PRUDENCE 1%

the inward life. It is God taking thought for oxen. It moves matter after the laws of matter. It is con- tent to seek health of body by complying with physi- cal conditions, and health of mind by the laws of the intellect.

The world of the senses is a world of shows. It does not exist for itself, but has a symbolic character; and a true prudence or law of shows recognizes the co-presence of other laws, and knows that its own oflice is subaltern; knows that it is surface and not centre where it works. Prudence is false when de- tached. It is legitimate when it is the Natural His- tory of the soul incarnate; when it unfolds the beauty of laws within the narrow scope of the senses.

There are all degrees of proficiency in knowledge of the world. It is sufficient, to our present purpose, to indicate three. One class live to the utility of the symbol; esteeming health and wealth a final good. Another class live above this mark to the beauty of the symbol; as the poet, and artist, and the natur- alist, and man of science. A third class live above the beauty of the symbol to the beauty of the thing signified; these are wise men. The first class have common sense; the second, itaste; and the third, spir- itual perception. Once in a long time, a man trav- erses the whole scale, and sees and enjoys the symbol solidly; then also has a clear eye for its beauty; and lastly, whilst he pitches his tent on this sacred volcanic isle of nature, does not offer to build houses and barns thereon, reverencing the splendor of the God which he sees bursting through each chink and cranny.

The world is filled with the proverbs and acts and winkings of a base prudence, which is a devotion to