MEMOIRS OP 



On ftep alternate borne, with balance nice 

 Hang o'er the gliding fteel, and hifs along the ice. 



FOURTH AND LAST CANTO OF THE 

 ECONOMY OF VEGETATION, 



Confifts of a charge to the Sylphs, as be- 

 nevolent fpirits, to protecl the vegetable 

 fubftances, after they had emerged to light 

 and air ; to defend them from all the malig- 

 nant operations of nature, and to cherifh 

 and affift the influence they may receive 

 from all her vital and benign powers. 



The deadly and falubrious winds ; the 

 volcanic and peftilential airs ; the Tornado, 

 dreadful to mariners, &c. ; every thing here 

 has animal life and confcioufnefs. It was 

 the author's plan, and he could not, at leaft 

 in his own idea, depart from it with pro- 

 priety. Hence, the Sylphs alfo are re- 

 minded of having prefided at the nuptials 

 of the pureft of the Airs with Light. The 

 paffage which ulhers in this whimfical 



marriage, 



