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less than we do his presence. For night and sleep are so 

 connected, that when we want repose, we generally pro- 

 cure a kind of artificial night. Our senses are seldom 

 unbent, but by the removal of that which agitates them. 

 And this is the service for which night is appointed, and 

 which it excellently well performs. It does not come in 

 a blunt and abrupt manner, to extinguish the light of 

 the day, and all on a sudden to rob us of the sight of 

 the objects we are intent on : but advances only by slow 

 steps, and brings ori darkness by degrees. It is not till 

 after reminding us of the necessity of taking rest, that 

 it covers the face of nature. 



During the time of man's repose, night hushes every 

 noise. It indeed suffers a few animals, whose grim as- 

 pect might scare him, to go forth, and silently seek their 

 food. It permits however, the animal that stands senti- 

 nel by him, to give him notice of what concerns him. 

 But it keeps the horse, the ox, and all his domestics fast 

 asleep around him. It disperses the birds, and sends 

 each to his respective abode. As it comes on, it gra- 

 dually hushes the winds, to secure the lord of nature's 

 rest. It causes his repose to be reverenced every 

 where : the moment of which is no sooner come, but 

 all creatures retire, and for several hours, an universal 

 silence reigns. 



Nor yet is nature's palace wholly void of light. As 

 some may be constrained to travel by night, several 

 flambeaus are scattered through the firmament. But 

 these, though they prevent total darkness, yield only a 

 gentle light. Nor ought those \*ho then wake to be 

 supplied with such a light, as would interrupt the repose 

 of others. 



But it is not by its darkness only, that night is useful 

 .to us. Its coolness likewise is of use: and this in- 

 creasing the spring of the air, iuakes it capable of 

 working with greater activity, and giving new vigour 

 both to the dry plants and the enfeebled animals, It is 



