CONGENIAL TO A COUNTRY LIFE, 12] 
of intellectual gratification than that which they 
afford. 
(67.) The amusements of the country are gene- 
rally expensive. Field sports cannot be followed with- 
out horses, and dogs, and guns; and these lead us not 
unfrequently into the society of men with whom we 
have no other feelings in common. But the quiet 
student of nature has no need of such paraphernalia . 
the few implements of his chase are easily and 
cheaply procured ; nor is he called to celebrate his 
feats over deep potations, or to make them the sub- 
ject of boisterous mirth: his pleasures are intel- 
lectual, and therefore tranquil. Seldom, indeed, 
does he meet, if far removed from towns, with com- 
panions like himself, with whom, at the close of day, 
he can talk over its events; but, if he be a man of 
leisure, occasional intercourse with such congenial 
spirits can generally be accomplished. Short ex- 
cursions, even for a day, may be compassed, even 
by the most busy. A new district may be resorted 
to, and explored. Similarity of pursuits not only 
elicits information, but animates zeal; and we return 
to our solitary walks with renewed vigour. Nor 
are the pursuits of the country naturalist altogether 
inapplicable to practical uses. The various injuries 
which affect the produce of his garden or his fields, 
call for his investigation, and may frequently be 
remedied by his care. How much damage, for 
instance, is annually done to our fruit-trees by their 
insect-enemies, few or none of which are thoroughly 
understood. We scarcely know a publication which 
would be more useful, or more generally popular, 
than one which should be devoted to the history of 
