414 ADMIRATION OF NATURE. 



life, however extraordinary the form may be, seems 

 to denote a continuation of beings beyond any pos- 

 sible comprehension, and probably subservient to 

 the existence of each other : the minute creature 

 that floats an hardly perceptible atom in the water 

 of the ditch, and which subsists many of the ani- 

 mals which inhabit those places, feeds upon smaller 

 than itself, and those again, possibly, upon more 

 minute ones which the vegetable infusions of those 

 places give existence to : here the investigation ter- 

 minates, but the thread unbroken continues, pro- 

 bably through endless gradations, perceptible to 

 Infinity alone. 



Having applauded the operations of Nature 

 with so much cordiality, possibly I may be called 

 her " enthusiastic adorer," but the epithet must 

 be disclaimed. None can respect the works of 

 creation more, but it is not with an ecstasy that 

 glows, fades, and expires, but with a calm deep- 

 rooted conviction implanted in the boy, and in- 

 creased by years of notice and experience. I 

 have followed her footsteps, though far, very far 

 distant, as an humble admirer of perfection, nor 

 can my veneration cease whilst reason continues 

 undisturbed. 



Nov. 9th. A calm clear night, and the moon 

 near her amplitude. High in the air may be heard, 

 at intervals, the pipings of some small bird on 

 its passage, a signal to the flights that follow: 

 far in the distance sounds the plaintive note of the 



