usitatissimum； whether I grew in a soil a little more or a little less fertile；
whether my fibres attained the extremest fineness known to the
manufacturer； or fell a little short of this excellence。 I was but a speck
among a myriad of other things produced by the hand of the Creator；
and all to conduce to his own wise ends and unequaled glory。 It was my
duty to live my time； to be content； and to proclaim the praise of God
within the sphere assigned to me。 Could men or plants but once elevate
their thoughts to the vast scale of creation； it would teach them their
own insignificance so plainly； would so unerringly make manifest the
futility of complaints； and the immense disparity between time and
eternity； as to render the useful lesson of contentment as inevitable as it
is important。
I remember that our astronomer； one day； spoke of the nature and
magnitude of the sun。 The manner that he chose to render clear to the
imagination of his hearers some just notions of its size； though so familiar
to astronomers； produced a deep and unexpected impression on me。
〃Our instruments；〃 he said； 〃are now so perfect and powerful； as to
enable us to ascertain many facts of the deepest interest； with near
approaches to positive accuracy。 The moon being the heavenly body
much the nearest to us； of course we see farther into its secrets than into
those of any other planet。 We have calculated its distance from us at
237；000 miles。 Of course by doubling this distance； and adding to it the
diameter of the earth； we get the diameter of the circle； or orbit； in
which the moon moves around the earth。 In other words the diameter of
this orbit is about 480；000 miles。 Now could the sun be brought in
contact with this orbit； and had the latter solidity to mark its
circumference； it would be found that this circumference would include
but a little more than half the surface of one side of the sun； the diameter
of which orb is calculated to be 882；000 miles！ The sun is one million
three hundred and eighty…four thousand four hundred and seventy…two
times larger than the earth。 Of the substance of the sun it is not so easy
to speak。 Still it is thought； though it is not certain； that we occasionally
see the actual surface of this orb； an advantage we do not possess as
respects any other of the heavenly bodies； with the exception of the
moon and Mars。 The light and warmth of the sun probably exist in its
atmosphere； and the spots which are so often seen on this bright orb；
are supposed to be glimpses of the solid mass of the sun itself； that are
occasionally obtained through openings in this atmosphere。 At all
events； this is the more consistent way of accounting for the appearance
of these spots。 You will get a better idea of the magnitude of the
sidereal system； however； by remembering that； in comparison with it；
the distances of our entire solar system are as mere specks。 Thus； while
our own change of positions is known to embrace an orbit of about
200；000；000 of miles； it is nevertheless so trifling as to produce no
apparent change of position in thousands of the fixed stars that are
believed to be the suns of other systems。 Some conjecture even that all
these suns； with their several systems； our own included； revolve around
a common centre that is invisible to us； but which is the actual throne of
God； the comets that we note and measure being heavenly messengers；
as it might be； constantly passing from one of these families of worlds to
another。〃
I remember that one of the astronomer's pupils asked certain
explanations here； touching the planets that it was thought； or rather
known； that we could actually see； and those of which the true surfaces
were believed to be concealed from us。 〃I have told you；〃 answered the
man of science； 〃that they are the Moon； Mars and the Sun。 Both
Venus and Mercury are nearer to us than Mars； but their relative
proximities to the sun have some such effect on their surfaces； as placing
an object near a strong light is known to have on its appearance。 We
are dazzled； to speak popularly； and cannot distinguish minutely。 With
Mars it is different。 If this planet has any atmosphere at all； it is one of
no great density； and its orbit being without our own； we can easily
trace on its surface the outlines of seas and continents。 It is even
supposed that the tinge of the latter is that of reddish sand…stone； like
much of that known in our own world； but more decided in tint； while
two brilliant white spots； at its poles； are thought to be light reflected
from the snows of those regions； rendered more conspicuous； or
disappearing； as they first emerge from a twelvemonths' winter； or melt
in a summer of equal duration。〃
I could have listened forever to this astronomer； whose lectures so
profoundly taught lessons of humility to the created； and which were so
replete with silent eulogies on the power of the Creator！ What was it to
me whether I were a modest plant； of half a cubit in stature； or the
proudest oak of the forestman or vegetable？ My duty was clearly to
