A N immethodical author, fays Mr. Addifon> is like a duck, 
^ which dives and rifes in places where you left expedt its 
appearance. This ftmile may be very aptly applied to one of 
the moft celebrated and illuftrious writers in natural hiftory which 
this age has produced : to a gentleman of firft-rate abilities, 
great acquired knowlege, and of an eloquence which dazzles, 
delights, and oftentimes inftrudts. Unfortunately, a contempt of 
fyftem, and fyftematic writers, has taken full pofleflion of him. 
He flutters along the ftream, and gracefully difplays the elegancy 
of his plumage ; and, having favored us, as much as he thinks 
fufficient, with the pleaflng fpedtacle, immerfes and difappears, 
without leaving to common obfervers the left power of guefling 
at the fpot where he means to emerge to day. I myfelf have fo 
frequently been deceived by conjecture, that I have wearied 
my eyes by attempting to follow his fub-aqueous courfe. By 
long and congenial ftudy, I have at laft attained a knowlege of 
his ways. Eyes which have habituated themfelves to one parti- 
A 2 ' cular 
