28 INTRODUCTION. 



adorable perfections a plea for neglecting the teach- 

 ing of His revealed Word. May we never forget, 

 that both these come from the same author ; that 

 man's welfare and interests are as much concerned 

 and bound up in the one as in the other ; and that 

 no feelings are to be trusted, which prompt us to 

 make our own selection, in respect of what is to be 

 our rule of duty or our guide to happiness. 



(18.) In addition to what has been advanced in 

 favour of habits of observing, as connected with the 

 study of Natural. History, there are some collateral 

 advantages resulting from them, which deserve to be 

 mentioned. Such habits tend generally to sharpen 

 the senses, and to make them more ready at com- 

 mand, when wanted, whatever be the particular ob- 

 ject soliciting our regard. Even he, who confines 

 his attention to the science we are considering, and 

 who never quits the field, wide indeed in itself, 

 which nature opens to him, will after a time be sur- 

 prised at the quickness with which he notices things 

 compared with what he did formerly. The more he 

 observes, the more he finds to observe. From having 

 been long accustomed to have his eyes and ears al- 

 ways open, he perceives objects, and catches at sounds, 

 which formerly he would have entirely passed over, 

 and which others, less practised than himself, with 

 difficulty distinguish, even when their attention is ex- 

 pressly drawn to them. The readiness with which the 

 experienced ornithologist will hear and distinguish 

 the notes of different birds, all singing together on a 

 fine spring morning, is an instance in point ; and we 

 mention it from having sometimes found it almost 



