LOOSE LEAVES ETC. 157 



We sec, then, how these play, as it were, into each other's hand, and 

 what a beautiful circuit is performed by them, and how admirably they 

 minister to each other and keep up these important kingdoms in the uni- 

 verse of God. The mind is irresistibly led, whilst it sees the striking 

 adaptation of things to each other, to admire the knowledge, wisdom, 

 power and goodness of Him whose hand is strikingly displayed in all 

 these arrangements. 



We must regard the study of the relations of created things to each 

 other, the dependence of one part of creation upon another, the recip- 

 rocal reception and return of needed agents and influences, as wonder- 

 fully conducive to the expansion of the intellect and the development of 

 the moral powers. It is when we turn truth brought from the works of 

 God into these channels, that they furnish to us the richest fruits; they 

 add to our knowledge, and they add to our moral excellence. 



LOOSE LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL. NO. VII. 



BY J. G. M. 

 THE MONSTER CASKS OF HEIDELBERG. 



Hail, ancient Heidelberg! enjoying a world-wide celebrity for the 

 charming scenery which surrounds thee ! the seat of the oldest Univer- 

 sity in Germany, from which streams of learning have flowed over all 

 the earth! Hail, Heidelberg ! the ruins of thy castle attract tliousands 

 of travellers, for here, in the olden times, mighty princes dwelt; here 

 dukes and electors flourished and fought, drank and died ! Their pal- 

 ace is deserted, their banquet halls are desolate, the towers are prostrate ; 

 ruin has driven her ploughshare over that once magnificent mansion, 

 and pilgrims, from all lands, now come to gaze with melancholy admira- 

 tion on its remains. The man is to be pitied, who has not sat on that 

 fallen column, or mounted that dilapidated stair-way and looked around 

 on the dreary scene. The voice of the troubadour is hushed, the song 

 of the minnesinger has ceased ; the clangor of arms is no longer heard ; 

 the wine no longer sparkles in the cup; the shout of revelry re-echoes 

 not through the long drawn aisles ! 



But Heidelberg ! famous as thy natural position, at the head of that 

 enchanting valley, has made thee ; world-known as thou art for thy uni- 

 versity and thy ruined castle, yet if these had never been, the nations 

 would know and admire thee, for that other monument, which after all, 

 is thy richest jewel ! How many wanderers go to see that greatest 

 wonder of cooper architecture, tlie monster cask of Heidelberg ! It is 



