The Life of the Bee 
appears the most admirable to us, from 
being the moment wherein we are likeliest 
to perceive its real beauty. The beauty 
we lend it directs our attention to its veri- 
table beauty and grandeur, which, derived 
as they are from the relation wherein every 
object must of necessity stand to general, 
eternal forces and laws, might otherwise 
escape observation. The faculty of ad- 
miring, which an illusion may have created 
within us, will serve for the truth that must 
come, be it sooner or later. It is with 
the words, the feelings and ardour, created 
by ancient and imaginary beauties, that 
humanity welcomes to-day truths which 
perhaps would have never been born, which 
might not have been able to find so pro- 
pitious a home, had these sacrificed illusions 
not first of all dwelt in, and kindled, the 
heart and the reason whereinto these truths 
should descend. Happy the eyes that need 
no illusion to see that the spectacle is great ! 
It is illusion that teaches the others to look, 
to admire, and rejoice. And look as high 
as they will, they never can look too high. 
Truth rises as they draw nearer; they draw 
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