96 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
day in a ramble about the pond and peat-bog 
with boxes and jars. They had quite a different 
conception of its aspects and surroundings from 
that cherished but a few days before, when they 
were floundering amid its mud and mire, all un¬ 
conscious of the treasures of minute life hidden 
in its sluggish waters. Inspired by the glimpses 
which they had so much enjoyed of the wonder¬ 
ful secrets already revealed, they cast many scru¬ 
tinizing glances into the jars filled with water in 
which were placed many tangled fronds of horn- 
wort and potamogeton, and tufts of duck-weed ; 
but by such a careless inspection no wonders 
were revealed. 
While thus engaged Rudolph could not re¬ 
sist the impulse to say to his companion, 
“Well, Charley,.! must confess that I begin 
to feel quite an interest in our new enterprise; 
and I am more than half persuaded that Doctor 
Dean is correct in his opinion, that the study of 
Nature is a task or a delight just in proportion 
as we pursue it with a worthy end in view, or 
seek to make it pander to some low aim. There 
is certainly a wide difference between filling a 
pocket with so many ounces of metal, and in¬ 
spiring a brain with useful knowledge; between 
