| Beatitude for Amateurs |
Sep
2005
|
| I
believe there is a beatitude burning bright for those who believe
nothing is beautiful, but everything is. Only in the intricacy and
intimacy of Life itself do we find many a splendoured things. But
just how do we see nature out there? Beauty, after all, is just that - skin-deep. And confess I a fool just as anyone apt at falling head over heel into the bright lights of Vanity Fair at times. I had to reel back from calling something beautiful then; for instance, the native Jangkal flower and the Longicorn I met with recently. Our response ought to be deeper, i.e. from the heart. But where do our enjoyment of nature start and stop? Remember the opening verse that graced the beginning of The Wayside Trees of Malaya? |
 |
'Oh, thou poor panting little soul! The very finest
tree in the whole forest,
with the straightest stem, and the strongest arms, and the thickest foliage,
wherein you choose to build and coo, may be marked for what you know,
and may be down with a crash ere long. What an old, old simile that is,
between man and timber.' - Vanity Fair, W. M. Thackeray
Corner, in his preface (to the first edition), set readers right on course. It was as good a pep-talk from a time-tested coach who 'walks the talk'. This was what he urged:
'To write a book about Malaya for all who find beauty and inspiration in the
life of the country has been my object. We sorely need books about natural
history, whether they be for schools or for grown-ups because, in our
exploitation and destruction of natural resources, we must not forget that
one mark of civilisation is the regard men bestow on wild things.
It has always seemed to us the duty of biologists to prepare from time to
time books on natural history which will serve as guides and companions
above all to amateurs, in whom the flame of knowledge burns brightest,
that each generation may play its part in preserving the natural scenery
and the wildlife of the country.'
Theirs must surely
be the finiest example of dedication for science in the local context!
But how do local scientists measure up today? It is hard to think of one who can hold a candle up to these two giants. The ugly truth is cold apathy. It is prevalent among our local scientific community. The notion of 'backyard ownership' is almost dead in their academic mind. Which botanist or marine biologist will heed Mother Nature's call for help? In the impendency of habitat loss, where is the response? Disappeared 20,000 fathoms down the abyss of oblivion - far away from our native shores - never to be found?!
I will not be judge though. To each, his or her own conscience. As for the amateurs, my fellow sojourners of Life, I salute you! I bet Corner is smiling at you right now!
with the straightest stem, and the strongest arms, and the thickest foliage,
wherein you choose to build and coo, may be marked for what you know,
and may be down with a crash ere long. What an old, old simile that is,
between man and timber.' - Vanity Fair, W. M. Thackeray
Corner, in his preface (to the first edition), set readers right on course. It was as good a pep-talk from a time-tested coach who 'walks the talk'. This was what he urged:
'To write a book about Malaya for all who find beauty and inspiration in the
life of the country has been my object. We sorely need books about natural
history, whether they be for schools or for grown-ups because, in our
exploitation and destruction of natural resources, we must not forget that
one mark of civilisation is the regard men bestow on wild things.
It has always seemed to us the duty of biologists to prepare from time to
time books on natural history which will serve as guides and companions
above all to amateurs, in whom the flame of knowledge burns brightest,
that each generation may play its part in preserving the natural scenery
and the wildlife of the country.'
| Yes!
He was addressing 'amateurs, in whom the flame of knowledge burns
brightest'! At the feverish rate 'amateurs' are engaged in publishing, as well as campaigning nature conservation today, his words were certainly prophetic! Corner must have had Prof Holttum in mind when he referred to 'us'. Both of them were not only prolific botanical scientists, but were also tireless fellow-campaigners in the preservation of forests in Singapore, esp. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. And less one should forget, these two gentlemen chosed not to flee when they had the chance to, but remained in Singapore throughout the Japanese Occupation and continued their work. |
 |
But how do local scientists measure up today? It is hard to think of one who can hold a candle up to these two giants. The ugly truth is cold apathy. It is prevalent among our local scientific community. The notion of 'backyard ownership' is almost dead in their academic mind. Which botanist or marine biologist will heed Mother Nature's call for help? In the impendency of habitat loss, where is the response? Disappeared 20,000 fathoms down the abyss of oblivion - far away from our native shores - never to be found?!
I will not be judge though. To each, his or her own conscience. As for the amateurs, my fellow sojourners of Life, I salute you! I bet Corner is smiling at you right now!