Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/352

324 riches and splendour of the scene, you will more and more be convinced that the fame of it has not exceeded the reality, that at your outsetting the half was not told you. If you feel that ignorance and superstition cannot be the proper pillars to uphold the welfare of the world and support the throne of God, if you agree with the Swedish Linnæus that without knowledge of the Universe, so far as it lies within our ken, neither filial reverence nor due gratitude can be intelligently offered to its author, you will see that Nature is given as the dominant instructor of mankind, you will think of its students as nobles round a king, and will be disposed to say to their sovereign as the Queen of Sheba said to Solomon, "Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee and hear thy wisdom." It is open to all men to join their company and to share their felicity.