_See the Engravings._
A delightful volume, of title almost synonymous with this division of
the MIRROR, has just been published. It is entitled _The Journal of a
Naturalist_,[1] with the very appropriate motto of
----Plants, trees, and stones, we note,
Birds, insects, beasts, and many rural things.
The author in his preface, says, "Many years have now passed away since
we were presented with that very interesting and amusing book, the
'Natural History of Selborne;' nor do I recollect any publication at
all resembling it having since appeared."[2] He then acknowledges the
impression which this book left on his mind; and its having given rise
to the present work, to which, in our humble opinion, it is a worthy
companion.
Our "Naturalist" resides in a village upon a very ancient road,
connecting Bristol and Gloucester, in a limestone district, numbering
among its picturesque beauties, the broad estuary of the Severn, the
mountains of Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Brecon, and their peaceful vales
and cheerful cottages; Thornbury, with its fine cathedral-like church
and castle, the red cliffs of the Severn, and numberless antiquities
of our ancestors--as roads, encampments, aggera, watch-hills, coins,
lances, and other relics of those warlike times. Labour and healthful
enjoyment reign in this district: for it is neither torn up for its
mineral wealth, nor are its natural beauties annihilated, or the habits
of its population corrupted by speculation or avarice. A portrait of
"a worthy peasant," introduced by our author, reminds us of
----A bold peasantry, their country's pride,
When once destroyed, can never be supplied.
A passage quoted by the late Mr. Canning, in one of his finest speeches;
and we often contrast this vigorous outline of the people of "merry
England" with her artificial state of after times. Next are a page or
two of agricultural chemistry (_analysis of soils_) unfettered with
technicals; double the space of what may strictly be called rural
economy, (_grass lands_) succeed; next the culture and history of
the potato, and some new observations on "_the Teazle_."
Several pages on _trees_ possess great interest, as do those on
_flowers_.
We regret we have room but for a few heads--the _maple_--the
_Naturalist's Autumnal Walk_--the _Economy of Animals_, especially
of _Birds_: we must pass them over to elucidate our engraving of