Vlll PREFACE. 



Although bees have neither reason nor religion for 

 their guide, yet from them man may learn many a 

 lesson of virtue and industry, and may even draw from 

 them thoughts suggestive of trust and faith in God. 



We beg leave to conclude our preface, and intaxiduce 

 the subject, by the following extract from Shakspeare, 

 who, without doubt, kept bees in that garden at Strat- 

 ford wherein he used to meditate : — 



" So work the honey-bees ; 

 Creatures that, by a rule in Nature, teach 

 The art of order to a peopled kingdom. 

 They have a king and officers of sorts ; 

 Where some, like magistrates, correct at home ; 

 Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad ; 

 Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings, 

 Make boot upon the Summer's velvet buds, 

 Which pillage they, with merry march, bring home 

 To the tent royal of their emperor : 

 Who, busied in his majesty, surveys 

 The singing masons building roofs of gold ; 

 The civil citizens kneading up the honey ; 

 The poor mechanic porters crowding in 

 Their heavy burdens at his narrow gate ; 

 The sad-eyed justice, with his surly hum. 

 Delivering o'er to executors pale 

 The lazy, yawning drone." 



Shakspeare's Henry V., Act i ., Scene 2. 



