extraordinary instinct, and in some degree inexplicable. It is no less wonderful, that those animals, void of reason, know so exactly the way they are to go, and how far it is. Without compass or guide, without provision, and in the most regular order, they undertake and finish a journey of sometimes more than 200 miles. Who then has taught them to follow a certain road in an element so inconstant as the air? Who informs them how far they are gone, and how far they have yet to go? Who is it that guides, feeds, and furnishes them with all necessaries for their jour ney? Do not those animals do what men themselves would be unable to do? To undertake journeys of such a length, what experience, what assistance, what directions and preparations do we require? Can we even, with the assistance of our reason, with a compass and geographical maps, follow so invariably the road over seas and mountains, as the birds do without assistance? In whatever light we consider this, we may plainly discover a power superior to the mere instinct of animals. We must acknowledge, that an Almighty Power has impressed this instinct on the mind of the birds, which they blindly follow. APRIL XXVIII. USE OF FORESTS.. DURING the winter, which has just passed, we have very much felt the great advantage forests are to us. They have furnished us with a provision of wood, without which we could not have guarded ourselves against cold. But, it it would be a mistake to suppose that this is their only, or even their chief use. For, if God had proposed no other end in creating them, why should those immense forests exist, which form an uninterrupted chain through whole provinces and kingdoms, and of which the smallest part is used for firing? It is therefore evident that the Creator, in forming those vast forests, proposed to himself to make them of use to mankind in other ways. May not the pleasure we have in the sight of trees be one of the purposes for which they were formed? They are one of the greatest beauties of nature, and it is always a fault in a country to have no woods or groves. Our impatience, when the leaves in spring are long in coming out, and the pleasure we feel when at last they appear, make us sensible how much they adorn and embellish nature. In reflecting on the use of woods, we ought not to forget the fruit which the numerous species of trees afford us. It is true, there are some trees whose fruit appears to be of no use, at least, not of immediate use to man. But, supposing even there were several sorts of fruit not absolutely of use to us, the trees which bear them would be still useful, if it were only for their beauty, their shade, and their timber: Besides, if we consider well, we shall find, that those trees we call barren, are, notwithstanding, very useful. Does not their fruit feed an infinite number of insects, which serve as food for birds, designed to be exquisite dainties for us? The acorns of all the different sorts of oak, the chesnuts, and many other berries, are the favourite food of pigs and wild boars: And have we not experienced in our days, that fruit, when properly prepared, may even serve as sustenance for man? They serve, besides, to preserve preserve seeds from the forests. How many sorts of animals are there to which nature has allotted the wood for their food and habitations, and which would perish, if there were no forests! How many conveniences, utensils, furniture, and medicines, we should be deprived of, without the wood, the bark, and the roots of trees! Lastly, how insipid and dull would the face of the earth be, if it was not for that charming variety of fields and woods, of plains and forests! It is precisely because forests are of so much use to mankind that nature has taken upon itself the care of continuing them. If their generation and propagation had been left to the industry and watchfulness of man, the woods must have been at an end long ago. But the Creator reserved the forest trees to himself. He alone planted them. He alone keeps them up. It is he who disperses their little seeds over a whole extensive country. It is he who has given wings to most of those seeds, in order to be more easily carried by the wind, and spread over every place. He alone causes those vast bodies to shoot out, and rise so majestically in the air, that their tops seem to reach the very clouds. He alone plants them so firm, and preserves them for ages against every effort of the winds. He alone draws from his treasure sufficient rain and dew, to give them, every year, fresh verdure, to keep up a sort of immortality among them. Merciful Father, thy goodness extends over the whole earth! Is there any country, any place, so remote, so wild, where traces of thy wise and beneficent government may not be seen? Every where, in fields, as well as forests, in barren deserts, as in flowery plains, thou hast errected monuments of thy goodness; for thou art a God of love and mercy. APRIL XXIX. PLEASURES WHICH THE CONTEMPLATION OF NATURE offers to all her children, with maternal goodness, the first, the most innocent, the least expensive, and most universal of all pleasures. It is that which our first parents enjoyed in paradise; and it is only the fallen state of man which makes him seek other pleasures. Men are apt to despise the daily blessings they enjoy, however excellent; and they only think of multiplying and varying their amusements. It is certain, however, that the pleasure I speak of is preferable to all others. It is almost impossible not to find charms in the contemplation of nature. And that it may be enjoyed without expence is manifest ; the poor, as well as the rich, may indulge it. But that is what lessens the value of it. We are so foolish as not to prize what others share with us; while, if we were reasonable, nothing should give more value to a blessing, than the thought that it makes the happiness of our fellow-creatures as well as our own. In comparison of this pleasure, so noble and sensible, how trifling and vain are those far-fetched magnificent amusements, which the rich obtain with so much trouble and expence, which leave a certain void in the soul, always ending in ennui and disgust. Whereas, nature, rich and beneficent, presents us continually with new objects. Pleasures, which are only the work of our own imagination, are of short duration, and vanish like a dream, the charms and illusions of which are lost at the mo ment ment of waking. But the pleasures of reason, and of the heart, those we enjoy in contemplating the works of God, are solid, and lasting, because they open to us an inexhaustable source of new delights. The starry sky, the earth enamelled with flowers, the melodious songs of the birds, the various landscapes, and prospects, every one more delightful than another, may continually furnish us with new subjects of satisfaction and joy. If we are insensible to these, it is certainly our own fault; it is because we behold the works of nature with an inattentive and indifferent eye. The duty of a Christian consists in enjoying innocently all that surrounds him. He knows how to draw resources from every thing; and has the art of being happy under any circumstances, at little expence, and without danger to his vir tue. O beneficent Creator, thou rememberest us in this lovely season, and providest abundance of the most real pleasures. A thousand sources of delight are open to us. Joy and gladness surround us on all sides if we wish to raise ourselves to thee, to give way to holy meditations, to feel heavenly impressions, all nature furnishes the opportunity. May we ever prefer this noble enjoyment to all sensual pleasures! In the days of spring, may the sight of the beauties of nature. affect us more than those seducing pleasures, which only flatter the senses without interesting the mind! Lord, teach us thyself, to know and to feel thy power and goodness. For, it is only in studying to find thee in all thy works, that we can open to ourselves an inexhaustable and pure source of delight. We shall then have a foretaste of that fulness of joy, which we shall experience in thy presence for evermore. |