Miller's Beauties of the Country, 331 



himself bound to treat of them in the order of their natural 

 affinities. For aught that we can gather from what he has 

 written, he may be in happy ignorance of the circular system 

 or the quinary distribution of animals. The natural or artificial 

 classification of the vegetable world may never have been the 

 subject of this enquiry ; and the volume may not, therefore, 

 engage the attention of scientific naturalists ; but it embodies 

 the sentiments and emotions of a mind capable of appreciating 

 in the most exalted degree those sources of enjoyment that 

 spring from the contemplation of natural objects, when asso- 

 ciated with the acknowledgment of that power by which they 

 have been created and are upheld. We could say much in 

 praise of this volume, did our limits permit us ; and think 

 we could show that, indirectly, it is as valuable a contribution 

 to science as some works that come before us with a definite 

 quantum of new information : but we must not extend our 

 notice further than by a short extract : —- 



" Some have wrongly fancied that a life passed in the country must be 

 devoid of interest. Such would be the case with those whose days had 

 been spent in a constant state of excitement ; but how happily and usefully 

 life may be passed even in apparent solitude, let the works of Gilbert 

 "White and Bewick testify. To watch the progress of flowers, their periods 

 of appearing, their different forms and qualities, the numerous insect tribes 

 that hover around and within them ; the habits of birds, the various forms 

 of their nests, their departure and return ; the different customs of animals, 

 and the variety of trees, — are, in my estimation, far more continual 

 sources of amusement and delight than either criticising an actor or ap- 

 plauding an opera-dancer. The latter grow irksome, — they are always or 

 nearly the same — if they vary it is but in attitude or voice ; while the 

 former are daily revealing some new wonder — something is discovered 

 that adds to our knowledge — we gain another triumph over Nature — we 

 progress in wisdom, and are led to admire and understand more the pro- 

 ductions of the Omnipotent. We bring a bird into a city, imprison it in a 

 cage — it sings — we are delighted with its music ; and what more should 

 we know respecting its habits, had there not been men who, having watched 

 it in its secret haunts, can tell us its food, how it builds, what time it visits 

 our country, and when it departs ? But, even in spite of all this close in- 

 vestigation, we are in ignorance, and volumes have been written, and wise 

 men puzzled, to discover the hiding-place of the swallow, a bird that 

 resides with us during the summer, and then departs we know not whither, 

 even now. What is it but an acquaintance with Nature that has pre- 

 vented us from worshipping the forms of animals, and kneeling down to 

 the sun, moon, and stars, like the heathen of old ? Even in England our 

 ancestors offered up adoration to the oak, and paid reverence to the 

 mistletoe. I believe that religion is strengthened by contemplating Nature ; 

 that an investigation of its wonders, and a knowledge of the order and 

 harmony which reign throughout the whole, have done much to prove the 

 great goodness and wisdom of God — and that, when we have once begun 

 to admire this wonderful creation, we shall not fail to reverence the 

 Creator." 



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