THE HOUSE FLY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22389, 30 April 1938, Page 20

THE HOUSE FLY

*0 TIM EDITOR 0» THI PBWW. Sir.—The house fly is not so nauseating or objectionable a creature as "S.M." would suppose. It is an active and close companion whose activities and assiduous ways of living from sleeping idle hours away when we should be up and doing something which would redound to our mutual benefit. Its slender legs and gauze-like wings not only teach us of the work of an all wise and bountiful Creator, but one versed in natural theology can see so many beautiful traits in its shape and in its amusing erratic ways of walking that it becomes a study which notable men like Professor Drummond, Dr. Paley, Dr. Goldsmith, and many other naturalists have been fond of watching very closely. It is from such innocent and harmless creatures that mankind derives its greatest lessons. The sluggard may well weep' at his callous indolence while he watches the active house fly alight from one object to another. It is as interesting an object as the übiquitous spider, which Robert Bruce saw and which inspired him to realise the greatest aim of his life. It teaches us that to be actively and honestly employed is the one great aim paramount in our lives. To live a stagnant and aimless existence means social decay and the annihilation of all society. To keep going and to live soberly and industriously, means progress, advancement, and the attainment of all our desires: so the lesson which this harmless and active creature teaches is not to be disregarded or repudiated with cold indifference.—Yours, etc., W. MOSDELL. April 29, 1938.