26 PLEASURES AND ADVANTAGES OF 



it imparts the habit of patient observation, and re- 

 search, it renders the mind quick, discriminating, 

 and energetic, yet contemplative and profound ; it 

 displaces mischief and error, dissipates the bias of 

 unruly propensities, and gives place to correct ac- 

 tions, and the ascendency of the higher faculties of 

 our nature. To the naturalist, all seasons are ac- 

 ceptable ; in each he perceives new beauties and 

 objects worthy of attention ; he does not lament over 

 the gloom of winter or the fatiguing heat of summer, 

 in each he can be occupied pleasantly and profitably 

 with their respective productions, and phenomena : 

 but it is time that we conclude these remarks, which 

 indeed might be extended to a disproportion to the 

 value of the science we are advocating, whilst, how- 

 ever, we are far from thinking, that we have availed 

 ourselves of every argument which deserves to be 

 adduced in its support, and are far from flattering 

 ourselves that we have done proper justice to the 

 subject, in the eyes of those who can criticise. Na- 

 turalists, like myself, feel an intense desire to add to 

 the number of admirers of the beauties of nature ; 

 we earnestly wish, for the welfare of mankind, and 

 believe that it may be promoted by the advancement 

 of knowledge ; as we proceed on our way through 

 life, we look with surprise on the actions of those 

 men who accumulate wealth as if the object of their 

 existence, as if it would purchase happiness in this, 

 and in the next world ; we believe they have for- 

 gotten that this is a transitory state, and that our 

 present life is but a passport to the next ; we won- 

 der that they should perceive too late, that all 

 beyond a sufficiency is worthless, and that they 

 might have substituted with advantage and effect 

 the consoling studies originally destined for the 

 human mind, for those cares and stratagems, which 

 can end only in disappointment and regret. 



Until the present era of science, natural history 

 had not assumed its most engaging appearance ; 

 before now, theory was too much indulged in ; the 



