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AMATEUR NATURALISTS. 



argument to prove the folly of such a course. Instead of deriving health 

 of body and peace of mind, the slaves to drink awake in the morning with 

 a debilitated frame, and a craving thirst for more stimulants; and thus, in a 

 few years, if their recreations are not sought in another channel, they reap 

 the fruit of their folly in a drunkard's premature grave. How then should 

 the hard-toiling operative's leisure hours be spent? I answer, in some 

 pursuit that will strengthen the body, while at the same time it exercises 

 the mind. 



Can any pursuit be found calculated to accomplish these two ends? — 

 Yes! — The practical study of Natural History offers to furnish the boon. 

 In order to this practical study of Nature, we are called away from the 

 smoky chimney and the filthy, death-harbouring alley. The green field 

 becomes our resort for recreation. The sweet notes of the feathered song- 

 sters fall melodiously on our ears, instead of the lewd language so universal 

 in town-life. The fresh, bracing, country air thus refreshes and invigorates 

 our bodies, while at the same time our mental faculties are strengthened, 

 our minds expanded, by the contemplation and study of the various objects 

 around us, and by the lofty ideas imparted to us by the grandeur of 

 Creation. 



Could we induce working men to adopt the study of Natural History 

 in a practical manner, we should feel assured they would be better fitted 

 for their daily employment, and have an increasing desire for the society 

 of the learned and the good. As a proof of the delights the study of 

 Natural History can afford, I just give a sketch from the journal of one 

 who was my bosom friend, but has now passed away from earth. He was 

 an enthusiastic admirer of Nature. Many happy hours have we spent in 

 the field and the wood in search of specimens in Botany, Ornithology, 

 Entomology, etc. He was, moreover, the contributor to the first volume 

 of "The Naturalist" of the article on "The Habitat, etc., of the Black- 

 headed Gull." Listen to his own words. — 



"I have this afternoon been a somewhat extended walk into the country; 

 the first taste of the truly rural which I have for some time enjoyed. 

 (He was at this time a marked victim of consumption.) And truly it was 

 enjoyment again to tread the soft green turf, spangled over with golden 

 dandelions, yellow buttercups, and meek-eyed white and purple daisies. 

 Here and there too the pastures were gay with lilac cardamines, and the 

 sides of the ponds glittered with a bright display of marsh marigolds, whUe 

 on their surface sparkled the star-like beauteous forms of the meadow crow- 

 foot. The birds on every hand were warbling their sweetest, joyfullest 

 lays, in glad recording of the return of bright and pleasant spring. But 

 what is all this loveliness, this beauty, this life! without the soul in lofty 

 aspiration can see God in it. Tell me of no lover of Nature, in the highest. 



