NATURE AND HER HARMONIES. 
81 
is easier to go round it than to cut tlirougli it. And there, 
behold a mountain pebble in the way ; see how the road is 
made to sweep in a free curve round the base. 
Lay now that small stone across the narrow way ! See ! 
The common herd — the stream of dull-eyed laborers — ^how 
they are confounded by the interruption. They fall back upon 
each other — all is confusion. The precious burdens they 
bore with so much care, are dropped — to and fro they run 
— all is consternation and alarm. 
But look ! That portly, lazy fellow, who seemed to have 
Xiothing to do but to strut back and forth in the sun, now 
wakes up. He rushes to the scene. All give way from 
his path, and close crowdingly in his wake. He is one 
evidently having authority. He climbs upon the stone ; 
runs over it rapidly ; measures it with his antennse ; and 
down he glides among the still, expectant crowd. Here, 
there, yonder, everywhere^ in a moment — he selects among 
the multitude those best fitted for the purpose with which 
his sagacious head is full — touches them with the antennae 
of command, and each one, obedient, hurries to the stone. 
ISTo more confusion — every one is in his place awaiting 
orders, not daring to begin yet. He is back now to the 
stone. The signal is given ! Each of the selected workers 
lay hold of it. See, how they tug and strain ! 
What ? Not strength enough. An additional number are 
chosen. They seize hold. Now they move it ! My lord, the 
overseer does not put a hand to it himself, or a pincer either, 
— but, see how he plays round, keeps the crowd out of the 
way, and directs the whole. 
It is done ! The stone is rolled out from the highway, 
and we will not put another one on it; it is cruel thus 
to use our giant's strength like a giant, and we are satis- 
fied. The little laborers resume their burdens ; away they 
go streaming on to the citadel ; while the great man re- 
lapses suddenly into the old air of sluggish dignity. 
But follow that road ; it leads an hundred yards — clearly 
