Of that Species of Hoarfrost seen on Windows. minutes have elapsed: what a precious treasure of hours and days might you not amass, if, of that number of minutes, which are yet at your disposal, you would often consecrate some to purposes so wise and useful! Think seriously of this: every instant is a portion of life, which, it is impossible to reproduce; and the remembrance of which, will be to you a source of joy or grief. What a celestial happiness, to be able to reflect on the past, and say to yourself, with truth, "I have lived so many years, during which I have been employed in sowing the seeds of holy works: I do not wish to begin my days afresh, and I regret not that they are passed away." You will be able to make use of this language, if you live for the accomplishment of ́that end, for which Life has been given to you; if you consecrate your short space of time to the great interests of eternity. JANUARY XXVIII. OF THAT SPECIES OF HOARFROST SEEN ON THIS little phenomenon shews us how much simplicity, variety, and order, nature puts in her smallest productions. We often admire the extraordinary figures which frozen glass presents to us; but it seldom happens, that we consider them with that attention which the subject requires, however unimportant it may appear in itself. This phenomenon in question, Of that Species of Hoarfrost seen on Windows. has its principle in the fluidity of fire. When it is shut up in the warm air of a chamber, it seeks to diffuse itself on all sides, and to penetrate, where it finds matter, the least homogeneous to itself. Hence it is, that it glides through the very close contexture of glass, which contains neither air nor heat. In passing through the glass, it leaves on the inside, and at the entrance of the apertures, those portions of air and water to which it was united: it forms a cloud, which thickens, as the fire passes out, till there remains too little in the chamber to hold the thick particles of water on the glass, in a state of fluidity. congeal, and the nitre which was in the Then they air, uniting with them, causes them to produce that diversity of appearances, with which we see the windows covered. The commencement, or first sketch of these figures, is formed by very small filaments of ice, which insensibly unite, because the glass is covered with an icy crust. These filaments are the origin of all these figures; but we may still distinctly discover the contexture of the filaments. We at first see lines extremely fine, from which others still proceed, nearly resembling the filaments which grow from a quill, which in their turn produce other branches. When it freezes much, and the first crust of ice is thickened, the most beautiful flowers, and lines of all kinds, somtimes straight, sometimes spiral, are the result. There is reason to believe, that this great diversity of figures, does not proceed merely from the motion of the air, and particles of fire, but also from the small imperceptible clefts or tracks, which are in the glass.. Of that Species of Hoarfrost seen on Windows. Whatever the reason of this phenomenon may be, it is certain, that this sport of nature, shews a great deal of art, united with much simplicity. Probably the reader may find what is said on this subject too minute, as the subject itself is of no other worth, than merely to divert the sight for a little. But such a subject as this, in my judgment, has great advantages over those which often engage our attention. With how many trifling subjects do we anuse ourselves, both in private and in company! Certain phenomena of nature which we treat as trifles, may be highly worth both speaking and meditating on. Such researches are very pleasing to a mind, which is earnestly desirous to get information, even from the smallest objects. Let us lay aside prejudice, and those puerile ideas which we have formed of the works of nature, and we shall think otherwise. We often see, that master-pieces have been discovered, where ignorance could perceive nothing but trifles; for nature manifests her wisdom, even in the smallest works; and it is in this respect, that we distinguish her works always from those of art. Can an object be considered as little, when it furnishes matter for useful reflections? For my own part, I do not disdain to read, even on the frozen glass, a truth which may have a great influence upon my happiness. Behold the flowers which the frost has pourtrayed on the glass! they are beautifully and artificially varied; nevertheless, one ray of the noonday sun effaces them. Thus the imagination paints every thing beautiful to us; but every thing which The Utility of Bread. it represents as attractive, in the possession of the goods of this world, is but a beautiful image, which shall disappear in the light of reason. The importance of this lesson of wisdom, was worth the trouble of stopping for a while, at the little phenomenon which furnishes it. JANUARY XXIX. THE UTILITY OF BREAD. Of all the aliments, which our beneficent Creator has distributed to us with so much profusion, there is none so common, nor so nourishing as Bread. It is as necessary at the table of the prince, as at that of the labourer; and the invalid is strengthened by the use of it, as well as the healthy. It seems particularly destined for the use of man; for the plant which produces it, will grow in different climates; and it would be difficult to find a place in the habitable world, where wheat would not grow and ripen, if cultivated with proper care.. A very evident proof, that man cannot dispense with the use of Bread, is, that it is the only aliment of which we may continually eat, without being cloyed. All those far-fetched and costly viands, which luxury and pride have invented, soon cease to flatter our taste, if we use them too frequently: but we eat Bread always with pleasure, and the old man, whose nourishment it has been for threescore and The Utility of Bread. ten years, eats willingly of it still, when to him all other aliments have lost their savour. It is right, that while we make a daily use of this substance, we should bless that God who has given it. Choose among the great number of aliments, that which you prefer most: is there one more natural, more wholesome, more strengthening, and more nutritive, than Bread? The smell of the most precious aromatics is not so restorative as that of Bread; simple as it is, it contains particles, essentially proper, to form and repair the nervous fluid. What demonstrates its nutritive quality is, that moistened with water it quickly dissolves, and becomes a glutinous paste, and, consequently, the stomach can easily digest it. Let us consider here, the concern which the Creator has evidenced for our health, in assigning us Bread for food. Our best juices are liable to be corrupted: a nourishment, therefore, that could resist this putrid tendency was necessary; and this quality is found in Bread. As this aliment comes from the vegetable kingdom, and has a certain acidity in it, it is an excellent preservative against putrefaction. Another advantage is, that we can give Bread, whatever degree of consistence we please, so as to render it proper for the necessities of the stomach; or to keep any given length of time. I should be utterly unworthy to receive that Bread, which nourishes me daily, were I insensible of this benefit. Why should I not be grateful to this tender and beneficent Father, who causes Bread to grow out of the earth, to nourish and support me? Should I resemble the brute, enjoying the nou |