against whose attacks, they have to be constantly on their guard, and on the look out. But this is part of the system, whereby the food of all, though plentifully provided, has not been rendered too easy of access, so as to give no trouble in the search, or pursuit of the same. All creatures are as fond of hunting after their food, as man can well be after his.

Upon the whole, this system respecting food, has always appeared to me exceedingly judicious, for obvious reasons. A system, which is partially carried out with reference to the food of mankind not being attainable, without some labour, care, and industry, and which might be carried further with good effect, in other matters beside food; and for this reason, because people seldom appreciate those things, they can have without trouble, for little or nothing, so much as they would, if the same things were not quite so cheap, or easy to be had. For instance, when fish of any kind becomes over plentiful, and cheap, or any kind of fruit, how soon the demand ceases, and they

become a drug upon the market, but if scarce, eagerly sought, and inquired after. So in other articles of consumption.

Were the China weed to become as cheap and as plentiful as dried fallen leaves in autumn, or were that poisonous weed tobacco, to become as cheap and plentiful as common dock-leaves, of which abundance of so-called Havannah cigars are partially manufactured and sold, how soon would those articles cease to be fashionable. The same may be observed of every thing, however good, that is over-done, even instruction. How soon does a class, or an audience become listless, after having had their ears over-much charged, by an interminably long lesson, or dry lecture! How soon does a child, or even a lap-dog become squeamish, from being pampered, and overfed!

The same applies even to fashionable delights. For instance, when fine music and singing condescend to itinerate incessantly, like begging, from village to village, and from house to house, so as to become

tiresome, and too much of it; instead of being sought, and handsomely paid for, it passes almost unheeded, and scantily remunerated; for however pleasing to the ear, we cannot live upon sweet music, as the fabled, famishing hawk, said to the nightingale.

With reference to the food of animals, and other creatures, this system of hiding and seeking, in order to stimulate their activity, and industry, appears upon further consideration to be applicable to the perfect, or adult state, and not to the period of helpless infancy; a period which has been wonderfully and remarkably præ-provided for, in a surprising variety of ways, all indicative of Divine foresight, of infinite wisdom, power and goodness, as exercised, not only for the creatures, but also for the children of humankind during their period of helpless infancy.

SECTION VII.-PRE-PROVISION FOR THE

INFANTILE.

What is mother's milk, but a remarkable instance of Divine goodness, and foresight, in præ-providing? What are the maternal teats, but another instance of Divine præpreparation for the milk when it comes, made ready long before? And what is the method of suction, but another instance of Divine prescience, that the infant was to be born toothless, and incapable of masticating food?

This mammalial system of præ-provision for the infant young, common as it is, but not the less wonderful, when considered, as an instance of Divine forethought, has been extensively, and systematically applied, like an unerring principle, or law of providence, when once adopted, applicable to so large a class, varying according to circumstances, and adapted to that large department of the animal creation, the Mammalia.

But these industrial, and parental exer

tions, as far as the irrational creatures are concerned, are considerably alleviated by another remarkable instance of providential care, in providing that the birds, beasts, fishes, reptiles and insects, shall wait their appointed time, and not produce their young, till such time as provision, both for parents and young is made, and provided for them in great abundance, namely, in spring, and summer, which is a most wise and prudential præ-arrangement, worthy of imita tion by mankind.

We see another remarkable instance, or two instances in combination at the same time, of the Creator's care, in making provision beforehand, in the case of those creatures which neither suckle nor feed their young, nor take any other care for them, or their provision, beyond that of depositing their eggs in such sort, that the young may find suitable food ready for their use as soon as hatched by the warmth of the sun, this maternal office being performed as if under the direction of prospective wisdom; the parent insects die in the autumn, and thus