164 BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS. 



intends to address, and on whom his emblematical 

 allusion to the pigeon, just, and artistically handled 

 as it is, would make little or no impression. Some, 

 nay, many of these, though I should in no way sus- 

 pect them of shooting at Noah himself if alive, I 

 should think it about as probable they might do so, 

 as to decline shooting at a pigeon, because he carried 

 an olive branch to the ark. Any observation on the 

 essay in question must be laudatory, if he who makes 

 it is laudatory also. ^ ' Even its only error reflects 

 honour on its author — it emanates from feelings too 

 good for the times we live in, and the men we live 

 among : in truth, a little over-strained, and by 

 being so, -I fear has a tendency to defeat its laudable 

 object. 



I have made a long digression from my subject, but 

 I feel it needs no apology to my reader; for if it induces 

 him to read Mr. Harrison's essay, I have no doubt 

 he will think I have introduced him to a better 

 writer, and I am sure a better man than I. 



I had, before this digression, made some remarks 

 on the promptness, certainty, and severity, of punish- 



