University of Virginia Library

“These volumes are highly creditable to American taste in every department of book-making;—it
is impossible to give an idea of the perfection of workmanship and the admirable
keeping of parts they exhibit. In order to appreciate this, one must see the
volumes, and having seen them, he will at once transfer them to his own table, for the
instruction and amusement of old and young.”

“Moths, glow-worms, lady-birds, May-flies, bees, and a variety of other inhabitants of
the insect world, are descanted upon in a pleasing style, combining scientific information
with romance, in a manner peculiarly attractive.”

“The style is the farthest possible remove from pedantry and dullness, every page
teems with delightful matter, and the whole is thoroughly furnished with grace and
beauty, as well as truth. One giving himself over to its fascinating charms, might readily
believe himself fast on to the borders, if not in the very midst of fairy land.”

“We have in this work deep philosophy and an endless flow of humor, and lessons
set before us, drawn from ants, beetles, and butterflies, which we might do well to ponder.
We can think of nothing more calculated to delight the passing hour than the
beautiful delineations we find in these three volumes.”

“The whole insect world is represented in these volumes, many of them disguised so
as to present what politicians would call a compromise between a human and an insect.
We cordially commend these volumes to the attention of our readers.”

“A book elegant enough for the centre table, witty enough for after dinner, and wise
enough for the study and the school-room. One of the beautiful lessons of this work is
the kindly view it takes of nature. Nothing is made in vain, not only, but nothing is
made ugly or repulsive. A charm is thrown around every object, and life suffused
through all, suggestive of the Creator's goodness and wisdom.”

“What a monument is here raised to that wonderful, tiny race, so often disregarded,
but which nevertheless amply repays the care we may bestow in studying their peculiarities.
The interest of the reader of these volumes is well sustained by the humor
and sprightliness of the writer.”

“It is a beautiful specimen of book-making. The character of the contents may be
already known to our readers from the long and very favorable attention they have received
from the English reviewers. The illustrations are at once grotesque and significant.”

“The book is one of especial beauty and utility, and we heartily thank the publisher
for his enterprise in putting it within the reach of American readers. It is worthy of a
place in every family library. Elegantly illustrated and humorously yet chastely written,
it is calculated to amuse and instruct all classes of readers.”

“A more charming book, fresh with the fragrance of the country air and musical
with the rustle of insect wings, is not likely to be seen often. In the clearness of its
type, the beauty of the illustrations, and the whole manner of its presentment, the
“Episodes” fairly gives the laural to its tasteful and enterprising publisher.”

“There is a moral, we may say a religious lesson, inculcated in every chapter of this
book.”

“The style is easy, flowing, natural, and happy. The ideas are such that the reader
will arise from their perusal, a `wiser and a better man.' ”

“We defy any one to rise from its perusal, without thanking the book for many new
ideas, added to one's previous stock of information, as well as feeling better and more
kindly disposed, for the lessons of humanity and benevolence it teaches.”

“A most attractive work to all ages, for while it is amusing and playful in its language,
it is replete with valuable information. It might be called Science made pleasure, or
Fact made fanciful. A finer specimen of typography is rarely seen, and we commend
it to all those who would see in nature constant illustrations of the power and goodness
of its great Creator.”

“Wonderfully beautiful, graceful, and entertaining. Children can read it with understanding
and be enraptured by it; and this is no small thing to say of a work not
especially intended for juveniles.”

“By a happy combination of taste and knowledge—science and poetry, with anecdote
and description, the naturalist and the mere reader for amusement are equally
gratified. It is a book for the library,—and just the thing as a companion for a journey,
or the winter evening fireside. It is well adapted for the sick-chamber too, and the
weary invalid as he reads may fancy that he smells again the sweet fragrance of spring
flowers, and listens to the hum of a bright summer's day; and, not least of all, the tendency
of these beautiful volumes, is to elevate our conceptions of the grandeur and love
of the Almighty Creator.”

“This is a work of rare and varied beauties. It is beautiful within and without;
beautiful in conception and in execution; beautiful as it comes from the hands of the
author, the engraver, the printer and the binder.”

“This is one of the most tasteful books of the season, very entertaining and amusing,
and at the same time the work of an accomplished naturalist.”

“The author has availed himself not only of the greater abundance of material which
the summer months supply, but also of the brighter hues afforded by the summer sunshine,
for the enrichment of his glowing descriptions, which become gorgeous while
reflecting a parti-colored glory that eclipses the splendor of Solomon.”

“The whole pile of Natural History—fable, poetry, theory, and fact—is stuck over
with quaint apothegms and shrewd maxims deduced, for the benefit of man, from the
contemplation of such tiny monitors as gnats and moths. Altogether, the book is curious
and interesting, quaint and clever, genial and well-informed.”

“We have seldom been in company with so entertaining a guide to the Insect
World.”

“Rich veins of humor in a groundwork of solid, yet entertaining information. Although
lightness and amusement can find subject-matter in every page, the under current
of the “Episodes” is substance and accurate information.”

“A history of many of the more remarkable tribes and species, with a graphic and
imaginative coloring, often equally original and happy, and accompanied both by accurate
figures of species, and ingenious fanciful vignettes.”

“This second series of “Episodes” is even more delightful than its predecessor.
Never have entomological lessons been given in a happier strain. Young and old, wise
and simple, grave and gay, can not turn over its pages without deriving pleasure and
information.”

“The headpiece illustrations of each chapter are beautiful plates of the insects under
description in all their stages, capitally grouped, and with a scenic background full of
playful fancy; while the tailpieces form a series of quaint vignettes, some of which are
especially clever.”

“The book includes solid instruction as well as genial and captivating mirth. The
scientific knowledge of the writer is thoroughly reliable.