VI PREFACE. 



The following passage in the New Quarterly Review 

 has considerable hearing on the question how far it is de- 

 sirable to write down to a low level in order to conciliate the 

 many : 



" The public very naturally buy only such books as they 

 like and are able to comprehend. They have a superficial 

 smattering of every thing, and pass summary judgments ac- 

 cordingly. The press as naturally humours the public, and 

 praises or condemns in keeping with public prejudices ; the 

 consequence of which is, that a writer, in order to be popular, 

 is unfortunately obliged to follow and truckle to understand- 

 ings infinitely below his own. However great his heart or 

 genius, however well qualified he may be to lead men on- 

 wards to lofty efforts and noble aim?, it is of the first im- 

 portance to his fame, and his very existence as an author, to 

 conciliate his readers. If his works cannot command a sale, 

 he cannot be properly called an author. However truthful 

 or profound, if he ceases to please, he ceases to exist ; the 

 result is, that books are written to please the majority." 



But we trust we have sufficient resolution to write what 

 we consider good for the majority, whether it actually please 

 them or not; we have no notion of treating our public like 

 a spoiled child, and giving them whatever they ignorantly 

 clamour for, even though its tendency may be to aggravate 

 their particular disease. We are quite willing to hear all 

 sides; but having done so, we must be allowed to judge for 

 ourselves what is best, both for us and for our readers. 



One result which we foresee from the success of "The 

 Entomologist's Annual" is a series of scientific Annuals on 



