ON HABITS OF OBSERVINo, 2 



year, and there is always something fresh to quicken 

 his attention some novelty to recompense his re- 

 searches. There is, also, an inducement to take 

 that regular exercise, which is so essential for main- 

 taining the health of the body. We know how com- 

 mon it is for persons of sedentary habits to neglect 

 this important matter, thereby inviting all those dis- 

 eases which arise from torpor and inactivity. Or if 

 they do force themselves to take daily what is called 

 a constitutional walk, too frequently they derive 

 little benefit from it, in consequence of the mind not 

 participating with the body in the imposed task, but 

 still recurring to the occupations at home. It is, 

 then, a great advantage, in respect of health alone, 

 not merely to have an inducement to go out, but, the 

 moment we do so, to be able to let the mind expa- 

 tiate freely on surrounding objects ; to have it in our 

 power to convert every walk into a source of in- 

 struction as well as pleasure, and to find happiness 

 where others seldom even think of looking for it. 



(15.) As a further encouragement to the forming a 

 habit of observing the works of Nature, we might men- 

 tion, what has been so often alluded to, its tendency 

 to foster, if not to generate, a devout turn of mind to- 

 wards their adorable Author. Undoubtedly it has this 

 effect, where there is no perverseness or viciousness 

 of temper present to counteract it. In watching the 

 habits of animals, and the provision made for their 

 welfare and happiness, in noting their varied in- 

 stincts, their arts and stratagems to obtain the 

 necessary support for themselves and young, their 

 mode of defending themselves against their enemies, 



