RELIGION, SUPERSTITION, ETC. 57 



over your welfare. You live secure in rains and thunders, 

 lightnings and earthquakes ; you have no concern in the 

 blossoms of spring, or in the glowings of summer ; in the 

 fruits of autumn, or in the frost of winter. You are not 

 solicitous about hours or days, months or years ; the vari- 

 ableness of the weather, or the change of seasons. 



" In what dreadful majesty, in what wonderful power, 

 in what amazing providence, did God Almighty distin- 

 guish you among all the species of creatures that 

 perished in the universal deluge ! You only were in- 

 sensible of the mischief that had laid waste the whole 

 world. 



" All this, I have already told you, ought to inspire you 

 with gratitude and praise towards the Divine Majesty, 

 that has done so great things for you, granted such parti- 

 cular graces and privileges, and heaped upon you so many 

 distinguished favours. And since for all this you cannot 

 employ your tongues in the praise of your Benefactor, and 

 are not provided with words to express your gratitude ; 

 make at least some sign of reverence ; bow yourselves at 

 His name ; give some show of gratitude according to the 

 best of your capacities ; express your thanks in the most 

 becoming manner that you are able ; and be not unmind- 

 ful of all the benefits He has bestowed upon you." 



We are told that St. Anthony had no sooner left off 

 speaking than the fish, as though they were endued with 



