Report of The Natural History Society. 235 



in the exercise of active duties, to enjoy the blessings of a compe- 

 tency in that rest from labor, which to a mind well regulated 

 and sfr>red with intellectual resources, constitutes the height of 

 earthly enjoyment, and a precious auxiliary means of preparation 

 for the great change to which he is hastening ; and if there be no 

 store of intellectual treasure — no pursuit in science or litera- 

 ture to occupy the leisure days and years that remain to him, 

 how listless, at the best, and how full of misery is the interval 

 allotted to him between the cessation of his active employment 

 and the end of his earthly career ! These considerations show how 

 important it is to provide a rational and intellectual amusement 

 and relaxation in the intervals of business — in the time of illness 

 or misfortune, and in retirement after the ordinary duties and avo- 

 cations of life are over. 



Ot the desireableness of such a provision we have unhappily 

 but too many proofs, in the sad and even fatal results of its ne- 

 glect. The instances are not few, in which persons suddenly de- 

 prived of fortune fly to the stimulus of drink to drown their misery, 

 or become the prey of incurable dejection; — nor of those who 

 retire from business with a competency, hoping to enjoy the re- 

 mainder of their days in comfort and pleasure, but finding them- 

 selves disappointed, become equally afflicted with the tedium 

 vitre. On the other hand many examples might be quoted to show 

 how possible it is, without in any way interfering with the ordinary 

 duties of life, to acquire such a knowledge of science or literature 

 as will prove a healthful recreation, not only to the individual but 

 to those around him. Of all the studies calculated to effect that 

 purpo-e, perhaps that of the natural sciences, and especially 

 of those, usually designated by the term of Natural History, have 

 the highest claim on a community like ours. The animal and 

 vegetable kingdoms, the rocks and the mountains, are open to the 

 investigation of all. The fields and the forest — the lake and the 

 river, as well as the atmosphere we breathe, teem with myriads 

 of beings, the study of whose beautiful forms, structures/functions, 

 habits, modes of formation and distribution is full of interest and 

 instruction, and clearly indicate the endless design and bound- 

 less power of the Creator. The Animalcule, whose dwel- 

 ling is the leaf of a plant, is as perfect in its organization as 

 the most gigantic monster that ploughs the deep or ro;tms the 

 forest. The histology of the most tiny plant is equally complica- 

 ted with that of the aged oak. Of no less interest is the study of 



