LOOKING GLASS. 181 
longs an almoft defpotic power over the inhabitants 
of three elements, — the air, earth, and water ; toge- 
ther with an exclufive right to rule over the whole 
tribe of infers, who feem to have been created for 
no other purpofe than to nourifli their voracious 
rnafters. 
Nor do they fear the poifon of reptiles; while 
fifh at fea, and four-footed beafts on land, become 
alternately the devoted prey for fowls of the air. 
A hawk attacks the fox ; the falcon feizes the 
antelope ; the griffin devours a wild goat. 
Superior to them all, the imperial eagle takes a 
bolder flight, defying the rays of the fun, looking 
with his piefrcing eyeS over extenfive dominions, 
and difcovering at a diftance in a retired fpot, on 
the wnng, or perched upon a tree, the feeble animal 
that is doomed to fatisfy his craving appetite. 
Suddenly the proud tyrant pounces on his prey, 
grafps it in his claws, and carries it in tiiumph 
cither to a folitary rock or a deferted village, where 
he foon enjoys a delicious repafl. 
Is it, then, poffible for us to confider that king 
of birds, wnthout feeling how much his form and 
features correfpond wnth his majeftic authority .? Is 
not his fparkling eye like lightning? Who elfe 
but he dares foar fo high to view the brilliant 
ftar of day ? 
What other fight, like his, from the mole up- 
wards, is formed to furvey at once the firmament, 
N 3 and 
