niently placed, to arbitrate
between them, and declare the difference? Is not that Providence,
Aristodemus, in a most eminent manner conspicuous, which, because the
eye of man is so delicate in its contexture, hath therefore prepared
eyelids like doors, whereby to secure it; which extend of themselves
whenever it is needful, and again close when sleep approaches? Are not
these eyelids provided, as it were, with a fence on the edge of them,
to keep off the wind and guard the eye? Even the eyebrow itself is not
without office, but, as a penthouse, is prepared to turn off the
sweat, which, falling from the forehead, might enter and annoy that no
less _tender_ than _astonishing_ part of us! Is it not to be admired
that the ears should take in sounds of every sort, and yet are not too
much filled by them? That the fore-teeth of the animal should be
formed in such a manner as evidently best suited for the cutting of
its food, and those on the side for grinding it in pieces? That the
mouth, through which this food is conveyed, should be placed so near
the nose and the eyes, as to prevent the passing, _unnoticed_,
whatever is unfit for nourishment; while Nature, on the contrary, hath
set at a distance, and concealed from the senses, all that might
disgust them? And canst thou still doubt, Aristodemus! whether a
disposition of parts like _this_ should be the work of chance, or of
wisdom and contrivance?"

"I have no longer any doubt," replied Aristodemus; "and, indeed, the
more I consider it, the more evident it appears to me, that man must
be the _masterpiece_ of some great Artificer, carrying along with it
infinite marks of love and favor of Him who hath thus formed it."

"And what thinkest thou, Aristodemus, of that _desire_ in the
individual which leads to the continuance of the species? Of that
tenderness and affection in the female towards her young, so necessary
for its preservation? Of that unremitted love of life, and dread of
dissolution, which take such strong possession of us from the moment
we begin to be?"

"I think of them," answered Aristodemus, "as so many regular
operations of the same great and wise Artist, deliberately determining
to _preserve_ what He hath once made."

"But, farther (unless thou desirest to ask me questions), seeing,
Aristodemus, thou thyself art conscious of reason and intelligence,
supposest thou there is no intelligence elsewhere? Thou knowest thy
body to be a small part of that wide