JANUARY. 17 



our thinly settled territories. Admitting this as a fact, it 

 ought to be considered that the whole agricultural system of 

 Europe differs from that of America. In Europe, many a 

 .wealthy nobleman owns a forest, or a park, that is measured 

 by miles instead of acres, and to which his house and garden 

 are, as it were, only an appendage. In these grounds, not 

 only does nature afford the birds and quadrupeds an opportu- 

 nity to live and to multiply, but they are also protected by 

 game laws. Any game laws enacted by our legislatures 

 would be insufficient for their preservation; and nothing but 

 a general adoption of this project of devoting certain reserved 

 tracts of wild land to this special purpose, can prevent the 

 final extermination of many species, and a vast diminution 

 of all. 



And what a rare opportunity would these grounds afford, 

 to those who were anxious to observe the habits of wild ani- 

 mals. The birds that frequented them, on account of their 

 constant familiarity with people who visit the place, and their 

 freedom from molestation, must become very tame and com- 

 panionable. Their habits, on this account, could be observed; 

 more minutely than in common woods and pastures, where- 

 they are terrified by the fowler, who causes them to look on 

 man as their natural enemy. Not in these places alone would 

 the birds find an asylum which they cannot find at present. 

 The general establishment of these forestries would inspire 

 the whole people with respect for the lives of these innocent 

 creatures, that would accordingly find better protection in 

 private grounds. Men, having learned humanity in these 

 rustic retreats, would be more solicitous to protect the birds 

 in their own fields ; and, inspired by new ideas of nature and 

 art, they would be more careful to observe the rules of taste 

 and economy in the cutting down of their woods, and in 

 their general system of rural operations. 



There could not be a more delightful appendage to the 

 suburbs of our cities, than a square mile or two of forest, 

 devoted to these useful and humane purposes. The different 

 cities of the Union would vie with one another in the extent 

 and magnificence of these grounds, and the habit of fre~ 



TOL. XXII. NO. I. 3 



