Retrospective Criticism* 83 



The greenfindi'aM^hecfgeyspaVrow appe^r^ fco iat'e'tlie least ribflce of the 

 exchange, and mvariably produced their regular number of eggs. But some 

 which were tried forsook their nests ; and, as far as I recollect, the gold- 

 finch, chaffinch, and wood-pigeon were most particular. I have known 

 boys in this neighbourhood to substitute pebbles for eggs very often. !, I 

 some years ago found that a pair of hawks had appropriated the nest of a 

 carrion crow to themselves. I climbed to it, and took two eggs, the whole 

 there were ih'it, and piilled' out the greater part of the nest, supposing I 

 should thereby effectually drive them from the neighbourhood. jBut^ in jtHe 

 course of a fortnight after, piass'ing by the same tree, and lopking up at the 

 remnant of the nest, I perceived the old hawk's tail projecting over the ^i^e 

 of it. I again climbed the tree in silence, expecting (as? the nest was built 

 close to the trunk of the tree) to catch hold of her; but she perceived mie, 

 and flew off, uttering a sort of liarsh shrink, which attracted her nuite,;%d 

 they both s.eyeral times poiiificgd vvitliip' a. Varc) .of my face :. but, in, spite. ojT 



^•is^e ny^ljce j^n .instanQq 



was abofli, the size ot a thrusl] ; put it coulcT rup tast, Thepupj)y caught i^ 

 up ill its mouth, and ciU'ried it some distance across the field 1 was walkiqff 



up in Its mouth, and ciUTied it some distance across tbe liekl 1 \\ as walkipff 

 in, and then put it dowi,i unhurt. I was agreeably surprised to. sec the littl"? 

 thing extend its featherless wings and neck, and run in that menacing, atti- 

 tude at the puppy, which fairly turned tail. I immediately ^),ut it, in .a p|ace 

 of safety, as a reward for itg com\i^ef—(-Sc6hv€ue'fmttco^^ 

 Not(ing/iam, Aug. 30, 1830, .,, *f^''",."',' \', „'.-,.' ~ .°' wit .,.,^,, .^, ,^, 



De lie Aranere Acronautica; {the Aerial Spider Controvcr.'^Tj'). — " Uhe f^ftr 

 ture of this Magazine is, that the contributors criticise one another, ar^gi 

 every one who sends an article must take this into account.". (Cover ^p^ 

 Mag.y No, X.) — Sii*, Every reader of ^our excellent and useful Magaziiji^ 

 must observe, with regret, the very uncourteous wav hi which the s])Tc|.^jr 

 controversy is carried on between Mr. Murray and Mr. Blackwali. I am 

 npi; personally acquainted with either of these gentlemen, and, therefoir^, 

 cap nave no biassed feeling. I see, indeed, much to admirein each; an4 

 on}y sorrow that two champions who liave entered the lists, to break a lance 

 inhonour of their fair mistress, Dame Nature, should do it with such hostif^ 

 feelings. My concern, however, is great at tin's squabble, as it tends mucli 

 to tower, in the esteem of its juvenile votaries, the beauteous and lovely 

 pursuits, of natural history, and bewilder their minds in the dark and intri- 

 cate paths of controversy, instead of alluring them to the sunny banks of 

 improvement and delight. Youth is too ajjt to be a pugnacious season, 

 both niental and physical ; and most opportunities are eagerly graspecl atto 

 indulge this propensity, cither to gratify a feeling of ill-natiire, or the anil^^i^ 

 tioh of victory : both of which are at utter variance with the well fonned 

 and oe,ntle mind. In proportion as opportunities are offered and seized, so 

 will the young and unformed mind be sweetened b^^ a ivell dirceted pursuit 

 after the loveliness of truth, or jarretl and u)ihai:moniscd by ill directed 

 SQranibles:,eithei: of 5y^c^;n\jis| hpe a great,^§l^^ |g.,§liaping the^irt!^ 



"^^v -A ..,, I A'p \ -k ,}f';-, , , noino^.-f; •-., . ,. rxuiv^\ 



1 am well aware. Sir, of the numberless phenomena m the exbaustless 



sciei]|jCe of nature, yet quite hidden and iyiperfectly understood; and that 

 ac^JYC minds, in dihgent and anxious search after cauge and effect, will often 

 coiue in disagreeing contact: this is as it should be, and will stimulate ^o 

 exertion, call forth ability, arid ultimately elicit trutli. It is, indeed, a plea- 

 sure to' see noble minds, with all their vigour and subtlety, exerting them- 

 selves in unravelling the hitherto hidden mysteries of nature, and obtaining 



G 2 



