S4 ANTS. 



Having a mind to cultivate some flowers, 

 I took a view of that place, and removed 

 a tulip out of the garden into the box ; 

 but casting my eyes upon the Ants, con- 

 tinually taken up with a thousand cares, 

 very inconsiderable with respect to us, but 

 of the greatest importance for them, they 

 appeared to me more worthy of my curiosity 

 than all the flowers in the world. I quickly 

 removed the tulip again, to be the admirer 

 and restorer of that little commonwealth. 

 This was the only thing they wanted ; for 

 their policy and the order observed among 

 them, are more perfect than those of the 

 wisest republics ; and therefore they have 

 nothing to fear, unless a new legislator 

 should attempt to change the form of their 

 government. 



I made it my business to procure them 

 all sorts of conveniencies. I took out of the 

 box every thing that might be troublesome 

 to them ; and frequently visited my Ants^ 

 and studied their actions. Being used to go 

 to bed very late, I went to see them work 

 in a moon-light night : and I frequently 



