XVlii. INTRODUCTION. 



and night, summer and winter; and these migrators will be 

 seen to follow its course, and to traverse both hemispheres 

 from pole to pole. To those, who, contemplating this world 

 of wonders, extend their views beyond the common gropings 

 of mankind, it will appear that Nature, ever provident that no 

 part of her empire should be unoccupied, has peopled it with 

 creatures of various kinds, and filled every corner of it with 

 animation. To follow her into all her recesses would be an 

 endless task; but so far as these have been explored, every 

 step is marked with pleasantness: and while the reflecting 

 mind, habituated to move in its proper sphere, breaks 

 through the trammels of pride, and removes the film of 

 ignorance, it soars with clearer views towards perfection, and 

 adores that Infinite Wisdom which appointed and governs 

 the unerring course of all things. 



"Thus the men 



" Whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself 

 " Hold converse; grow familiar day by day 



With his conceptions; act upon his plan, 



And form to his the relish of their souls." 



Akenside's Pleastires of Imagination , Book j, /. 630. 



