342 



RANDOM THOUGHTS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 



mankind is truly deplorable, yet, if we look back for only a few 

 years, we shall see that it was much worse : society, therefore, 

 has advanced, and who will attempt to set the bounds to its 

 improvement ? That can only be limited by the utmost deve- 

 lopment of man's mental powers, and until this becomes 

 universal, man must go forward. 



I wish I might live to see the day, when some branch of 

 natural history shall be taught to every one. What science 

 will then become we cannot now imagine. The mass of facts 

 that will be collected, when every one contributes something, 

 will be immense ; some master mind will then arise to shape 

 the whole into a system worthy of the great Creator, and the 

 universal spirit of love will be clearly seen as animating and 

 maintaining all creation. 



At present, society resembles a field that has long been 

 barren, but on which mind, like a plough, has entered. On 

 a small portion the seed of education has been sown, and 

 is springing up ; another part is being broken up ; but by far 

 the largest part yet lies waste. It is the duty of every one to 

 use his endeavours, however humble, to " speed the plough," 

 and such a desire has influenced me to pen these thoughts. 



" What is writ, is writ ; 

 Would it were worthier !" 



16, Edward- street, Windsor-terrace, City-road, 

 3d February, 1837. 



J. W. Douglas. 



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pale's mbeting-house. 



