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THE MATERIAL UNIVERSE.
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had he any less intelligence, he would be incapable of so serving man, from want of comprehension of the directions given him by the voice or the bridle. Now, though blindly obedient to his master's will, and ready to go or stand still at his command, at the same time he is able not only to comprehend those commands, but also in a manner to enter into the spirit of them, and join in the chase or the race, or even rush into the thick of battle, with a seeming zest and delight. So, in the East, the docile elephant, with his quick intelligence—how interesting to see this enormous animal putting forth his vast strength, in obedience to man's will, with such gentle submissiveness! And the patient camel, "the ship of the desert," the very image of meek usefulness and fidelity—how admirably is he suited, in his whole structure, to the peculiar region of the earth in which he dwells and toils! In these and all similar instances, most plainly visible are the marks of the Creator's wisdom and goodness!

But now, if we desire curious proofs of the wondrous skill of the great Architect, let us glance into the microscopic world. What wonders does the microscope reveal—what hidden beauties, unknown existences, marvellous contrivances and forms! "Seen under the powers of the microscope," says an eloquent writer, "every atom is a world, every leaf is a colony of insects, every drop of water a universe of being. Is it true, that there are in the animal creation little creatures a thousand times less than a single grain of sand, with organs of nutrition, secretion, respiration, and motion? Is it true that there are shell-fish so small, that under a powerful microscope they appear no larger than a grain of barley? Is it true that it