STUDY OF NATURE. 13 



eye of sound philosophy, find that the whole is alike 

 magic and wonder ; and that instead of having to theo- 

 rise here, and to marvel there, the pleasure and the 

 interest of man equally combine in finding out the 

 uses of the parts, and admiring the harmony and 

 beauty of the whole. If we are to make a wonder 

 of any part of nature, we ought to make it wonder 

 all over, because as compared with what man can 

 do, it is all equally wonderful, or if there be any 

 thing about it more wonderful than another, it is the 

 fact of its existence, rather than the mode, not so 

 much how it appears, as why : the creative energy, that 

 which caused it to be there at all, that is the proper 

 subject of wonder, because it is the one which finite 

 comprehension never can reach. The forms under 

 which the Creator has seen meet that matter should 

 exist, are given to man for instruction and for use: 

 their coming into existence, and the imparting of their 

 qualities to them, are for adoration and for love. When. 

 we speak of the works of men, it is all very well to 

 praise one thing as well fitted for the intended purpose, 

 and to blame another as not ; but when men attempt 

 to apply this criticism to the works of God, it is some- 

 thing more than presumption. All the instruments 

 and means by which He effects a purpose, must be 

 equally well adapted, for they must all be the very 

 best ; and though we be apt to admire the most that 

 which costs us the greatest labour, and though that 

 be of great value to us in stimulating us on to the 

 acquisition of knowledge, yet we ought to bear in mind, 

 that it is our weakness and not our wisdom ; and that 



