easily be distinguished, without any mistake. Among so many millions of men, there are not two perfectly alike. Each person has something peculiar to himself, by which he may be known, particularly his face, voice, and language. The variety of countenances is so much the more wonderful, as the parts which compose the human face are but few, and are all disposed on the same plan. If a blind chance produced every thing, the faces of men would be as like as eggs laid by the same hen, or balls melted in the same mould, or drops of water out of the same river. But, as that is not the case, we must acknowledge on this occasion, as on every other, the infinite wisdom of the Creator, who, in varying the features of the human face so wonderfully, has manifestly had the happiness of mankind in view: for, if they resembled each other, so as not to be distinguished, it would cause continual inconveniencies, mistakes, and frauds, in society. We should never be sure of our lives, nor of the quiet possession of our property. Robbers and highwaymen would scarce run any risk of being discovered, if they could not be known again by the features of their faces, or by their voices. Adultery, rapes, and other crimes, would go unpunished, because the guilty could not be discovered. We should be every moment exposed to the malice of the wicked and envious, as we could not guard against surprises, frauds, and misdemeanours. What uncertainty would there be in the execution of the laws, in all sales, transfers, bargains, contracts! What confusion in trade! What frauds and subornments in regard to witnesses! Lastly, uniformity and perfect resemblance of faces would destroy most of the charms of society, and considerably diminish the pleasure we find in conversing with one another. Variety of features, therefore, was to enter into God's plan of government. It is a

striking proof of his tender mercies toward us; and it is evident, that not only the general construction of the body, but also the disposal of the several parts, has been done with the greatest wisdom. We behold every where variety joined with uniformity, from whence results the order, proportion, and beauty, of the human body.

APRIL XXV.

God's universal care of his Creatures.

EVERY creature that lives in the air, in the water, or upon the earth, has its part in the care of a Divine Providence to which they owe their preservation. All the different beings live and grow, and multiply, each in its way; and, according to its powers, each fulfils the design for which it was placed upon earth. Animals void of reason are endowed with organs, strength, and sagacity, suitable to their several destinations. Instinct warns them of what might be hurtful or dangerous; and enables them to seek, to distinguish, and to prepare, the food and habitation proper for them. All this is absolutely involuntary. It is not the result of reflection or choice. They are irresistibly led on by a propensity; which a Superior Power has given them for the preservation of their animal life.

They find the food and the retreats convenient for them; and no species of animals is destitute of what is necessary for its welfare and sustenance. Men are of a more excellent nature, but they are born in a more helpless state; and they require, beyond comparison, more assistance than most other animals; their wants, their faculties, their desires, are more numerous and greater; they are therefore distinguished by greater blessings, and more marked attentions of Providence.

The earth, the air, and the water, the clouds, and the light of the celestial globes, contribute more abundantly, and in a more varied manner, towards the preservation of man. God dispenses his blessings to all intelligent beings with imparțial love. He has placed the irrational creatures under their command, in order to make them serve for the support and convenience of man. It is worthy our particular attention, to observe, that every part of our globe, which is inhabited, furnishes sufficient food for the creatures that live upon it. Admirable effects of Divine Providence! not only the fertile bosom of the earth, but also the vast plains of the air, and the depths of the sea, abound in food proper for the maintenance of the innumerable multitude of animals that live and move in these elements. The treasures of Divine Goodness are equally inexhaustible. The provision God has prepared for all his creatures satisfies their wants, and can never be exhausted. The world does not decay: the sun returns with its accustomed light and heat: the fertility of the earth never diminishes: the seasons succeed regularly; and the earth never fails to pay its annual tribute of provision, for the preservation and support of its innumerable inhabitants, Whether we consider the continuance, or the profusion, or the variety of the means of sustenance, which nature every where provides, we perceive, throughout, the traces of a beneficent and universal Providence. All that surrounds us, and serves to sustain and procure us the sweets and pleasures of life, are so many visible means, so many channels through which our invisible Benefactor continually dispenses his favours. The agents of nature are the ministers which fulfil the designs of his Providence. The world is his magazine, and we take out of it all that is necessary for us. It is to his goodness, it is to his tender mercies, we are indebted for it

"Father of all beings, how extensive are thy mercies, how great, how inexpressible! It is in Thee we live, we move, and have our being; and Thou sustainest all things by thy mighty word at thy command, the dew moistens and refreshes the thorn as well as the cedar. The lot of mortals is in thy hand; they are only happy through Thee. Thou art their sovereign good; and thy paternal cares are over all mankind. Thy impartial goodness causes the sun to rise upon the unrighteous, at the very moment even in which he sins. It is by thy command that the zephyr cools and refreshes us; that the rose embalms the air with its perfume; that the most delicious fruits please our palates; that the dew of heaven revives us. Thou proportionest thy gifts to the wants of thy creatures: thou makest the righteous to feel the sweet and salu. tary effects of thy grace: thou givest to the bee its nectar in the flowers; to the worm a drop to quench its thirst: to the world the rays of the sun. O Thou! who possessest sovereign felicity, and dost not disdain to communicate happiness to the poorest insect, which could not exist a moment but by thy will; permit me to raise to thee a new hymn, and deign to accept my weak lays! Penetrated with joy and gratitude, I will sing to thy name, magnify thy goodness, and pay Thee due adoration, praise, and glory."

APRIL XXVI.

Flowers of the Month of April.

THE nearer we approach that charming month, which presents to us the country, the fields, and gardens, in full beauty, the more we see the wild and melancholy appearance of nature wear off. Each day brings forth some new creation.

Each day, nature draws nearer to perfection. Already the grass begins to shoot, and the sheep run eagerly to feed. The corn begins to appear in the meadows, and the gardens become cheerful and pleasant. Some flowers shew themselves here and there, and invite the florist to observe them. The sweet and modest violet is one of the first productions of spring. Its smell is so much the more agreeable, as we have been so long deprived of those delightful perfumes. The beautiful hyacinth rises insensibly in the midst of its leaves, and shews its little flowers, which equally delight the sight and smell. The imperial crown flower casts around it a multitude of starry leaves. Its stalk rises high, and its red and yellow blossom, shaped like a bell, and inclining towards the earth, forms a sort of crown, with a tuft of leaves at the top. From the midst of its leaves the auricula raises its flower, which imitates the richness of satin and velvet. Its elegant form and sweet perfume make amends for its want of stature. The tulip comes out more slowly. It does not yet venture to open, because the night air, or cold rains, might spoil the beauty of its colours. The ranunculus, the pink, and the rose, do not blow, till milder days allow them to appear in full beauty. An attentive observer will find in this many reasons to admire the wisdom and goodness of his Creator. It is for very wise purposes, that, at the return of spring, each plant begins, precisely in the time and the order prescribed to it, to open its leaves and blossoms, and to prepare every thing for the production of its fruits. There is a constant succession of vegetables from the beginning to the end of the year. Some are scarce visible, when others prepare to appear; and those are followed by several hundreds of others, which spring up, each in its turn, and at the appointed time. Whilst the fruit of one plant