2i BEAMBLES AND BAY LEAVES. 
sooth, the daisy is always looking upward, as becomes an 
angel of the herbage. 
Dr. Cromwell, in his “ Philosophy of a Future Life/* 
urges that there are grounds for concluding that plants 
are possessed of a principle closely akin to intelligence. 
I know not how far knowledge may lead us in this 
direction; but I am sure if vegetation ever comes to be 
regarded as the depository of sentient powers, it will be 
pronounced first of all that grass can think. It is an 
emblem, too, of all that is good in life and hopeful in 
death. We cannot conceive of human happiness, except 
in connection with verdurous scenes ; we cannot conjure 
up a vision of our heavenly home, without lavishly 
clothing it with greenness. The truth is, that the story 
of the grass is the story of the world. Ere the creatures 
of the flood and field existed, the earth brought forth 
grass and herbs, so that when the earth should “ bring 
forth the living creature after his kind, cattle and creep¬ 
ing thing/* they should find sustenance and enjoyment; 
and man, waking up from chaos at the will of the 
Omnipotent, should find himself in a home of greenness, 
with a soft carpet for his feet, a refreshing verdure to 
gladden his eye, and a living beauty to imbue his heart 
with holiness and peace. Well! upon the green turf he 
worshipped his God at sunrise, and upon the grassy 
ground he slept at nightfall; and when that greatest 
of his benedictions came—a companion to make com¬ 
plete the sweetness of his hours—it was on the green 
grass they walked together, singing hymns of joy, 
and mingling their affections with the happiness of the 
creatures. 
