ledge, and, to a considerable extent, of gratifying it. In those cases where it was advisable to refer the reader to other authorities for additional information, the author has usually made such references : and the present Editor has adopted a similar plan, whenever the gradual augmentations which are incessantly making to the general stock of philosophical verities, seemed to render it necessary. On the whole, therefore, it is earnestly hoped that the numerous improvements made in this new edition of the Contemplative Philosopher, will render it more extensively beneficial to the rising generation, and insure it a continuance of public encouragement. It is a common debt of justice to a worthy and ingenious man, to announce that the Contemplative Philosopher, though hitherto published anonymously, was written by the late Mr. RICHARD Lomb, a gentleman who contributed largely to the public instruction and amusement in several performances; but whose great modesty induced hiin usually to shrink from the commendation which was so justly due to his well directed exertions. CONTENT S. 4. On Winter in the Polar Regions 5. Further Reflections on the Polar Winter 6. Reflections on the Existence of a Supreme Being 46 7. Reflections on the Solar System. 10. On the Figure and Motion of the Earth 12. On the Clouds : including the Theory of Eva- 13. On the Divine Wisdom and Goodness in the 14. On the mechanical Properties and Effects of the Air, and the beneficial Ends to which it 15. On the Influence of Air on Vegetation, and of 16. On the Nature and Properties of Water 18. On the alternate Succession of Day and Night, 27. Reflections on the Modern Art of Gardening 268 29. The Process of Nature in the Vegetation of 30. On various Phenomena in the Vegetable Kingdom 294 31. Reflections on the Divine Wisdom and Power in 32. Further Reflections on the Minute Wonders of 33. A View of the Insect Tribes 35. On the Transformation of Insects. 36. On Transformation in general THE CONTEMPLATIVE PHILOSOPHER: No. I. REFLECTIONS ON WINTER, Vides, ut alta stet nive candidum Soracte, nec jam sustineant onus HOR. Bows with the spangled loads of snow! Forget to murmur and to flow. WAKEFIELD. WHEN Nature, in a state of desolation, seems, to an inattentive eye, to present nothing, as it were, but the creation in distress, the Contemplative Philosopher, as he walks forth to explore the dreary scenes around him, will discover a great variety of phenomena peculiar to this season, with sufficient beauty or usefulness in each to merit a distinct discussion. Whether he contemplates Winter in its first approaches, or enters into a minute investigation of its various scenery; whether he confines his researches to our temperate zone, or makes excursions to the polar regions ; each VOL. I. B No. Plants .... the Minuter Parts o 32. Further Reflections on Creation ...... 33. A View of the Insect Tri 34. The Same continued .... 35. On the Transformation of 36. On Transformation in gener 37. On the Beauty and Variety 38. On the wonderful Operations che phenomena peculiar to this incle ar shall I pursue my researches, at isto more northern regions. –Winter has bad to be that season of the year in which shortest. It commences on or about 2: E Deale, which is called the Winter Se that day when the sun's distance math of the place is greatest; and it by Sth of March, when its distance is a the greatest and the least; that to the equibor. But I shall only is that notwithstanding the coldness it has been demonstrated by astroesun is really nearer to the earth summer. The principal canse es that in winter the sun's rays Is, and have so large a porshere to pass through, that any has spread over a much greater sace where we live; and must then have fewer rays kan the sun is at a greater ha. There comes, more e cold in the long winter pensated for by the res; and, on both these acsarily increase. In s of the sun fall Merefore strike hers on the Viguely; |
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