Reviews and Notices oj 'Books, 67 



There is Dr. Dryasdust's way ; which consists of mere accuracy 

 of defination and differentiation ; statistics as harsh and dry as 

 the skins and bones in the museum where it is studied. There is 

 the field observer's way ; the careful and consciencious accumula- 

 tion and record of facts bearing on the life-history of the creatures ; 

 statistics as fresh and bright as the forest or meadow where they 

 are gathered in the dewy morning. And there is the poet's way ; 

 who looks at nature through a glass peculiarly his own, the aes- 

 thetic aspect, which deals, not with statistics, but with emotions 

 of the Iruman mind, — surprise, wonder, terror, revulsion, admira- 

 tion, love, desire, and so forth, — which are made energetic by the 

 contemplation of the creatures around him. 



" In my many years' wanderings through the wide field of Natu- 

 ral History, I have always felt towards it something of a poet's 

 heart, though destitute of a poet's genius. As Wordsworth so 

 beautifully says. 



To me the meanest flower that blows can give 

 Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.' 



" Now this book is an attempt to present Natural History in 

 this aesthetic fashion. Not that I have presumed constantly to 

 indicate — like the stage directions in a play, or the 'hear, hear!' 

 in a speech — the actual emotion to be elicited ; this would have 

 been obtrusive and impertinent : but I have sought to paint a 

 series of pictures, tne reflections of scenes and aspects in nature, 

 which in my own mind awaken poetic interest, leaving them to do 

 their proper work." — Preface, 



In these words does Mr. Gosse herald in his new publication, 

 whicb is one of the most readable and ag^reeable of all his read- 

 able and agreeable books. The } Ian, if there be a plan, is most 

 desultory — just that touch-and-go style which will secure the at- 

 tention even of the most indolent reader : thus we leap from lions 

 to butterflies ; then plunge into brine and boiling springs ; ascend 

 the blue vaults of heaven after insects, and seek flying fish in beds 

 and shoals of swimming fish in a parlour : next we enjoy a sojourn 

 with serpents ; then wander among groves of Cacti ; and then 

 mount the dragon tree of Oratava. Afterwards we are introduced 

 to the whale and the elephant, the mammoth tree of California 

 and life in a drop of water : to the jackal, the wolf and gorilla ; 

 and witness a fatal encounter with bees. 



I have really enjoyed this book, it is most delightful ; and al- 

 though the mixture of subjects strikes one as rather heterodox in 



