SEPTEMBER. 



251 



Motive to engage their Attention. The Minds of Youth, like their 

 bodily appetites, require to be fed with some suitable Entertainment; 

 the most pleasing things being wont to cloy by long and frequent 

 Use. Natural History is an inexhaustible Subject, which will 

 furnish them with a boundless Variety of Things, fit to exercise their 

 inquisitive minds. And I cannot help thinking that to encourage 

 Youth in reading this Subject, must be of real Benefit, both now and 

 hereafter. It will introduce them into a Habit of Reading, from 

 their natural propensity to view the Pictures, read the Names, and 

 History of the Creatures, &c., which all seem delighted with. But 

 the great and chief Service it will be to them hereafter, is bringing 

 them acquainted with the GREAT CREATOR of all these Things, 

 by contemplating his stupendous Works; It will afford a delightful 

 Satisfaction, to search into Nature, to trace her Footstep*, and the 

 various Methods she takes to bring her Works to Perfection. Indeed, 

 it cannot be expected, that Children can understand these things, or 

 be able to make a right Use of them : But by Tuition, Persons of the 

 lowest Capacity may be made to know, that the Lord made the Earth 

 by his Power, established the World by his Wisdom, and stretched 

 out the Heaven by his Understanding. . . . And that He hath 

 replenished the Earth whereon we dwell, with Variety of Plants, 

 Animals, &c., some for Use, some for Ornament, and some for 

 Delight; which give daily Demonstration of the Wisdom, Power and 

 Goodness of the Maker and Supporter of all these Things. 



A new Study seems at first to some Persons hard, intricate, and 

 difficult; but after a little Resolution and Progress, after they become 

 a little acquainted with it, their Understandings are wonderfully 

 cleared up and enlarged, the Difficulties vanish, and the Thing grows 

 easy, familiar, and pleasant. And sure I am, such Studies as these 

 are vastly superior to the Tales, Fables, and Stories of Love, used in 

 Schools, and deserve the regard of Parents and Teachers; as 

 conducing more to the Honour of God, and the real Benefit of 

 Youth." 



I was shown a Little Owl just recently shot in the early part of 

 this year at Childwickburry, near St. Albans, Herts. This was what 

 really led to my coming across the old book here referred to. The 

 gentleman who kindly showed me the Owl, told me he had been 

 reading the description given of it in the book under notice, and he 

 was surprised at the accuracy thereof. Here is the description: 



"Fig. 11. Is called the LITTLE OWL. It was taken on the 

 Coast of Ushant by my Brother; it having lost its Way at Sea, 



