PREFACE. MR. WHITE, in his preface to the Natural History of Selborne, observes, that if sta'tionary men would pay some attention to 'the districts on which they reside, and 'would publish their thoughts respecting 'the objects that surround them, from such ' materials might be drawn the most complete county histories.' It was this remark which first induced me to write down any observations which occurred to me on subjects relating to Natural History; and I am convinced that if the plan were to be adopted by persons residing in the country, and especially by clergymen, much useful and pleasing information would be obtained. This little work has no pretensions whatever to science. Its arrangement may be considered defective, and many of the remarks too minute. The time, however, which has been devoted to it, has afforded me amusement of a harmless, if not instructive kind; and it would give me no little pleasure to be assured that I should have been the instrument of leading others to enjoy equal pleasure with myself in studying the works of Nature. After this avowal, I can only hope that my little book may be received with indulgence. Almost every one now writes something the scribimus indocti doctique was never in greater force: Those who cannot write, and those who can, 'All rhyme, and scrawl, and scribble, to a man.' Addison says that an author should take all methods to humble himself in the opi nion he has of his own performances. I can with great truth say, that I have this impression so strong upon me, that I expe rience no little dread in sending forth this offspring of my leisure hours. I can only say, in the two last lines of a stanza which one of our poets, later than Chaucer, offers me— 'Go, little book! and in those lists of Fame 'Where strive the mightiest, run thy destined race; 6 Where, should scant deed achieved scant guerdon claim, Go! praised enough, and proud, if thine the power 'To please one feeling heart for one calm, thoughtful hour.? |