the refraction of the rays; and the farther it is from us, the colder it is.. -The rain that falls

from a higher region brings to the lower atmosphere a refreshing coolness, of which we always feel the agreeable effects when it has rained. It is also to the rain we must partly impute the origin of fountains, pumps, lakes, and consequently rivers. Every body knows, in what abundance we are supplied with these several sources of water in the wet and rainy seasons; whereas they evaporate during a long drought. But, to feel how useful and necessary rain is, it is sufficient to observe how the earth and vegetables languish for want of these fruitful showers, without which every thing would decay. Rain is in many respects the food of vegetables. It wets and softens the earth, which is dried up, and in a manner petrified by the heat of the sun. It circulates in the finer veins, and in the vessels of plants and trees, and conveys to them those beneficial juices which preserve their life, and give them growth. When it pours on mountains, it sweeps from them a soft rich earth, which it deposits in the valleys where it falls, and which it

manures.

Yes, Lord! thou hast planned all with wisdom, and the earth is full of thy goodness. Such is, without doubt, the conclusion that we must all draw from these reflections. And if, from these, we are led to adore and bless God, let us pursue the subject, that it may make a deeper impression on our minds.

What finer object can be presented to our sight than a clear and serene sky? Is not that beautiful blue vault extended over us sufficient to fill every heart with admiration and delight? But all the beauties of the sky would disappear,

if, by the direction of the winds, the clouds should come and draw a thick curtain before us. What are the sentiments such a revolution should create in us? These are, at least, what it ought to inspire: However beautiful this scene which we contemplate with such delight, there are some incomparably greater, which no cloud can deprive us of, and which would make us ample amends for the loss of all others. For what are all the beauties of nature, compared to the beauty of that great Being, in whose contemplation alone an immortal spirit can find felicity!—It is not without design, that God sometimes deprives us for a while of those things which give us most pleasure. He wishes to teach us to seek our happiness in him, and to consider him as our sovereign good. Besides, those very privations, are they not often compensated by many outward advantages? Those clouds which conceal from us the beauty of the sky are the sources of beneficent rains which render the earth fruitful. Let us remember this; and every time that adversity makes our days gloomy and melancholy, let us be persuaded, that even these misfortunes will become, in the hands of our heavenly Father, instruments of future happiness. Let us also consider rain as the image of the gifts of fortune: For, beneficial as moderate rains may be, they are equally hurtful, if they last too long, or come unseasonably. So it is in respect to earthly goods. Their too great abundance might be the cause of our destruction. Let us therefore thank our heavenly Father for refusing us gifts, which we might afterwards find to be real punishments. Let us, then, learn to be content with all the dispensations of a wise and gracious Providence in the government of

the

the world. God only can know the manner in which his blessings can best be bestowed. He sendeth forth his commandments to the clouds, and they fly to execute the will of their Creator. Shall man dare to undertake to direct their course, though perhaps the least considerable part in the ordinance of the world? How then can we be rash enough to blame the ways of Providence on much more important occasions?

...

APRIL XVIII.

THE BREATH.

Of all the functions of animal life, breathing is one of the principal and most necessary: without it there would be no possibility of expelling the saliva and excrements, or getting rid of superfluous humours by perspiration. Even

speech, and the several inflections of the voice, require breathing. It is of use to the smell; to mix properly the chyle with the lymph and the blood; to give to the latter its red colour; and perhaps also to keep up and renew the animal spirits, by the air mixed with the blood. It is certain that we could not live an instant, if we were deprived of breath. But from whence

proceeds this source of life? Our lungs are, properly speaking, the organs by which we draw in and let out air. This intestine resembles a large purse, at the top of which is fastened a pipe, through which the air penetrates into a number of little vessels of different sizes, which form the interior texture of the lungs. When the air is pumped into the lungs, the belly swells,

the

the sides rise, and the lower part of the sternum comes forwards. During the expiration, on the contrary, the lower part of the belly sinks in; the side sinks, and the sternum withdraws towards the back. That this mechanism may be conveniently executed, the Creator has disposed the interior parts of the body in the wisest manner. More than sixty muscles are continually in motion to procure breath, by dilating and contracting by turns the lungs. Nothing can be more admirable than the windpipe. It is covered with a valve, which closes it exactly at the moment of deglutition, and prevents, by that means, the food from passing into it, or an interruption of breathing. There are not less wonders observable in the lower parts of this organ, in the branches of the windpipe, in the vesicles of the lungs, in the distribution of the veins and arteries, which every where accompany the bronchial veins, and the vesicles; in order that the blood they contain may receive on all sides the impression of the air.

It is our duty to bless our Creator, that, after having given us the faculty of breathing, he has, by his goodness, hitherto preserved our health. What emotions of gratitude and adoration ought to arise in our souls, when we consider, that, in each minute, we breathe twenty times, and consequently 300 times in a quarter of an hour! A thousand accidents might happen, to interrupt, and totally stop this faculty of breathing. How many hurtful things might enter into the windpipe while we eat and drink; or even in our sleep, which would be instant death? If thy providence, O Lord, did not deign to prolong our breath; if thou didst not prevent the fatal consequences of our imprudence and neglect, we should have been long ago deprived of life. But have

We

we felt all the gratitude due for these continual marks of thy goodness? Breathing is one of those blessings we enjoy every instant, without, perhaps, remembering that it is to thee we are indebted for it. It would, however, be very just and right that we should sometimes think of this blessing, which we continually receive; and if we accustomed ourselves to be more attentive to the particular and daily blessings, we should also contemplate with more delight the whole of the works and wonders of God, and be more sensibly affected by them.

APRIL XIX.

PROOFS WHICH THE WORKS OF THE CREATION FURNISH US OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD.

THE most common and most important phenomena which we see on the earth, or in the air, tend evidently to the service and good of the animal world. All that we see around us, over our heads, or under our feet, serves for our support and enjoyment. What is more necessary for the preservation of life than food? The ground is therefore covered with it. Grass, roots, fruit, for the support of man and beasts, are spread over the surface of the whole earth in such a manner, that there is scarce a place where animals cannot find their proper food. God has not even confined himself to the supplying our wants and sustenance only, he has deigned to furnish us also with what is agreeable and convenient. If nothing more was required than merely