A part of its contents relates to the habits of birds; and I wish to draw the attention of the young naturalist to it, because I have taken great pains in selecting the materials from actual observation in woods, and in swamps, and on plains, where the theories of the closet are unnecessary, and some of our new systems incompatible with the simplicity of Nature. To those gentlemen who reviewed the volume of Essays in Natural History with a favourable eye, I return my grateful thanks. Although I have not the honour of their acquaintance, still their meed of approbation will not be lost upon me. To those critics who have thought fit to attack my puny offspring with their puny bodkins, I am happy to say, that their confederate thrusts have barely effected a slight puncture on its skin. I have it now again in my power to offer them half a day of occupation. They ought to be thankful for it, at a season when work is not always to be obtained. Having been informed that Mr. (now I believe Professor) Macgillivray, in the first volume of his Ornithology, has compared me to the carrion crow, a bird acknowledged by the world at large, to be of bad character and filthy habits; I take this opportunity (as I have not the command of a press) to observe that I am not aware how I have procured the honour of such a distinguished attention; and at the same time to thank him for the store of tainted food which he has helped to place in the Biography of Birds, for the benefit of us needy ones of rapine and ill omen. A word also of Mr. Swainson. He has accused me in the Cabinet Cyclopædia, edited by the unfortunate Doctor Lardner, of a "constant propensity to dress truth in the garb of fiction!" I need say no more if the reader will do me the favour to peruse a former letter of mine to Mr. Swainson. In justice to myself I have appended it to the present work. Having begun the "Autobiography" in the first volume, there seems a kind of necessity to continue it in the second; although I have not yet made up my mind whether I did right or wrong to take the subject in hand at all. If I have erred in one instance, I equally err in another, and I must make up my mind to receive additional reproof. Cervantes says, "A nuevo pecado, penitencia nueva," For new sins, there must be a new penance. Although I cannot expect that the description of what I saw in the cathedral at Naples will suit the taste of every English reader, I beg to state, that my account of the miracle which took place is most scrupulously true. I went thither with my sisters-in-law expressly from Rome to witness that, which has been the talk of the world for many centuries; and I took the journey, not so much to gratify my own curiosity as to have an opportunity of giving a faithful description of all that I should see A 4 on that interesting occasion. veritas." "Causa viæ As this will be the last time that I shall appear before the public as an author (if indeed I merit that appellation), I close my short preface by taking a respectful leave of my readers, and by wishing them from my heart, the inestimable blessing from above of everlasting peace and plenty. CHARLES WATERTON. Walton Hall, Feb. 29. 1844. |