Ixxii INTRODUCTION. 



arithmetic, was wrenched from him with so much grudg- 

 ing, and in a manner so unkind, as to be then severel}'^ felt, 

 and never afterwards forgotten. 



At the age of fourteen, this provident relation first put 

 him out as an apprentice, to learn " the art and mystery 

 of shoemaking ;" a line of life which, from its peculiar 

 monotony of stillness, or in spite of it, seems by no means 

 unfriendly, as experience has shewn, to the progress of in- 

 tellectual acquirement. The strength of mind for which 

 young Cranch had been distinguished from his childhood 

 was now constantly' and obviously struggling with the ad- 

 verse circumstances of his situation ; but every moment, 

 which could be stolen from his daily labour, was devoted 

 to the few books Avhich he had found means to collect. 

 The study of natural history was that in which he mostly 

 delighted ; and, even at this early period of his life, he 

 was able to draw up correct and classical descriptions of 

 all the insects he could procure in the neighbourhood of 

 Kingsbridge. Without other assistance than books, he 

 had acquired a sufficient knowledge of Latin and French, 

 to enable him to understand thoroughly those languages, 

 when made use of by zoological writers, and to employ 

 them himself, in describing objects of natural history. He 

 had acquired also a general knowledge of astronomy. 

 But, while thus eagerly endeavouring to grasp at science, 

 every thing tended to depress, and nothing to encourage 

 him. However, he had the fortitude to persevere ; and 

 continued, in spite of every obstacle, silently and sedu- 

 lously, unnoticed and unknown, to nourish his ruhng pas- 

 sion, the love of knowledge. 

 At the expiration of his apprenticeship, he went up to 



