Not alone in Spring's armorial bearing, And in Summer's green-emblazon'd field, But in arms of brave old Autumn's wearing, In the centre of his brazen shield. Not alone in meadows and green alleys, On the mountain-top, and by the brink Of sequester'd pools, in woodland valleys, Where the slaves of Nature stoop to drink. Not alone in her vast dome of glory, Not on graves of bird and beast alone; But in old cathedrals, high and hoary, On the tombs of heroes, carv'd in stone. In the cottage of the rudest peasant, In ancestral homes, whose crumbling towers, Speaking of the Past unto the Present, Tell us of the ancient Games of Flowers.[2] In all places, then, and in all seasons, Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings, Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons, How akin they are to human things. And with child-like, credulous affection, We behold their tender buds expand, Emblems of our own great resurrection, Emblems of the bright and better land. _Cambridge University._ H. W. LONGFELLOW. FOOTNOTE: [2] The Floral Games of the Middle Ages. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTINCTIONS OF COLOR. 'Look through nature up to nature's God.' PERHAPS the most important benefit resulting to mankind from the study of the natural sciences, is the invention to which it leads of new arguments in favor of the being and benevolence of the Deity. And were this the only advantage arising from this study, it would render it well worthy the attention of the wisest and greatest of men. For every discovery which philosophers have hitherto made, whether of some new material element, or of some law or property of matter, has invariably disclosed fresh proof of the existence of an All-wise Intelligence. The chemical constitution and governing laws of a drop of water, even so far as they are now understood, may afford weapons, wherewith the weakest champion of religion might prevail against the most ingenious of the worshippers of the Goddess of Chance. Nay, were the atheist really in search of truth, no champion would be needed. The humblest flower, the meanest worm, even the dust beneath his feet, would seem to disclaim an origin in chance, and to warn him not to neglect the worship of their common Creator. There can be no more interesting object of attention, than the examination of the evidences of design, as exhibited in parts of the intricate machinery of Nature. Physical principles, which, at first sight, or indeed after much philosophical investigation, have appeared of but limited importance, or perhaps wholly accidental or unnecessary, have, upon farther study, been found to rank among the number of most beautiful and convincing proofs of creative intelligence; have formed the most important links in the chain which holds together the material universe.