468 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



where they are wholly dependent upon others for the provision 

 which they require, that provision should be at least as kind and 

 liberal for the human bipeds as for the domestic quadrupeds. 

 It might be extremely difficult to effect this ; but, until this is 

 done, our condition is not half Christian. Avarice, by force, or 

 cunning, or art, openly sometimes, but more often covertly, 

 is constantly triumphing over humanity and justice ; and it may 

 be regarded as the Juggernaut of civilization, crushing with in 

 difference all who come in its way. 



LXXXIV. MORAL CONSIDERATIONS. 



Before we turn from the ploughed field which we have been 

 contemplating, I have but one or two more remarks to make, 

 which will not, I hope, be deemed out of place. The ordinary 

 operations of nature are so familiar, that we cease to look at 

 them with surprise. We choose to wrap ourselves up in our 

 own conceit, and, certain facts regularly occurring under certain 

 conditions and circumstances, we satisfy ourselves with saying 

 that it is according to the laws of nature, and think therefore 

 that we understand it. I do not perceive that we understand it 

 any the better because it is according to the laws of nature ; 

 since these laws themselves, in their ultimate causes and opera 

 tions, are utterly insoluble to the human understanding, and the 

 frequency and uniformity of their results, so far from lessening, 

 actually increase the miracle. I say miracle, for in no other 

 light than as miraculous can we regard the changing scene 

 which is now to pass before our eyes. The field, as we now 

 look at it, presents but a naked surface of inert dust ; but there 

 are powers and influences at work, within and around it, of the 

 most subtle and amazing character. The earth has opened its 

 bosom, and the children of men are to receive nourishment and 

 life from the bounty of their common mother. Man casts the 

 dry seeds upon these naked furrows, and they are at once quick 

 ened into life. The earth, the air, the sun, the rain, all lend 

 their combined aid, in exactly such measure, and at such time, 



