Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/306

322 Bo u n net'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.

Bo u n net 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 Bo u n net, 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.