If we could assume that
lessons had been so arranged, we might then with Mr. Quick justly
demand of a teacher a manner of teaching that must make the subjects
interesting, or in other words a manner of treatment that would be
appropriate to an interesting subject.
There are two kinds of interest that need to be clearly distinguished:
_direct_ interest, which is felt for the thing itself, for its own
sake, and _indirect_ interest which points to something else as the
real source. A miser loves gold coins for their own sake, but most
people love them only because of the things for which they may be
exchanged. The poet loves the beauty and fragrance of flowers, the
florist adds to this a mercenary interest. A snow-shovel may have no
interest for us ordinarily, but just when it is needed, on a winter
morning, it is an object of considerable interest. It is simply a
means to an end. The kind of interest which we think is so valuable
for instruction is direct and intrinsic. The life of Benjamin Franklin
calls out a strong direct interest in the man and his fortunes. A
humming bird attracts and appeals to us for its own sake. Indirect
interest, so called, has more of the character of _desire_.
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