See] AND SYMBOLS. 309 



tive way of detecting danger. One would think that how- 

 ever the danger might be dreaded, it could do no worse than 

 beat the star-fish to pieces, and yet the creature adopts this 

 singular mode of escaping from its enemies. F. 



Seeming Evil Real Good. 



Much in life which appears good is really evil. But it is also 

 true that much which appears real evil is substantial good. 

 Take as an illustration the snow. The shivering and discom- 

 forted population are complaining of its presence as a wretched 

 evil. But let us inquire a little into the matter. What is its 

 mission 1 What the plumage does for the bird, wool for the 

 animal, and clothing for the man, snow does in winter for the 

 soil. The farmer and gardener look with dismay at a hard and 

 continued frost which is not preceded by a fall of snow. The 

 snow is nearly a non-conductor, and, when sufficiently deep, 

 may be considered as absolutely so. The surface may therefore 

 fall to a temperature greatly below 32 degrees; but the bottom, 

 in contact with the vegetation of the soil, does not share in this 

 fall of temperature remaining at 32 degrees, a temperature at 

 that season not incompatible with the vegetable organisation. 

 Thus the roots and young shoots are protected from a destructive 

 cold. So that the snow is no evil, however much it may, under 

 certain circumstances, have the appearance of being an evil. In 

 like manner adversity, with all its train of chilling influences, 

 is often a real blessing. And many a storm which has had a 

 most threatening aspect has proved a blessing because of the 

 pure and healthy influences which have accompanied it. Ob- 

 servation and inquiry will readily afford numberless instances 

 equally striking, in which seeming evil has proved itself to be 

 real good. HA. 



Seeming Generosity. 



There is a thing which passes for generosity which, when 

 analysed, is found to be nothing but selfish policy. Sometimes 

 a flint-hearted magistrate makes a great show of a generous con- 

 sideration for the condition of the prisoner, and pompously dis- 



