38 THE MICKOSCOPE AND ITS LESSONS. 



what we may call the secrets of "the invisible world," 

 we are looking, through them, up to Nature's God ; and 

 let us listen to the beautiful words of a modern writer 

 who says, "If you would listen to Nature's wonderful 

 tales, or see her marvellous treasures, you must not trifle 

 with her; you must not talk as if you rummaged her 

 drawers and cabinets as you pleased. You must believe 

 in her; you must reverence her; else, although she is 

 everywhere about the house, you may not meet her from 

 the beginning of one year to the end of another." * 



And then, when the end is coming, and we look back 

 upon a well-spent life, as we stand on the border-line of 

 two worlds, we shall be reminded of the beautiful lines of 

 an old writer 



" Clouds of affection from our younger eyes \ 

 Conceal that emptiness which age descries ; 

 The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed, 

 Lets in new light through chinks which time Lath made." 



* Dr. George Macdonald. 



