PREFACE. 



coveries that will descend to succeeding generations. It is because 

 Waterton belongs to that select body of men who have studied 

 nature with no other object than to find out truth, that his works 

 are valuable and will endure. His observations are so accurate that 

 they delight the profoundest philosopher, and so simply described, 

 that the least learned can understand them. Most of these essays 

 might be read with profit even in village schools. They would 

 open the eyes of the children to the treasures of the fields, and 

 would teach them humanity to bird, beast, and reptile. 



Although the naturalist be born, not made, still the history of 

 human knowledge shows that the more generally a subject is studied, 

 the more abundantly will latent genius be drawn forth. When 

 architecture was the pursuit of a vast number of cultivated minds 

 throughout Europe, the Gothic cathedrals were the result. In our 

 own century, a similar concentration of thought upon mechanics has 

 been productive of no less astonishing effects. And probably when 

 scientific education has spread through the land, Watertons and 

 Whites will not be so scarce as they are now. 



To walk with Waterton in his beautiful park was one of the 

 greatest delights I have experienced. I hope that the reader may 

 enjoy a kindred pleasure by walking in the fields with these essays 

 in his mind, and watching the sights which Waterton describes. 



ST BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL, 

 November 1870. 



