Ixxiv INTRODUCTION. 



eclipsing even his humble rivals, who had never lost sight 

 of the smoke of their native hamlet. But he had no al- 

 ternative ; he must eat to live ; and work at his trade to 

 be able to eat. His labour however produced him little 

 more than a bare subsistence ; and every moment that he 

 could venture to take from it, was dedicated to his favou- 

 rite pursuit. 



Shortly, however, his domestic circumstances were fa- 

 vourably improved by marriage. His workshop Avas now 

 consigned Avholly to his journeymen, while he was sedu- 

 lously and successful!}' collecting objects of natural history. 

 No difficulties nor dangers impeded his researches He 

 climbed the most rugged precipices ; he Avas frequently 

 lowered down by the peasants from the summits of the 

 tallest cliffs ; he Avadcd through rapid streams ; he explored 

 the beds of the muddiest rivers ; he sought the deepest 

 recesses He frequently wandered for Avhole weeks from 

 home, and often ventured out to sea for sevv^ral days to- 

 gether, entirely alone, in the smallest skiffs of the fisher- 

 men. " No inclemency of weather; no vicissitudes of 

 " storms and sunshine," ever prevented his fatiguing pur- 

 suits; the discovery of a new insect amply repaid the most 

 painlul exertions. Several papers in the " Weekly Enter- 

 tainer," a little Avork Avhich accompanies one of the most 

 popular of the Avestern newspapers, were written by him; 

 and by these, and his collection of subjects in natural 

 history, he gradually became better known, and his talents 

 duly appreciated by the most able naturalists. Of this 

 the following extract of a letter to the editor, from Dr. 

 Leach, of the British Museum, bears ample and honour- 

 able testimony. 



