PREFACE. 



Perhaps there is no subject on which the mind of man 

 can ruminate, that is better calculated to afford substantial 

 intellectual pleasure and satisfaction, than the study of Na- 

 ture ; especially if we view it from the consideration, that as 

 man is subservient to God, so are all instinctive beings, as 

 well as all the productions of the earth, subservient to, and 

 designed for, the use of man. 



Man being thus dignified, and endowed with understanding, 

 reason, and moral freedom, is exalted far above all other 

 creatures of the earth. How important, then, that he should 

 maintain his station in society as becomes a rational and 

 intelligent being, instead of sinking himself, as too many 

 do, below the meanest of the mean, by dissipation and vice. 



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It is a fact, which cannot be controverted, that the want of 

 mental and manual employment, often proves an incentive 

 to vice, which will infallibly produce misery ; and as surely 

 as the earth will bring forth noxious weeds, when left uncul- 



