gure, and looks as if it was but half finished; it is a cruel disposition, for it lives only upon the blood its prey, and its sole occupation is to lay traps for Its artifice is best seen by having such an animal one's closet. เ It is put into an earthen vessel full of very fine sa in which it presently hides itself. When it is the it forms in the sand the shape of a cone reversed, w an exact and geometrical proportion, and takes up residence in the point of the cone, which is the cen of it, but still keeping itself covered. If any ant, fly, with its wings taken off, is placed at the entrar of the cone, this little animal, which one would p judge capable of the least effort, throws sand forci with its head upon the prey it has got an intelliger of, in order to stun it and drag it down to the botto where it lies concealed. Then he comes out from place of his retreat, and after he has quenched thirst, he throws away the carcase, which might re der his cruelty suspected. If one would have the pleasure of seeing him lab a second time, it is but filling up the cone by stirr the vessel, and it is surprising to see with what d gence the little animal makes a new figure as la and regular as the former. How much reasoning is here required, if this wo manship was founded upon reasoning? Can a mat matician think more curiously, and be better acquai ed with the nature of the cone, of the sand, of motions and the conveyance of their sound from center to every part of the circumference? It is c tain that this beast must reason, or some one for But the wonder is not, either that it should reason, a foreign principle reason for it, but that this prin ple should cause all this to be executed by orga which move of themselves, and seem to act only an inward principle. I must not omit that the formicalio, of which I ha just spoken, is transformed into a great and beaut fly from the little and ugly thing it was at first, an t is not necessary for me to observe how capable se physical observations, and a great many others he like nature, are to adorn and enrich the mind young man, to make him attentive to the effects nature, which are constantly before our eyes, and sent themselves to us almost every moment withour reflecting upon them; to teach him a thoud curious points relating to sciences, arts and proons, such as chemistry, anatomy, botany, paintnavigation, &c. to give him a taste for gardening, ting, and walking, which is by no means a matof indifference; to enable him to make an agreefigure in conversation, and not to be under a neity either of holding his tongue, or talking only of es: call this science the physics of children, because eality we may begin to teach it to them from their ncy, but still with a view to their weakness, and ng nothing before them beyond their capacity, eias to facts, or to the reflections that are joined to n. It is incredible how this small exercise, regucontinued from the age of six or seven years, to of twelve or fifteen, but still under the name and on of a diversion and not a study, would fill the Is of the boys with useful and agreeable knowe, and prepare them for that study of physics, e is proper only to the learned. ut some one will say, where shall we find masters ble of giving a child these instructions which the among them are often very ignorant of, and h require a large extent of knowledge? The mats not so difficult as they may be apt to imagine. Tully said jestingly, in an óration, wherein he unItaque, si mihi, homini vehe- veritis, triduo me jurisconsultum OCCUDato stomachum Lecce ntafitebor Pro Muren n 28 dertook to lessen the study of the law, that if t vexed him, as full of business as he was, he wo become a lawyer in three days. I might almost the same thing, not of the physics of the learn which is a very profound science, but of that whic am here speaking of. It requires no more than to over the books in which these kind of observations to be found, such as for instance are the memoir the academy of sciences, where we meet with ab dance of very curious remarks upon this subject. have seen boys, who have been publicly examined the fourth book of Virgil's Georgics, make a w derful use of what is said in these memoirs, upon little but admirable republic of the bees. A ma that is curious and studious, will apply to person skill, to know what books he should consult upon subject. These books he either borrows or seeks in the public libraries; he reads them over, makes extracts from them, and thereby enables self to teach his scholars many things that are curi and he has seven or eight years time to make small collection. To succeed in it there is not wanting but inclination. ARTICLE IV. PHILOSOPHY SERVES TO INSPIRE A GREAT SPECT FOR RELIGION. ALL that I have hitherto said of physics, clearly shews, that one of the great effects, the most essential fruit of Philosophy, is to raise to the knowledge of the greatness, power, wisdom goodness of God; to render him attentive to his vidence, to teach him to ascend up to him, by the sideration of the wonderful works of nature, to n him sensible of his benefits, and point out to subjects of praise and thanksgiving. We learn from God himself both in the Old New Testament, that this is the proper use we o ow their appointed times. [b] Jesus Christ lays vn the consideration of the lilies of the valley, and birds of the air, as an instruction to all mankind, olutely to rely upon the cares of a providence, which t the same time watchful over all, abundant in dness and almighty. We should therefore not anr the intentions of divine Wisdom, and should fail he most essential part of a master's duty, if we did observe to youth the footsteps of the Deity in all creatures, as he has been pleased to draw himself, point out our duty in them. In the account the scripture gives us of the creation the world, it is often said [c] that God approved, if I may venture to say it, admired his own works, teach us how great an admiration they ought to se in us, how much we ought to study them, and at reflections they deserve; and to reproach us at same time with our stupidity, in not employing thoughts about them, and our ingratitude in not arning thanks for them, whilst we continue ignot and weak, though we live in the midst of the st astonishing prodigies, and are ourselves one of most incomprehensible. t is not natural philosophy alone, which assists us btaining the knowledge of God; the little I have upon the principles of morality, drawn from paism itself, is sufficient to shew us how proper that nch of Philosophy is to inspire us with an high veation for religion. Can any thing be more likely to imprint it deeply he minds of youth, and to lay such solid foundaas as are capable of withstanding the torrent of in -] Prov. vi. 6. -1 Toa : [c] And God saw every thing that hea had mad's and LALUI credulity and libertinism, than the famous questi in metaphysics, concerning the existence of a G and the immortality of the soul? But the greatest and most important service t Philosophy can do man, is to dispose him to rece whatever is taught by Divine Revelation with doci and respect. It particularly takes care to make comprehend, that every thing must be silent be God, reason as well as sense, as nothing is more sonable than to give ear to him when he speaks, Ipsi, de se, Deo credendum est; that it must not the fore seem strange to reason, that it is made to sub to authority in such sciences, as treating of subj superior to reason, must be guided by another li which can be only that of divine authority; that a the very order of nature, there are a thousand th which human understanding cannot comprehe though beheld with human eyes, there is still gre reason to respect the veils, which it has pleased to throw over the mysteries of religion; that la God would cease to be what he is, if he was not comprehensible, and that his wonderful works w no longer deserve that name, if human understa ing could attain to them. These are the lessons which Philosophy give youth, not restless, bold and vain Philosophy, suc [e] St. Paul advises the faithful to beware of, which by explaining what it believes, often annihil what it ought to believe; but a wise and solid Ph sophy, founded upon the actual principles and pu lights of natural reason. [d] Hilar. lib. iv. de Trinit. deceit, after the tradition of after the rudiments of the v and not after Christ. Col. ii |