xii 



PREFACE. 



with a fulness of gratitude and love ? Oh ! surely 

 not ; for 



" What he finds 



Of flavour or of scent in fruit or flower. 



Or what he views of beautiful or grand 



In nature, from the broad majestic oak 



To the green blade that twinkles in the sun. 



Prompts with remembrance of a present God." 



COWPER. 



Tell a child that he should love and be grateful 

 to a kind mother for her care of him, and he will 

 understand it to be right and just ; but if she 

 amuse him, and make him happy in health, or 

 soothe and nurse him tenderly in sickness, he will 

 Jeel it to be inevitable. 



It has been observed, that no one can pursue 

 the study of anatomy without being struck with 

 admiration of the design and infinite variety of 

 purpose displayed in the construction of the human 

 frame : the same may be said of the humblest 

 weed. , 



Of all the productions of nature, the vegetable 

 world is svu'ely the most important to the well- 

 being of man, and the source of his purest pleasures. 



