The power of gravitation existing in all bodies preserves the mountains in their places, restrains the ocean within his depths, and keeps the earth within her prescribed orbit; supports every created being in its proper place in nature; and prescribes to the stars of heaven the course they are to observe. Who can enumerate the various uses of water? It serves to dilute, to soften, to dissolve, and mix, many substances which we could not otherwise use. It constitutes a most wholesome beverage, is the chief nourisher of plants, sets in motion mills and other machines, is the habitation of fish, and bears upon its surface treasures from the four quarters of the globe. tures. How varied and numerous are the effects of fire! And it is not only in the natural world that we see many diversified effects proceed from the same cause; in the moral world we also often see a single disposition of the mind produce effects not less various. Let us take for example the natural inclination which prompts us to love our fellow-creaFrom this are derived the solicitude of parents for their children; social union; the bonds of amity; patriotism; goodness in those who govern, and fidelity in those who obey. Thus a single propensity keeps each individual in the circle prescribed for him; becomes the bond of civil society; and is the principle of virtuous actions, laudable enterprises, and innocent recreations. All this furnishes the most evident proof that the world is not made by accident, nor the materials which compose it put together by chance, without relation or connection between each other; but, on the contrary, that it forms a regular whole, which the Divine Power has ordered with infinite wisdom; and in every phenomenon of the visible world some rays of this ineffable wisdom blaze forth, and declare the unutterable goodness of God. JULY XXIX. Of some Diseases of Plants. VEGETABLES are subject to many diseases. Sometimes they are covered with a white matter which sticks to them like dust, and is called mildew. This does not happen from insects, as is commonly believed; but from a stagnation in the juices, and a beginning of corruption, which attracts insects, and invites them to deposit their eggs. The stagnation of the juices is the first stage of corruption; and it is supposed that that alone is sufficient to attract insects, because they are seen to swarm by millions as soon as, from whatever cause, natural or artificial, the circulation of juices in a tree is stopped. Hence the feeblest trees, and those exposed in unfavourable situations, are the most subject to this malady. If insects were really the cause of it, it could not be produced by art; whereas, if a tree is purposely wounded, or deprived of the care it requires, it will become subject to the mildew. And upon this tree, so weakened, immediately are seen thousands of insects, whilst the neighbouring trees are free from them. Hence this corruption is no more owing to insects, than is the decay of animal substances; we must look for the cause of it in the obstruction of the juices, which may be occasioned by many circumstances. A matter resembling dew, but which is glutinous, sweet and acrid, frequently destroys plants. It has been thought that insects conveyed this glutinous juice into vegetables, or that bees had deposited honey upon them. But frequent observations have demonstrated that this matter falls from the air in form of dew. In certain countries it is deposited in small drops upon a great variety of different vegetables; and in the space of a single night it will cover almost all the leaves of a long row of trees, upon which it had not been before perceived. Perhaps this dew may be formed from the exhalations which rise from flowers and blossoming trees, out of which the bees extract their honey; and if more is deposited in one place than in another, it is owing to the direction of the wind. Perhaps also it may be the effect of some disease in the plants from their juices being vitiated; for it is the branches, leaves, bushes, and weakest trees, that are most subject to this disease. It is also remarked, that the leaves upon which this species of dew falls become spotted and black, and soon spoil; most probably this substance is the cause of it. Here we find evident traces of Divine Wisdom; for, since insects require nourishment, it is advantageous to us that they are directed to obtain it from those vegetables which, being already spoiled, are become useless, if not prejudicial, to us. And this is a new proof of the particular provision which God made for man when he established the world. It is owing to this arrangement that these insects take nothing that is necessary for our support; but on the contrary attach themselves to that which would be destructive to us. In the wise economy of Nature, each plant, tree, and animal, serves for the support of different creatures. JULY XXX. Means of Subsistence which Nature provides for It is a great proof of the goodness and supreme power of the Almighty, that there is every where provided a sufficiency of aliment for all the living creatures with which the world is filled. It is not indeed wonderful that the countries which lie within the temperate zones should supply their inhabitants with a sufficiency of nourishment; but that this should be the case in all places, even where we had least reason to expect it, and that the necessary provisions never fail to so many species of animals, can only be