222 GLAUCUS; OR, 
wash his soul clean for a while from all the turmoil 
and intrigue, the vanity and vexation of spirit of 
that “‘too-populous wilderness,” by going out to be 
alone a while with God in heaven, and with that 
earth which He has given to the children of men, 
not merely for the material wants of their bodies, 
but as a witness and a sacrament that in Him they 
live and move, and have their being, “not by bread 
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the 
mouth of God.” 
Thus I wrote some twenty years ago, when the 
study of Natural History was confined mainly to 
several scientific men, or mere collectors of shells, 
insects, and dried plants. 
Since then, I am glad to say, it has become a 
popular and common pursuit, owing, I doubt not, 
to the impulse given to it by the many authors 
whose works I then recommended. I recommend 
them still; though a swarm of other manuals and 
popular works have appeared since, excellent in their 
way, and almost beyond counting. But all honour 
