144 DIRECT INJURIES CAUSED BY INSECTS. 



evils to those v.ho feel them, as if they were well 

 founded. But having already adverted to this subject, 

 I shall here only quote the observation of a wise man, 

 that " Fear is a betraying of the succours that reason 

 offereth''." The best remedy, therefore, in such cases 

 is going to reason fo»* succour. In a few instances, in- 

 deed, the evil may take root in a constitutional defect, 

 for there seems to be some foundation for the doctrine 

 ©f natural antipathies : but, generally speaking, in 

 consequence of the increased attention to Natural His- 

 tory, the reign of imaginary evils is ceasing amongst 

 us, and what used to shake the stout hearts of our su- 

 perstitious ancestors with anile terrors, is become a 

 subject of interesting inquiry to their better informed 

 descendants, even of the weaker sex. 



And now, my friend, I flatter myself you feel dis- 

 posed to own the truth of my position, however it might 

 startle you at first, and will candidly acknowledge that 

 I have proved the empire of these despised insects over 

 man's person : and tliat, instead of being a race of in- 

 significant creatures, which we may safely overlook, 

 as having no concern with, they may, in the hands of 

 Divine Providence, and even of man, become to us 

 fearful instruments of evil and of punishment. I shall 

 next endeavour to give you some idea of the indirect 

 injuries which they occasion us by attacking our pro- 

 perty, or interfering with our pleasure or comfort — but 

 this must be the subject of another letter. 



I am, Sec. 



' Wisd. xvii. 12. , 



