The longer one looks into things, the more one is
inclined to believe that they move in cycles, and that nothing is new under the sun. A society has just started with the title of the "St. James's Ornitho- logical Society," whose plan is to restore the Park to what it was in the days of the "merry Monarch," by making its waters the receptacle of a collection of aquatic birds. The ornithologists, however, have enough of the spirit of the time to possess something of a distinctive
feature ; for they embody to a tittle the characteristic of the age, which Is to teach without trouble, or with as little as may be. With this object, they propose, according to their prospectus, to exhibit in the first instance a complete collection of "the British species of the genus Arias," from the swan to the smallest duck, and then to pro- ceed gradually to every kind of hardy aquatic birds, even extending their operations to the other Parks if their funds bold out, or rather if the subscriptions of members pour in. By this means, the ornitho- logist will be enabled to study those habits and manners which he must now wander long arid far to have a chance of seeing, as well as to ob- serve the variations and periodical change of plumage, which can at present be with difficulty observed anywhere. The gentlemen from the public offices in the neighbourhood, like the ring Of mimic statesmen and their merry King," may relax their minds from their morning toils by an occasional lounge. Whilst to the people—which is the most important part—it promises to furnish a public kind of zooloeieul garden, situated close to the main artery of the Metropolis, and accessible at all times, and for nothing ; unless, which let us hope will not be the case, the national habit of teasing and touching should render restriction necessary. The Society proposing these laudable objects seems yet in its in- fancy ; willing to receive members and money, as well as specimens, in addition to those they already possess. But they have conquered far greater difficulties than these appear to be, for they have warmed official phlegm. The Commissioners of Woods and Forests sanction the Society, and (who would have thought it?) "have undertaken some alterations in the garden, for the better security of the collection."
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