UNITY OF SYSTEM. 223 



so, and finally after near an hour spent in this manner, the combatants 

 gave up the contest by apparent mutual consent, the Hawk skimming 

 away to one quarter, whilst the Crow eventually settled on a small fir 

 tree, as though to recruit him from his fatigue. I know indeed that as 

 between Hawks and Crows or Rooks, it is generally considered a drawn 

 battle. 



If at these times you chance to be on the margin of a bog, it is not 

 uncommon to see the Snipes, as I have often done, running about among 

 the clods, and skipping and fluttering about over them. Like the Moorhens 

 they are indifferent walkers, and appear unsteady in their gait, the tail 

 turning about in a sidelong and curious manner. Pretty studies these for 

 a June morning, at least I always found them so, and many a happy hour 

 have I spent in such contemplations; I can wish no one a greater pleasure, 

 always premising that it is their taste, although like all things to which 

 we ourselves are particularly partial, I am at a loss to discover how it 

 chances that it is not. 



Pembroke Square, Kensington, April, 1856. 



OX UNITY OF SYSTEM. 



( Continued from page 200.^ 



"The true goal of science is that towards which it has been moving with 

 unceasing progress since man turned from excursions of fancy, and became 

 an earnest and faithful learner at the footstool of his Maker. Nature 

 to such an one, is not a mere collection of things, of trees, of rocks, 

 and animals, and man, but of living activities harmonious in plan and 

 action." — Dana. 



In accordance with this quotation, it may be remarked that the facts 

 disclosed by science are far more wonderful than the wildest flights of 

 fancy can feign, and more than compensate for the loss of the latter, for 

 the progress of knowledge proves that truth and fancy cannot co-exist 

 or associate, being opposed to each other. 



A few words may be added in explanation of the subject of these 

 notes, in which it is purposed to trace the law of degradation from the 

 beginning to the present time, and to observe its prevalence throughout 

 Nature, and throughout the Bible, and throughout the history of mankind. 

 In the latter part of the Bible, it will be observed that reference is often 

 made and attention is frequently called to the laws of Nature, as they 

 were then known, in illustration and confirmation of the various prophe- 

 cies, for their mutual agreement was in consequence of their all being 

 parts of, or in subjection to, one supreme law. 



The great increase of knowledge and of its consequent necessarv subdi- 



