l68 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



the human race, than certain mean and obfcurc 

 famihes, among ourfelvcs, could be propofed as 

 proper models to the Nation ; efpecially when the 

 profefl'ed obje6t is to fupport, by authority, an 

 opinion which is neceflarily fubverfive of all 

 fociety. Befides, fuch aflertions are abfolutely 

 falfe. I have read the hiftory of the voyages from 

 which they are extraâ:ed. The travellers acknow- 

 ledge, that they had but a tranfient view of thofe 

 people, and that they were totally unacquainted 

 with their languages. They took it for granted, 

 that there could be no religion among them, be- 

 caufe they faw no temples j as if any other temple 

 were neceflary to a belief in GOD than the temple 

 of Nature ! Thefe fame travellers likewife contra- 

 divfl themfelves ; for they relate, that thofe Na- 

 tions, whom they elfewhere reprefent as deftitute 

 of all religion, make obeifance to the Moon, at 

 the change, and when full, by proftrating them- 

 felves to the Earth, or by lifting up their hands 

 to Heaven : that they pay refpeâ: to the memory 

 of their fore-fathers, and place viands on their 

 tombs. The immortality of the foul, admitted in 

 whatever manner you will, neceflarily fuppofes 

 the exidence of GOD. 



But if the firft of all truths ilood in need of tef- 

 timony from men, we could colledl that of the 

 whole Human Race, from geniufes the moft ex- 

 alted, 



