Kosmon. Christian wants art like Magdalen Hospitals, where the windows are so contrived that all of earth is excluded, and only heaven is seen.  Wisdom is not only shown in the soul, but also in the body:  the bones, nerves, and muscles, are quite as wonderful in idea as is the incorporeal essence which rules them.  And the animal part of man wants as much caring for as the spiritual:  God made both, and is equally praised through each.  And men’s souls are as much touchable and teachable through their animal feelings as ever they are through their mental aspirations; this both Orpheus and Amphion knew when they, with their music, made towns to rise in savage woods by savage hands.  And hence, in that light, nothing is without a purpose; and I maintain,—­if they give but the least glimpse of happiness to a single human being,—­that even the Dutch masters are useful, I believe that the thought-wrapped philosopher, who, in his close-pent study, designs some valuable blessing for his lower and more animal brethren, only pursues the craving of his nature; and that his happiness is no higher than their’s in their several occupations and delights.  Sight and sense are fully as powerful for happiness as thought and ratiocination.  Nature grows flowers wherever she can; she causes sweet waters to ripple over stony beds, and living wells to spring up in deserts, so that grass and herbs may grow and afford nourishment to some of God’s creatures.  Even the granite and the lava must put forth blossoms.

Kalon. Oh Christian, children cannot digest strong meats!  Neither can a blind man be made to see by placing him opposite the sun.  The sound of the violin is as innocent as that of the organ.  And, though there be a wide difference in the sacredness of the occupations, yet dance, song, and the other amusements common to society, are quite as necessary to a healthy condition of the mind and body, as is to the soul the pursuit and daily practice of religion.  The healthy condition of the mind and body is, after all, the happy life; and whether that life be most mental or most animal it matters little, even before God, so long as its delights, amusements, and occupations, be thoroughly innocent and chaste.

Christian. So long as the pursuits, pastimes, and pleasures of mankind be innocent and chaste,—­with you all, heartily, I believe it matters little how or in what form they be enjoyed.  Pure water is certainly equally pure, whether it trickle from the hill-side or flow through crystal conduits; and equally refreshing whether drunk from the iron bowl or the golden goblet;—­only the crystal and gold will better please some natures than the hill-side and the iron.  I know also that a star may give more light than the moon,—­but that is up in its own heavens and not here on earth.  I know that it is not light and shade which make a complete globe, but, as well, the local and neutral tints.  Thus, my friends, you perceive that I am neither for