192 



which gave such bright promises when launched upon life's journey 

 under favouring breezes. 



% What responsibilities devolve upon us ! Do we know them, 

 realize them, feel them — and feeling, act ; " Act in the living pre- 

 sent "1 



If mankind would awake to an examination of self; if we could 

 throw off that sauntering humor, which as a habit lets a great part of 

 each day, of each life, run carelessly away without either business or re- 

 creation, we might acquire much skill in many things and ways, quite 

 apart from our proper business or vocation. 



Without much knowledge of Natural Science, and without any of 

 its technicalities, much can be done by any one, by encouraging observa- 

 tions and affording or presenting opportunities for the observance of 

 many facts and phenomena, that can be easily and simply explained. 

 The wonders of Nature are ever with us — in all seasons — in all lands, 

 and not only delight and gratify the senses, but lead us up " through 

 nature to Nature's God in worshipful humility, to feel the boundless 

 power and wisdom of our Creator." The rich coats of animals, their 

 graceful forms and movements ; the beautiful variegated plumage of 

 birds, and their sweet songs, all delight the senses ; but the elevation of 

 the intellect must follow when their wonderful construction, their uses and 

 the part each plays in Nature's great drama, are observed and compre- 

 hended. It can never be too strongly impressed upon minds anxious 

 for the acquisition of knowledge that the commonest surrounding objects 

 are worthy of minute and careful attention. That man has been study- 

 ing them from earliest times, and recording his interpretations of the 

 Creator's plans, only serve to show how little has been done by com- 

 parison with what has yet to be accomplished. 



Sleep, the pulsations of our heart, and such puzzling mysteries of 

 our existence are not yet satisfactorily solved, and these problems of 

 paramount importance to nobly endowed man, the crowning work of 

 God on earth (standing at the top of the animal creation), have en- 

 grossed man's attention for centuries, and will continue to do so. Then 

 think of thousands of creatures of which little is known, but that they 

 exist, and see what a field of work is before those who may devote 

 themselves exclusively to the facinating employment of determining their 



