nions, then might the experimentalist be deemed a visionary. But that a system resting exclusively upon the broad basis of demonstrable truths, should yet be rejected by intelligent bees, can only be accounted for by the prejudices that have hindered them from giving the subject due consideration. When it is seen that no greater exertions are necessary for the general welfare than are consistent with, or essential to, individual health, the bees will be anxious for employment; and they will derive additional pleasure from the employment itself, when they know that the work about which they are engaged conduces to the public good, and that a full share of the pursuit of knowledge and happiness. When we know that a given number of individuals, aided by all the modern discoveries in science, could produce much more than they can have occasion for, is it probable that any one would desire more than he could use, while the storehouses were at all times superabounding? Water is coveted beyond all price by those who are crossing the burning sands of Arabia:—but does the inhabitant of a town desire more than is sufficient to allay his thirst when the conduit is flowing at all hours in the day? Mr. Davison may prescribe rules for the poor man, who will soon be as difficult to find, as now, and in times past, the honest man. Strange that in a country saturated with wealth, poverty should be known except by name. Men will not be less estimable in their domestic characters by an expansion of mind and that enlarged benevolence which contemplates the happiness of all mankind. their produce is secured to each. With the training the bees will experience under these arrangements, idleness would be insupportable." it in "Utility—" He was here interrupted by the arrival of a bee of a more slender form, of brilliant appearance, and who moved about with uncommon agility: his name was Poeticus, and his chief amuse⚫ment was to wander about contemplating and describing in glowing language the beauties of nature. Sometimes he would sing of the contests upon the Pentland Hills, and the call to arms; at others he would select the prevailing follies and vices in the hives, and hold them up to ridicule. He obtained his supply of honey from other bees, who gave return for the delight his compositions afforded them. He was well skilled in most languages: -for it should be related, that after the communities in all the hives had abandoned the plans of nature at the period of the revolution, they gradually diverged into different policies, still retaining the competitive principle. With these changes, a diversity of language sprang up; and instead of the former expressions of nature universally intelligible, each community had a different word for the same idea; so that it became necessary for those who desired to go from one hive to another, to devote much previous time to the study : The multitude, the unin of the different dialects. formed bees, were taught to look up to those who were acquainted with many languages as the most highly gifted and intelligent bees; whereas their learning amounted to no more than the ability to give various denominations to the same thing,-to call honey, μédɩ, mel, honig, or miel. Such was the character of Poeticus: for although he was enamoured of the charms of nature, he had rarely sufficient perseverance to investigate philosophical principles; he possessed little scientific information, and was equally ignorant of the apiarian springs of action. Poeticus had heard the concluding sentence of Emilius, and with his usual vivacity remarked "that he could not endure any system, the objects of which were confined to utilitarian insipidity; repressing the efforts of genius, and devoting their whole lives to objects of mere necessity,-thus sinking the bees into a droning uniformity, divesting existence of half its pleasures, and depriving the satirical poet of his lawful game." When at a public meeting the objection was advanced against societies of joint property, that they would make mere machines of men, it was happily replied by a distinguished orator, "that if such an effect were produced, they would become machines of which intellect would be the moving spring." "You mistake," said Emilius, "in supposing that the proposed system aims at abridging the pleasures of the bees. On the contrary, the œconomy of the arrangements will so far facilitate the production of honey, that more time will remain for recreation, while the institutions are calculated to generate a taste for all that is beautiful in nature. He must be a sorry poet who will be at a loss for a subject unless the disorders of the hive are perpetuated, and who can 'Look then abroad through nature to the range and not find a legitimate theme for the display of exalted genius." Poeticus, apparently chagrined at this concluding remark, skipped to the extremity of the flower, and spreading his wings was soon out of sight. Orpheus gathered up the load which he had laid down during the discussion, and pleading some appointment as an excuse for the suddenness of his departure, commenced his laborious flight. Emilius, however, perceived that the real cause of the termination of the conference was indifference towards his favourite scheme; and he returned with dejected spirits to his cell, in utter despair of convincing the bees of truths the most essential to their happiness. A few days afterwards, as Emilius was meditating in his cell, he heard a gentle tap at the entrance, and was surprised with a visit from Orpheus. "I am come," said he, "to invite you to one of the courts of justice, to hear the trial of a very young worker, who has had the audacity to pick one of my wax-pockets." Emilius, thinking that the occasion might afford an opportunity for some useful reflections, accompanied his friend without hesitation; and they flew away to that part of the district on the hills where the trial was to be held; for it was usual to try prisoners for offences near the spot where they were committed, and the Judicatores with the paraphernalia of justice and all their attendants moved from place to place for that purpose. When the two friends arrived at the spot, the bees were beginning to assemble, and preparations were making to receive the Judicatores with demonstrations of joy. This was somewhat irreconcileable to the feelings of Emilius, who had inquired respecting the delinquents, as to the nature of their offences and general condition. He was grieved to learn that they were mostly very young and much dejected. While observing the bees that were passing and repassing, he descried Poeticus among the crowd, and beckoned him to join them. "And how is it |