250 COUNTRY RAMBLES 



very much darker than the other one he had. Three were brought 

 to him in the flesh last week. It is not a pity that these beautiful 

 and useful birds should be destroyed in this manner? 



26th. Bright, but cool winds. Skylark and Robin singing. The 

 song of the former bird much stronger and more sustained. About 

 90 degrees in the sun at 8.30 am. Very blustering South-west winds, 

 and rain at night. Dark and starless. 



27th. Wet all day. The wind which raged last night has broken 

 down a fine clump of beautiful White Dahlias in the garden, although 

 well staked. Lark soaring and singing overhead in spite of the rain 

 and wind. 



When at a friend's house not long since, I was shown with pride 

 an old work on Natural History, published in 1790, entiled "A 

 description of a great variety of animals and vegetables extracted 

 from the most considerable writers of ' Natural History,' and adapted 

 to the use of all capacities, especially for the entertainment of youth." 

 It was published in London for D. Steel, at his Navigation Ware- 

 house, Union-row, Tower Hill, price 3s. bound, and the copy before 

 me has stood the test of 110 years wonderfully well. The black and 

 white illustrations of birds, animals, flowers, trees, insects, &c., are 

 many and well produced. The following is an extract from the 

 publishers' announcements : 



"Books printed for D. Steel. Emblems for the improvement 

 and entertainment of youth, containing emblematical, hieroglyphical, 

 and senigmatical devices, relating to all parts and stations of life, 

 intended to promote morality, virtue, and religion, and suppress 

 immorality, vice, and prophaneness ; by giving useful lessons and 

 admonitions to all ages, degrees, and capacities, suitable to most 

 exigences in common life. . . Contrived not only for study and 

 improvement, but also as play or diversion for youth." 



The introduction is also worth quoting. I have inserted the 

 capitals and punctuation marks just as they appear in the book: 



"The Description of Three Hundred Animals, the first Essay of 

 this kind, for the use of young People, having been favourably 

 received, encouraged me to take this Second Collection of Animals 

 and Vegetables, with a Supplemental Part of Curious and uncommon 

 Creatures, which, I Hope, will prove as successful as the former: I 

 have some reason to expect it; because every Invention and Improve- 

 ment, that tends to delight and please young Persons (that this does 

 so is already manifested by Experience) will undoubtedly be a fresh 



