CHAPTER XIL 
RAMBLES AMONG BIRDS. 
Tue Rey. Mr. Smith must have felt surprised at the 
graphic manner in which Edward described the birds of the 
district. The truth is, that Edward, though he had ac- 
quired his principal knowledge from observation, had also 
learned something from books. Mr. Smith had lent him 
such books as he had in his library, and also referred him 
to the articles on natural history in the Penny Cyclopedia. 
Although Edward did not accept his friend’s ‘advice as to 
the study of grammar, yet he learned enough for his pur- 
pose. It is not so much by recollecting the rules of gram- 
mar that one learns to write, as by the careful reading of 
well-written books. After that, grammar comes, as it were, 
by nature. Besides, if a man feels keenly, he will be sure 
to write vividly. This was precisely Edward’s position. 
Mr. Smith thought it unfortunate that Edward’s contri- 
butions to natural history should be confined to the local 
newspaper. He asked permission to send an account of 
his observations to a scientific journal. Edward expressed 
his fears lest his contributions might not be found worthy 
of notice. He was always shy and modest: perhaps he 
was too modest. There are cases in which shyness is al- 
most a misfortune. A man may know much; but, because 
of his shyness, he declines to communicate his information 
to others. He hides his secret, and nobody is the wiser for 
his knowledge. He is too bashful. He avoids those who 
might be friendly to him, and who might help him. Ed- 
ward often stood in his own light in this way. 
