d in tint,
while two brilliant white spots, at its poles, are thought to be light
reflected from the snows of those regions, rendered more conspicuous,
or disappearing, as they first emerge from a twelvemonths' winter, or
melt in a summer of equal duration."

I could have listened forever to this astronomer, whose lectures so
profoundly taught lessons of humility to the created, and which were so
replete with silent eulogies on the power of the Creator! What was it
to me whether I were a modest plant, of half a cubit in stature, or the
proudest oak of the forest--man or vegetable? My duty was clearly to
glorify the dread Being who had produced all these marvels, and to
fulfil my time in worship, praise and contentment. It mattered not
whether my impressions were derived through organs called ears, and
were communicated by others called those of speech, or whether each
function was performed by means of sensations and agencies too subtle
to be detected by ordinary means. It was enough for me that I heard and
understood, and felt the goodness and glory of God. I may say that my
first great lessons in true philosophy were obtained in these lectures,
where I learned to distinguish between the finite and infinite, ceasing
to envy any, while I inclined to worship one. The benevolence of
Providence is extended to all its creatures, each receiving it in a
mode adapted to its own powers of improvement. My destiny being toward
a communion with man--or rather with woman--I have ever looked upon
these silent communications with the astronomer as so much preparatory
schooling, in order that my mind might be prepared for its own avenir,
and not be blinded by an undue appreciation of the importance of its
future associates. I know there are those who will sneer at the
supposition of a pocket-handkerchief possessing any mind, or esprit, at
all; but let such have patience and read on, when I hope it will be in
my power to demonstrate their error.

{avenir = future; esprit = soul or vital spirit}

CHAPTER II.

It is scarcely necessary to dwell on the scenes which occurred between
the time I first sprang from the earth and that in which I was
"pulled." The latter was a melancholy day for me, however, arriving
prematurely as regarded my vegetable state, since it was early
determined that I was to be spun into threads of unusual fineness. I
will only say, here, that my youth was a period of innocent pleasures,
during which my chief