CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS. 425 



sent, though sparingly searched out by the patient 

 investigator, and but obscurely seen, they solace 

 and delight ; " cheer, but not inebriate." 



Oh good beyond compare ! 

 If thus thy meaner works are fair, 

 If thus thy bounties gild the span 

 Of ruin' d earth and sinful man, 

 How glorious must that mansion be 

 Where thy redeem'd shall live with thee ! 



AND now I think I have pretty well run over my 

 diary, the humble record of the birds, the reptiles, 

 the plants, and inanimate things around me. They 

 who have had the patience to read these my notes, 

 will probably be surprised that I could take the 

 trouble to register such accounts of such things ; 

 and I might think so too, did I not know how 

 much occupation and healthful recreation the seek- 

 ing out these trifles has afforded me, rendering, 

 besides, all my rural rambles full of enjoyment and 

 interest : companions and intimates were found in 

 every hedge, on every bank, whose connexions I 

 knew something of, and whose individual habits 

 had become familiar by association ; and thus this 

 narrative of my contemporaries was formed. Few 

 of us, perhaps, in reviewing our by-gone days, 

 could the hours return again, but would wish many 

 of them differently disposed of, and more profitably 

 employed : but I gratefully say, that portion of my 



