72 MORAL REFLECTIONS. 



All Gnats, however, are not aquatic in their birth and early 

 stages ; one little orange-coloured species, instead of awaking 

 into life surrounded by a liquid expanse, finds itself within the 

 narrow bounds of a single wheat blossom, the pollen of which 

 (thanks to a careful mother) provides for all its infant 

 necessities. Mighty in their multitude, a swarm of tiny feeders 

 such as these is said sometimes to destroy a crop of wheat. 



Such, or in shapes but slightly varied, is the Gnat's existence; 

 generally, throughout its stages, always, in its perfect form, 

 one of cheerful buoyancy. We might do worse than take 

 pattern by its character. To joy in every season of our lives 

 in sunshine and in shade, to let the drops of affliction glide 

 from off our elastic spirits, as the falling rain-drops glide from 

 off the oily wings and agile bodies of the shower-heedless in- 

 sect, this were indeed no bad philosophy, but is it practised ? 

 rarely enough, we fancy, and (with a sigh) have reason In 

 admit. Is it practicable ? to a great extent we believe it is, 

 either through the lightness of animal spirits ; or (much better) 

 through the resisting power of the moral-machinery within 

 us, when obedient to that grand moving wheel, which the 

 holy oil of divine aid and divine blessing ever keeps in play. 



Looking into real life for an instance of a buoyant nature, 

 the season helps to remind us (would we could quote him as a 

 living example !) of Thomas Hood, that mirthful son of genius, 

 who under failing health and great cause for depressing care, 

 could yet be harmlessly jocund all the year round, while he 



