Earliest Signs of Spring 
was no mean entomologist, as well as moral 
scientist, and probably as well acquainted with 
the nature of this insect as we are, referred the 
sluggard to the ant for his best model. Why 
improvidence and idleness, as we contemptu- 
ously call it, should be so reprehensible in but- 
terflies, and quite permissible and even praise- 
worthy in birds, is difficult of explanation ; 
unless it be that the latter are shielded under 
scriptural endorsement. 
The butterfly may not be a model of inces- 
sant toil; leave to the bee the dubious praise of 
restless industry. But a nobler mission than 
being a type of drudgery is accorded to our 
brilliant, careless, happy friend; namely, that 
it should symbolize what is the deepest hope of 
allmankind. The most earnest question that 
has come down to us from the twilight of hu- 
man history, and has re-echoed from every cen- 
tury since, is the inquiry, ‘‘ If a man die, shall 
he live again?’’ As Coleridge has said, 
‘* The butterfly the ancient Grecians made 
The soul’s fair emblem, and its only name— 
But of the soul, escaped the slavish trade 
Of mortal life !” 
Let it then be the light but glorious task of 
this frail beauty to preach the truth of immor- 
273 
