CHAP. IV.

"Whether with reason or with instinct blest, Know, all enjoy that pow'r which suits them best; To bliss alike by that direction tend,

And find the means proportion'd to the end.”

POPE.

ONE morning, Harry prevailed on his mother to carry her work to the summer-house, where he read to her "The Transmigrations of Indur." "Is not

this an entertaining story, mamma ?” said he, as he laid down the book.

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Yes, my dear; and I think it is ingenious as well as entertaining. Do you not admire the skill with which the writer

has introduced so many curious particulars, respecting the habits of differ ent animals?" "Oh yes, mamma. I know that whether Indur was an antelope, or a dormouse, or an elephant, he behaved like other creatures of the same kind-just as we find find them described in books of natural history."

As Harry finished speaking, his attention was attracted by the humming of a bee, that was busily employed among the roses and honeysuckles,

which were trained round the window. "Only look at this bee," said he: "look, mamma, how earnestly it works! Indur, with all his knowledge, could not have been more sensible of the im

portance of laying up a store for the

winter."

"You are mistaken, Harry. This industrious little creature is not endued with prudence and foresight; for these are qualities belonging to rational beings they are the result of experience and instruction. Now the actions of animals which are not endued with reason, are referred to a feeling called instinct; a feeling which is independent of experience and instruction; and which does not prompt the animal to action, in order to secure a future benefit, or to avoid a future evil, but simply to gratify a present inclination."

“It does not seem so to me, mamma;

and I think the bee would enjoy this

fine sun-shiny morning much more, if it fluttered about like the butterflies

yonder, than it can do, staying so long with its head and shoulders buried among the petals of a flower, where it can see nothing. I think it is much wiser than the butterfly, because it prefers a future good to a present plea

"You are mistaken, my dear boy. The industrious bee and the giddy butterfly are equally intent upon their present gratification, and equally regardless of future consequences."

so!

"Oh, mamma, how can you think

When the flowers and sunshine are over, the foolish butterfly will perish miserably, while the bee will lie snugly

in its well-stored hive, till spring produces fresh flowers."

"Yet there is neither wisdom in the bee, nor folly in the butterfly: both are equally pursuing the end of their being, and each finds its proper and present gratification in the habits which are suited to its respective modes of life. The butterfly is not intended to live through the winter, why then should it lay up a store of food? And though the industry of the bee is applied to so necessary and rational a purpose, the contrivance, the forethought, is not in the insect, but in its benevolent Creator, whose tender care is extended to the meanest of his works."

"But the bee gathers the honey, and