YOUNG ENTOMOLOGISTS. 9 



And in the second place, the Entomologist will deduce 

 but little moral from his observations if he do not gather 

 from them strong reasons for a continuous cheerfulness : let 

 him but walk on some sunny summer's morning by the side 

 of some verdant hedge, he will observe that insect life is dis- 

 played before him, not singly or in dozens, but in hundreds 

 and thousands, and each of these insects has a part to play 

 in the great economy of Nature, each is enjoying its short 

 life, and is fulfilling the end of its creation. It is impossible 

 for any one seriously to reflect on the continuous happiness 

 enjoyed by these atoms of the animal kingdom, without in- 

 quiring whether man may not even here participate in it. 

 The cause of half, nay, of nine-tenths of our troubles, is that 

 we are disposed to grumble and be peevish if everything 

 does not fall out exactly as we anticipate. The Entomologist 

 will act wisely if, taking lessons from insects, he endeavours 

 to increase his own happiness by being contented in what- 

 ever position and in whatever circumstances he may be 

 placed ; if we hold that " whatever is 9 is right," then the 

 sooner we reason ourselves into acquiescence in that which 

 is, the sooner do we derive the benefit of a uniform serene 

 cheerfulness which prevents any apparent annoyance being a 

 real trouble to us ; and the feeling described by St. Paul, " I 

 have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be con- 

 tent," does not in the slightest degree interfere with our 

 energetically endeavouring to effect some object. It does 

 not at all prevent our acting with a view to the future ; we 

 only admit cheerfully that which no exertions of ours can 

 alter, that which has come to pass. An Entomologist may 

 strive earnestly to discover some particular species, may tax 

 his ingenuity and spend a vast amount of time, but if he still 

 does not succeed, though he may not relax his efforts in the 

 least, he will, if he has profited by his studies, abstain from 

 all feelings of discontent; he will not be disposed to grumble 



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