72 MOKAL REFLECTIONS. 



All Gnats, however, are not aquatic in their birth and early 

 stages ; one little orange-coloured species, instead of awaking 

 into life surrounded by a liquid expanse, finds itself within the 

 narrow bounds of a single wheat blossom, the pollen of which 

 (thanks to a careful mother) provides for all its infant necessi- 

 ties. Mighty in their multitude, a swarm of tiny feeders such 

 as these is said sometimes to destroy a crop of wheat. 



Such, or in shapes but slightly varied, is the Gnat's existence ; 

 generally, throughout its stages, always, in its perfect form, 

 one of cheerful buoyancy. We might do worse than take pat- 

 tern by its character. To joy in every season of our lives in 

 sunshine and in shade, to let the drops of affliction glide from 

 off our elastic spirits, as the falling rain-drops glide from off 

 the oily wings and agile bodies of the shower-heedless in- 

 sect, this were indeed no bad philosophy, but is it practised ? 

 rarely enough, we fancy, and (with a sigh) have reason to ad- 

 mit. Is it practicable ? to a great extent we believe it is, either 

 through the lightness of animal spirits ; or (much better) through 

 the resisting power of the moral-machinery within us, when 

 obedient to that grand moving wheel, which the holy oil of 

 divine aid and divine blessing ever keeps in play. 



Looking into real life for an instance of a buoyant nature, 

 the season helps to remind us (would we could quote him as a 

 living example !) of Thomas Hood, that mirthful son of genius, 

 who under failing health and great cause for depressing care, 

 could yet be harmlessly jocund all the year round, while he 



