covered, and in the middle of the day. None of all the millions that have been stung by the nettle have condescended to inquire into the cause; yet we might suppose that the pain of the sting would suggest some inquiry. Who has fastened the nettle-leaf upon the pin of the microscope, and inquired into the heart of the mystery? Who has learned that the nettle-leaf is covered with millions of barbed darts, each dart filled with poison; and that the reason why the pain was felt, was, that the dart had not only made a wound, but had deposited the poison to rankle beneath the skin. The simple dandelion is discovered to be the early flower spread everywhere to furnish nutriment to the bee beetles lurk amidst its flowerets, and find new life there; and the wild bees in spring find their principal support and sustenance from it.These are instances which we may meet in the fields. And whence, we may ask, whence came all our inventions, as we call them, though the more modest terms would be applications and dis. coveries? Whence, but from the observation of Nature. Was it not the nautilus that gave to man the idea of navigation? The whirl of the watermill, or the cotton-mill-all the marvellous instruments of optical science: Observation taught man to calculate eclipses-to measure the earth-to tell the size and distance of the sun-to discover the moons of Jupiter, and the ring of Saturn; the

diving-bell-the composition of water-the composition of the atmosphere-that the diamond is but charcoal: all these pieces of knowledge have resulted from the attentive looking at Nature, and experiments deduced from the observation. Then it may be remarked that the principal benefit, perhaps, of observing, is to the mind of the observer. It does not follow that every observation made should be for the benefit of society. Many of the observations may have been made before; but although this may prevent the necessity of their being published to the world, it does not detract from the merit of the discoverer, or interfere with the value of the observation to his own mind.One of the surest methods of obtaining knowledge is to become a close observer of little things. Our observations are inaccurate and indefinite, because we too frequently attempt to seize upon the whole be-fore we have the parts, rather than mount gradually from the parts to the whole; and every attentive servant, every careful, thoughtful person, must have observed in some degree; and these observations will help to simplify his employment, and economise his labour and his strength. "The farm servant or day labourer," says Lord Brougham, "whether in his master's employ, or tending the concerns of his own cottage, must derive great practical benefit, must be both a better servant and a more thrifty, and therefore, more comfortable

cottager, for knowing something of the nature of soils and manures, which chemistry teaches, and something of the habits of animals, and the qualities and growth of plants, which he learns from Natural History and Chemistry together. In truth, though a man is neither a mechanic nor a peasant, but one having a pot to boil, he is sure to learn from Science lessons which will enable him to cook his morsel better, save his fuel, and both vary his dish and improve it. The art of good and cheap cookery is intimately connected with the principles of chemical philosophy, and has received much, and will yet receive more improvement from their application." Observation teaches us that there is method in the stirring of a kitchen or parlour fire; this is quite a point of domestic dispute, and it is a well-known fact in the domestic usages and manners of our country, that bachelors alone, of all the men among us, have sole command of the poker. But how is this? Why, the stirring of a fire is a philosophical experiment; and the young father with one child upon his knee, and the other little ones about him, may deliver a lecture upon Pneumatics and Chemistry. Why do we stir the fire? Because a hollow being made, the heat rarifies the surrounding atmosphere, and then into the partial vacuum rushes the air, and imparting its oxygen, gives life to the fire upon this principle, hich is plain enough. The following code of

laws has been laid down for the management of the fireplace:

I. Never stir a fire when fresh coals are put on, particularly when they are very small, because they immediately fall into the vacuum, and prevent the access of the oxygen of the atmosphere.

II. Always keep the bottom bar clear, because it is there chiefly that the air rushes in to supply the fuel.

III. Never begin to stir at top, unless when the bottom is quite clear, and the top only wants breaking; otherwise, the unkindled fuel may be passed down in a body to the bottom, and the access of atmospheric air prevented.

Aye, many are the lessons of wisdom which may be won from a glance at the domestic uses of life! That boiling kettle-how few have taught their children the reason of that bubbling that has expanded the water, and that therefore it is, the boiling water is much lighter than the cold, and, like a cork, is floating on the surface, and that if a pint of cold water were poured into the kettle, from its specific gravity it would fall to the bottom: yes, and in this kettle we have a familiar illustration of the process of evaporation, which, when carried on by Nature in her vast laboratory, is the cause of rain and sunshine, fair weather and storm. "A mind," says Sir John Herschell," which has once imbibed

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a taste for scientific inquiry, and has learnt the habit of applying its principles readily to the cases which occur, has within itself an inexhaustible source of pure and exciting contemplations: one would think that Shakspear had such a mind in view, when he describes a contemplative man as finding

'Tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything.'

Accustomed to trace the operation of general causes, and exemplification of general laws, in circumstances where the uninformed and uninquiring eye perceives neither novelty nor beauty, he walks in the midst of wonders; every object which falls in his way elucidates some principle, affords some instruction, and impresses him with a sense of harmony and order. Nor is it a mere passive pleasure which is thus communicated. A thousand subjects of inquiry are continually arising in his mind, which keep his faculties in constant exercise, and his thoughts perpetually on the wing, so that lassitude is excluded from his life, and that craving after artificial excitement and dissipation of mind, which leads so many into frivolous, unworthy, and destructive pursuits, is altogether eradicated from his bosom."

But it is not in scientific pursuits alone that the observing faculty may be trained. How utterly