LIFE AND HER CHILDREN. 5 
but since there is not room for them, all but a very 
few must die. 
What can be the use of this terrible overcrowding 
in our little world ? Why does this irresistible living 
breath go on so madly, urging one little being after 
another into existence ? Would it not be better if 
only enough were born to have plenty of room and 
to live comfortably? 
Wait a while before you decide, and think what 
every creature needs to keep it alive. Plants, it is 
true, can live on water and air, but animals cannot ; 
and if there were not myriads of plants to spare in 
the world, there would not be enough for food. 
Then consider again how many animals live upon 
each other ; if worms, snails, and insects, were not 
over-abundant, how would the birds live ? upon what 
would lions, and tigers, and wolves feed if other 
animals were not plentiful ; while, on the other hand, 
if a great number of larger animals did not die and 
decay, what would the flesh -feeding snails, and 
maggots, and other insects find to eat ? And so we 
see that for this reason alone there is some excuse 
for the over-abundance of creatures which life thrusts 
into the world. 
But there is something deeper than this to con- 
sider. If in a large school every boy had a prize 
at the end of the half-year, whether he had worked 
or not, do you think all the boys would work as 
hard as they do or learn as well ? If every man 
had all he required, and could live comfortably, and 
bring up his children to enjoy life without working 
for it, do you think people would take such trouble 
to learn trades and professions, and to improve them- 
