Bibliographical Notices. 50i 



■"The pupil soon, however, discovers that many of his hastily-formed ideas 

 and rapid generalizations are erroneous. He finds that, to draw his con- 

 clusions with any certaintj', the ohservations on which they are founded 

 must be perfectly accurate ; and not only accurately made, but accurately 

 expressed, otherwise they will convey false impressions to other minds. It 

 enforces, therefore, accuracy in every particular. 



" And to make knowledge available, it is needful that its facts be syste- 

 matically arranged. Without arrangement all is a chaos — ' rudis indiyes- 

 iaque inoles.' With aiTangement, knowledge becomes at all times ready for 

 service, and each accession enriches, not encumbers, its possessor. Whether 

 lie seek to acquire or to impart information, the student of nature is com- 

 pelled to be methodical; and if he desire to illustrate any department of 

 study by suitable specimens, they must be arranged before they cau be ren- 

 dered available. Natural History, therefore, directly promotes the forma- 

 tion of orderly and systematic habits. 



" But, in the next place, it benefits tlie mind, by vesting with new and 

 increasing interest the objects by which we are surrounded ; thus furnishing 

 agreeable trains of thought in the hours of relaxariom Time to the natu- 

 ralist never appears long. He groans not under the load of ennui by which 

 others, in such circumstances, are occasionally oppressed. He finds active, 

 healthy, cheerful occupation for every moment ; and still the thirst for know- 

 ledge ' but grows by what it feeds on.' To stimulate a constant desire for 

 improvement, and to foster a buoyant activity of mind and spirit, no pursuit 

 is more serviceable than that now under consideration." 



Mr. Patterson speaks here as one who has truly felt the ennobling 

 influence of the pursuit of science, independent of the lower motives 

 of gain and ambition which may imperceptibly obtain an influence 

 over the mind, and against which the man of science cannot too 

 carefully watch*. 



2. Intellectual pleasures derivable from the study of Natural Hi- 

 storj'. These are not peculiar to Natural Histor}'-, and must be evi- 

 dent to all who take delight in the exercise and cultivation of the 

 intellect, 



3. Moral and devotional eff'ects. Under this head the elevating 

 influence of a study of the works of creation is pointed out and en- 

 forced. The author well observes — 



" But the mental effect is not limited to the production of a transient 

 emotion of pleasure : it is the prelude of a long train of thought, and of the 

 most grateful and reverential feeling towards the Great First Cause. The 

 structural arrangements, admirable as they are, should never be regarded 

 merely as examples of mechanical skill, as evidence of the operations of an 

 Intelligence, as proofs of the existence of a God. They testify not only his 

 existence, but his wisdom, his goodness, and his omnipotence ; and should 

 ever be studied with a dii-ect and constant reference to Him. The natu- 

 ralist who, in this humble and truth-seeking spirit, explores the world 

 around him, will ever feel what the poet has expressed, 



' These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good — 

 Almighty !' 



• As an illustration of this subject, we would refer to an essay by Schiller 

 intitled ' The Philosopher and Trader in Science,' translated by Mrs. Austin, 

 in a charming litde volume just published, called ' Fragments of German 

 Literature.' 



