THE WONDEES OF THE SHOEE. 163 



pride of human genius, and the autotheism which 

 would make man the measure of all things, and the 

 centre of the universe ! All the invaluable laws and 

 methods of sanatory reform at best are but clumsy 

 imitations of the unseen wonders which every ani- 

 malcule and leaf have been working since the world's 

 foundation ; with this slight difference between them 

 and us, that they fulfil their appointed task, and we 

 do not. 



Tlie sickly geranium which spreads its blanched 

 leaves against the cellar panes, and peers up, as if 

 imploringly, to the narrow slip of sunlight at the top 

 of the narrow alley, had it a voice, could tell more 

 truly than ever a doctor in the town, why little 

 Bessy sickened of the scarlatina, and little Johnny 

 of the hooping-cough, till the toddling wee things 

 who used to pet and water it were carried off each 

 and aU of them one by one to the churchyard sleep, 

 while the father and mother sat at home, trying to 

 supply by gin that very vital energy which fresh air 

 and pui'e water, and the balmy breath of woods and 

 heaths, were made by God to give ; and how the 

 M 2 



