4 WANDEKINGS OF A 



ever beautiful and gay, are only intended by nature as pre- 

 paratives to autumnal fruits." * 



However invaluable are the labours of him whose field of 

 observation is entirely confined to the naming and arranging 

 of objects in the cabinet or in the museum, it will, I think, 

 be conceded, that a proper acquaintance with the subject 

 means something more than a mere knowledge of the appear- 

 ances and classification of species ; in fact, that nature is best 

 studied in her own wide chamber. This it is that gives the 

 intense zest to the writings of such original observers as 

 Humboldt, Darwin, Audubon, and a host of distinguished 

 names, whose labours are not only valued for their depth of 

 learning and acumen, but also for the homely lessons they con- 

 vey to the youthful mind. Were the lives of the most eminent 

 students of science carefully inquired into, it would no doubt 

 be found that their tastes for the study of natural phenomena 

 were first aroused and developed by having their attention 

 early directed to the subject. 



It is not often that a member of the medical profession 

 in active employment can devote the necessary time and 

 attention to enable hun to form a close acquaintance with 

 the collateral sciences ; at the same time, by husbanding one's 

 leisure hoiirs, it is wonderful how much may be done in in- 

 tervals of rest even in the most engrossing avocations of life. 

 In the army especially, where the calls of duty are not always 

 onerous or frequent, together with the advantages offered by 

 constant change of scene, opportunities present themselves to 

 military officers very rarely enjoyed in civil life. It has been 

 my good fortune to participate largely in these respects, and 

 whilst I am sensible of having made a fair use of my hours 

 of freedom, at the same time I cannot conscientiously re- 

 * Rambler for April 1750. 



