XXIV PREFACE. 



an active turn, we might say, that so 

 pleasing and useful an employment would 

 relieve the tcedium arising from a same- 

 ness of diversions; every object would 

 produce some new observation, and while 

 they might seem only to gratify them- 

 selves with a present indulgence, they 

 would be laying up a fund of useful know- 

 lege ; they would find their ideas sensi- 

 bly enlarged, till they comprehended the 

 whole of domestic oeconomy, and the 

 wise order of Providence. 



To those of a sedentary disposition, this 

 study would not only prove agreeable, but 

 salutary : men of that turn of mind are 

 with difficulty drawn from their books, 

 to partake of the necessary enjoyments 

 of air and exercise ; and even when thus 

 compelled, they profit less by it than men 

 of an illiberal education. But this incon- 

 venience would be remedied, could we in- 

 duce them to observe and relish the won- 

 ders of nature ; aided by philosophy, they 

 would find in the woods and fields a series 

 of objects, that would give to exercise 



