332 A FISHY DISCOURSE. 



pense of all other objects in nature, not excepting 

 man himself. There is, however, such a singular force 

 and truthfulness in some of the expressions and 

 sentiments which occur in the Jesuitical discourse 

 alluded to (given by Addison in his ' Remarks on 

 Italy'), that I cannot resist the temptation of quot- 

 ing a few of its most prominent passages. 



We are told that St. Anthony, feeling annoyed 

 at certain heretics not listening devoutly to his 

 preaching, he determined to teach them a lesson ; 

 and for this purpose went down to the sea shore, and 

 called the fishes together in the name of God, that 

 they might hear his holy word. The fish soon swam 

 towards the speaker in vast shoals, and, having 

 ranged themselves, according to their several species, 

 into a very beautiful congregation, were addressed 

 just as if they had been rational creatures. 



The sermon commences in the following words: 



' My dearly-beloved Fish, Although the infinite 

 power and goodness of God discovers itself in all 

 the works of his creation, as in the heavens, in the sun, 

 in the moon, and in the stars in the lower world, in 

 man, and in other perfect creatures, nevertheless, the 

 goodness of the divine Majesty shines Out in you more 

 eminently, and appears after a more particular man- 

 ner, than in any other created beings. 



* It is from God, my beloved fish, that you have 

 received being, life, motion, and sense. It is he 

 that has given you, in compliance with your natural 



