THE treasures of Nature are inexhaustible. Here is employment enough for the vastest parts, the most indefatigable industries, the happiest opportunities, the most prolix and undisturbed vacancies. And for our encouragement in this study observe what the Psalmist saith: "The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein." RAY. NATURE ne'er deserts the wise and pure, COLERIDGE. How sweet to muse upon the skill display'd, Cowfer. D CUP LICHEN. IF by the microscopic glass And as the gardener's watchful care * This at His will, perpetual grows, BISHOP MANT. A LOVER of natural history cannot, I think, be a bad man, as the very study of it tends to promote a calmness and serenity of mind favourable to the reception of grateful and holy thoughts of the great and good Parent of the universe. He cannot be a cruel man, because he will be unwilling to destroy wantonly even an insect, when he perceives how exquisitely each of them is contrived, and how curiously it is made for the station it is destined to fill in the animal world. JESSE. THE Soul can learn-will learn to love all things Are open'd up, and all on earth who live R. NICOLL. HEART'S-EASE. AND thou, so rich in gentle names, appealing To hearts that own our Nature's common lot; Thou, styled by sportive Fancy's better feeling "A thought," "The Heart's-ease," or "For get-me-Not," Who deck'st alike the peasant's garden plot, Hopes which ought not like things of time to cloy, And feelings, Time itself shall deepen—not destroy! BARTON. OH! had this flower the magic art, ANON. ALL flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; the grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away.-St. Peter. Is all grass? Make you no distinction? No, all is grass; or if you will have some other name, be it so. Once, this is true, that all flesh is grass; and if that glory which shines so much in your eyes must have a difference, then this is all it can have, it is but the flower of that same grass; somewhat above the common grass in gayness, a little comelier, and better appareled than it, but partakes of its frail and fading nature. ARCHBISHOP LEIGHTON. |