"When interest has
been fully developed, it must always combine pleasure, facility, and
the satisfaction of a need. We see again that in all exertions, power
and pleasure are secured to interest. It does not feel the burden of
difficulties but often seems to sport with them."--_Ziller_.
A natural interest is also awakened by what is strange, mysterious, and
even frightful, but these kinds of interest concern us from a
speculative rather than a pedagogical point of view. We are seeking
for those interests which contribute to a normal and permanent mental
action.
_Severe effort and exertion_ are a necessary part of instruction, but a
proper interest in the subject will lead children to exert themselves
with greater energy even when encountering disagreeable tasks. There
are places in every subject when work is felt as a burden rather than
as a pleasure, but the interest and energy aroused in the more
attractive parts will carry a child through the swamps and mires at a
speedier rate. It is not at all desirable to conceal difficulties
under the guise of amusement. But by means of a natural interest it is
possible to bring the mind into the most favorable state for action.
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