Ixxiv INTRODUCTION. 
eclipsing even his humble rivals, who had never lost sight 
of the smoke of their native hamlet. But he had no al- 
ternative ; he must eat to live; and work at his trade to 
be able to eat. His labour however produced him little 
more than a bare subsistence ; and every moment that he 
could venture to take from it, was dedicated to his favou- 
rite pursuit. 
_ Shortly, however, his domestic circumstances were fa- 
vourably improved by marriage. His workshop was now 
consigned wholly to his journeymen, while he was sedu- 
lously and successfully collecting objects of natural history. 
No difficulties nor dangers impeded his researches He 
climbed the most rugged precipices; he was frequently 
lowered down by the peasants from the summits of the 
tallest cliffs ; he waded through rapid streams ; he explored 
the beds of the muddiest rivers; he sought the deepest 
recesses. He frequently wandered for whole weeks from 
home, and often ventured out to sea for several days to- 
gether, entirely alone, in the smallest skiffs of the fisher- 
men. No inclemency of weather; no vicissitudes of 
‘‘ storms and sunshine,” ever prevented his fatiguing pur- 
suits; the discovery of a new insect amply repaid the most 
painful exertions. Several papers in the ‘“ Weekly Enter- 
tainer,’’ a little work which accompanies one of the most 
popular of the western newspapers, were written by him; 
and by these, and his collection of subjects in natural 
history, he gradually became better known, and his talents 
duly appreciated by the most able naturalists. Of this 
the following extract of a letter to the editor, from Dr. 
Leach, of the British Museum, bears ample and honour- 
able testimony. 
