is in the same manner that this earth describes its orbit round the sun. This orbit is not a perfect circle, but an ellipsis, which occasions our being farther from the sun at one time than at another. In making the course round the sun, it takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 43 seconds, the space of time which is the measure of our year; after which revolution we find the sun again in the same place. For, in each point of the orbit of the earth, the sun appears to us at the opposite side of the sky, so that at every insensible motion of the earth, we fancy it is the sun that moves. In spring the sun is seen equally distant from the poles: this causes equal nights and days. In summer it is 23 degrees 30 minutes nearer the north, which occasions our longest days. In au Jumu it returns to an equal distance between the poles: and, in winter, it removes as far towards the south as it had approached the north; and it is then that our days are the shortest.

If such is the order and plan of the great work of the creation, how much reason have we to ad. mire and adore the supreme wisdom and goodness of the Creator! How precious to us ought every new acquired knowledge to be, that discovers to us the Father of all nature by his works. We find him every where. We are every where obliged to cry out, Lord, Thou hast done all things with wonderful wisdom!

APRIL III.

The immense Riches of Nature.

TO be convinced of the extreme liberality with which nature dispenses her gifts, it would be sufficient to reflect on the prodigious number of human creatures, who receive their food, their raiment, and every pleasure they enjoy, from that

beneficent mother. But, as this is perhaps one of those things which, because they happen every day, no longer make the impression they ought to make upon our hearts, we will turn our reflections on creatures which are partly made for our use; and some of which are become objects of our con tempt. This ineditation will teach us, that all the beings spread over our globe proclaim the goodness of their Author, and incite us to glorify his name, if our hearts are susceptible of any feeling. An innumerable quantity of living creatures, inhabitants of the earth, the air, and the waters, are daily indebted for their subsistence to nature. Even the animals which we take care to feed, properly speaking, owe their food to her. The grass, which grows without being sown, is their chief food. The whole race of fish subsist without man's assistance, unless those which he feeds for his amusement. The forests likewise produce acorns, the fields and mountains produce grass without culture. Amongst the birds, the species the most despised, and perhaps the most numerous, is the sparrow. Their number is so prodi. gious, that the king of France, with the produce of all the fields in his dominions, would be too poor to feed them for the space of one year. It is nature, who takes from her immense magazine what is necessary to support them: and yet they are but the smallest part of her children. Thé quantity of insects is so great, that perhaps many ages may pass away before their several species and classes can be known. What numbers of flies are there, and how many different sorts of them do we see playing in the air? The blood the gnats take from us, is a very accidental food for them, and it may be supposed that, for one gnat that lives on it, there are millions who have never tasted human blood, or that of any animal whatever. On what do all those creatures live? There is not a handful of earth which does not contain

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living insects. In every drop of water, creatures are discovered, 'whose means of support, as well as their multiplying, are incomprehensible. Immensely rich as nature is in living animals, so is she equally fruitful in means for their subsistence; or rather, it is the Creator who has poured into her bosom this inexhaustible source of riches. Through him each creature finds its food and dwelling. It is for them he causes the grass to grow, leaving each to choose its proper food. And none of them are in his sight too insignificant to disdain his casting upon them an eye of pity, and to assist them in their wants. this is thy greatness manifest, O Almighty God! What no man, nor monarch, nor even all the monarchs on earth could do, Thou dost it, O Creator! Thou feedest every animal! Thou feedest the raven that calls upon Thee, and every insect that lives in the air, in the earth, or in the water! And will he not do for us what he does for them? If ever doubts or fears possess our souls, let us reflect upon the creatures of whom' he takes daily care. Let the birds of the air, the wild beasts of the desert, and those millions of creatures which man takes no care of, teach us the art of living contentedly. He who clothes the flowers of the field, who gives food to all animals, the great Author of nature, knows all our wants. Let us, therefore, have recourse to him in our afflictions. Only let our prayers be with faith and sincerity.

APRIL IV.

Sun-rise.

HAVE you sometimes been a witness of the superb phenomenon which the rising sun every day affords? Or has idleness, the love of sleep, or

a faulty indifference, prevented you from contemplating this wonder of nature? Perhaps you may be ranked amongst the multitude of people who never thought a sight of the Aurora worth the sacrifice of some hours sleep. Perhaps you are like many others, who, satisfied with the light of the sun, do not trouble themselves with inquiring into the cause of this great effect. Or, lastly, perhaps you are as insensible as millions of your fellow-creatures, who have it in their power to behold this glorious object every day, see it without being struck with it, or without its raising any idea or pleasing reflection in their minds. It matters little in which of these you rank. Suffer yourself only to be now at least roused from this state of insensibility, and learn what thoughts the sight of the morning sun ought to excite in your soul. There is no phenomenon in nature more beautiful and splendid than the rising sun. The richest dress that human art can invent, the finest decorations, the most pompous equipage, the most superb ornaments in the palaces of kings, vanish and sink to nothing, when compared with this beauty of nature. At first, it is the eastern region of the sky which is clothed in the purple of Anrora, and announces the sun's approach. The air, by degrees, takes the bloom of a rose, and then shines with the lustre of gold. Afterwards the rays of the sun pierce through the mist, and with them light and heat are spread over the whole horizon. At last, the sun appears in all the splendour of majesty. It rises visibly higher and higher, and the earth assumes a different aspect; every creature rejoices, and seems to receive new being. The birds, with songs of joy, salute the source of light. Every animal begius to move; and they feel themselves animated with new strength and spirits.

Praise the Lord, O my soul! Let my songs of praise also reach the heavens, the heaven where

he dwells, by whose command the sun rises, and whose hand so guides its daily and its annual course, that we draw from it the happy revolution of night and day, and the regular succession of the seasons. Raise thyself, my soul, towards the Father of lights, and set forth his majesty. Celebrate him, by a pious confession of thy dependance on him, and by actions that are pleasing in his sight. Behold! all nature proclaims order and harmony. The sun and all the stars run their course. Each season yields its fruit. Each day renews the splendour of the sun. Who would, in the midst of the active creation, be the only one to neglect praising his Creator, hy proving his virtue and faith? Rather let our pious zeal teach the infidel, how great, how worthy of adoration, that God is whom he despises. Let the tranquillity of our souls, and trust in him, teach the vicious how mild and merciful that God is, before whom he justly trembles. Let us be toward our fellow-creatures what he is to us. Let us be to them what the sun is to the whole universe. As it sheds daily its benign influence on the earth; as it rises for the ungrateful as well as the righteous; as it shines on the humble valleys, as it does on the highest mountains; so let us make our lives useful, beneficent, and a comfort to others. Let each day increase the charitable disposition of our hearts. Let us do good to all, according to our abilities, and without respect to persons. In a word, let us endeavour to live and act, so that our lives may be a blessing to mankind.