PREFACE. 



tally grope about, when we may see our way? When addressed 

 in a foreign tongue, we hear a number of articulated sounds, 

 to which we can attach no meaning ; they convey nothing to 

 the mind, make no impression upon the indwelling soul. 

 When those sounds are interpreted to us, in a language that 

 \ve can understand, tbey impart impressions of joy, hope, 

 surprise, or sorrow, because the words convey to us a meaning. 

 In like manner, if we fail to understand Nature, its beauties, 

 its teachings are lost. Everything speaks to us, but we do not 

 understand the voices. They come murmuring from the brook, 

 trilling from the bird, or pealing from the thunder; but though 

 they reach the ear of the body, they do not impress the 

 listening spirit. 



Every flower, every ray of light, every drop of dew, each flake 

 of snow, the curling smoke, the lowering cloud, the bright sun, 

 the pale moon, the twinkling stars, speak to us in eloquent lan- 

 guage of the great Hand that made them. But millions lose tho 

 grand lesson which Nature teaches, because they can attach no 

 meaning to what they see or hear. 



" THE REASON WHY" is offered as an interpreter of many of 

 Nature's utterances. Great care has been taken that these in- 

 terpretations may be consistent with the latest knowledge, obtained 

 from the highest sources. If the author finds that his work i. c 

 accepted for the good of those who seek not only to know, but to 

 understand, he will make it his constant care to read the Book of 

 Nature, and to add to the pages of this volume whatever 

 interpretations the progress of enquiry and discovery may demand 

 and supply. 



