

IPS 



PREFATORY NOTICE. 



PERHAPS it may be more candid than wise in an 

 author to express doubts respecting his own book ; 

 but the public deserves candour from every author, 

 and gratitude from one who has been previously 

 heard with attention and kindness. 



On the present occasion, I feel an embarrassment, 

 which I have not previously felt upon ushering any 

 of my little publications into the world. Hitherto, 

 whatever of strength or weakness I have possessed, 

 I have stood alone in it ; so that whatever of cen- 

 sure I may have merited could only fall upon myself. 

 Now, however, I am merely making a little addition 

 to a series containing the labours of many authors ; 

 and that may suggest comparisons, the test of which 

 I may be ill able to abide. 



There is one other comparison respecting which 

 I feel that I am " under the yoke, 1 ' and that is the 

 comparison of what I have written with the title, 

 " A popular Guide to the Observation of Nature." 

 These words taken literally are presumptive ; and 

 therefore I may be permitted to add my interpreta- 

 tion of them. A " Guide to Nature," taken lite- 

 rally, would be arrogant, because it would be assum- 

 ing a knowledge of the whole of that of which the 

 most diligent inquirer can in the longest life know 

 B 



