PREFACE. xxi 



a famenefs of diverfions -, every objecft would 

 produce fome new obfervation, and while 

 they might feem only to gratify themfelves 

 with a prefent indulgence, they would be 

 laying up a fund of ufeful knowlege ; they 

 would find their ideas fenfibly enlarged, till 

 they comprehended the whole of domeftic 

 oeconomy, and the wife order of Providence, 

 To thofe of a fedentary difpofition, this 

 ftudy would not only prove agreeable, 

 but falutary : men of that turn of mind 

 are with difficulty drawn from their books, 

 to partake of the neceffary enjoyments of air 

 and exercife ; and even when thus compelled, 

 they profit lefs by it than men of an ilhberal 

 education. But this inconvenience would be 

 remedied, could we induce them to obferve 

 and relifli the wonders of nature -, aided by 

 philofophy, they would find in the woods 

 and fields a feries of objedls, that would give 

 to exercife charms unknown before ; and en- 

 raptured with the fcene, they will be ready 

 to exclame with the poet : 



On every thorn, delightful wifdom grows ; 



In every rill, a fweet inftruftion flows. Young. 



Thus would the contemplative naturalift 



learn from all he faw, to love his Creator for 



b 3 his 



