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every lad who is likely to travel to our colonies。
For general Geology； Professor Ansted's Introduction is excellent；
while； as a specimen of the way in which a single district may be
thoroughly worked out； and the universal method of induction learnt
from a narrow field of objects； what book can； or perhaps ever
will； compare with Mr。 Hugh Miller's 〃Old Red Sandstone〃？
For this last reason； I especially recommend to the young the Rev。
C。 A。 Johns's 〃Week at the Lizard；〃 as teaching a young person how
much there is to be seen and known within a few square miles of
these British Isles。 But； indeed； all Mr。 Johns's books are good
（as they are bound to be； considering his most accurate and varied
knowledge）； especially his 〃Flowers of the Field；〃 the best cheap
introduction to systematic botany which has yet appeared。 Trained；
and all but self…trained； like Mr。 Hugh Miller； in a remote and
narrow field of observation； Mr。 Johns has developed himself into
one of our most acute and persevering botanists； and has added many
a new treasure to the Flora of these isles； and one person； at
least； owes him a deep debt of gratitude for first lessons in
scientific accuracy and patience； … lessons taught； not dully and
dryly at the book and desk； but livingly and genially； in
adventurous rambles over the bleak cliffs and ferny woods of the
wild Atlantic shore； …
〃Where the old fable of the guarded mount
Looks toward Namancos and Bayona's hold。〃
Mr。 Henfrey's 〃Rudiments of Botany〃 might accompany Mr。 Johns's
books。 Mr。 Babington's 〃Manual of British Botany〃 is also most
compact and highly finished； and seems the best work which I know
of from which a student somewhat advanced in English botany can
verify species； while for ferns； Moore's 〃Handbook〃 is probably the
best for beginners。
For Entomology； which； after all； is the study most fit for boys
（as Botany is for girls） who have no opportunity for visiting the
sea…shore； Catlow's 〃Popular British Entomology；〃 having coloured
plates （a delight to young people）； and saying something of all the
orders； is； probably； still a good work for beginners。
Mr。 Stainton's 〃Entomologist's Annual for 1855〃 contains valuable
hints of that gentleman's on taking and arranging moths and
butterflies； as well as of Mr。 Wollaston's on performing the same
kind office for that far more numerous； and not less beautiful
class； the beetles。 There is also an admirable 〃Manual of British
Butterflies and Moths；〃 by Mr。 Stainton； in course of publication；
but； perhaps； the most interesting of all entomological books which
I have seen （and for introducing me to which I must express my
hearty thanks to Mr。 Stainton）； is 〃Practical Hints respecting
Moths and Butterflies； forming a Calendar of Entomological
Operations；〃 （36） by Richard Shield； a simple London working…man。
I would gladly devote more space than I can here spare to a review
of this little book； so perfectly does it corroborate every word
which I have said already as to the moral and intellectual value of
such studies。 Richard Shield； making himself a first…rate
〃lepidopterist；〃 while working with his hands for a pound a week；
is the antitype of Mr。 Peach； the coast…guardsman； among his
Cornish tide…rocks。 But more than this； there is about Shield's
book a tone as of Izaak Walton himself； which is very delightful；
tender； poetical； and religious； yet full of quiet quaintness and
humour； showing in every page how the love for Natural History is
in him only one expression of a love for all things beautiful； and
pure； and right。 If any readers of these pages fancy that I over…
praise the book； let them buy it； and judge for themselves。 They
will thus help the good man toward pursuing his studies with larger
and better appliances； and will be （as I expect） surprised to find
how much there is to be seen and done； even by a working…man；
within a day's walk of smoky Babylon itself； and how easily a man
might； if he would； wash his soul clean for a while from all the
turmoil and intrigue； the vanity and vexation of spirit of that
〃too…populous wilderness；〃 by going out to be alone a while with
God in heaven； and with that earth which He has given to the
children of men； not merely for the material wants of their bodies；
but as a witness and a sacrament that in Him they live and move；
and have their being； 〃not by bread alone； but by EVERY word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God。〃
Thus I wrote some twenty years ago； when the study of Natural
History was confined mainly to several scientific men； or mere
collectors of shells； insects； and dried plants。
Since then； I am glad to say； it has become a popular and common
pursuit； owing； I doubt not； to the impulse given to it by the many
authors whose works I then recommended。 I recommend them still；
though a swarm of other manuals and popular works have appeared
since； excellent in their way； and almost beyond counting。 But all
honour to those； and above all to Mr。 Gosse and Mr。 Johns； who
first opened people's eyes to the wonders around them all day long。
Now； we have； in addition to amusing books on special subjects；
serials on Natural History more or less profound； and suited to
every kind of student and every grade of knowledge。 I mention the
names of none。 For first； they happily need no advertisement from
me； and next； I fear to be unjust to any one of them by
inadvertently omitting its name。 Let me add； that in the
advertising columns of those serials； will be found notices of all
the new manuals； and of all apparatus； and other matters； needed by
amateur naturalists； and of many who are more than amateurs。
Microscopy； meanwhile； and the whole study of 〃The Wonders of the
Little；〃 have made vast strides in the last twenty years； and I was
equally surprised and pleased； to find； three years ago； in each of
two towns of a few thousand inhabitants； perhaps a dozen good
microscopes； all but hidden away from the public； worked by men who
knew how to handle them； and who knew what they were looking at；
but who modestly refrained from telling anybody what they were
doing so well。 And it was this very discovery of unsuspected
microscopists which made me more desirous than ever to see … as I
see now in many places … scientific societies； by means of which
the few； who otherwise would work apart； may communicate their
knowledge to each other； and to the many。 These 〃Microscopic；〃
〃Naturalist；〃 〃Geological；〃 or other societies； and the 〃Field
Clubs〃 for excursions into the country； which are usually connected
with them； form a most pleasant and hopeful new feature in English
Society； bringing together； as they do； almost all ranks； all
shades of opinion； and it has given me deep pleasure to see； in the
case at least of the Country Clubs with which I am