All the fun of the countryside!

The period which followed the Industrial Revolution brought with it nostalgia for the countryside and a growing interest in the natural world. Authors such as Philip Henry Gosse (1810-1888) were able to live comfortably off earnings from bestsellers such as The romance of natural history (London : J. Nisbet, 1862).

The evidence of heavy use of our copy of The out-door world : or, Young collector's handbook by William S. Furneaux (London : Longmans, Green, 1893) is perhaps a testament to the clear illustrations and practical layout of this introduction to the natural world.

Ferns, ex.: The out-door world : or, Young collector's handbook.

If you would like to view the spotlight exhibition, or to consult material in this vein, please contact the staff of the Special Collections Reading Room in the Hardiman Research Building at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie.
A spotlight exhibition can also be viewed on the digital display wall in the Hardiman Foyer during the month of May.