whisper of the breeze which refreshes without agitating the fair and delicate forms of vernal nature.

A thin, elastic membrane, stretched at the bottom of the ear, like the parchment over a drum, receives the vibrations of air, and thus enables us to distinguish every species of sound. Thus far our knowledge of this subject extends; but if we inquire by what means, on the pronunciation of a word, our minds immediately form the idea of a word, and not of a simple sound; or why a tone can actuate our souls and create in them so many different notions, we are compelled to acknowledge our ignorance. Yet in this, as in every thing else, where our researches are shut in by the contracted limits of our finite nature, we ought to rest satisfied in the conviction of the wisdom and the goodness of our Creator. Had not sound existed, all mankind would have been mute, and alike inadequate to all the purposes of speech as the inarticulate babe which is yet insensible to the noble talent it will presently possess. By means of sound, every creature is able to make known its wants or express its happiness.

Man derives from this privilege advantages to which no other animal can aspire. He can at once express all the sentiments of his heart, and excite what passion he pleases by certain modulations of his voice. God has not only conferred upon us the power of distinguishing sounds by the organ of hearing, he has also furnished us with the means of preserving this precious faculty. When one ear has become injured, the other refuses not its services, but in some measure performs a double duty, and supplies the place of its suffering companion; as all our powers, whether mental or corporeal, improve by exercise, and quicken in their sensibility of the different objects to which they are applied, when the sense of hearing loses its wonted acuteness, the acoustic horn is often found to be of great benefit. Should it even happen that the external auditory tube be injured, the internal one, which terminates in the mouth, may probably have continued unhurt.

Another source of comfort in that wonderful chain of blessings which takes its origin from the simple faculty of sound, is the power of music. A multitude of harmonious instruments are formed to recreate and to charm us, and we listen with delight to their various tones which we are

enabled to discriminate with nicety and precision. Thus has our beneficent Creator condescended to minister even to our pleasures. With what grateful sentiments ought we then to approach his throne, inspired by the contemplation of those refined joys of which we are made susceptible through the influence of music. May the recollection of so elevated a privilege never cease to impress our minds with the fervour of pious thankfulness! May hymns of gratitude be resounded far as sound can traverse and air continue its vibrations! May the universe echo to his praise, and heaven and earth listen to the wonders which Omnipotence has performed for man!

SEPTEMBER VIII.

The Mysteries of Nature.

WHEN men attempt to investigate things, and to penetrate into the causes of those effects which they have witnessed, they are compelled to acknowledge how weak and limited are their understandings. The knowledge we have of nature, of which we are sometimes so vain, extends little farther than to a superficial acquaintance with the effects of a few things which are immediately under our notice; and which we are able, in a certain degree, to apply to our own advantage. But to reach the causes of those effects, or to know how they operate, generally exceeds the grasp of our finite faculties. There are a thousand effects in nature which remain concealed from us: and in those which we are able to develop, a degree of obscurity almost always impedes our researches, and reminds us that we are but men. There are many phenomena of whose immediate causes we are ignorant; many others are doubtful; those which we do know are very few.

We hear the wind blow; we experience its powerful and various effects: but we know not exactly what produces it, what augments its violence, and what appeases it. From a small seed we see a plant spring with stalks and ears; and we know not by what means. Still less can we comprehend how a plant can spring from a small kernel and grow into a large tree, in the branches of which the birds make their nests: which covers itself with leaves and with blossoms to refresh and to charm us, which gives us

fruit for our nourishment, and wood for our various wants and conveniences. All the aliments which we use and which are of such different natures, are by an incomprehensible mechanism transformed within us into one substance; and this substance assimilates with our flesh and blood. We see the wonderful effects of the loadstone, and we believe that there must be a certain matter which operates in it; but whether it acts by an attractive power peculiar to itself, whether it is a sort of fluid perpetually circulating about the loadstone, or whether it forms a kind of vortex, we are unable to determine.

