XVni PRKFACK. 



US to suspend our judgements ;" and " the art of 

 seeing, so useful, so universal, and yet so uncom- 

 mon, be one of the most valuable a man can pos- 

 sess," — there can be no doubt of the judiciousness 

 of their advice. Now of all the branches of Na- 

 tural History, Entomology is unquestionably the 

 best fitted for thus disciplining the mind of youth ; 

 and simply from these circumstances, that its ob- 

 jects have life, are gifted with surprising instincts 

 admirably calculated to attract youthful attention, 

 and are to be met with every where. It is not 

 meant to undervalue the good effects of the study 

 of Botany or Mineralogy : but it is self-evident 

 that nothing inanimate can excite such interest in 

 the mind of a young person as beings endowed 

 with vitality, exercising their powers and facul- 

 ties in so singular a way ; which, as Reaumur ob- 

 serves, are not only alive themselves, but confer 

 animation upon the leaves, fruits, and flowers that 

 they inhabit; which every walk oifers to view; 

 and on which new observations may be made 

 without end. 



Besides these advantages, no study affords a 

 fairer opportunity of leading the young mind by 

 a natural and pleasing path to the great truths of 

 Religion, and of impressing it with the most 

 lively ideas of the power, wisdom, and goodness 

 of the Creator. 



Not that it is recommended to make children 



