16 LESSON II. 



water swarming with the little animals upon 

 which they subsist, and some increase the rapi- 

 dity of this supply, by forming currents in the sea. 



Child. What very clever contrivers these 

 animals seem to be. 



Teacher. Yes, and your remark leads me to 

 an important consideration, to which I wish to 

 direct your attention. How do these little ani- 

 mals know that it is well for them to attach 

 themselves to other substances. How have they 

 learnt to form the vacuum, or weave the silken 

 filaments ? 



Child. Is it riot instinct that directs them 1 



Teacher. Yes, but can you tell me what 

 instinct is ? 



Child. It is something that guides animals. 



Teacher. Is man taught in the same way ? 



Child. No, we have reason, and can think 

 about what we do. 



Teacher. Well, let us consider a little the 

 difference between that which directs man, and 

 that which guides other animals. Suppose a 

 child were to see a fire for the first time : not 

 knowing its nature, he might perhaps put his 

 finger into it. Would he do so, do you think, 

 a second time ? 



Child. No, he would recollect the conse- 

 quences of having done so before. 



Teacher He would have learnt then from his 

 own experience : but is all knowledge obtained 

 by our own experience ; do you not know any 

 thing but what you have discovered yourself ? 



