shakspeare's natural history. 29 



tu'o things I am quite certain — that a knowledge of 

 the Natural History of Shakspeare's Plays would 

 increase the pleasure we all experience in reading 

 those unrivalled productions ; and that to the in- 

 quirer, the pursuit would be replete with interest. 

 He would tread a path of softest verdure ; he would 

 behold a brighter sky , he would breathe a more balmy 

 atmosphere, and might well say, like Caliban, while 

 escorting the mariners under the unseen guidance of 

 Ariel, 



'Tlie isle is full of noises, 



Sounds, and sweet airs ; that give delisrht, and hurt not." 



Tempest, Act III. Sc. II. 



That the subject on which I am now about to enter 

 may be proceeded with in regular order, it is better 

 " to begin with the beginning :" I shall, therefore, in 

 my present letter, confine myself to some observations 

 on insects, in their imperfect or immature state. 



We find that the Prince of Denmark, the reflective 

 and philosophical Hamlet, employs on one occasion 

 the words, " If the sun breeds maggots in a dead 

 dog," {Act I. Scene II.) ; and he uses them in a man- 

 ner that shows he did not question the truth of the 

 position. Let it not surprise you, that a prince of 

 mental powers sufficient to descant upon " this 

 goodly frame the earth," and to utter the sublime 

 apostrophe, "What a piece of work is man !" should 

 adopt an opinion so erroneous. It was the universal 



