CHAPTER XIX. 



NATURAL HISTORY IN THE LIBRARY. 



As he who southward sails, beholds each night, 

 New constellations rise, all clear and fair ; 

 So, o'er the waters of the world, as we 

 Reach the mid zone of life, or go beyond, 

 Beauty and bounty still beset our course ; 

 New beauties wait upon us everywhere, 

 New lights enlighten, and new worlds attract. 



J. P. BAILEY. 



HE immense value of the Manchester libraries 

 to the student of Natural History has already 

 been mentioned. Treasure-houses at all 

 times, it is impossible to over-estimate the 

 privileges they confer on rainy days. "Some 

 days," says the poet, must needs be "dark 

 and dreary." We have all, at some time or other, had 

 our plans and projects baffled by the wet, and very 

 disappointing it certainly is, when a nice party has been 

 made up for an afternoon's pleasure in the country, to 

 see the sky grow black and the drops begin to fall, with 

 not a chance of its clearing up until too late to go. But 



