all nature, in the ocean, and in the rivers of water, equally as upon the solid earth. We find every thing conduces to our happiness and advantage; and if we were deprived of any one of the blessings we now enjoy, part of our comfort and felicity would be taken away. JUNE VI. DIVERSITY OF FLOWERS. When we consider the prodigious number of flowers produced in the spring, summer, and autumn, we cannot but be astonished; and their variety is not less remarkable: to produce so great a number required the agency of a divine power, and to effect such a diversity demanded that power to be exercised with a wisdom equally admirable. If they bore an exact resemblance to each other in their structure, form, dimension, and colours, we should be wearied with their uniform sameness; if the summer produced no other plants and flowers than such as we had already enjoyed in the spring, we should soon be tired of viewing them, and we should neglect their culture. It may therefore be regarded as a proof of the divine goodness, that the productions of the vegetable kingdom are so pleasingly diversified, and that such a variety of new charms is continually added to their perfections. This diversity not only takes in the dif ferent classes and genera of plants, but may be observed in each individual thus, the genus of the carnation differs in appearance from that of the rose, the rose from the tulip, and the tulip from the auricula; and each individual rose, tulip, or carnation, has its peculiar character displayed in its structure, size, or beauty-we can scarcely select two flowers that are precisely similar in every respect, each one having peculiar beauties, though both are individuals of the same plant. If we examine a flower-bed, we shall find some of the flowers of an extraordinary height, towering above the rest; others are of a middling size; and some just raise their heads above the earth. Some have the richest and most brilliant colours; others are more simple and plain: some perfume the air with the most exquisite fragrance; whilst others only please by the beauty of their tints or the delicacy of their form. The variations in flowers are not less remarkable in the different seasons of the year: thus, in spring, when men leave the close confinement of towns to enjoy the charms of the country, the blossoms are seen in full bloom and beauty; as summer advances thousands of flowers offer themselves to the admiring spectator, and one species succeeds another in a regular and defined order. When at length winter arrives, it brings with it other plants which, though they may not be so pleasing to the eye, are not the less useful. Among vegetables there is still more variety. What a diversity, and how many links are observed, between the weeds which grow among stones, and the blade of corn! In plants whose nature it is to creep, what a difference between the ivy, which clings to the mouldering monuments of magnificence, and the succulent vine, whose grapes refresh us as fruit, and invigorate us as a beverage! Thus every thing is planted in wisdom and produced in perfection; every where the useful blends with the agreeable, and the infinite goodness of God is manifested throughout the creation. : JUNE VII. USE OF VENOMOUS ANIMALS AND PLANTS. Every production of the earth, considered separately, is good and wholesome and if any thing is found to be noxious, it is because we do not make a proper use of it. Hence it is, that the food which preserves the life of one animal, occasions the death of another; and the same plant which in certain circumstances is regarded as poisonous, in others is highly useful and salutary. Hemlock, for example, was formerly considered a deadly poison; but it is now employed in many cases as a medicine with considerable success, and without producing any bad consequences. The number and variety of vegetables growing upon the earth is prodigious; we must not, however, imagine they were all created for the use of man; some are designed for beasts, some to exhale grateful odours, and others are useful in many of the diseases to which the animal economy is subjected. The same thing holds good with regard to many living creatures, which, though very dangerous to man, are useful to other animals, as affording food or medicaments. Many birds feed upon insects which are considered as noxious; domestic fowls are fond of spiders; peacocks and storks will feed upon serpents. Some of the most efficacious medicines are composed of the most poisonous herbs. The number of plants and animals of a poisonous or venomous nature is very inconsiderable, compared with those which are evidently useful and beneficial; and both men and animals have a natural repugnance and aversion for every thing which is hurtful or prejudicial to their nature. Mischievous animals have a certain dread of man, which prevents their attacking him unless they are excited to it by provocation or necessity; and the most hurtful species of animals have generally some distinguishing characteristics by which their dangerous properties may be known and guarded against. The rattle-snake, the most dangerous of serpents, makes known his approach by the rattling noise of his tail. The crocodile is so clumsy in his motions, and turns round with so much difficulty, that it is easy to escape from him. Divine goodness, moreover, has so ordered, that the most dangerous and venomous animals furnish the antidote for their own poison: thus, the oil procured from a scorpion is an infallible remedy against its sting; a bee, bruised and rubbed on the part has stung, assuages the pain; and the fat of vipers is an excellent remedy for their bite. Perhaps it will be urged that it would be better if no plant or animal had been created with the power of injuring living creatures. Such a suggestion can arise only from ignorance; for, if the Author of nature has formed creatures with the power of injuring one another, it is for the wisest purposes, and from such an arrangement many advantages result. Several creatures which appear to be noxious, are only so in certain respects; their poison, and the organs which enable them to inflict wounds, are absolutely necessary. One illustration of this will be sufficient for our present purpose; the bee often causes very great pain by his sting, but deprive him of that, and he is useless; and so it is throughout the unlimited field of nature, that which appears to be noxious is indispensably useful. Why then has man the presumption to determine upon what is useful or prejudicial in nature? or who can assert that it is contrary to the wisdom of God that we should suffer pain? Do not the most unpleasant things often procure us the greatest advantages? In general it will be found that natural things are only accidentally hurtful; and if we ever receive any injury from them, we may almost always attribute it to our own imprudence and neglect. JUNE VIII. ODOUR OF FLOWERS. A profusion of beautiful objects every where surrounds us; every thing that we see and hear, all the sensations of smell and taste, contribute to our delights and multiply our gratifications. All nature seems to combine in these happy days to fill our souls with rapture, and raise our hearts to the Deity, from whom flows every joy, and of whose goodness every flower is a consoling proof. At present, let us confine our attention to the pleasure we derive from the agreeable and varied fragrance of flowers. The goodness of God would have been amply displayed in the creation of flowers alone, which so much delight by their beautiful variety; but he has done more, he has given to the fairest of nature's productions the most grateful fragrance. The scents of flowers are not less exquisite and various than their different shades of colouring; and though it is not easy to determine in what this difference of odour consists, it is very perceptible upon passing from one flower to another. It may be also observed, that their smell is neither potent enough to affect the head, nor so weak as to prevent its pleasing influence. The particles which are continually exhaling from flowers are so light and subtile, that they are easily wafted to a great distance: the perfume which arises from a single grain of amber will scent a very large room; and |