_The Painting of HISTORY PIECES and PORTRAITS in Oyl being the Profession of the Author of this Work, he frequently found himself at a Loss, in the Course of his Employment, to understand with Certainty what Colours would contrast with and set off each other to the best Advantage; and perhaps had still remained under the same Difficulties, had he not been led by Accident into the Means of learning all this from Nature, which undoubtedly is the best Instructor. It happened that a Friend invited him one Evening, to bear him Company to a Society named the AURELIAN: the agreeable Purpose of which is, to become acquainted with that Part of Natural Philosophy which relates to the Generation and Properties of Insects, of which they have a fine Collection. And here he first saw such Specimens of Nature’s admirable Skill in the Disposition, Arrangement, and contrasting of Colours (particularly amongst the Moths and Butterflies) as struck him with Amazement, and convinced him, at the same Time, that studying them would turn greatly to his Advantage. With this View he desired to become a Member of the AURELIAN SOCIETY, and soon after had the Honour to be admitted; when, by his own Diligence, together with the genenerous and kind Assistance of some Gentlemen of the Society, it was not long before he had acquired a tolerable Collection of English MOTHS and BUTTERFLIES; and for ten Years past his leisure Hours have chiefly been employed in the collecting and making Drawings of the different ~English Caterpillars~, ~Aureliæ~ or ~Chrysalides~, ~Flies~, &c. that he could any Ways obtain; and in making such Observations and Remarks thereon as shall now, with all Submission, be laid before the Publick. He has been greatly assisted in this Work by that well-known and ingenious Naturalist, Mr. ~Joseph Dandridge~; to whose noble Collection he had free Access during his Life-time, and also the Liberty of making what Use he thought fit of his curious Remarks on these Subjects, which were the Fruits of no less than forty Years Experience. And he is still favoured in the like Manner by his Successors, as often as he finds Occasion. Respect to the Memory of this valuable and worthy Man, will not suffer him to omit this Opportunity of giving him the Character that is most justly his due, viz. That he was a Person of unbounded Curiosity, and unwearied Application in his Researches into the Works of Nature; in the Study of which all those Hours were employed that could be spared from his immediate Business; by which Means, during a long Life, he had not only got together a great Variety of the most rare natural Productions, but also from Time to Time had written down his Observations thereon, which deserve the highest Regard, as his Judgment and Veracity were both without Exception. And, as he loved these Studies himself, he was a zealous Encourager of all that had the same Inclination, whom he was always ready to assist with his laboriously acquired Knowledge.