The conchologist's companion . But here investigationends—the microscope has done its office. It seemsas if maternal nature delighted to baffle the wisdomof her sons; and to say to the proud assertors of thesufficiency of human reason for comprehending themysteries of creation and of Providence, Thus farcan you go, and no further; even in the formationof a shell, or its insignificant inhabitant, your arro-gant pretensions are completely 18 CONCHOLOGIST S COMPANION. Proud, scornful man ! thy soaring wing Would hurry towards Infinity :And yet tlie vilest, meanest thing Is too sublime,
The conchologist's companion . But here investigationends—the microscope has done its office. It seemsas if maternal nature delighted to baffle the wisdomof her sons; and to say to the proud assertors of thesufficiency of human reason for comprehending themysteries of creation and of Providence, Thus farcan you go, and no further; even in the formationof a shell, or its insignificant inhabitant, your arro-gant pretensions are completely 18 CONCHOLOGIST S COMPANION. Proud, scornful man ! thy soaring wing Would hurry towards Infinity :And yet tlie vilest, meanest thing Is too sublime, too deep for thee ;And all thy vain imagining Lost in the smallest speck we must be so :—for He, even He Who worlds created, formed the worm :He pours the dew, who filled the sea ; Breathes from the flower, who rules the storm :Him we may worship,—not conceive ; See not and hear not,—but adore ;Bow in the dust, obey, believe ; Utter his name, and know no more.* Adieu I I am, &c. Bowrings Matins and Pholc Chiton. LETTER 11. MULTIVALVES. To You have frequently observed on the shore of Aber-gelli in Denbighshire, a number of loose stones leftuncovered by the reflux of the tide ; but you did not,perhaps, imagine that they contained inhabitants, ofcurious forms and instincts ; yet such is actually thecase. In each of these, a Pholas has excavated hisc2 20 conchologists companion. little cell; and lie who delights to contemplate thewonders of creation, will readily acknowledge whileobserving them, that as in the devices of humaningenuity, the minuteness of the work evinces theskill of the artificer, so in things which surpass, orelse elude his utmost comprehension, the apparentmeanness of the object enhances the wisdom of Himwho has constructed it. WTiere shall we look for aclearer demonstration of this interesting truth, thanin the extraordinary fact that the indefatigable Pholasopens an entrance into stones and wood, by the helpof a soft and pliant probosci
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Keywords: ., bookauthordallwilliamheale, bookcentury1800, booksubjectmollusks
