178 THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
and luxuriant, and so are they. All vegetable 
growth is wonderful. It feeds mostly on air, 
sucking in the subtle carbonic acid gas, and by 
a curious alchemy building up forest and field. 
Like everything having life, its vitality comes 
from above through the genial rays of the great 
generous sun; and the outspread leaves of the 
grove and forest, like suppliant hands, set us 
the devout example that we should look up¬ 
ward to that realm from whence cometh every 
good and perfect gift. 
“ But turn again to the growing flower-stalk. 
On each spray-tip a green bulb has formed, as 
though Nature had but two pigments, brown 
and green, from which to draw its tintings. 
Do not be impatient; Nature draws her riches 
from no stinted resources, nor hastens to scatter 
her sweetness; her work is perfect, and will 
reach its climax in due time. Behold again! 
Those swelling buds have expanded into a 
glorious coronal of flowers, as though to re¬ 
buke the imputation that would limit the Holy 
One. Look at a garden thus dressed and 
adorned by the Infinite Hand. What glory, 
what variety, what gorgeous pencilling and 
splashing of dyes I Whence all this ? The 
