144 MEMOIR OF 



of that pride and indifference to any living 

 creature which has its origin in the neglect or 

 inattention of this obvious truth. Nor among the 

 advantages of the study of natural history should 

 be overlooked its continual effect in keeping those 

 habits of correct reasoning, in constant vigour, 

 upon which the wellbeing and improvement of 

 mankind so much depend. It requires, at every 

 time, the same devoted love of truth, and the 

 same union of hardihood and humility in the 

 pursuit of it ; the most accurate habits of observa- 

 tion, the most entire exemption from prejudice, 

 the most unwearied perseverance. It is impossible, 

 that the constant exercise of these habits and 

 states of mind, should not gradually originate 

 numerous others, nearly or more remotely allied 

 to them, and exercising their influence in the 

 most desirable manner on all the varied interests 

 of the possessor. 



Nor is it unimportant to remark, that a taste 

 for natural history supplies the individual with 

 resources of innocent, improving, yet inexhaus- 

 tible amusement wherever he may be situated. 

 It is especially the great secret of relieving the 

 monotony and tedium of a country life. The 

 intelligent father, too, may employ his children 

 as his collectors, and imbue their minds, at the 

 most desirable period, with what is of inestimable 

 value, the love of nature. It affords an amuse- 

 ment which is also highly conducive to health, 

 and all its incalculable blessings ; it being a 

 well-known fact, that naturalists are remarkable 



