414 ADMIRATION OF NATURE. 



life, however extraordinary the form may be, seems 

 to denote a continuation of beings beyond any pos- 

 sible comprehension, and probably subservient to 

 the existence of each other : the minute creature 

 that floats an hardly perceptible atom in the water 

 of the ditch, and which subsists many of the ani- 

 mals which inhabit those places, feeds upon smaller 

 than itself, and those again, possibly, upon more 

 minute ones which the vegetable infusions of those 

 places give existence to : here the investigation ter- 

 minates, but the thread unbroken continues, pro- 

 bably through endless gradations, perceptible to 

 Infinity alone. 



Having applauded the operations of Nature 

 with so much cordiality, possibly I may be called 

 her et enthusiastic adorer," but the epithet must 

 be disclaimed. None can respect the works of 

 creation more, but it is not with an ecstasy that 

 glows, fades, and expires, but witli a calm deep- 

 rooted conviction implanted in the boy, and in- 

 creased by years of notice and experience. I 

 have followed her footsteps, though far, very far 

 distant, as an humble admirer of perfection, nor 

 can my veneration cease whilst reason continues 

 undisturbed. 



Nov. 9th. A calm clear night, and the moon 

 near her amplitude. High in the air may be heard, 

 at intervals, the pipings of some small bird on 

 its passage, a signal to the flights that follow: 

 far in the distance sounds the plaintive note of the 



