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from the fountain of life; — soon and frequently it seeks a- re- 

 petition of its enjoyment — its diminutive frame requires an- 

 incessant supply, and it is not strange that so agreeable a 

 habit should be speedily established. It is only interrupted 

 by sleep, and continues till a different habit is induced by= 

 the use of other food ; nor should we omit to observe, in this 

 trivial circumstance, the superior strength of the influence of 

 habit over the love of novelty. The child long, prefers its 

 first and most natural diet to every other. Grosser food be- 

 comes more s-uitable to his encreasing strength, and in time 

 he would perhaps spontaneously reject the former. But it- 

 is with reluctance he first enters on his novel diet ; and its-- 

 novelty has long ceased, and the habit of resorting to it long: 

 been confirmed before he is willing to relinquish altogether- 

 the enjoyment of his earliest luxury. 



Perhaps the love of novelty first discovers itself in the 

 desire of changing the position of the limbs. During its 

 waking moments the infant is seldom still;. it stretches out 

 its hands and feet in so many directions, and so early after 

 birth) as to leave no doubt of its having acquired the prac- 

 tice of exercising the muscles to the utmost of its powers 

 even in the wombi Perhaps this affection is the great incen- 

 tive to its subsequent corporeal exertions, and becomes a 

 necessary counterpoise to the apprehensions that might other- 

 wise restrain them. In vain would the mother expect that a 

 desire to give her pleasure should animate the exertions of a 

 being, as yet so destitute of sympathy. It is the delight 



