PREFACE. Xvii 



satisfaction. None but the most foolish or de- 

 praved could derive any thing from it but what 

 is beautiful, or pollute its lovely scenery with 

 unamiable or unhallowed images. Those who 

 do so, either from corrupt taste or malicious 

 design, can be compared only to the fiend en- 

 tering into the garden of Eden. 



Let us turn from this odious picture to the 

 contemplation of Nature, ever new, ever abun- 

 dant in inexhaustible variety. Whether we 

 scrutinize the damp recesses of woods in the 

 wintry months, when the numerous tribes of 

 mosses are displaying their minute but highly 

 interesting structure ; whether we walk forth in 

 the early spring, when the ruby tips of the haw- 

 thorn-bush give the first sign of its approaching 

 vegetation, or a litlle after, when the violet 

 welcomes us with its scent, and the primrose 

 with its beauty ; whether we contemplate in 

 succession all the profuse flowery treasures of 

 the summer, or the more hidden secrets of Na- 

 ture at the season when fruits and seeds are 

 forming ; the most familiar objects, like old 

 friends, will always afford us something to study 

 and to admire in their characters, while new 

 discoveries will awaken a train of new ideas. The 



b 



