PREFACE. v. 



captivates the attention and exalts the mind. For the attain- 

 ment of this science, in any of its various departments, the 

 foundation may be laid, insensibly, in youth, whereon this 

 goodly superstructure of knowledge can easily be raised at a 

 more advanced period. In whatever way, indeed, the varied 

 objects of this beautiful world are viewed, they are readily 

 understood by the contemplative mind, for they are found 

 alike to be the visible words of God. " The Creator, 

 doubtless, did not bestow so much curiosity and exquisite 

 workmanship and skill upon his creatures, to be looked 

 upon with a careless incurious eye."* Could mankind be 

 prevailed upon to read a few lessons from the great book of 

 Nature, so amply spread out before them, they would clearly 

 see the hand of Providence in every page; and would they 

 consider the faculty of reason as the distinguishing gift to 

 the human race, and use it as the guide of their lives, they 

 would find their reward in a cheerful resignation of mind, in 

 peace and happiness, under the conscious persuasion, that a 

 good naturalist cannot be a bad man. 



In ideas congenial with these originated the first incite- 

 ments which drew forth the Histories of Quadrupeds and 

 British Birds. From these humble attempts for even- 

 attempt to depicture nature must fall short of the original 

 it is hoped that some useful instruction may be gathered, 

 and at the same time a stimulus excited to further enquiry. 

 But however this may prove. '' innocently to amuse the 

 imagination in this dream of life, is wisdom: and nothing is 

 useless which, by furnishing mental employment, keeps us 

 for a while in oblivion of those stronger appetites that lead 

 to evil."f To the rising generation these efforts to instruct 

 and please are principally directed, and are set forth with 

 an ardent wish, that they ma}- be found to deserve the notice 

 of vouth, and contribute to amuse and to inform them. 



Derham's Physico-Theology, Book xi. chap. 2. 

 f Goldsmith. 



