REVIEWS. 
47 
the latter topic we would hope that the amiable author is misinformed, when 
he speaks of it as “ the normal state of three-fourths of mankind.” 
The book is, in the main, a pleasant book; it is pleasantly written— 
it brings before us pleasant images—depicts pleasant scenes—awakens 
pleasant trains of thought, and imparts, in a pleasant style, much that is 
pleasant to know. It is one of that class which admits of being taken up 
for half-an-hour, put aside, and resumed in like manner. It is suited for a 
June day, when we desire what is pleasurable, and avoid what is laborious. 
But the question arises, does the book seek only to please ?—has it no 
higher aim ?—is there no special purpose for which it has been composed ? 
There is a higher aim, and a special purpose—one that enlists our sym¬ 
pathies and commands our entire approval. “ The object of the following 
pages,” says the author, “ is to show how much the pleasures of country 
life may be increased by some acquaintance with the various forms 
of animal and vegetable life with which we are surrounded.” 
This idea is not formally and continuously inculcated; it is suggested. 
There are pleasures both in the acquisition of what is new or rare, and in 
the recurrence of well-known objects in widely separated localities. These 
joys—innocent, cheerful, and invigorating—are jewels of great price to the 
naturalist; but they are “ gems hidden from the world beside and the 
reader of the volume is gently led to ask himself, “ Why should not these 
enjoyments be mine? To reach to them, if I can, is a clear gain; for I should 
then continue to possess all I now have, and acquire all these in addition.’’ 
Mr. Stainton does not, however, stop here. He justly remarks — u The 
amount of pleasure which may be derived through life by an initiation in 
childhood into the mysteries of Natural History, is more than we are 
justified in withholding from those whose education devolves upon us. 
Unfortunately, it too frequently happens that those who ought to instil this 
love of nature are themselves ignorant of such matters: their own educa¬ 
tion has been neglected, although they know it not.” An excellent letter 
from the Athenaeum , p. 55, calls attention to such points: and one from the 
Rev. Joseph Greene, page 59, meets our concurrence so entirely that we 
regret our space forbids its being quoted in full. 
Perhaps, however, the same principle is nowhere put forward by Mr. 
Stainton more happily than in the contrast he gives of the formal walk of 
the pupils at a girl’s school, and the animation and interest they exhibit 
when a little taste for botanical pursuits has been infused among them. 
For this we must refer our readers to the volume itself; which closes with 
an extract from our pages in perfect harmony with the views and opinions 
which this little publication is intended to disseminate. 
