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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；
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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
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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
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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 acquainted； the clergy of
the Church of England taking an active； and often a leading； interest in
their practical work。 The town clergy are； for the most part； too utterly
overworked to follow the example of their country brethren。 But I have
reason to know that they regard such societies； and Natural History in
general； with no unfriendly eyes； and that there is less fear than ever that
the clergy of the Church of England should have to relinquish their
ancient boast … that since the formation of the Royal Society in the
seventeenth century； they have done more for sound physical science
than any other priesthood or ministry in the world。 Let me advise
anyone who may do me the honour of reading these pages； to discover
whether such a Club or Society exists in his neighbourhood； and to join
it fort