XIV 
I said I had nothing but thanks to offer, — I was 
wrong:—paradoxical as the term may appear, I have 
to congratulate my readers on the more than antici¬ 
pated success of my work. I do heartily congratulate 
them on the proof they have given, by their approba¬ 
tion of these simple pages, that love of the great Book 
of Nature dwells in their hearts, and leads them to 
regard with gratification even the eflforts of so humble 
a votress as myself, in advancing, however feebly, the 
great and elevating feelings which its rightly-directed 
study cannot hut create. 
