384 VIEWS OF NATURE. 



itself with its like. No earthly element (and who will dare 

 to class light as such?) can therefore be found in a pure 

 and virgin state. Everything as soon as formed hastens to 

 enter into new combinations, and nought, save the disjoining 

 art of man, can present in a separate state ingredients which 

 ye would vainly seek in the interior of the earth, or in the 

 moving oceans of air and water. In dead inorganic matter 

 absolute repose prevails as long as the bonds of affinity 

 remain unsevered, and as long as no third substance intrudes 

 to blend itself with the others; but even after this disturbance 

 unfruitful repose soon again succeeds. 



" Different, however, is the blending of the same substances 

 in animal and vegetable bodies. Here vital force imperatively 

 asserts its rights, and, heedless of the affinity and antagonism 

 of the atoms asserted by Democritus, unites substances which 

 in inanimate nature ever flee from each other, and separates 

 that which is incessantly striving to unite. 



" Draw nearer to me, my disciples, and recognise in the 

 ' Rhodian Genius,' in the expression of his youthful vigour, 

 in the butterfly on his shoulder, in the commanding glance 

 of his eye, the symbol of vital force as it animates every germ 

 of organic creation. The earthly elements at his feet are 

 striving to gratify their own desires and to mingle with one 

 another. Imperiously the Genius threatens them with up- 

 raised and high-flaming torch, and compels them, regardless 

 of their ancient rights, to obey his laws. 



"Look now on the new work of art which the Tyrant has 

 sent me to explain ; and turn your eyes from the picture of 

 life to the picture of death. The butterfly has soared up- 

 wards, the extinguished torch is reversed, and the head of the 

 youth is drooping. The spirit has fled to other spheres, 

 and the vital force is extinct. Now the youths and maidens 

 join their hands in joyous accord. Earthly matter again 

 resumes its rights. Released from all bonds they impe- 

 tuously follow their sexual instincts, and the day of his death 



