The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1869-01-22
sssistfllan1.
sslloWing i from Michelet's worl,

.I.af a take the egg in our hands
This eIfihncaI form, at once the most
easy Of cosaproheasion, the most beautiful
AMI presenting the 1ewest salient points
10 external attack, gives one the idea of
complete miniature world, of perfect
harmony, nom which nothing can be
tasan away, and to which nothing can
sbe added. No Inorganic matter adopts
ia perfect form. | conceive that un.
Ter lis apparent inertncgs, it holds
high mystery Of life and some unaccom-
pIishcd work of God.
What is it, and what should issue from
III | know not. But she knows well
-yondcr trembling creature who, with
butstretched wings, embraces it and ma
lures it with her warmth; she who, I'M
Ill now the free queen of the air, lived
ut her own wild will, but suddenly fet-
tered, sits motioness on that mute object
which one would call stone, and which
~ yet gives no revelation.
Do not speak of blind instinct. Facts
demonstrate how that clcar-sighted in
stinct modifics itself according to sur
rounding conditions; in other words, how
that rudimcntary reason differs in its
nature from the lofty human reason.
Yes that mother knows and sees dis
tinctly by means of the penetration and
clairyoyance of love. Through the
ltaiels eaicarcous shell, where your rude
hand pcrceiyes nothing, she feels by a
delicate tact the mysterious being which
she nourshcs and forms. 1t is this feel
ing which sustains her during the ar
duous labor Of incubation, during her
protracted captivity. She sees it deli
cate and charming in its soft down of
infancy, and she predicts with the Wis
ion of hope that it will be vigorous and
bold, when, with outsprcad wings, it
shall eye the sun and breast the storm.
4 delightful spectacle, but even more
sublime than delightful. Let US be
modest here. With us the mother loves
that which stirs in her bosom--that
which she touches, clasps, enfolds in as
surcd possession she loves the reality,
certain, agitated and moving, which re-
spends to her own moI emcnts. But
this one loves the future and unknown
her heart beats alone, and not as yet re-
spends to it. Yet is not her love tbs
less intense; she devotes herself and
suffers she will suffer unto death for her
faith.
Afaith powerful and cfficacious! 1t
produces a world, and one of the most
wonderful of worlds. Speak not to me
of suns, of the elementary chemistry of
globes. The marvel of humming-
birds egg transcends the Milky Way.
Understand that this little point which
to you seems impcrceptiblc, is an entire
ocean--the sea of milk where floats in
embryo the wel-belovcd of heaven. 1t
floats; fears no shipwrcck it is held
suspended by the most delicate liga-
ments; it is saved from jar and shock.
Itswins all gently in the warm element,
as it will swim hereafter in the atmos-
phere. A profound serenity, perfect
state in the bosom of a nourishing habi-
station! And how superior 70 all suck
ling (allaitementJ!
But see how, in this divine sleep, it
has perceived its mother and has mag
nctic warmth And it, too, begins to
dream. Its dream is of motion it mi
tates, it conforms to its mother; its first
act, the act Of an obscure love, is to
resemble her.
SKnowest thou not that love transforms
aits itself u bate er it lovesf'
And as soon as it resembles her, it |.
will seek to join her. 1t inclincs, i'll
presses more closely against the shell,
which thsnceforh is the sole barrier be-
twsea it and its neither. Then, then
she listens! Sometimes she is blessed
by hearing already its FIRST tender piping.
1t will remain prisoner no longer
Grown daring, it will take its own part.
II has beak. and makes use of it. 1t
strikes, It cracks, it ccavcs its prison
wall. 1t has feet, and brings them to
lis assistance. See now the work be-
gun! It's. reward is dcliverance; it en-
lcrs into liberty.
IF one wishes TO admire the fertility of
nature, the vigor Of invention, the
charming, and in certain sense the
terrifying richness, which from one iden
teal creation draws million of oppo-
site miracles, one should regard this
egg, so exactly like another and yet the
source whence shah issue tie innumera-
be tribes born to life of wings on Garth.
From the obscure unity it pours out,
Ii expands in countless and prodigiously
divergent rays, those winged flames
which You name birds, glowing with az
der and life, with color and song. From
the burning hand Of God escapes COM
tinuonsly that vast fan of astounding
diversity, where everything shines,
where everything sings, where every
thing foods me with harmony and light.
Dazzled, lower my eyes.
Alelodious sparks of celestial fire,
viii her do ye not attain 7 For We
exists nor height nor distance; the heav-
%, the abyss, it is all one. What cloud,
What watery deep is inaccessible to We !