THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY 83 



on that account not impossible. None such being known 

 at present, we conclude that we stand on the topmost pin- 

 nacle of life on this earth ; but this belief, after all, is by 

 no means infallible. I am not assuming that when our 

 actions are unreasonable, or contemptible, we merely fall 

 into the snares that such a creature has laid ; though it 

 is not inconceivable that this should one day be proved 

 true. On the other hand, it cannot be wise to deny in- 

 telligence to the bee because it has not yet succeeded in 

 distinguishing us from the great ape or the bear. It is 

 certain that there are, in us and about us, influences and 

 powers no less dissimilar whose distinction escapes us as 

 readily. 



And finally, to end this apology, wherein I seem some- 

 what to have fallen into the error I laid to Sir John 

 Lubbock's charge, does not the capacity for folly so great 

 in itself argue intelligence ? For thus it is ever in the 

 uncertain domain of the intellect, apparently the most 

 vacillating and precarious condition of matter. The same 

 light that falls on the intellect falls also on passion, whereof 

 none can tell whether it be the smoke of the flame, 

 or the wick. And here the passion of the bees is so noble 

 that the vacillations of their intellect become pardonable. 

 For in the case above it has not been mere animal desire to 

 gorge themselves with honey that has urged on the bees. 

 They could do this at their leisure in the store-rooms at 

 home. Watch them in an analogous circumstance ; follow 

 them ; you will see that, as soon as their sac is filled, they 

 will return to the hive, and add their plunder to the general 

 store ; and visit the marvellous vintage, and leave it, perhaps 



