WILLIAM.
But then the fruits which the garden produces.
DR. BARTLETT.
These fruits are the gift of our Creator, for which you ought to be thankful; but believe me, these blades on which we tread are of yet greater value. They support the cattle who yield us such delicate food, milk, butter, and cheese. The useful horse here renews his strength; and the sheep, whose wool answers so many purposes, which keeps us warm both day and night, nip the short grass every where spread. And all this happens without our labour, or any great care; while the fruits and the flowers in the garden, require perpetual attention. Certainly we find here a much greater proof of God’s goodness than in our flower garden. This grass is necessary, my friends, but the flowers and the fruits we could live without.
CHARLES.
These wild flowers are very pretty; why do we set so little value on them?
DR. BARTLETT.
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.