Bounnet's Palingénésia became a valuable treasure to
me. I had hitherto never seen an explanation,
according to natural philosophy, of those words,
which have ever been so precious to my mind, the
command “to preach the gospel to all creatures,”—not
an interpretation thoroughly applicable to the animal
races of the doctrine of St. Paul, in the Epistle to
the Romans.
Bounnet became early blind, in consequence of
overstraining his sight in his observations on the mode by
which the species of some of the minuter animal races
were continued; but how much more insight did he
not remain possessed of, than most persons, with their
healthy eyes! His Palingénésia is an answer to many
a deep, silent, anxious question of the soul.
Maine de Binan's biographical sketches, edited by Ernest Naville, were published during this time. I have seldom read a biograph which furnishes more material for thought, or a more edifying introduction, than the preface of the author. The young sisters and I read till midnight, in order to finish it. The aged parents always retired early to bed, and generally recommended us to do the same; but we were not always obedient.
Sometimes, the young son of the house, one of the
most beloved preachers of Geneva, now pastor of
Genthod, the former home of Bounnet, the naturalist,
came, with his handsome young wife, to the paternal
abode, and, so doing, enhanced its cheerfulness.
Sometimes, interesting acquaintances came from the
city, or from some of the neighboring residences.
