'•Consider the Idies of the field, how they grow.” 
“Whichever way I turned, nothing appeared luit danger and difficulty. I saw myself in the inid.st of 
a vast wilderness, in the depth of the rainy season, naked and alone ; surrounded by savage animals and 
men still more savage. I was 500 miles from the neare.st European settlcmoiit. All these circumstances 
crowded at once upon my recollection, and I confess that my .spirits began to fail me. I considered my 
fate as certain, and that I had no alternative but to lie down and perish. The influence of religion, 
however, aided and supported me. I reflected that no human prudence or foresight could possibly have 
averted my present .sufferings. I was indeed a stranger in a strange land, yet I was still under the 
protecting eye of that Providence who has condescended to call Himself the .stranger’s friend. At this 
moment — painful as my reflections were — the extraordinary beauty of a small moss in fructification 
irresistibly caught my eye. I mention this to .show from what trifling circumstances the mind will 
sometimes derive consolation, for, though the whole plant was no longer than the top of one of my 
fingers, I could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its roots, leaves, and capsules, without 
admiration. Can that Being (thought I) who planted, watered, and brought to perfection, a thing which 
appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and sufferings of creatures formed 
after his own imago 1 Surely not. Reflections like these would not allow me to despair. I started up, 
and disregarding both hunger and fatigue, travelled forwards, assured that relief was at hand, and I was 
not disappointed .” — Travds in Africa hi/ Mungo Park. 
* We are indebted to Sir William J. Hooker for identifying the above Moss, a.s tbe one referred toby Mungo Park. 