attributed to the cares of a beneficent and all-wise Providence. He has proportioned the supply of provisions to the number and wants of the animals which are to consume them. In most places there is a superabundance; but this profusion is not so great as to cause the alimentary matter to spoil or decay, for that would be prejudicial to the world. Amongst the many articles of nourishment, those which are most useful and necessary are generally found in the greatest abundance, and multiply the most readily. As there are a great number of animals which only live upon herbs, the meadows abound with them and the most wholesome plants, that grow spontaneously without the least culture, and easily resist the inclemency of the air. It is also highly worthy of attention, that corn, which is such a great source of food for man, can be cultivated with so little trouble, and increase so astonishingly. It is also a wise regulation of the Creator, that the taste of animals is so varied, that some love to feed upon herbs and some upon flesh, others upon insects, &c.; some are content with a little, others are very rapacious. If all species of animals had an inclination for the same kind of food, the earth would soon become incapable of satisfying their wants, and would presently be converted into a vast desert. The diversity of taste then that we find amongst animals is a certain proof that it is not by accident that they prefer any particular kind of food, but from a particular instinct implanted by nature, which leads them to those aliments best adapted to them. By this means all the productions of the earth and of the sea are properly distributed; not only every thing which breathes is amply provided for, but those substances which, becoming putrid, might be prejudicial, have their particular uses. For the wholesome plants would perish; the carcases of birds, fish, and animals, would exhale the most poisonous effluvia; but that it has pleased the all-wise Creator to implant in animals an inclination for for these different substances, which furnish them with an agreeable aliment. Nutritious matters offer themselves spontaneously to the greater part of animals; they must therefore possess great skill in discerning them, and must employ great precaution in their choice. They are so constituted, that what is highly nourishing to one species, is injurious and sometimes poisonous to another. From the experiments and observations of botanists, it appears that oxen eat of two hundred and seventy-six species of grass, and reject two hundred and eighteen; that goats eat of four hundred and forty-nine, and leave untouched one hundred and twenty-six; that sheep feed upon three hundred and eighty-seven, and there are one hundred and forty-one which they will not feed upon; that the horse eats of two hundred and sixty-two, and refuses two hundred and twelve. Some animals are obliged to go to a great distance in search of nourishment; and obtain it with much labour, by digging for it in the earth, or collecting it from various parts where it is thinly scattered. Some choose the dead of night to satisfy their hunger in safety; others obtain their food by separating the grain from its husks, bruising them if hard; and some swallow small stones to assist them in digesting. Many would perish if they did not carry provisions into their nests against a future time of need. Others take their prey by having recourse to wiles and cunning, by laying snares, and by digging holes in the ground; and some pursue their prey in the air, in water, and upon land. The more diversified is the food of animals, and their manner of procuring it, the more admirable is the wisdom and goodness of God displayed in their preservation. Let us then reflect upon the glorious perfections of our Heavenly Father; for the occasions which we find to magnify his name are more frequent than the day. JULY XXXI. Meditation upon the Works of Nature. O FATHER, Creator of the universe, and Preserver of every living creature, how great is thy majesty! How many are the wonders which thou unfoldest to the eyes of man! Thy hand has extended the heavens, and planted them with stars. To-day I see the sun animate nature, and blaze above the horizon in meridian splendor; but perhaps, ere to-morrow's dawn, to me no more will the groves, the meadows, and the I feel that I am valleys, repeat the melody of the birds. mortal; my strength fades like the grass of the field, and withers like the falling autumnal leaf; the strongest amongst us knows not how soon the awful summons shall be heard, Man, return to dust! When laid low in the grave, where darkness and mournful silence reign, when the worms are gnawing our once fair bodies, what will remain to us of our earthly possessions? Will not they be all lost to us, though our utmost desires had been gratified, and our cup of happiness during life had been full? How foolish it is to be attached to the perishing things of this world! to aspire after great riches; to be ambitious of honours, vain and transitory; and, suffering ourselves to be dazzled and misled by the false lustre of their meretricious charms, exchange our innocence and peace of mind, for envy, pride, and deceit. If, too greedy in our desires, we have pursued the phantom of wealth beyond the just limits of moderation, let us humble ourselves before our God, and receive that chastisement his wisdom shall direct. Man, blinded by his pride and his presumption, would |