Power-Nature of the Proof of Creative Wisdom derived from the Animal Frame, The Lower Orders of Animals, The Higher Orders of Animals, 104 109 113 INSTINCTS CONNECTED WITH THE REPRODUCTION OF ANIMALS. General Remarks, Parental Affection, Insects.-Their Eggs, IV. SUNDAY.-On the Uniformity or Sameness in the Insects.—Care of their Offspring, exemplified in Bees Insects.-The Moth-The Burying-Beetle-The Ant, Insects.-Deposition of Eggs in the Bodies of Ani- Birds.-Prospective Contrivances, v. SUNDAY.On the Domestic Affections in Man, Birds. Relation of their Bodies to external Nature, Birds.-Pairing, Birds.-Pairing, continued, Birds.-Nest-building, Birds.-Nest-building, continued, Birds.—Nest-building, continued.—The Grossbeak The Humming-Bird, VI. SUNDAY.-Regeneration, Birds.-Nests of Swallows, Birds.—Hatching of Eggs, and rearing the Brood, Man.-Effects of protracted Childhood on the Indi- Man.-Effects of protracted Childhood on the Parents and on Society, VII. SUNDAY.-On Christian Love, AGRICULTURE. 131 135 141 146 151 155 The Difference between the Operations of Reason and Instinct, as affording Arguments in Favor of the Di 215 219 223 227 Origin of Agricultural Labor, . Origin of Property in the Soil, and the Division of Effects of Property in the Soil, Benefits derived from the Principles which stimulate The Blessings of Labor, VIII. SUNDAY.-Spiritual Training by Affliction, Formation of Soils, Management of Soils, Management of Soils.-Draining-Irrigation, Products of the Soil.-Dissemination of Plants, 231 234 238 241 244 248 . 252 256 . 260 264 268 272 . 275 279 283 Dissemination of Plants.-The Cocoa-Nut Tree, Vegetable Substances.-The Corn-Plants.-Their The Corn-Plants. Their Distribution over the Globe, 295 - The Corn-Plants.-Rice, Maize, and Millet, . 314 318 322 327 Esculent Roots.-The Potato, Vegetable Substances used for Weaving.-The Flax- XI. SUNDAY.-True Science the Handmaid of Religion, 330 Vegetable Substances used for Cordage.-Hemp, Enjoyment equally Distributed, The Enjoyments of the Poor in Spring, The Woods, RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE ARGUMENT. The Power and Intelligence of the Creator, The Use and Deficiency of Natural Religion, 364 368 371 376 379 383 SACRED PHILOSOPHY OF THE SEASONS. SPRING. FIRST WEEK-MONDAY. GENERAL CHARACTER OF SPRING IN TEMPERATE CLIMATES. SPRING has been celebrated in glowing terms by the poets of all ages; but in the climate of Britain, and of the Northern States of America, if we count the season by the calendar, the weather is by no means so mild and delightful, especially in the early part of this quarter of the year, as it is painted. In Greece and Rome, indeed, which were the birthplaces and nurseries of European poetry, the temperature of the air, the pure blue of the sky, the soft green of the opening leaves, the thousand delicate tints of the flowers scattered so profusely over hill and valley, with the perfume which they exhale, and the music poured from every grove-all unite to fill every sense with enjoyment. There, the descriptions of the enraptured muse are true to nature, and the inhabitants of such latitudes feel that the language of poetry is only a transcript of their own sensations. But it is not so in more northern climates, such as our own. Our bards, indeed, equally kindle and burn when Spring is their theme; but they often glow with a borrowed warmth. Their taste and fancy, having been moulded by the Greek and Latin authors, almost unconsciously transport them to the classic ground from which their models drew their images, causing them to breathe, as it were, the same atmosphere, and to luxuriate in the same delicious climate. It would be more gratifying to the acumen of the critic, than pleasing to the feelings of the man of taste, to examine how much of the language and imagery of modern poetry, relative to Spring, is drawn from classic ages and classic scenery, and then to estimate what remains of direct inspiration poured into the soul, in this changeable and backward climate, from our own earth, and sea, and sky. I have no relish for such an inquiry, though it seems to be almost forced on the mind, in comparing the "ethereal mildness" and balmy sweets, which breathe in Spring, as portrayed by the Northern Muse, with our actual experience of a northern atmosphere, and of the vernal productions of a northern soil. The real spring of our climate can scarcely be said to be fairly set in, till near the commencement of summer.* In the month of February, winter not only lingers but rages. Our rivers, ponds, and lakes, are still either rigidly bound in icy chains, or only partially disengaged from them; and, in some respects, the severity of the climate is frequently even more intense than during the depth of winter itself. Sometimes the tempest howls with redoubled fury, driving broad flakes of snow through the darkened air, and encumbering the wide earth with its drifted heaps; and, while the herds on the low grounds stand forlorn and destitute of food, the flocks on the hills are in danger of finding a sudden grave at the bottom of the precipice, whither they have fled for shelter. At other times, the cold and sleety rain falls in torrents, carrying along with it the snow which it has melted in the mountains, and spreading dismay and ruin over the inundated valleys; and, at other times again, the hoarfrost lies thick and chill, and spreads its snowy mantle over fence and field, while the deep blue sky, and the sun rising in the glowing east, without a cloud, speak deceitfully of to-morrow's softness and beauty. insi 1 * [If so, it is a matter of some wonder that our respected author has n putting Spring much further back than was necessary, by mary the first vernal month.-AM. ED.] |