of it, reflect, and make it the subject of their contemplations? Masterpieces of a skilful artist are admired; what stupid indifference would it be, not to admire the infinite art and wisdom manifested in the works of the Most High! Those are honoured who have talents to perform great and beautiful works: With what respect, with what profound humility ought we not to prostrate ourselves, and adore that God who constructed the magnificent fabric of the universe, and displayed so much majesty and glory in it? The heavens declare his greatness, and proclaim him Lord of all the world. All the celestial bodies obey him, and all their revolutions are made according to his laws. And shall man alone refuse to obey this Governor of the universe, who is also his Lord. and his Creator? Shall he refuse to be guided by laws so wise and useful to him? On every side the effects of Divine Goodness flow in upon us, and bring us innumerable blessings, comforts, and pleasures. What love, what gratitude do we not owe him! With what earnestness ought we not to imitate David, who cries out, on contemplating the works of the Lord, "I will magnify thee, O "God, my King! and I will praise thy name for ever and ever! Every day will I give thanks “unto thee, and praise thy name for ever and "ever. My soul praise the Lord. Hallelujah!" 66 MAY MAY XX. FRUITFULNESS OF PLANTS. THE magnificence of the earthly creation shines in nothing more than in the astonishing fertility of plants. One single plant can produce thousands, even millions of others. One tobacco plant may yield forty thousand three hundred and twenty grains of seed; and, if we calculate in proportion the produce of four years, we shall find, that, from one single grain, there may spring two millions six hundred and forty two thousand nine hundred and eight billions, two hundred and ninety-three thousand three hundred and sixty-five millions, and seven hundred and sixty thousand grains of seed. An elm, twelve years old, has often five hundred thousand grains of seed: what a prodigious number would that produce in a few years! Suppose the tree had but an hundred thousand buds, and that the shoot of each year contained but five of them, there would be every year five hundred thousand plants, which may be considered as new. If we add to that what is produced by the increase of the root, by ingrafting, &c. we shall only be surprised, that the earth has not yet been consumed by plants. But we must remember the numerous multitude of animals, who owe their food to the vegetable kingdom. They annually consume so great a quantity of plants, that, if nature had not endowed vegetables with very extraordinary prolific qualities, there would be reason to fear their total destruction. But whilst animals are destroying them, they often propagate them at the same time. While they consume certain sorts of fruit, they scatter the seeds about, and often to a great great distance. This dispersion is necessary, in order that only one sort of plant should not fill a whole field. It is with the same design, that some seeds have little feathers or wings, to be dispersed about by the wind. It is certain also, that, in general, the plants are more fruitful than animals. This may be proved, by comparing trees with fourfooted animals. The former produce annually, sometimes for several ages, a great number of new trees; whereas the greatest quadrupeds, such as the elephant, the mare, &c. have but one, or at most two young ones, and are often barren. The lesser quadrupeds, such as the dog, the cat, the rat, &c. are much more fruitful; but still not to be compared to the fertility of trees. Fish and insects approach nearer to it: Tench lay about ten thousand eggs; carp, twenty thousand; and cod, a million. Now, compare that fruitfulness to the wild rose, mustard, or fern, and it will be found, that those plants, and many others, multiply much more than either fish or insects, particularly if it is observed, that almost all plants multiply in several ways, whereas most animals have but one way of propagating. A tree may produce as many new trees as it has branches, boughs, and even leaves. With what wisdom, therefore, has God proportioned the animal and vegetable kingdoms! If the multiplication of vegetables was less considerable, a great number of animals would die of hunger; our fields, our meadows, and gardens, would be deserts, with only some few plants scattered here and there. On the other hand, if the Creator had ordained, that the granivorous animals should increase more than the plants, the vegetable kingdom would soon be exhausted, and several species of animals would be at an end. But, according to the the relation between the two kingdoms, the inhabitants of both multiply in proportion, so that no species should perish. Thus, O man, abundance and pleasure surround thee on every side; for it is for thee that the Creator has made the vegetables so astonishingly fruitful: It is for thy support, thy pleasure, and thy health, that he has produced such variety of plants, and in such great abundance. Count, if you can, what covers one single field; their number is inconceivable; and this innumerable multitude is an image of the immensity and omnipotence of the Lord; who, throughout all nature, openeth his hand, and filleth all things living "with plenteousness." 66 .>.. MAY XXI. DESCRIPTION OF THE BEAUTIES OF NOTHING is more worthy of admiration than the revolutions which spring occasions upon our globe. In autumn, every valley, field, and forest, present us with the image of death; and, in winter, nature is deprived of every ornament. All the animals are melancholy; the inhabitants of the forest conceal themselves, and are silent: the earth becomes a vast solitude, a desert, a grave; and nature appears to be fallen into a state of lethargy and insensibility. In the mean time she silently labours, whilst we, alas! forget the secret influence of Divine Power, preparing for us the renewal of nature. All that appeared dead is again animated, and every thing waits for the same revival. In the trees alone, what endless changes : changes take place! First, the sap (which in winter had entirely forsaken the trunk and branches) rises slowly up through its invisible channels, and particularly under the bark, through ways which can only be guessed at, but not discovered. This sap serves to swell the buds and how many treasures of the Divine Power are there not contained in those little recesses! the leaves, with their cheerful green; boughs which are to pierce between the' leaves when opened; new buds upon those boughs, full of leaves, though still invisible; then, that multitude of blossoms, with the sweet exhalations which embalm the air; in those blossoms fruit; and in the fruit the seeds of an infinite number of other trees. The cheer ful light of the sun transports and animates the soul; and the activity of nature, in the plants around us, charms the sight. There is not a field, which does not present a beautiful landscape to the eye, and flowers to the smell. Almost every bird sings its hymn with more or less melody. How cheerful the song of the linnet, hopping from branch to branch! She extends her voice, as if she had formed the design of particularly drawing the attention of man, to delight him. The sprightly lark rises in the air, and seems to salute the day and the spring with her shrill note. The cattle, by their various cries, express the joy with which they are animated. In the rivers we see the fish, which, during the winter, had fallen frozen and motionless to the bottom of the water, now rising near the surface. They have recovered their former vivacity; and their pliant, gentle, pleasing motions, amuse our sight. Oh! how can we so often behold all these objects, and not continually feel the most profound and respectful admiration of the greatness of that eter nal |
