BRITISH FAKIRS. 93 



In order so to do, he should cast his senses abroad 

 instead of concentrating them all within himself; 

 and from sky, air, water, and earth draw a new suc- 

 cession of images wherewith to relieve the monotony 

 within. There are various modes of attaining this 

 object ; and each man will follow that mode which 

 most accords with his own character. 



For example, if he is an astronomer, he will look 

 to the heavenly bodies ; if a geologist, his eyes will 

 be directed to the earth ; if a botanist, his mind 

 seeks employment among the vegetable productions ; 

 if a meteorologist, the wind's temperature and at- 

 mospheric phenomena will claim his attention ; if an 

 entomologist, he will find recreation in watching the 

 phases of insect life, and so on. 



It is evident enough that to treat of all these sub- 

 jects would render necessary a volume that numbered 

 its pages by thousands, and its volumes by at least 

 tens ; and therefore, in a work of this nature, it 

 must be sufficient to lay particular stress on one 

 portion, to treat slightly of others, and to leave 

 many entirely untouched. And that portion on 

 which I shall lay the chief stress is that which is 

 brought more constantly before the eye and ear than 

 any other, namely, the entomological department. 



As, when approaching cities, the "busy hum of 

 men " is the first indication that meets the ear, so 

 in the country the busy hum of insects is, next to 

 the song of the birds, the sound that gives strongest 



