212 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



" Insignificant creatures that we are, with 

 narrow views and limited perceptions ; we are 

 always readyto arraign the decrees of the Su- 

 preme Disposer of all, and to wonder why things 

 are not otherwise. I have read a good remark, 

 made by Philo a learned Jew, which may apply 

 to this presumptuous disposition of mankind. In 

 treating of the plagues of Egypt, he says, * Some 

 inquire why God punished the country by such 

 minute and contemptible animals, as flies and 

 frogs, rather than by lions, leopards, or other 

 savage beasts that prey on man. But let them 

 reflect, that God chose rather to correct, than to 

 destroy the inhabitants if he had desired to 

 annihilate them utterly, he had no need to have 

 made use of any auxiliaries. Let them remember, 

 also, that when God the source of all power- 

 who stands in need of no assistance, chooses to 

 employ instruments, as it were, to inflict chas- 

 tisement ; instead of the strongest, he selects the 

 mean and the despicable but which, in his 

 service, are endowed with irresistible force.' " 



Yith. As my uncle saw how much I was in- 

 terested about the Laplanders, and their rein- 

 deer, he was so good as to read to us, last night, 

 an account of them, from De Capell Brooke's 

 travels, a very entertaining book, which has been 

 lately published. I will transcribe a little of it 

 liere, as I know Marianne will like to see it. 



" My landlord having received intelligence 



