ON THE ADVANTAGES OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



69 



of life I am now arguing the propriety of studying-, I do contend 

 that it is not only our interest, but our duty, to pursue that study which 

 will make us better acquainted with their properties and peculiarities. 

 Nor is this all ; there is no study, which is more capable than the present, 

 of lifting- our thoughts to the understanding and comprehension of a 

 Divine and Omnipotent Being. Whether we roam delighted through 

 the fair scenes of nature, and wonder at the dazzling plumage of the 

 feathered creation, admiring the myriads of animated beings, revelling 

 in their native glades, and are led insensibly " From Nature up to 

 Nature's God ;" or whether we regard the formation of even a blade of 

 grass, or the varied colours of the " meanest flow'ret of the vale," we 

 can in every part trace the wisdom, power, and skill of Him 



" Unde nil majus generatur ipso 

 Nec viget quidquam simile aut secundum." 



Nor whilst we are pursuing the study of animated nature, must we 

 neglect the sister, vegetable creation ; we must remember, that the same 

 hand which has formed the one> has formed the other, for, according to 

 the magnificent descriptions of our immortal bard, whilst he is describing 

 the progress of the creation : — 



" Forth flourished thick the clustering vine, forth crept 

 The swelling ground, up stood the corny reed 

 Embattled in her field, and the humble shrub 

 And bush with frizzled hair implexed ; last 

 Rose as in a dance the stately trees, and spread 

 Their branches hung with copious fruit, or gemmed 

 Their blossoms, with high woods the fields were crowned, 

 With tufts the valleys, and each fountain side ; 

 With borders 'long the rivers.'" 



Let us view then all these, and far more than these, and then say 

 with some that He exists not ! 



" Sunt, qui fortunse jam casibus omnia ponant, 

 Et nullo credant mundum rectore moveri, 

 Natura volvente vices, et lucis, et anni 

 Atque ideo intrepide quaecunque altaria tangent." 



It is for us, then, to trace the principles of design of the Almighty 

 Creator, it is for us to search into, and gain that benefit, which all 

 around us is so capable of affording, and we, at least, shall exclaim with 

 the poet, 



" These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, 

 Almighty ! thine this universal frame 

 Thus wondrous fair." 



Observatok. 



