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. But if 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 

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