BY THE POOR. 
97 
tation of these to their several functions, the 
beauty and elegance of a large number, and the 
singularity of others, but above all, their pre- 
eminent utility to mankind in every state and 
stage of life, render them objects of the deepest 
interest both to rich and poor, high and low, 
wise and unlearned ; so that arguments in proof 
of the power, wisdom, and goodness of God, 
drawn from the vegetable kingdom, are likely to 
meet with more attention, to be more generally 
comprehended, to make a deeper and more last- 
ing impression upon the mind, to direct the heart 
more fervently and devotedly to the Maker and 
Giver of these interesting beings, than those 
which are drawn from more abstruse sources, 
though really more elevated and sublime.” We 
cannot better illustrate the truth of the above 
observations than by quoting a passage from the 
life of a celebrated traveller. 
“ Whichever way I turned, nothing appeared 
but danger and difficulty. I saw myself in the 
midst of a vast wilderness, in the depth of the 
rainy season, naked and alone, surrounded by 
savage animals, and man still more savage. I was 
five hundred miles from the nearest European 
settlement. All these circumstances crowded at 
once upon my recollection, and I confess that 
F 
