74 ART OF LIVING IN HARMONY. 



pussy from her many enemies; still almost every one knows instances where 

 a Blenheim, or a King Charles, or even perhaps a terrier, and a tabby 

 have existed in the same house with perfect good nature and hurtlessness, 

 (to coin a word.) I myself know a notable instance of a very savage 

 terrier, "a fell rat-catcher," whom I have seen very much "enforced" by 

 a cat, who would keep seizing a very short tail, which was describing a 

 rapid curve on the surface of the rug, and yet nothing more than a vexed 

 growl was elicited, although I own I quaked for the wolfish nature which 

 might have been roused, but fortunately for all parties was not. 



What I would aim at from all this is, that, borrowing an illustration 

 from the "United Happy Family," it is possible not only for us so to tutor 

 the most savage animal natures to live together in perfect harmony, but to 

 do so ourselves. It is a great part of the contemplation of nature that it 

 should conduce not only to our own enjoyment, but that we should endea- 

 vour by every means in our power to foster, to conduce to, and to promote 

 that delightful order and beauty in animate, which we universally find in 

 inanimate objects. Of course we cannot deny that throughout all nature 

 there is the canker of evil passions, of rage, of ferocity, of antagonism, but 

 I have shewn that it is possible to overcome this, and therefore why should 

 it not be the aim of every one, as much as in him or her lies, to lend 

 his or her aid to overcome it, and more than all to begin at home. We 

 feel the curse in our own hearts, whenever there is the least occasion that 

 calls it forth; let us therefore strike at the root of the evil, and be assured 

 that our endeavours will be laying out capital at a very high rate of interest. 

 It will return to us, perhaps, "after many days," but in the most unexpected 

 and welcome manner. Kindness begets kindness, mercy begets mercy, and 

 never let us forget that as we have the power to exercise universal good- 

 will, so shall we extend it to a degree which at the time we know not 

 of. Whenever we can help, in the most trifling way, let the help be 

 cheerfully, and above all, spontaneously given, for the motive makes the 

 value; check the irritable risings of your temper whenever they are pro- 

 duced by any cause, and remember that he who conquers himself is greater 

 than he who "taketh a city." God help me, poor erring mortal that I 

 am, I feel how I need all this to be pressed upon myself, but I do not 

 therefore fail to impress it upon others, for I thereby press it on myself. 

 I have through His help been enabled, to a small degree, to practice what 

 I preach, and I know of nothing that has so helped me as the calm con- 

 templation of natural objects. 



Go from the struggle of men into the fields on a mild day, and the 

 true harmony there reigning will come upon you with a double zest; you will 

 envy, in a mere wishing sense, the lark as he soars on high, not wish to 

 bring him down with a shot; you will admire the hare as he picks his 



