THE YOUNG QUEENS 157 



from this common source. But, although we know very 

 few things, proofs abound that the seeming error was in 

 reality an act of prudence that we at first could not 

 grasp. In the little circle, even, that our eyes embrace we 

 are constantly shown that what we regarded as Nature's 

 blunder close by was due to her deeming it well to adjust 

 the presumed inadvertence out yonder. She has placed the 

 three flowers we mentioned under conditions of such difficulty 

 that they are unable to fertilise themselves ; she considers 

 it beneficial, therefore, for reasons beyond our powers of per- 

 ception, that they should cause themselves to be fertilised 

 by their neighbours ; and, inasmuch as she enhances the 

 intelligence of her victims, she displays on our right the 

 genius she failed to display on our left. The byways of 

 this genius of hers remain incomprehensible to us, but its 

 level is always the same. It will appear to fall into error 

 — assuming that error be possible — thereupon rising again 

 at once in the organ charged to repair this error. Turn 

 where we may, it towers high over our heads. It is the 

 circular ocean, the tideless water, whereon our boldest and 

 most independent thoughts will never be more than mere 

 abject bubbles. We call it Nature to-day — to-morrow per- 

 haps we shall give it another name, softer or more alarming. 

 In the meanwhile it holds simultaneous, impartial sway over 

 life and death ; furnishing the two irreconcilable sisters with 

 the weapons, magnificent or commonplace, that shall either 

 adorn or destroy. 



