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Show .. . . .. . ...· .... . . ... ...· . . .. . .. .... . • » • I I I . ..· . .: . .·. ',,>J~ ;,, :) : : ; I » )) ; ',> ) I J; I II I .~ .·,~. ' .1.. 1 .. .J • I I • • • • • f • •••• .. . .. .. .. . . . .. . . .. .. . .. . .( .. ., . .... . .. . . ........ . . . . . . I I .'·I. t. . . I ~ . ., 0· .. I .. .t . PREFATORY NOTICE. PERHAPS it may be more candid than wise in an allthor to express doubts respecting his own book; out the public deserves candour from every author, and gratitude from one who has been previously heard with attention and kindness. On the present occasion; I feel an embarrassment, which I have not previously felt upon ushering any of my little publications into the world. Hitherto, whatever of strength or weakness I have possessed, I have stood alone in it ; so that whatever of censure I may have merited could only fall upon mysel£ Now, however, I am merely making a little addition to a series containing the labours of many authors ; and that may suggest comparisons, the test of which I may be ill able to abide. There is one other comparison respecting which I feel that I am "under the y<;>ke," and that is the comparison of what I have written with the title, "A popular Guide to the Observation of N atm·e." These words taken literally are presumptive ; and therefore I may be permitted to add my interpretation of them. A "Guide to Nature,'' taken literally, would be arrogant, because it would be assuming a knowledge of the whole of that of which the most diligent inquirer can in the longest life know ~ |