CONTENTS. 



LETTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY EPISTLE. 



Ennui occasionally experienced while residing in the country. 

 Its cause. Originates in a defective system of educa- 

 tion. Proper meaning of the term Naturalist. The legiti- 

 mate objects of his inquiry. Periodical changes in the 

 aspect of the external world. Pleasures which the study 

 of Nature affords ; mental effects of such pursuits. — 

 Poetry and Natural History might " each give to each a 

 double charm." Inquiry proposed with regard to the 

 knowledge of Natural Phenomena, exhibited by some of 

 our most admired Poets. Shakspeare "the Poet of Nature." 

 Opinion of Dr. Johnson. Remark of the late John Tem- 

 pleton, Esq. Shakspeare, in accurate observation, superior 

 to Milton. Illustrative extracts from " Lycidas" and tiie 

 " Winter's Tale." Number of the notices of natural ob- 

 jects in the Dramatic Works of Shakspeare. Their in- 

 vestigation, why interesting . . . page 1 



LETTER II. 



ENTOMOLOGY RECOMMENDED. 



Solace which the study of Natural History affords to the man 

 of business. The benefits it confers on the man possessed 

 of leisure. The study of insects proposed. It should 



