THE CHEMISTRY OF NATURE. 35 



above the ridges and the tree tops, is most 

 charming. Even the morning star has caught 

 a tinge of it and is fiery red. I turn my back 

 a few moments to light my breakfast fire and 

 when I look again only the gray of a cloudy 

 morn is there. The enthusiasm of youth is 

 gone. The despair of age is in its stead. 



The fire blazes quickly and soon yields a 

 genial warmth which, in the chill morning air, 

 is most pleasing. What necromancy is this 

 which, from a few dry half decayed oaken twigs, 

 brings forth sparkling flames, genial heat, glow- 

 ing coals? Where and what were they a few 

 seconds ago ? chemistry of nature, what com- 

 binations canst thou bring about ; what wonders 

 canst thou produce; what blessings canst thou 

 bestow, when thy elements do meet and mingle, 

 merge and unite under the conditions which 

 thou desirest! Given carbon, hydrogen and 

 oxygen in the wood, more oxygen in the air, a 

 certain degree of temperature and there fares 

 forth that heat imprisoned in the cells of oaken 

 twigs and branches since the sun's rays gave it 

 unto them a score of decades ago. Had I not 

 given the condition of needed temperature the 

 heat now sent forth in a few minutes would, 

 through the agency of decay, in time have been 

 freed; but a dozen years or more would have 

 been necessary for the change. Instead of a rem- 

 nant of ashes there would be left a little pile of 



