262 REMARKS ON THE PHILOSOPHY 



system. It is sufficiently evident that life itself depends upon the 

 same principle in every living creature, and that what we term life, 

 is known only as nervous energy, power, fluid, or element ; that 

 sensibility depends on the same cause ; and that as instinct rises by 

 degrees up to the highest possible point, so does the nervous system 

 become proportionably developed, and that in reasoning man the 

 perfection is accomplished. It is known that the sensibilities of one 

 differ from another, as the nervous or sanguineous systems are ascen- 

 dant ; that a particular class is muscular, another sanguineous, 

 another nervous, and that their dispositions correspond. The abi- 

 lity to bear pain differs in man and man according to sensibility : 

 some persons of acute nervous sensibility are what may be termed 

 physical cowards ; they shrink from every species of danger : while 

 others with an indifference almost stoical, provoke injury by every 

 means. The same differences are observable in animals. Mode of 

 life will particularly augment either disposition, so that the one shall 

 become a timid effeminate citizen, while the other shall possess all 

 the temerity of an ancient gladiator. The tenacity for life depends 

 entirely upon these causes. Where there is a highly developed, acute- 

 ly sensitive nervous system, there will be much suffering, and with 

 that suffering a proportionable danger. Thus one man dies tinder 

 an operation that another cares little for, and suffers less. With 

 animals the same phenomena is observable : the proboscis of the 

 Elephant is acutely sensitive, and of which the animal is peculiarly 

 careful, always raising it above its head when attacking an ene- 

 my. As we descend to the polypi and medusae, the suffering 

 is less, the tenacity for life greater ; so that a " scotched Snake will 

 be herself again," a lobster deprived of its claws will reproduce 

 them. Thus the amount of suffering is wisely ordained to be 

 as various in degree, as are the animals themselves in structure. 

 Morally, the Poet is right, or otherwise this argument might be ad- 

 duced as an excuse for cruelty — 



"I would not enter on my list of friends 

 (Though graced with polish'd manners and fine sense, 

 Yet wanting sensibility) the man, 

 Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm. 

 An inadvertent step may crush the snail, 

 That crawls at ev'ning in the public path ; 

 But he that has humanity, forewarn'd, 

 Will tread aside and let the reptile live. 

 The creeping vermin, loathsome to the sight, 

 And charged, perhaps, with venom, that intrudes, 

 A visitor unwelcome, into scenes 



