14 INTRODUCTION. 



sedentary life has often made me unhappy or 

 unwell. I like the free range of the woods and 

 .if^lades, 1 hate the sight of fences like the In- 

 dians ! The free constant exercise and pleasu- 

 1 able excitement is always conductive to health 

 and pleasure. 



The pleasures of a botanical exploration ful- 

 ly compensate for these miseries and dangers, 

 else no one would be a travelling Botanist, nor 

 spend his time and money in vain. Many fair- 

 days and fair-roads are met with, a clear sky 

 or a bracing breeze inspires delight and ease, 

 you breathe the pure air of the country, every 

 rill and brook offers a draught of limpid fluid. 

 What delight to meet with a spring after a 

 thirsty walk, or a bowl of cool milk out of the 

 dairy ! What sound sleep at night after a long 

 day's walk, what soothing naps at noon under 

 a shaded tree near a purling brook ! 



Every step taken into the fields, groves, and 

 hills, appears to afford new enjoyments, Land- 

 scapes and Plants jointly meet in your sight. 

 Here is an old acquaintance seen again; there 

 a novelty, a rare plant, perhaps a new one ! 

 greets your view : you hasten to pluck it, exa- 

 mine it, admire, and put it in your book. Then 

 you walk on thinking what it might be, or may 

 be made by you hereafter. You feel an exul- 

 tation, you are a conqueror, you have made a 

 conquest over Nature, you are going to add a 

 new object, or a page to science. This peace- 

 ful conquest has cost no tears, but fills your 

 mind with a proud sensation of not being use- 

 less on earth, of having detected another link 

 of the creative power of God. 



Such are the delightful feelings of a real bo- 

 tanist, who travels not for lucre nor paltry pay. 



