OF NATURE. 2,57 



the fertile dew and rains. They difturb the 

 movements of the fea, agitate the waters, flop 

 or precipitate the currents, elevate the waves, 

 and raife tremendous tempefts : The troubled 

 ocean rifes toward the heavens, and rolls on 

 with noife and violence againft thofe immove- 

 able barriers, which, with all its efforts, it can 

 neither deftroy nor furmount. 



The earth, elevated above the level of the o- 

 cean, is defended againft its irruptions. Its fur- 

 face, enamelled with flowers, adorned with a 

 verdure which is always renewing, and peo- 

 pled with numberlefs fpecies of animals, is a 

 place of perfect repofe, a delightful habitation, 

 where man, deftined to aid the intentions of Na- 

 ture, prefides over every other being. He a- 

 lone is capable of knowledge, and dignified with 

 the faculty of admiration : God, therefore, has 

 made him the fpectator of the univerfe, and the 

 witnefs of his perpetual miracles. The ray of 

 divinity with which he is animated, makes him 

 participate the myfteries of the Deity. It is by 

 this light that he thinks and reflects, that he 

 perceives and underftands the wonderful opera- 

 tions of his Creator. 



Nature is the external throne of the divine 

 magnificence. Man, who contemplates her, rifes 

 gradually to the internal throne of the Almighty. 

 Formed to adore his Creator, he has dominion 

 over every creature. The vafTal of heaven, the 

 lord of the earth, he peoples, ennobles, and 



Vol. VI. R enriches 



