376 VOYAGE OF THE CHANTICLEER. 



severely — that very work whose friends pursued us so long 

 and so assiduously with this very persecution — that we now 

 pen these sentences in condemnation of a system whose 

 exquisitely organized power we have resisted, conquered, and 

 outlived. It is difficult to contend with a hidden system of 

 evil, and the perpetrators, in this instance, are careful to veil 

 their deeds in kindred darkness. Every one who reads the 

 pages of the Entomolo(jkal Maciazine, in simplicity of heart, 

 will, we are confident, acknowledge that the system of injuring 

 individuals has never there, for a moment, been entertained; 

 we have been very severe to what, in our judgment, appeared 

 wrong ; but we have, at the same time, diligently sought out 

 the good and the useful, for the very pleasure of praising and 

 recommending. The ill feeling that exists in some breasts 

 ao-ainst Mr. Curtis, is a matter with which we cannot contend ; 

 but we advise, — in perfect sincerity we advise, — those who 

 entertain such a feeling, against its exhibition in a manner 

 calculated to injure him. The works of Mr. Curtis and 

 Mr. Stephens are not only useful but beautiful works : they 

 are the works of our fellow-countrymen, — and that is in 

 itself a claim on us. That we can agree with every thing that 

 these authors are pleased to say, — that we can praise and 

 approve of all they write, — is not to be expected. Perfection is 

 not the inheritance of man; but until we are faultless ourselves, 

 let us bear with the faults of others. We have already said, 

 that the knowledge of the existence of this evil spirit against 

 Mr. Curtis called forth these remarks; furthermore, our abhor- 

 rence of the system is so great, that we think it our duty to 

 oppose it, and it will give us real pleasure if these honest 

 observations tend to that gentleman's advantage, by opening 

 the eyes of the unwary, by cautioning the yet uninitiated lover 

 of Entomology against evil counsel. 



Now, with respect to our own observations on Mr. Curtis's 

 work, we do unhesitatingly declare our conviction, that they were 

 too severe: it was a quarrel in which we ought not to have 

 interfered, and over which we had no jurisdiction. We regret 

 the publication of these observations, and we trust Mr. Curtis 

 will be satisfied with this confession.-'' 



» Mr. Curtis's name was omitted in the two last lists, as a Subscriber for five 

 copies of the Entomological Magazine. Tiie Editor was not aware that Mr. 

 Curtis continued to take them ; no further reason for the oniission existed. We 



