BE3PORT3. 47 



the comb ot strained from the broken cells, it is pleasant to the 

 taste, and good for food. In medicine it is useful as a detergent 

 and an aperient; yea it enters largely into the practice of phar- 

 macy. Boiled with water and enriched with spices and ferment- 

 ed, we have the delicious metheglin, the wine that .gladdens the 

 heart of man, or even bears, vinegars and soups. From the comb 

 "Wax is made, a useful article in the laundry, and essential per- 

 quisite "to the seamstress, and, as in nothing is light more essen- 

 tial than in religious things, how often does the burning wax of 

 the chandler's art, furnish that very light. Numerous are the 

 uses of honey and wax, and true do the products of the bee com- 

 bine the useful with the agreeable and exhilarating, and afTord 

 j)leasures not always to be despised. 



LESSONS OF THE BEE. 



Truly, our "labor is upon an humble theme, but not mean the 

 ■praise, if the adverse deities assist 'US, and Apollo invocated.hear." 



Various lessons may indeed be derived by us from the little 

 bee, a few only must suffice. See the bee from early dawn and 

 through the live-long day, perched upon the flowers of the field. 

 From one after another does 'he cull the sweet nectar, until late 

 at night he returns home with wide destended sac, to spend -an 

 almost sleepless night in the immediate cares of home. From hia 

 indefatigable toils, well has he earned those beautiful lines, 



"Ilowdoth the little busy bee 



Improve each shining hour, 

 And gather honey all the day, 



From every opening flower." 



Well may the bee here become the instructor of man.. 



Another lesson derived from the bee is, that humble but honest 

 labor is not to be despised ; yea this is the best policy for all. 

 The life of the great mass of the bees is one of unceasing activity. 

 Diligent 'laborers themselves, they are not pleased with loiterers 

 ■about their hives ; neither will they allow drones there to remain 



