4} 58 Retrospective Criticism, 



cerely hope, that his Zoological Illustrations are to be discontinued *, but 

 that it is his intention to discontinue the practice to which I have ventured 

 to object. He asks, also, why it is that some other periodicals, which he 

 has the modesty to designate as of much higher pretensions than his own, 

 " are most unworthily neglected ... to the disgrace of patrons of period- 

 icals, and of the true legitimate science of the country ?" I will endeavour 

 to give Mr. Swainson an answer to this question. Not to mention, then, 

 that such works are for the most part expensive, if not dear, and therefore 

 beyond the pockets of very many who would like to encourage them ; 

 not to mention, also, that scientific works on natural history are not calcu- 

 lated for general readers, and therefore are confined to a limited sale ; one 

 cause of the neglect complained of, and one that operates even with those 

 who have the taste to appreciate scientific publications, is to be found (I 

 speak from actual knowledge) precisely in the very circumstances I have 

 endeavoured to point out, viz. an apprehension, on the part of those who 

 would otherwise become purchasers, that a work will be discontinued with- 

 out being completed ; a fear of being in some way or other imposed upon, 

 as, e. g., by reduction in the number of the plates, an additional charge for 

 the numbers over and above the original stipulated price, or an afterclap for 

 the titlepage and index. 



Mr. Swainson suggests that some writer in your Magazine should "point 

 out which of all these countless periodicals deserve encouragement, and 

 which do not." If I thought that any " wealthy individuals," or the 

 managers of " the diiFerent public subscription libraries, provincial institu- 

 tions, and societies," would attend to the recommendation of an humble 

 and anonymous individual, like myself, I could readily furnish you with a 

 pretty considerable — I do not say a perfect — list of the kind. And I 

 assure Mr. Swainson that his own excellent work. Zoological Illustrations , 

 should find a place in the very fore-front of the catalogue, with a salutary 

 warning, however, by way of notice to the public, about the charge of 

 half-a-crown for a few pages of titlepage and index. The particular men- 

 tion of such works as are not worthy of encouragement would be a rather 

 invidious, if not an unnecessary task ; and it fnight be enough merely to 

 ' pass such over by a tacit omission. I heartily join Mr. Swainson in his 

 wish, that out of such critical list " all the provincial societies should 

 make a choice of some one, or two, or more, as their funds may permit, 

 and send their orders to the publishers." I greatly fear, however, that the 

 formation of such a list as is suggested would be labour in vain. For the 

 truth is, neither societies nor individuals can afford to gratify their taste to 

 the extent they might wish by the purchase of costly publications. 



Having defended (sufficiently defended, as perhaps he flatters himself) 

 his own conduct, Mr. Swainson, I am sorry to see, indulges in certain 

 petulant insinuations against " cheap compilations, crude translations, 

 wonders of the insect world, &c., with such like amusing trifles, fit only 

 for children." And he speaks also in no very complimentary terms of 

 societies which " import wild beasts, and receive money for exhibiting 

 them afterwards." These remarks, it strikes me, are neither just nor 

 liberal. If, in the latter instance, allusion is made (as I shrewdly suspect) 

 to the Zoological Society, it is not my business, as I have no connection 

 v/ith that institution, to stand forth in defence of its proceedings ; and the 

 members of the Society are, no doubt, fully competent to defend them- 

 selves. I may remark, however, in passing, that I can see no ground for 

 complaint against the Society for " importing wild beasts," and affording 

 the public the high gratification of viewing the collection at the low price 

 of one shilling. If, again, in the other instance, by " cheap compilations," 



* I have received no number of the work for many months, and, upon 

 enquiry, the only answer I can get from the bookseller is, " Not out." 



