LINN^AN SYSTEM. 
xxviii 
works on Greek philosophy in Latin, because those who cared 
for it would prefer his work in Greek, and those who did not 
would read it neither in Greek nor Latin. Cicero, however, fortu- 
nately did not follow this advice, and the splendid success of his 
works, De Natura Deorum^ De Officiis, &c., showed that his friends 
were wrong: he persevered in the popular style, and led the 
fashion, as Buffon and our own White did in Natural History. 
The writers of dry methodical books, indeed, console themselves, 
like bad poets, with the dream, that their writings are appre- 
ciated by the chosen few ; but while it may be admitted that they 
know the subject on which they write, it is clear they want talent 
for communicating their knowledge. 
It is pitiful to hear the querulous tone in which the manufac- 
turers of words and systems complain of their “ legitimate” pro- 
ductions, as they call them, being “ unworthily neglected,” and 
“ left to languish and decay ;” because the grown-up public are 
satisfied with infants’ food in the shape of cheap compilations, 
crude translations, tvonders of the insect worlds &c, &c., with such 
like amusing trifles, fit only for children.” * This may be taken, 
indeed, as the creed of each and every systematist, who looks 
upon details of the wonders and wisdom displayed in creation as 
amusing trifles, fit only for children, while the ‘‘ legitimate 
science” of names, grouping, and affinities, is fit to reflect honour 
upon any age and country.” I, on the contrary, claim no merit 
for looking upon this so-called legitimate science” as far below 
the level even of an amusing trifle ; since to every rational reader, 
not infected with the mania for this sort of frippery, arrogantly 
and falsely called science, it must appear in the same light. 
Pitying the dry drudgery of the authors who have spent their 
hours in thus nibbling down nature to their own narrow measure- 
ments, and laying their works on the shelf, where they are 
destined to remain unopened, I bid them a long farewell, and 
hurrying “ forth,” as Solomon did of old, “ to the field,” I can 
revel with ever new delight” in 
“ The boundless store 
Which bounteous Nature to her vot’ries yields ; 
* Mag. of Nat. Hist, iv 273. 
