THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 293 



laying out their little domains in a manner calculated 

 to attract the creatures which they love, but it can 

 hardly be expected that another naturalist would 

 possess the enormous natural advantages to be found at 

 Walton Hall, and be blessed with health to manage his 

 hobby for fifty years. As a general rule, the sapling 

 which a young man plants is inherited as a tree by his 

 grandson, and it is very seldom found that the same 

 eye which designed the original plan is permitted to 

 see the results in their full perfection. Such, however, 

 is the case in this present instance, and it may easily 

 be imagined that where an extensive domain is laid out 

 expressly for one purpose, which has been perseveringly 

 carried out through half a century, and ever directed 

 by the same mind which planned the design, a success- 

 ful result is almost a matter of course. 



The object which Mr. Waterton proposed to him- 

 self in 1813, the year after he had returned from the 

 wilds of Guiana, whither he had gone in 1812 in quest 

 of wourali poison, was to offer a hearty welcome to 

 every bird and beast that chose to avail itself of his 

 hospitality, and by affording them abundant food and 

 a quiet retreat to induce them to frequent a spot where 

 they would feel themselves secure from all enemies, 

 save those which have been appointed to preserve the 

 balance of nature. Food is always procurable, and the 

 quiet retreat has been obtained by watching the habits 

 of the various creatures, and providing them with such 

 accommodations as they would seek in the wild state. 



