ADVERTISEMENT. 
XI 
of upwards of 10,000 copies of some of the volumes 
of this work, so exclusively devoted as it is to a sub- 
ject which to many persons appeared to be one of 
very doubtful success when we started it ; and now 
that it has reached the eleventh volume, it is curious 
matter of numerical calculation to mention, that we 
have sold upwards of 60,000 volumes, in which 
there have been neai-ly 2,400,000 coloured Plates 
given as Illustrations. Altogether independent of 
the gratification which these Plates have given to 
the public, the publication has opened up a source 
of agreeable, permanent, and profitable employment, 
to a very numerous class of most deserving and in- 
dustrious persons in Edinburgh, tvhose rank in so- 
ciety and whose education precluded them from ap. 
plying themselves readily to any other occupation 
than that of colouring. 
We need hardly assure our readers, that the most 
strenuous and active exertions will continue to be 
used to keep up the popularity and interest of the 
series, which, from the encouragement we have met 
with, it is evident all classes are beginning to appre- 
ciate in a proper manner. The usefulness of such 
Works to the young cannot be too strongly urged ; 
and we may conclude this short notice by quoting 
the words of the celebrated Mr Swainson, in his 
Discourse on the Study of Natural History, in Lard- 
ners Cyclopaedia: 
“ Another advantage, almost exclusively belong- 
ing to the natural sciences, is this, that they carry 
the mind from the thing made, to Him who made it. 
