Retrospective Criticism* 459 



and " wonders of the insect world," are intended such works as Professor 

 Rennie's Insect Architecture (the review of which in your Magazine, p. 39., 

 lies at my door), I cannot help expressing my surprise that an accomplished 

 naturalist like Mr. Swainson should be so deficient in good taste, as not to 

 admire that useful and entertaining little work (cheap though it be), and 

 that he should designate such performances by the reproachful title of 

 " infants' food," and " amusing trifles, fit only for children." Mr. Swain- 

 son is indeed a giant in natural history, and as such, no doubt, is able him- 

 self to relish and digest the strongest meat ; but he should remember that 

 the same may not be adapted to the constitutions of the majority even of 

 ** the grown-up public." 



In conclusion, I beg to assure Mr. Swainson that I have no intention to 

 hurt his feelings, or give him unnecessary offence ; my sole object has been 

 to prevail upon him to discontinue a practice which appears to me to 

 reflect discredit upon himself. This end being effected, I should rejoice 

 sincerely if what has passed between us on the subject might prove the 

 means of extending the sale of his admirable work, and obtaining for it that 

 additional encouragement which its merits * so amply deserve. Yours, 

 &c. — ^4. R. Y. May 6. 1831. 



Remarhs on Mr. Davis's Letter (p. 303.), which impugns Mr. Stephens's 

 Mode of publishing his " Illustrations of British JEntoinologj/.^' — Sir, In an 

 article in your last Number, Mr. Davis complains of the irregular manner 

 in which Stephens's Entomology is published. Being a subscriber to this 

 work, and a personal friend of the author, I feel myself justified in objecting 

 to Mr. Davis's letter. Without attempting to exculpate Mr. Stephens 

 from the charge of irregularity, which, I doubt not, he can satisfactorily 

 account for if he shall think it worth his while to do so, I conceive that 

 Mr. Davis might have discovered a better mode of removing from his shoul- 

 ders the " intolerable burden "he complains of, without aspersing the cha- 

 racter of an honourable man. Surely, Sir, his letter is every way calculated 

 to injure rather than promote the cause of science. Mr. Stephens's work 

 will always be acceptable to those who are really anxious to see entomology 

 flourishing, upon whatever terms he may be enabled to publish it; and 

 those who are not content with his present mode might easily discontinue 

 their support without attempting to prejudice the minds of other sub- 

 scribers by an ignorant notion that the author was actuated by dishonour- 

 able motives, and would one day leave them in the lurch. A little enquiry 

 might have satisfied Mr. Davis that the motive assigned by Mr. Stephens, 

 viz. " domestic misfortune," was the cause of introducing the irregularities 

 of which he so loudly complains, and which, indeed, every subscriber must 

 greatly regret. Would it not be better for you in future to make a rule that 

 all personally abusive articles, like that of Mr. Davis and some others 

 which so unfortunately stain your pages, should be first submitted to the 

 perusal of the parties they are intended to reflect upon, before you gave 

 your sanction to their publication ? One word of explanation would often 

 be sufficient to stop a controversy begun in misapprehension, and you would 

 thus be the means of saving the abusive from their expression of much 

 angry feeling and its consequent remorse, the abused from the pain of 

 unjust censures, and the public from the disgust of witnessing the want of 

 charity and good-fellowship which actuates the motives of our selfish or 

 unhappy moments. Yours, &c. — J. S. Henslow. Cambridge^ Aug.^. 1831. 



* I have elsewhere spoken (see note appended to the review of Strutt's 

 Sylva Britdimica, Vol. III. p. 549.) of the excellence of Mr. Swainson's plates, 

 particularly of the shells, the beauty of which, as works of art and faithful 

 representations of nature, I have never seen exceeded in any publication 

 whatever. 



