteml of communicating general views to the student, I would send him to individual facts ;" and you add, and that rightly, that such a theory "needs no comment." You are right in your last remark ; because it is with that very thing that I find fault. You must be aware that, in observation, be the subject what it may, we must begin with the general view, and descend to the particulars by analysis, instead of taking the particulars one after another, and trying to patch them together for a general view. This beginning with the works of which the student can- not by possibility see the use, is the very fault of which I complain ; and yet by some mistake or other, in all probability my clumsiness of expression, you have made me propose it as an improvement. Have the goodness to set the matter to rights,- in any way that may be most agreeable to you ; and oblige
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