340 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATIONS [Sus 



forces are all intrinsically good ; and that good is fortified by 

 reason of the fact that, being suppletory, they all strengthen 

 each other. BE. 



The Susceptible Character . v 



The wych-elm manifests the approach of winter earlier than 

 any other tree. It becomes ruined and denuded by a touch of 

 the frosty air, and contributes no splendour, no beauty to our 

 autumnal scenery, as its leaves curl up, become brown, and 

 flutter from their sprays, as early, when growing in exposed 

 situations, as the middle of September. This character of itself 

 marks a difference from the common elm, which preserves its 

 verdure, except from accidental causes, long after this period, 

 and with a fine mellow yellow hue, contributing a full share with 

 other trees to the character and splendour of autumn. The 

 wych-elm is an emblem of the susceptible, tender human cha- 

 racter. The soul of such a man is highly sensitive to all external 

 impressions. The first frosty touch of a great sorrow shakes his 

 life to its centre. Men of a more robust type are chastened by 

 sad events ; and, mellowed by chequered experiences, live on to 

 the tranquil maturity of their existence. But he, unfortunately, 

 cannot face the rough blasts of adversity, and perishes at once 

 under their cruel, chilling influence. Even the cold breath of 

 slander sometimes bears for him a sentence of death. j. 



Suspense Inimical to Work. 



We can bear the worst better than we can bear the appre- 

 hension of the worst. A state of suspense is inimical to the 

 performance of work. Bees seem like us in this respect. When 

 they are foraging in the country, the appearance of a single 

 cloud before the sun causes them to return home precipitately. 

 They apprehend rain, which they much dislike. However, if 

 the sky is uniformly dark and cloudy, and if there are not any 

 sudden alternations of darkness and light, they are not easily 

 alarmed, and when gentle rain actually does come, it hardly drives 

 them away from their hunting-ground. The reality turns out to 



be less hostile to their work than the suspense preceding it. 



i. 



