Foreword
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By Baden-PowellThe author has blamed me for the arrival of this book in print, and I gladly accept the responsibility, because for a considerable time I have been urging Scouts and Scouters to devote more study to this subject of Tracking. From time to time I have quoted stories from my experience illustrating the value of observation and deduction, and I know of nothing which is more calculated to develop the senses than the study and practice of Tracking. It doesn't seem right somehow that this science of observation and deduction which forms a most valuable asset in a man's character is not as yet included in the school curriculum except in such schools, as have adopted the Boy Scout training. To begin with, it "has a great educational value for the boy or girl. Observation develops to a remarkable degree the alertness and efficacy of the senses; by continual practice the eyesight becomes quickened and strengthened, so also the hearing and sense of smell and touch. Deduction promotes in a still more wonderful way the alertness of the mind through development of reasoning power, imagination, patient research, common sense and memory. It is a science which has the further benefit of being full of attraction and interest for the youngster, so that once he has been introduced to it he takes it up with increasing keenness and practices it for himself. The practical value of such education in supplying a new quality in the character of a man is incalculable, no matter what line of life he may elect, whether he takes up law or medicine, exploration or research, business or soldiering, or what you will. It is essential, too, to him if he would gain knowledge of material facts or if he would read the character or feelings of other men; if he would enjoy the many little pleasures that Nature can give him; and, indeed, if he would make full use of the talents which God has given him. |