10 



ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



science is necessary. The pleasures of science now go hand in hand 

 with the solid benefits derived from it. They tend, unlike other grati- 

 fications, not only to make our minds more agreeable, but better ; and a 

 rational being is bound, by every motive of interest and duty, to direct 

 his mind towards pursuits which are found to be the sure path of virtue 

 as well as happiness." 



To return, however, to natural history : In following up this most 

 interesting study, it is not our object merely to make ourselves acquainted 

 with a long catalogue of technical terms and scientific appellations. 

 Although some knowledge of this is necessary for a student of nature, 

 yet, were this all, nature could not have gained as many attentive 

 observers of her charms as she has done ; for were it so, who, to use the 

 words of Dr. Johnson, would take all that care, and endure all those 

 hardships, which are attendant on a due pursuit of the science of 

 natural history ? Who would listen to hear the " owl shriek at mid- 

 night, and the cricket cry in the noonday heat?" Who would, like the 

 indefatigable Wilson, wander amongst the dark and impenetrable woods 

 of the vast continent of America; or, like Le Vaillant, endure, with 

 imperturbable magnanimity, the scorching influence of an African sun ? 

 This, then, is not the study we advocate ; this is not natural history. 

 The objects proposed by the study of modern natural science are of a far 

 higher tendency. In order to be competently acquainted with this so 

 different science, we must search out nature in all her varied shapes, 

 and in all the beauteous forms which she adopts to dazzle the eye and 

 entrance the mind of the enchanted beholder. We study nature, not 

 principally to become acquainted with the number of genera contained 

 in a certain class, or with the number of species contained in a single 

 genus — not in order to arrange those classes in systems, either quinary, 

 or any other singular compound ; but in order to adduce facts from which 

 certain principles may be laid down in order to become acquainted with 

 the habits and peculiarities of those animals in a state of nature, which 

 we cannot do in a state of domestication or confinement. These, then, 

 are the objects proposed by the study of natural history. I would now 

 proceed to consider the benefits derived from those objects, but I am 

 fearful that I have already proceeded too far ; and that, by the intrinsic 

 interest of my subject, I have been led into considerations which might 

 become matter of discussion for talents far higher than any I can boast 

 of. I hope, however, in a future letter, to be able to follow up my 

 subject ; meanwhile I must beg leave to subscribe myself, 



Observator. 



