176 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



by close, and, indeed, severe confinement and 

 application, yet I was supported by the extreme 

 pleasure I felt in depicturing and describing these 

 beautiful and interesting aerial wanderers of the 

 British Isles. I also hoped that my labours might 

 perhaps have the effect of inveigling my youthful 

 countrymen to be smitten with the charms which 

 this branch, and, indeed, every other department 

 of Natural History, imparts, and with the endless 

 pleasures afforded to all who wish to "trace Nature 

 up to Nature's God." 



While I was thus proceeding, I was coun- 

 tenanced, encouraged and flattered by amateurs, 

 who took a deep interest in my growing work, 

 and seemed to partake of the ardour in which I 

 had long indulged. From them birds were sent 

 to me from far and near ; but, to give a list of the 

 names of these friends, and to detail the kindness 

 I experienced first and last, might indeed be 

 giving vent to my feelings of gratitude, but it 

 would far exceed the bounds prescribed to this 

 Memoir. 