We feel the cold, but hitherto no naturalist has found out the cause of its production. We know more respecting the nature of thunder and lightning than our ancestors did: but to ascertain what that electric matter is which displays itself with such sublime terrors in the storm, eludes our feeble perceptions. We know that the eye recognizes the images which are painted on the retina, and that the ear is susceptible of the vibrations of the air; but how shall we discern what those perceptions are and how they are formed? We are conscious of the existence of the soul in the body: but who shall explain the nature of their union and of their reciprocal influences? The effects of fire and air are continually before us; but what is their precise nature, what are their integral parts, and how do they produce their different effects? In a word, on the greater number of objects we have no sure and incontestable principles to satisfy our inquiries: they begin with conjectures, and they terminate, at best, in probabilities. What are the hypotheses of philo sophers but so many tacit confessions of the confined limits of their knowledge? At every step nature presents us with wonders which confound and astonish us; and however deep our researches, however extensive our discoveries, still a thousand treasures of nature must ever remain covered with that mysterous veil, which cannot be drawn aside by the efforts of finite reason. It is true we sometimes arrive at the power of giving happy explications to certain phenomena; but the principles, the first causes, their nature, and their manner of operation, are always elevated above the sphere of our intelligence.

The mysteries of nature every day impart to us lessons of wisdom on the subject of the mysteries of religion. In

nature God has put immediately within our reach the means of passing happily our temporal life, although he may have hid their sources from us. Thus also in the kingdom of grace, he has furnished us with the powers necessary to the attainment of a spiritual and eternal life, whilst yet the manner of their operation remains concealed from us. Nobody refuses to eat and drink because he is unacquainted with the composition of the aliments which preserve his life and strength : neither does any one neglect to sow or to plant because he has no just idea of the manner in which vegetation operates; nor shall we find any person so ridiculous as to reject the use of the wool which his sheep provide for him, merely because he knows not how it is produced. The extravagance of man rises not to this height. On the contrary, he is attentive to the productions of nature; experience shews him their utility, and he avails himself of it with gratitude to his Creator. But how shall we account for a conduct so opposite to this with regard to the mysteries of grace? Why are disputes entertained on the nature of the means of salvation, on their efficacy, and their mode of operation, whilst they neglect that salutary application of them for which they are designed? Why are we not as wise in spiritual things as in those which are temporal, and which 'perish with the using? Instead of giving up ourselves to vain and idle speculations, let us be prevailed upon to lay hold of those gracious privileges which God has vouchsafed to us, and serve him with cheerfulness and fidelity. This is the purpose for which we are sent into a world replete with wonders, in a state of being which admits not of their solution, and not to trifle away our time in unprofitable researches and too curious disquisitions. If we meet with things which we cannot comprehend or penetrate, let us receive them with humility, and acknowledge in them the proofs of the feebleness of our understanding. It is sufficient that the advantage which accrues to us from the good use we make of them, convinces us that they are the work of a Being infinitely wise and beneficent.

God forbid that we should be so presumptuous as to indulge the hope of being able to fathom the mysteries of nature or of grace; and let us be very careful not to censure what we cannot comprehend. Let us rather avow the weakness of our judgment, the blindness of our understand

ing, and, in the deepest prostration of soul, acknowledge the immensity of the Deity. Thus shall each mystery awaken adoration to that Being whose works are marvellous beyond human penetration, and whose wisdom infinitely transcends the brightest intelligence of man.

SEPTEMBER IX.

Eyes of Animals.

THE mere consideration of the eyes of different species of animals, is sufficient to convince us of the wisdom with which God has formed the bodies of his creatures. He has not given to all the organs of sight in the same manner, but has diversified them according to their different natures.

The eyes of most animals appear to be round; but even in this spherical figure there is considerable variety. Their situation in the head, near the brain, is subject to many variations. Man and the greatest part of quadrupeds have six muscles attached to each eye, by which they are enabled to move it from one side to another. The position of the eyes is such, that they can look straight forwards and almost describe a half circle. But in this there is some variety. Horses, oxen, sheep, swine, and most quadrupeds, have a seventh muscle to suspend and support the globe of the eye; and this is the more necessary because their head and eyes are inclined towards the earth, particularly when they feed.

The eyes of frogs differ from ours; for they can cover them with a transparent membrane, though of a close texture; this defends their eyes, and preserves them from the dangers to which animals in their particular way of life are exposed, living partly on land, and sometimes under water. Flies, gnats, and other similar insects, have a more perfect sight than other creatures; they have nearly as many eyes as there are apertures in their cornea; and whilst animals which have only two eyes are obliged to turn towards the objects they design to perceive by means of muscles; flies see very distinctly all round them without impediment, and without the necessity of moving their eyes, because one or other of these is continually directed towards the surrounding objects. Fish, which live in an element more dense than ours, could