PREFACE. 



forth, and bid welcome, the messengers which the Creator sends 

 to man in the presence of his works; and to introduce these 

 messengers into the inner chambers where the soul may hold 

 fit converse and contemplation with them. Therefore, reader, 

 do not go away repelled by the seeming littleness of what you 

 may herein read, — make the subject of thyself greater and 

 worthier, — for I would fain solicit thee to a pupilage that may teach 

 you to walk hereafter in a field of pleasure and profit. It is very 

 true that my book is not a book of useful knowledge, in the sense 

 men interpret the useful, — that was far from my aim ; but the 

 knowledge that leads to habits of correct observation, and of 

 classifying facts readily, is useful to all men, and more especially 

 to men of my profession ; and the studies that woo the spirit 

 away from grossness, that keep the mind in life and action, and 

 furnished with varied and ever-germinating matter of thought 

 and illustration, is useful to all ; and, as ours contemplate only 

 the beautiful and the perfect, yet are full of emblematic teachings 

 and moralities, they must ameliorate the man, — "at once 

 adorning and relieving the toils and vexations of a busy life, and 

 refining and exalting the enjoyments of a social one." 



HORNCLIFF MILL. 



