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Show IF I 5 ?LS It ever occurred to you, in watching tho movements of tho' human hand, to be struck H jlby a vague resemblance to some wondrous jfflowcr, whose calyx-depths open and shut at 9 HwlII, as the flvo rosy tipped petals unfold or jWj I'closo over them? Five la a favorito number 5 Kar world: dog roses and for-get-me-nots, mea-E mea-E tho modest llttlo eye-bright, and tho blood ffnel-j-all these have five petals, neither more W ind the blossoms of the hemlock and the elder 'ffff; yLu wc do but carefully examine oach separate $k lien the whole beautiful little fairy like parasol Scl, wo noon perceive that every alnglo blossom ft exactly Ave delicate petals, ranged round a t5s jod center, generally of a different hue. Every, jjCi i even, has five points or tips to each one of ijyi, nd na for the buttercups, thoy have simply in flow with envy at seeing themselves restricted B; broad plaits or folds of their homely ruffles, ? it neighbors, the daisies, great and small, glory If in full white ruffs, such as in tho old days our great grandfathers wore. Our hand, then, lias been formed on tho self.-aamo pattern as all these, in accordance with that universal principle of harmony by which it would seem that all things on the same planet are Intended to live together side by side to their mutual advantage and to work together to-gether to n common end. Like their ilowcr models, therefore there-fore Our hands should serve as tho chalice that collects dew and honoy to nourish the whole frame, and also In order to distribute to other beings who stand In need of such. For this reason the liberal hand is fiver the most beautiful the hand that freely bestows on others for their profit and skill of many generations have made it a partaker. par-taker. And because tho hand Is the most perfect instrument instru-ment devised bv Providence as a gift to man, It must. If worthily employed, in tho rhythmic grace of every movement give signs of Its divine origin; hence tho delight de-light wt feel In watching the true artist at his work. And Is there anything lovelier than to see a baby stretch out Its tiny hands, with their sweet, Bhell like palms and exquisite rose leaf lingers, to grasp and clutch at vacancy? va-cancy? If now. ns it pleases mo to fancy, the hand that truest friend and most trusty servant to man does really in Its general outlines recall tho Imago of earth's fairest and most fragile ornaments we may surely conclude that the flower form was chosen as Its model for the purpose of ennobling its gestures and keoping every action puro. Had It been designed for utility alone. moro strength would have sufficed . considerable dexterity even might quite well have been realized Independently of that lightness light-ness of structure which lends grace to every movement and Is an esthetic satisfaction. No hand, however hardened by exposure or deformed by toll, that does not still, In its conformity to tho pat-torn pat-torn type. In this characteristic blending of force with suppleness retain traces of Its noble origin and point triumphantly to higher alms. Is not the wondrous mechanism tho same in all the hands that are at work all over the world, each In Its own appointed way? And If wo consider that mechanism, aro wo not puzzled to dn-cldo dn-cldo which part of it to admire most, whether the long lithe fingers In their restless activity or the Ingenious contrivance con-trivance by which the thumb, though furnished with ono Joint less than tho rest, becames by reason of adaptability adaptabili-ty and position tho' most Indispensable member of tho whole group? Tho wrist, loo is there in the anatomy of the whole human frame any detail more marvelous and porfect than that on which depends tho delicate play of tho wrist whoso iicxlbllity lends distinction and charm to the gestures of orator and actor, and Is to the musician's musi-cian's touch the source of Ineffable sweetness and fullness of tone, while In it resides also the secret of tho skillful handling of his weapon, the swiftness and precision of ' the fencer's thrust and parry, a3 of the horseman's conduct con-duct of the reins? They aro alike In all essentials, the little hand whoso dainty fingers guide tho nccdie through some gossamer web of finest lace, a.nd the massive fist. In whose gigantic grasn a bar of solid Iron seems a toy. Down there by the Rhine, which I soo fiw past as 1 write, one pair of busy hands Is twining the rope, with which later on other hands no less Industrious will reef tho sails of ono of the many llttlo boats floating upon the stream. Everywhere Every-where upon the face of the earth men's hands aro employed, em-ployed, with the pen or with the spade, at the easel or tho plow, sowing, reaping, building incessantly, forever engaged en-gaged In the Inexorablo struggle for life, or collectively tolling In the carrying out of some great scheme, the raising rais-ing of some mighty monument. And just this common action It Is which forms an unconscious tlo of universal brotherhood, stronger and farther reaching than the nar? rower artificial conventions founded on reciprocity of interest. in-terest. The hand is the link between man and man; it slgn.'t Hie pledge of every social bond, its symbolism plays . an nYflYJ Important part In all tho functions of public life whether PPPJ It be as the priestly hand, uplifted in solemn benediction, ljVflV or as tho silent witness to spoken words, when raised on PPH high to testify to the sanctity of an oath. Clasped hands PPPJ are the emblem of the alliance of nations as of indlvldu- PPPJ als; the frank c)asp of the hand Is the token of lovnl PPS friendship; tho reconciliation which puts an end to a bit- PPPJ ter lifelong feud is attested by the nlmplo action of join- PPH ing hands. Plan's instinctive homage to woman Is never PH better expressed than by tho touch of his lips upon her PPH hand the chivalrous deference to the wholo box is most PPH fittingly symbolized In this simple action. The recogni- PPPJ ilon of its high import has caused numerous proverbial PPPJ expressions relating to the hand to pass Into our dally PPPJ speech; o go through life "hand in hand" has becomo PPPJ synonymous of the most entiro union in thought and pvAwJ deed; wo speak of those who are unduly influenced by PPPJ others as having fallen "into their hands," and tho ex- PJwJfl presslon "to lend a hand" Is equivalent to giving help in PPPJ any form not necessarily of a material nature. Above PPPJ all, the supremo beauty of the liand. Its instinctive ab- PPfl horrence of the touch that contaminates, of all base, un- PPPJ worthy action, Its shrinking from aught that might sully PPfl its native purity Is not all this admirably summed up PPPJ in the popular acceptation of "clear hands" as the eym- IPPJ bol of unstained honor? PPPJ |