Hyp] AND SYMBOLS. 155 



The Fecund Force of Humility. 



The little and the lowly may be found in combination with 

 wondrous energy. The coralline (Corrallina officinalis), which 

 may be found most abundantly on any of our coasts, growing in 

 greatest perfection near low water-mark, is a small plant seldom 

 exceeding five or six inches in height, and not even reaching 

 that size. However, it compensates for its low stature by its 

 luxuriant growth, being usually found in dense masses wherever 

 it can find a convenient shelter. If the vital force of this plant 

 had shot upwards, pushing out numerous and majestic branches 

 in the air, and covering itself with abundant leafage and blossom, 

 it would have attracted more attention and admiration, but it 

 would not have gained force, or perhaps usefulness, thereby. 

 Thus with human minds. Those whose powers shoot upward 

 by some splendid feat of genius in literature or battle, arrest 

 public attention and win public plaudits. Whereas possibly 

 they neither gain more strength nor achieve more usefulness 

 than those less showy men who work modestly for the common 

 good in the obscurer regions of human life, and who, like the 

 coralline plant, are always accessible to those who seek them at 

 the low water-mark of life's affairs. C. 



The Hypocrite. 



"Would the hypocrite like to behold a creature something 

 resembling himself 1 Let him look at the mantis. The insects 

 of the tribe Mantina are principally inhabitants of hot climates, 

 although a few species are common in the south of Europe. 

 The Mantides move slowly along, and their whole attitude is 

 so solemn that they are regarded with veneration by the 

 inhabitants of all the countries in which they occur. In the 

 south of Europe they are universally known by names indicative 

 of the belief that their singular attitude is one of prayer. All 

 this, however, is purely imaginary. The Mantis is one of the 

 most voracious of its class, and only assumes this solemn and 

 devout appearance for the beguilement of its unsuspecting 

 victim. Slowly and cautiously it steals along by almost 

 imperceptible degrees until within striking distance of its 