glorify the dread Being who had produced all these marvels； and to fulfil
my time in worship； praise and contentment。 It mattered not whether my
impressions were derived through organs called ears； and were
communicated by others called those of speech； or whether each
function was performed by means of sensations and agencies too subtle
to be detected by ordinary means。 It was enough for me that I heard
and understood； and felt the goodness and glory of God。 I may say that
my first great lessons in true philosophy were obtained in these lectures；
where I learned to distinguish between the finite and infinite； ceasing to
envy any； while I inclined to worship one。 The benevolence of
Providence is extended to all its creatures； each receiving it in a mode
adapted to its own powers of improvement。 My destiny being toward a
communion with manor rather with womanI have ever looked upon
these silent communications with the astronomer as so much
preparatory schooling； in order that my mind might be prepared for its
own avenir； and not be blinded by an undue appreciation of the
importance of its future associates。 I know there are those who will
sneer at the supposition of a pocket…handkerchief possessing any mind；
or esprit； at all； but let such have patience and read on； when I hope it
will be in my power to demonstrate their error。
｛avenir = future； esprit = soul or vital spirit ｝
CHAPTER II。
It is scarcely necessary to dwell on the scenes which occurred between
the time I first sprang from the earth and that in which I was 〃pulled。〃
The latter was a melancholy day for me； however； arriving prematurely
as regarded my vegetable state； since it was early determined that I was
to be spun into threads of unusual fineness。 I will only say； here； that my
youth was a period of innocent pleasures； during which my chief delight
was to exhibit my simple but beautiful flowers； in honor of the hand that
gave them birth。
At the proper season； the whole field was laid low； when a scene of
hurry and confusion succeeded； to which I find it exceedingly painful to
turn in memory。 The 〃rotting〃 was the most humiliating part of the
process which followed； though； in our case； this was done in clear
running water； and the 〃crackling〃 the most uncomfortable。 Happily； we
were spared the anguish which ordinarily accompanies breaking on the
wheel； though we could not be said to have entirely escaped from all its
parade。 Innocence was our shield； and while we endured some of the
disgrace that attaches to mere forms； we had that consolation of which
no cruelty or device can deprive the unoffending。 Our sorrows were not
heightened by the consciousness of undeserving。
｛〃rotting〃 was。。。 = to prepare flax for weaving as linen it is softened
（technically； 〃retted〃） by soaking in water； separated from its woody
fibers by beating （〃scutched〃this seems to be what Cooper means by
〃crackling〃）； and finally combed （〃hatcheled〃）｝
There is a period； which occurred between the time of being 〃hatcheled〃
and that of being 〃woven；〃 that it exceeds my powers to delineate。 All
around me seemed to be in a state of inextricable confusion； out of
which order finally appeared in the shape of a piece of cambric； of a
quality that brought the workmen far and near to visit it。 We were a
single family of only twelve； in this rare fabric； among which I remember
that I occupied the seventh place in the order of arrangement； and of
course in the order of seniority also。 When properly folded； and
bestowed in a comfortable covering； our time passed pleasantly enough；
being removed from all disagreeable sights and smells； and lodged in a
place of great security； and indeed of honor； men seldom failing to
bestow this attention on their valuables。
｛cambric = a fine white linen； originally from Cambray in Flanders｝
It is out of my power to say precisely how long we remained in this
passive state in the hands of the manufacturer。 It was some weeks；
however； if not months； during which our chief communications were on
the chances of our future fortunes。 Some of our number were ambitious；
and would hear to nothing but the probability； nay； the certainty； of our
being purchased； as soon as our arrival in Paris should be made known；
by the king； in person； and presented to the dauphine； then the first lady
in France。 The virtues of the Duchesse d'Angouleme were properly
appreciated by some of us； while I discovered that others entertained
for her any feelings but those of veneration and respect。 This diversity of
opinion； on a subject of which one would think none of us very well
qualified to be judges； was owing to a circumstance of such every…day
occurrence as almost to supersede the necessity of telling it； though the
narrative would be rendered more complete by an explanation。
｛Dauphine = Crown Princess； Duchesse d'Angouleme = Marie Therese
Charlotte （1778…1851）； the Dauphine； daughter of King Louis XVI and
wife of Louis Antoine of Artois； Duke of Angouleme； eldest son of King
Charles Xshe lost her chance to become queen when her father…in…
law abdicated the French throne in 183