ULYSSES ALDROVANDI. 57 



ihe last to repine at this dispensation ; and upon the 

 frhole, we cannot but esteem and venerate him ; 

 indulging the hope that with his eye closed as to 

 this world, he would elevate his inward vision from 

 what had been his summum bonum on earth, to a 

 higher and a better from Nature's work to Nature's 

 God ; and surrounded by the cares, and kindnesses? 

 and assiduities of a loving wife, of attached friends, 

 and of an admiring country, would at least breathe 

 his last in comfort and in peace. 



In conclusion, we would remark, that in this slight 

 sketch we have had no intention of presenting a 

 mere eloge, although, from not entering into the de- 

 tails of our author's works, we have had more occa- 

 sion to admire and commend than to criticise and 

 blame. Undoubtedly, in our science, the labours of 

 the learned were very different in the year 1538 

 from what they are in the year 3 838. Much, very 

 much, may accordingly be found in the writings of 

 Aldrovandi which is now obsolete ; and much which 

 may be regarded as neither necessarily nor legiti- 

 mately connected with the subject. Yet allowing 

 all this, there is still a vast store of curious, accu- 

 rate, and valuable information, and the Naturalist 

 who would know the opinions of the ancients, 

 and the origin of many modern ideas concerning 

 his favourite science, will experience that he cannot 

 refer to these volumes without finding much both 

 of pleasure and of profit. 



Aldrovandi's praises have been celebrated by 



