REFLECTIONS. 131 
show that the subject is inexhaustible; and both may 
teach all who live in the country, what sources of 
rational pleasure are within their reach, by merely 
looking to the productions of their own neighbour- 
hood. 
(76.) In tracing thus far the advantages of na- 
tural history, the recorded opinions of others have 
been confirmed by our own experience. But there 
remains one period of our existence, at which its 
effects upon our mind can at present be only ima- 
gined, although we humbly trust we may have the 
power of confirming our present belief from experi- 
ence. We allude to the feelings that result from 
such pursuits when old age comes upon us; and 
when we naturally look back to the route we have 
chosen for the journey of life. That our present 
ardour will subside, we can well imagine; but we 
believe that it will never degenerate into indifference. 
It has, indeed, been mercifully ordered by Providence, 
that our interest in temporal things should progres- 
sively diminish, in proportion as our time draws 
near for quitting them. Butif our recreations have 
been innocent, and our pursuits intellectual, they 
cannot, in the nature of things, leave behind them 
regret or disappointment—much less can they 
inflict remorse. We can imagine, therefore, that 
the old age of a true naturalist—one who looks 
from the created to the Creator,— must be peculiarly 
happy. He may have had his share of the sorrows 
and disappointments incidental to mortality; but 
they have neither originated in the sensuality or in- 
temperance of his amusements, nor in the ambitious 
K 2 
