Wanderings of a naturalist in India, the western Himalayas, and Cashmere

· 1867 · Public domain (published pre-1930) · archive.org ↗

14 WANDEKINGS OF A

2ever beautiful and gay, are only intended by nature aa pre-

3paratives to autumnal fruits." *

4However invaluable are the labours of him whose field of

5observation is entirely confined to the naming and arrangiDg

6of objects in the cabinet or in the museum, it will, I think,

7be conceded, that a proper acquaintance with the subject

8means something more than a mere knowledge of the appear-

9ances and classification of species ; in fact, that nature is best

10studied in her own wide chamber. This it is that gives the

11intense zest to the writings of such original observers as

12Humboldt^ Darwin, Audubon, and a host of distinguished

13names, whose labours are not only valued for their depth of

14learning and cwjumen, but also for the homely lessons they con-

15vey to the youthful mind. Were the lives of the most eminent

16students of science carefully inqxiired into, it would no doubt

17be found that their tastes for the study of natural phenomena

18were first aroused and developed by having their attention

19early directed to the subject.

20It is not often that a member of the medical profession

21in cu^tive employment can devote the necessary time and

22attention to enable him to form a close acquaintance with

23the collateral sciences ; at the same time, by husbanding one's

24leisure hours, it is wonderful how much may be done in in-

25tervals of rest even in the most engrossing avocations of life.

26In the army especially, where the calls of duty are not always

27onerous or frequent, together with the advantages offered by

28constant change of scene, opportunities present themselves to

29military officers very rarely enjoyed in civil life. It has been

30my good fortune to participate largely in these respects, and

31whilst I am sensible of having made a fair use of my hours

32of freedom, at the same time I cannot conscientiously re-

33* BambUr for April 1760.

34Digitized by

35Google