VI 



THE NATURAL PROVIDENCE 



i 



WHAT unthinking people call design in nature 

 is simply the reflection of our inevitable an- 

 thropomorphism. Whatever they can use, they 

 think was designed for that purpose — the air to 

 breathe, the water to drink, the soil to plant. It is as 

 if they thought the notch in the mountains was 

 made for the road to pass over, or the bays and har- 

 bor for the use of cities and shipping. But in inor- 

 ganic nature the foot is made to fit the shoe and not 

 the reverse. We are cast in the mould of the environ- 

 ment. If the black cap of the nuthatch which comes 

 to the maple-tree in front of my window and feeds 

 on the suet I place there were a human thinking- 

 cap, the bird would see design in the regular re- 

 newal of that bit of suet; he would say, "Some one 

 or something puts that there for me"; but he helps 

 himself and asks no questions. The mystery does 

 not trouble him. WTiy should not I, poor mortal, 

 feel the same about these blessings and conveniences 

 around me of which I hourly partake, and which 

 seem so providential? Why do not I, with my think- 

 ing-cap, infer that some one or something is think- 

 ing about me and my well-being? The mass of man- 



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