BOUNTY THAT ENRICHES. 49 



way and to an extent, to and in which the objects 

 of it could not benefit themselves. Thus, the 

 observation of nature is not only a never-failing 

 resource to us amid all contingencies and ills of 

 life, but it gives us means of elevating ourselves, 

 which we can obtain no other way. If we are 

 rich and bountiful and if we are the one, it is 

 our duty and should be our pleasure to be the 

 other we are restrained and limited within a cer- 

 tain measure in our benefactions ; and if we ex- 

 ceed that measure, we not only destroy our means 

 of continuing to be bountiful, but directly and 

 immediately bring upon ourselves those miseries 

 from which we sought to relieve others. If we 

 have gold, it can be weighed, whatever its amount 

 may be ; if we have notes and bonds they can be 

 counted ; if we have acres or even provinces of 

 land, they can be measured ; and, take but one 

 grain from the gold, one farthing from the notes, 

 or one inch from the acres or the provinces, and 

 the remainder is less by the quantity so taken. 

 But when we are rich in observation, and when, 

 in consequence of that, the gift which we can give 

 is useful practical knowledge, (and it never is so 

 unless the foundation of it is in the study of na- 

 ture,) we really become richer by the very process 

 of giving away. The exercise of our powers is 

 not only the enjoyment of -life, it is life itself a 

 real and growing treasure to us ; and, whatever 

 may be the fate of external property the change 

 of persons or of things about us, our true treasure 

 that which is life and life's gladness to us is be- 

 yond the reach of accident, and proof against every 

 contingency. 



But if we do not observe nature, we incur dis- 

 p 



