Because we accustom ourselves to consider things in a wrong point of view; and to imagine those of little value which we obtain without art or labour. Come, my young friends, let us correct this mistake; let us not undervalue even the grass; let us always acknowledge it to be the liberal gift of heaven, intended to support both man and beast. WILLIAM. Look what a quantity of fish, that rivulet contains. CHARLES. They are beautiful creatures; how can they live in the water? Most other animals would die. DR. BARTLETT. God has given the fish another kind of body; because they were designed for the water, to inhabit the great deep. They have fins to move themselves from place to place; and besides that, the tail is of great use to them in swimming; and the fins, which they have on their backs and bellies, enable them to keep themselves upright. CHARLES. But how can they breathe; have they any air in the water? DR. BARTLETT. You must have observed, that they first draw the water in, and then immediately spurt it out again: they obtain by this continual motion, the air which is necessary. CHARLES. You have well said, my dear Sir, that in every thing the great wisdom of God is displayed: for this is truly wonderful. DR. BARTLETT. There are yet greater wonders to be seen in the world of waters.—Would you think, that in a single drop of water, there are thousands of living creatures, which you cannot see with your naked eye? WILLIAM. In a single drop of water? DR. BARTLETT. Yes. And to convince yourself of this, you have only to use your microscope, and you will plainly see an innumerable quantity of creatures sporting in the comparatively small space. CHARLES. You fill me with astonishment. Pray let us go home directly, I long to view this new world of creatures. Dr. Bartlett commended his curiosity. We returned home; and after we had swallowed a hasty breakfast, carried a glass of the river water into our play-room. We soon saw that what Dr. Bartlett said was true. Certainly, my dear mother, that glass of water was a sea full of all sorts of creatures, of wonderful forms. I never thought that there were such small living creatures. How admirable is the wisdom of God! for you recollect that so small a body must have members and bowels, as perfect for the purposes of life as the largest animal. We have discovered all this through the assistance of the microscope; but my letter would be too long, if I was to relate all that we have discovered. Bless your son, my mother. Adieu. WILLIAM.