i PREF AC® 
aver and PHILOSOPHERs are equal- 
ly puzzled to account for the great diverlity of 
talents among mankind, and the peculiar bent 
of genius to be found in each individual. 
While fome pretend to account for thefe pecu- 
Jiarities, from’ the accidental circumftances in 
which individuals happen to be placed, others, 
with at leaft equal probability, attribute them 
' to peculiar inclinations, implanted by Nature, 
or rather the Author of Nature in the human 
mind. Perhaps both caufes muft co-operate 
to produce that degree of enthufiaftic fond- 
-nefs for particular purfuits, which, in all ages, 
has diftinguifhed fome individuals in every 
branch of fcience, or of art, and which is fo 
humoroufly entitled by the facetious STERNE, 
a man’s HOBBY HORSE. * 
The author of this work has been, almoft 
from his infancy, an admirer of bees, and the 
a fruit 
* 'Triftram Shandy, - vol. 1. 
