DECEMBER. 271 



whose research extends no further, will not rank with those 

 who overlook the beautiful works of God through culpable 

 indifference or ignorance. " We attach, and with reason/' 

 says Reaumur, " a kind of consequence to the knowledge of 

 the faults and perfections of the productions in the fine arts, 

 such as music, poetry, painting, sculpture, and architecture ; 

 but of the works of the Lord of Nature, of the Master of 

 Masters, we scarcely think. There can indeed be no room 

 for criticism where there is nothing but what is admirable, 

 and where the most perfect finite intelligences, the more 

 they study such subjects, the more they discover of their 

 wonders. Yet this knowledge, so well calculated to elevate 

 the mind, and lead it to the contemplation of the source 

 from which all these wonders proceed, is regarded by many 

 as frivolous, or of little importance. But he who looks upon 

 an insect as merely a particle of putrid matter, and who has 

 no idea of the marvellous organs of these minute animals, 

 is in a state of ignorance far more blarneable than the man 

 who should confound the most finished productions in the 

 Erne Arts with the most rude and shapeless masses." The 

 student of nature will never rise from his labours disap- 

 pointed at imperfection and incompleteness in the object of 

 his pursuit ; the most minute, the most unwearied investi- 



