ACORNS AND OAKS. 



93 



of its tide, steals back again from the sea in vapour ; 

 and it is tempered with so many delightful sensibili- 

 ties, that it waters the fields, and refreshes the ani- 

 mals, even when on its aerial flight to those moun- 

 tains which collect and give forth the fountain- 

 springs. The beginnings of all things are small ; 

 and if we take weight and measure as our proofs of 

 existence, the origin of every thing is in nothing. 

 Of what magnitude and of what weight is the acorn 

 of even next year in that little bud at the tip of the 

 oak twig 1 



Of what size and weight are the acorns that are 

 to be produced a hundred years hence in that little 

 oak which is not yet a finger's length, and wears 

 the first leaves of its childhood"? 



