and could it communicate light and heat to us, if God, the Creator of all things, had not formed it, and given it the power of shedding over the whole earth its quickening virtue? It is from the Lord we receive all the blessings which are derived from the sun. It is he who created it, who rules its course, and who preserves its light and splendour. Each morn he causeth it to appear again: and in each season makes us feel its happy effects. Without him, there would be neither sun, nor light, nor heat, nor spring. Let us then raise our souls to him, to the Creator of the sun. Its beneficent warmth, its beautiful and clear light, leads to Him, the Being of beings, the Source of every blessing, the Father of light.-The Pagans were too blind to acknowledge God as author of the sun. They stopped at the effects, without knowing the cause. But we know there would be no sun, if he did not exist; that it would neither give light nor heat, if not ordained by God. We know that vegetation, increase, growth, all the blessings which surround us, all our agreeable sensations, all that charms or delights us, proceed from him. The sun is but the instrument of his goodness, the minister of his will, the herald of his greatness.

APRIL XXI.

Relation that all Creatures have with one another.

THE prodigious number of creatures there are upon the earth, is, in itself, well worthy our admiration; but what must still more strike us, is the proportion between all these, and the wise chain which links this infinite multitude of dif ferent beings in such a manner, that they form but one regular and perfect whole. The extent of the animal creation is incomprehensible, and

yet all of them tind food sufficient. No species, however few there are of them, no individuals, however persecuted they may be, are ever extinct. It is true, that many serve as food to others, but the number of beasts of prey is not considerable. Most of them are solitary, and do not much multiply. Those even that are pretty numerous, are content with little food, and cannot obtain it without much art and trouble. Several of them have enemies which prevent them from multiplying too fast; or else the weak and timid animals supply in number what they want in strength, and escape their persecutors by all sorts of stratagem and cunning. It is also observable, that, for the preservation and multiplication of species, there is an exact balance between the sexes; so that there is no animal which cannot find its mate. The mineral kingdom serves for the preservation of the animal, and they both tend to the good and benefit of mankind. The most useful plants, such as corn, grow every where, multiply the easiest, and are the least liable to spoil. The animals which are most necessary to mankind are scattered every where in abundance. The productions of the dif ferent climates are suited to the particular wants of mankind. Thus the hottest countries abound in cooling fruits. In countries liable to great drought, there are plants and trees, which are, in a manner, springs of water, and which provide enough to quench the thirst of men and animals. Where wood is wanting, there is a great quantity of peat and turf found. If there are countries. deprived of rain, and other sources of fertility, they are made amends for it by fruitful inundations, like that of the Nile in Egypt. In mankind also, there is the most exact proportion between the sexes. The proportion between male and female is nearly equal. The number of males to that of females is generally 26 to 25. In civil

society, talents and blessings are so admirably distributed, that, as each individual may be happy, according to his circumstances, so there is nothing that is necessary wanting to society in general. If the inclinations and dispositions of men were not so varied; if their tastes and tempers did not make them embrace different kinds of life; if there was not so much variety in their genius, their way of thinking, in their beauty, riches, and other outward circumstances, human society would soon become a melancholy desert. There is no rank of men who can do without others. Each country has its peculiar advantages: and, if they were common to all, there would be neither connection or commerce among men, In a word, on whatever side we cast our eyes under heaven, we every where find the most admirable harmony and proportion. Notwithstanding the infinite variety of creatures, and the continual interruption of many of the laws of nature, it appears that, in this immense universe, all is perfect, all is planned and contrived for the general good, all is in the most regular and exact order. On whatever side I cast mine eyes, I see nothing but the wisest and most delightful harmony. It shines on all sides. It embellishes every thing. Nothing is unconnected. Every thing combines to the same end. The whole is linked together with wonderful art,

Wise Author of Nature! We should be un worthy to contemplate the magnificence and har mony of thy works, if we did not adore Thee with the most profound admiration. Teach us, above all things, to feel and to adore that ineffable goodness, which has ordained every thing in the manner most beneficial to thy creatures.

APRIL XXII.

The integral Parts of Water.

WHEN we drink water, we think we enjoy a pure and simple element: we are mistaken; for the naturalists assure us, that each drop of water is a little world, where the four elements and the three kingdoms of nature unité. There is scarce any water which is not full of heterogeneous matter, very plainly visible when distilled or filtered. However incredible this may appear, it has been proved beyond all doubt, by the most exact and certain experiments. Besides its elementary parts, the water contains several earthy particles: such, for example, as belong to the mineral kingdom, chalky earth, saltpetre, and different kinds of salts. It cannot be doubted, if we consider how many earthy particles the water must meet every where (both in the air, and on the ground), parts that it dissolves, or draws off and carries along with it. Water also contains inflammable or sulphureous parts, which shew themselves when it corrupts. Without these fiery particles, it would become a solid and compact body; for as soon as all its heat is taken from it, it condenses, becomes heavy, and acquires the hardness of ice. Lastly, that water is also impregnated with air, will be easily acknowledged, if attention is paid to what happens when it begins to boil. Common water contains particles of earth, salts, fiery particles, and air; consequently it may be said, with truth, that all the elements meet in a drop of water. But are there also plants and animals in it? It certainly contains the principles of vegetation, as all the plants draw their nourishing juices from water, and can only grow and thrive from thence. As to the animal kingdom, it is evidently distinguished

in water. Without mentioning fish, and other aquatic animals, with which it is peopled, there is not a single drop of water without its inhabitants, as may be discovered by a microscope. It is also known how fast insects breed in stagnated water; the seeds of which are undoubtedly concealed in the water; although outward circumstances hinder them sometimes from coming forth. All this is well calculated to make us reflect on the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. It is not by chance that water is composed of so many parts. It is true, it would be one of the purest drinks, if it was a body absolutely simple: but, on the other hand, its medicinal qualities would be reduced almost to nothing. If we reflect on the manner in which water nourishes plants, it is easy to presume that it communicates the little nourishment it contains, in the same way to men and animals. Water is not very nourishing in itself, but being very subtle, it dissolves the nutritive parts of food, serves them as a vehicle, and conveys them into the very smallest vessels. It is consequently the most wholesome drink; that which men and animals can least dispense with; and its salutary virtues are experienced on many occasions, even when all other drink would be hurtful to the health. What therefore ought our gratitude to be at every glass of water we drink! With what wis dom God supplies our wants! He has prepared our food, our drink, in the manner best suited to our nature, and best calculated to preserve health and life. He has communicated a beneficent power to the most ordinary and most necessary suste

mance.