CHAP. xiii. MR. BOYEPS PROPOSAL. 263 



tory in which he does not take an interest, it is in 

 Ornithology that he shines most conspicuously, and in 

 this he was much encouraged by the late Eev. Mr. 

 Smith of Monquhitter. . . . We cordially wish 

 Mr. Edward every success in the various fields of 

 research upon which he has entered. It is hut jus- 

 tice to a most deserving person to draw attention to 

 his praiseworthy endeavours, in the midst of many 

 difficulties, to perfect his knowledge of Natural 

 History, and to recommend it to all around him, 

 especially the young. Happy would it be, if our 

 tradesmen were to take a leaf out of Mr. Edward's 

 book, and instead of wasting their time, squander- 

 ing their means, and embittering their existence in 

 the haunts of dissipation, they would sally forth in 

 these calm summer evenings to rural scenes and 

 sylvan solitudes, to woo Nature in her mildest aspect 

 to learn a lesson from the moth or the spider 

 to listen to the hum of the bee or the song of birds 

 to mark the various habits and instincts of animals, 

 and thus to enrich their minds with useful and enter- 

 taining knowledge." 



Mr. Boyd's object in publishing this notice was to 

 attract the attention of the working classes to the study 

 of Natural History ; and with this object he was of 

 opinion that Edward should endeavour to disseminate 

 amongst them the information which he had acquired 

 during his long experience. He proposed that Edward 

 should get up a series of rudimentary lectures on 



