44 HISrORT of the SOCIETY. 



mould employ. This view of inrtincT: is fimple : It removes 

 every objection to the exiftence of mind in brutes, and unfolds 

 all their actions by referring them to motives perfectly fimilar 

 to thofe by which man is actuated. There is perhaps a greater 

 difference between the mental powers of fome animals, than be- 

 tween thofe of man and the mod fagacious brutes. Inftincts 

 may be confidered as fo many internal fenfes, of which fome 

 animals have a greater, and others a fmaller number. Thefe 

 fenfes, in different fpecies, are likewife more or lefs ductile ; 

 and the animals poflefling them are, of courfe, more or lefs 

 fufceptible of improving, and of acquiring knowledge. 



THE notion that animals are machines, is therefore too ab- 

 furd to merit refutation. Though not endowed with mental 

 powers equal to thofe of man, they pofTefs, in fome degree, eve- 

 ry faculty of the human mind. Senfation, memory, imagina- 

 tion, the principle of imitation, curiofity, cunning, ingenuity, 

 devotion, or refpect for fuperiors, gratitude, are all difcoverable 

 in the brute-creation. Every fpecies too has a language, either 

 of founds or geftures, fufficient for the individuals to commu- 

 nicate their wants to each other ; and fome animals under- 

 ftand in part the language of man. The language of infants 

 is nearly on a par with that of brutes. Brutes, without fome 

 portion of reafon, could never make a proper ufe of their fenfes. 

 But many animals are capable of balancing motives, which is 

 a pretty high degree of reafon. Young animals examine all ob- 

 jects they meet with, and in this inveftigatton they employ all 

 their organs. The firft periods of their life are dedicated to 

 fludy. When they run about and make frolicfome gambols, 

 it is nature fporting with them for their inftruction. Thus 

 they gradually improve their faculties, and acquire an inti- 

 mate knowledge of the objects that furround them. Men who, 

 from peculiar circumftances, have been prevented from ming- 

 ling with companions, and engaging in the different amufe- 

 ments and exercifes of youth, are always awkward in their 



movements, 



