INTRODUCTION. XUC 



study and attention of many. One is fond of 

 plants ; another of shells and minerals ; an- 

 other of birds and beasts ; another of insects. 

 The arts also furnish objects of pursuit and 

 amusement. One is a collector of old paint- 

 ings ; another of old coins and medals ; an- 

 other of ancient arms and armour; another 

 of vases and old china ; another of rare and 

 curious books and manuscripts ; another of 

 old fiddles and other musical instruments : 

 some covet jewels and precious stones ; but 

 all, with very rare exceptions, seem to fix 

 their fancy upon the precious metals gold 

 and silver ; and the reason is, e omne auro 

 venale,' the alchymist's search after the phi- 

 losopher's stone having been long given up 

 as altogether hopeless. 



' When gold becomes their object, 

 Men will break their sleep with thought, their brains 

 With care, their bones with industry. What 

 Can it not do, and undo ? ' SHAKSPEARE. 



