LETTER II. 



OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 



In my last I gave you a general view of the science of 

 Entomology, and endeavoured to prove to you that it 

 possesses attractions and beauty sufBcient to reward any 

 student who may profess himself its votary. I am now 

 to consider it in a less alluring light, as a pursuit at- 

 tended by no small degree of obloquy, in consequeijce 

 of certain objections thought to be urged with great 

 force against it. To obviate these and remove every 

 scruple from your mind shall be the business of the pre- 

 sent letter. 



Two principal objections are usually alleged with 

 great confidence against the study and pursuit of in- 

 sects. By some they are derided as trifling and unim- 

 portant, and deemed an egregious waste of time and ta- 

 lents ; by others they are reprobated as unfeeling and 

 cruel, and as tending to harden the heart. 



I. I shall begin with the first of these objections — 

 that the Entomologist is a mere trifler. As for the silly 

 outcry and abuse of the ignorant vulgar, who are al- 

 ways ready to laugh at what they do not understand, 

 and because insects are minute objects conclude that 

 the study of them must be a childish pursuit, I shall 

 not waste words upon what I so cordially despise. But 



