PREFACE. 



XN abridging a Work of acknowledged cele- 

 brity, an Author must, in some degree, be liable 

 to disrepute ; for many beautiful descriptions 

 must of course be mutilated, and many inte- 

 resting remarks necessarily withheld. 



Doctor Goldsmith's History of Animated 

 Nature is so justly and universally admired, 

 that the slightest alteration in the original de- 

 sign may subject the Dcviator to censure or 

 disgrace; but whilst the Naturalist must ad- 

 mire his descriptions, the delicate mother may 

 think them too replete, and fear that the young 

 mind might be incited to investigate what ought 

 only to be explained in maturer years. 



The following Work is presented to the Pub- 

 lic, and particularly to those who have the in- 

 struction of Youth, as 1 a faithful transcript of 

 the Original's descriptions, though more com- 

 pletely adapted for the Use of Schools. 



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