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BEAUTIFUL HARMONY.— f ^M^ 



INSTINCTIVE ACTION OF A BLIND HORsLfeSP 



BY GEORGE R. TWINN, ESQ. \^£ H) 



The pure eye of the Christian Naturalist, or man of science, never 

 beams with the light of pride; its lustre is caused by the lofty gratification 

 that swells in the heart, and prompts the holiest feelings of gratitude; 

 reverential humility is always characteristic of true knowledge, as is this 

 deep internal joy; resulting from the conscious belief that the mind of the 

 Eternal Creator must know all that He has created; whereas man's mind, 

 being finite, can comprehend only a part of the vast resources so lavishly 

 provided; but with that light of comprehension comes that holy joy. To 

 some mental organizations there is an apparent discrepancy in life, because 

 only a minute part is recognisable; and from this partial knowledge they 

 commit the error of imagining that there is a want of harmony in creation. 

 But what is the ennobling object which science puts before her devotees? 

 — Truth; and to secure this, they strive in faith and earnestness for a 

 glad result to their endeavours; and finding each one in the particular 

 branch of his selection a most beautiful harmony distinguishing it, he argues, 

 by induction and analogy, as needs be, (and rests in perfect faith,) that 

 all, if parts are, is characterized by this law of harmony; — the aggregate 

 studies of others, in various departments, all confirming this view. I was 

 led into these reflections by considering how important a possession instinct 

 is; it is this wondrous gift that leads the young of Mammals to the teats 

 for nourishment; that guides the Swallow in its long migratory journey; 

 that invariably brings each caterpillar to its favourite distinctive food; 

 that thrills through a swarm of ants when a victim is to be secured; that 

 draws together the birds of passage; that impels the salmon in the spawning 

 season; and that is so marvellously exhibited in an endless variety of Ways 

 throughout the animal kingdom — in certain instances bearing so approxi- 

 mately upon reason, as to overcome us entirely. 



In July, 1856, I travelled on a lovely night along an open country road, 

 in company with a gentleman whose horse was totally blind; our distance 

 to reach home was about five miles, and on either side were many branch- 

 roads and lanes. Surely and safely went our steed, and to convince me 

 of what I had previously been told, the reins were arranged carefully, and 

 all guiding discontinued. Instinctively sure of the correct turn on our 

 right, the animal diverged with all care and took us from the high-road 

 into the lane. No skilled driver with a sound horse could have turned 

 more exactly than the blind creature did without any guidance, and in 

 safety we reached home. This horse was accustomed to open gates, and 

 I saw him do so on several occasions, pushing them forward sharply, when 



VOL. VII. z 



