PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 145 



occupation, or the still more effeminating influence of ennui; and by the 

 humbler to the beer-shop, the gin -palace, and but too often, I fear, to 

 other haunts of infamy and vice. 



The educated class may seek recreation in reading; but the poor neg- 

 lected artisan, how is he to spend the three or four hours left from labour, 

 previous to retiring to rest? 



The answer is but too readily found in the large increase of places of 

 low resort and public amusement; and in their deteriorating precincts, 

 what accumulation of evil threatens his moral and physical condition. But 

 the spirit of inquiry is now on foot, and a brighter promise looms, I hope 

 in the distance. 



But to return to our subject. Among the divisions into which Natural 

 History is divided, there are three which more especially are accessible to 

 all — ornithology, entomology, and botany — the study of birds, the study of 

 insects, and the study of plants. There is a rich vein opened at once, a 

 banquet to which all are invited, a feast of which all may partake — 

 satiating never — enduring ever. 



Whilst in London a short time since, a friend asked me to take a 

 ramble with him into the neighbourhood of Spitalfields, to see some of 

 the collections made by the poor weavers. Gladly availing myself of his 

 invitation, we started, and were soon traversing the narrow streets that 

 lead to the humble dwellings of this poor, industrious, and hard-working 

 class. Of several collectors, I will only mention one family as a type of 

 the whole. 



This family consisted of father, two sons, and a daughter. Their bus- 

 iness at the loom was the weaving of white satin. On entering their little 

 parlour, we found it quite neat, though crowded with objects of Natural 

 History. The daughter followed the study of botany; the sons entomology; 

 the father both. On Saturday afternoons, and especially by day- break on 

 Sunday morning, this happy quartett would leave their home, and wend 

 their way into the country, carrying provisions for the day's consumption. 

 Here they would pass the hours, interrupted only by Divine Service, at 

 which they always attended, inhaling the pure and invigorating air, whilst 

 collecting their various treasures. Generally well-laden with various speci- 

 mens of their studies, they returned home at night, with improved health 

 and spirits, and with minds well content to fulfil the duties allotted to 

 them. 



During the week, after work, their evenings were employed in arranging 

 their various collections; and amongst many which they showed us, I was 

 particularly pleased with a book of dried plants, arranged and collected by 

 the daughter, which in neatness might rival those of any wealthy collector. 

 Comment upon such a family would be superfluous; they were honest, in- 



