LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN, 219 



of the world at the creation, it follows, that to alter 

 the system, or rather circumstances, of the world 

 posteriorly to the creation, is, in fact, to destroy the 

 adaptation then made and effected by the Author 

 of our existence to destroy the relation then in- 

 stituted between ourselves and the things and cir- 

 cumstances wherewith we are surrounded. But 

 thus it is: instead of being satisfied with Nature's 

 adaptation of our system to the world, we seek to 

 alter the world, and the order and circumstances of 

 things, in order to adapt them to our system. 

 Thus the sweet breath of heaven is carefully exclu- 

 ded by windows, and shutters, and curtains ; and 

 the cold most assiduously dispelled by fire and 

 flannel. The rain must not wet us ; the wind must 

 not blow upon us; cold must not approach us. 

 Thus we surround ourselves with new circum- 

 stances, in the place of those which were ex- 

 pressly constructed and contrived. 



Nature always husbands her means, and ever 

 produces the greatest possible number of effects 

 from the fewest possible causes. Accordingly, 

 seeing that the system of man was destined to 

 inhabit the world, she seized upon certain parts of 

 the system of that world, and made them subservient 

 to the existence of her new creation. Thus, air is 

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