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12 TTbe Conservative *
especially adapted for the welfare of
man ; for ourselves , in particular , and
also for the whole human race ! Or , to
use the formula of Matthew Arnold , to
declare , "there is a Power , not of us ,
working for righteousness. " This
cheering thought has been especially
dear to the poets ; as , for example , in
the well-known poem of Addison , a
paraphrase of the nineteenth psalm ,
beginning with the line , "The spacious
firmament on high. "
Sublime and inspiring as is this view
of man's relation to nature , modern
thought and the indubitable results of
contemporary science have established
very satisfactory grounds for another
view even more sublime , and more
satisfactory , because more in harmony
with what is continually unfolding be
fore our eyes.
As Prof. Joseph Henry , late of the
Smithsonian institute , my revered teach
er , used to declare , as he began his an
nual course of natural philosophy , at
Princeton : "All nature is in a constant
state of change. We may speak of the
mountain chains , as 'the everlasting
hills , ' but they had a beginning , and
they will have an end , as they are being
gradually washed and worn down , ulti
mately to disappear and give place to
others. "
However , we may add that this series
of changes going on in nature , this con
stant flux , is necessary to produce those
wonderful adaptations of all things ,
even dissimilar , to each other. As , for
example , the fertilization of plants and
flowers by the birds and bees and other
insects ; the remarkable dispersion of
seeds , by the winds , streams and ani
mals.
Man does not fully realize how de
pendent he is npon the sun , the air , the
water , and all the variations of climate ,
and other operations of nature that
minister to his comfort , and are , indeed ,
necessary to his life. But , when this
truth is clearly seen , what a magnificent
view it gives us of the conditions of our
existence ! And how absorbingly in
teresting becomes every department of
investigation of the world around UP.
We do not need to be profound astron
omers , geologists , chemists , etc. , to
study what nature presents to every
eye. Our farms , our gardens , our trees ,
our soils are all speaking to us daily in
no doubtful language , and offering us
the surprising book of nature , wide open
for our perusal from childhood to old
age.
age.This
This study enlarges the mind and
purifies the heart. For , while we are
taught humility in view of the illimit
able whole of which we form so small
part ; we may still feel ourselves ennobled
by the reflection that we belong to the
cosmos ; that each of us has a share in
this beautiful and symmetrical universe !
EDWIN EMERSON.
Paris , France , May 20,1900.
Incorporated 1849. Charter Perpetual.
SPRINGFIELD
Fire and flarine Insurance Co.
Of Springfield , Mass.
Annual Statement , January ist , 1900.
Cash Capital , ' - - $1,500,000.00
Reserve for Re-Insurance , - 1,476,584.27
Reserve for all unsettled Claims , 245,262.45
NET SURPLUS , - - 1,685,092.34
TOTAL ASSETS , - $4,906,939.06
The Springfield has continuously transacted
business for fifty years , and has disbursed for
losses over $26,000,000. It has borne its share
of the burdens imposed by the great conflagra
tions at Troy in 1862 , Portland in 1866 , Chicago in
1871 , and Boston in 1872. It is one of only three
fire insurance companies that have been repre
sented in Chicago continuously since 1851. It has
never failed to promptly meet its just obligations
with 100 cents on the dollar. It stands today in
the front rank among American underwriting insti
tutions. It insures against fire , lightning and
tornadoes , and has agencies in all prominent
localities throughout the United States.
A. J. HARDING , Manager ,
Western Department , Chicago , 111.
N. S. HARDING , State Agent ,
Nebraska City , Neb.
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