AN 
INTRODUCTION 
TO 
ENT OM 0 L-0-G: ¥, 
LETTER I. 
Dear Sir, 
I cannor wonder that an active mind like yours should experience no 
small degree of tedium in a situation so far removed, as you represent 
your new residence to be, from the “busy hum of men.” Nothing 
certainly can compensate for the want of agreeable society; but since 
your case, in this respect, admits of no remedy but patience, I am glad 
you are desirous of turning your attention to some pursuit, which may 
amuse you in the intervals of severer study, and in part supply the void 
of which you complain. I am not a little flattered that you wish to be 
informed which class in the three kingdoms of nature is, in my opinion, 
most likely to answer your purpose; at the same time intimating that you 
feel inclined to give the preference to Entomology, provided some ob- 
Jections can be satisfactorily obviated, which you have been accustomed 
to regard as urged with a considerable semblance of reason against the 
cultivation of that science. 
Mankind in general, not excepting even philosophers, are prone to 
magnify, often beyond its just merit, the science or pursuit to which they 
have addicted themselves, and to depreciate any that seems to stand in 
competition with their favourite: like the redoubted champions of 
romance, each thinks himself bound to take the field against every one 
that will not subscribe to the peerless beauty and accomplishments of 
his own Duleinea., In such conflict for pre-eminence I know no science 
that, in this country, has come off worse than Entomology : her champions 
hitherto have been so few, and their efforts so unavailing, that all her 
tival sisters have been exalted above her; and I believe there is scarcely 
any branch of Natural History that has had .fewer British admirers. 
While Botany boasts of her hosts, she, though not her inferior either in 
beauty, symmetry, or grace, has received the homage of a very slender 
train indeed. Since therefore the merits of Entomology have been so 
little acknowledged, you will not deem it invidious if I advocate the cause 
of this distressed damsel, and endeavour to effect her restoration to her 
Just rights, privileges, and rank, 
Things that are universally obvious and easy of examination, as they 
are the first that fall under our Notice, so are they also most commonly 
34 : 
