THE WONDERS OF THE SHORE. 131 



covering its possibility. Created it? Alas for 

 the pride of human genius, and the autotheism 

 which would make man the measure of all things, ^ 

 and the centre of the universe ! All the inval- 

 uable laws and methods of sanatory reform at 

 best are but clumsy imitations of the unseen 

 wonders which every animalcule and leaf have \ 

 been working since the world's foundation, with 

 this slight difference between them and us, that 

 they fulfil their appointed task, and we do not. 



The sickly geranium which spreads its blanched 

 leaves against the cellar panes, and peers up, as 

 if imploringly, to the narrow slip of sunlight at 

 the top of the narrow alley, had it a voice, could 

 tell more truly than ever a doctor in the town, 

 why little Uessy sickened of the scarlatina, and 

 little Johnny of the hooping-cough, till the tod- 

 dling wee thing.-i who used to pet and water it 

 were carried ofT each and all of them one by one 

 to the churchyard sleep, while the father and 

 mother sat at home, trj'ing to sujjply by gm 

 tliat very vital energy which fresh air and pure 

 water, and the balmy br<'ath of woods and 

 heaths, were made by God to give ; and how the 

 little geranium did its best, likg a heaven-sent 

 angel, to right the wrong which man's ignorance 



