PREFACE. 



there is not any knowledge more worthy 

 of attainment, than that of the order and 

 beauty of the Almighty's works; except 

 a knowledge of the Great Creator, and of 

 the relative duties to the performance of 

 which, we, his creatures, are bound by so 

 many ties of gratitude and fihal love : — if 

 we admit this, it follows, that we do not 

 waste our time, when we devote the por- 

 tion of it which is allotted to relaxation 

 from more severe and necessary employ- 

 ment, to such edifying contemplations, 

 such engaging studies, as those suggested 

 by the book of Nature. 



The method, which has been adopted, to 

 create a general taste for pursuits, once con- 

 sidered as almost confined to the profes- 

 sional student, or the practical collector, has 

 b2 



