Page:Duty and Inclination 2.pdf/317

Rh by the ancients to man, and thus we are taught a lesson of wisdom, leading even to subjects divine."

"Allow me to catechize you," said Sir Howard, fixing on her a doubting yet penetrating eye, "that I may see fully illustrated this emblematical knowledge, novel I must confess in the present age, yet not so possibly in a former one; and if your comparison is plausible, I may for the future adopt you for my fair and tutelar angel: and first, with respect to the trees having their roots fixed in the earth—what is thence implied?"

"That man dwells below from his birth," answered Rosilia, "and that by nature his views have an earthly tendency."

"And what by the branches aspiring upwards?" again asked Sir Howard.

"That man looks up to a higher world."

"Then the branches which extend around?" continued he.

"So man, in his utility to the human race, extends his power of doing good to his neighbour—no matter whether friend or foe."

"Then the leaves," added Sir Howard, "how numberless are they to be found!"

"They may bring home to our view," returned she, "the numberless truths and sciences which by degrees we may cultivate if we choose."

"Let us come to the fruits of autumn bearing