36 A Change and Succession of Crops recommended, 



ed in our nature. A propensity to wandering, is not 

 confined to savage tribes, it shews itself in those deemed 

 civilised; who follow the worst and most savage pro- 

 pulsions, when they establish themselves, when nations 

 are devoted to chastisement or overthrow, on the ruin, 

 total or partial, of those they subjugate or destroy. 

 And, whether the purpose be achieved progressively 

 and peacefully, or violently and promptly, by those en- 

 circled with diadems, leading hosts, in the pomp, and 

 fearful equipment of war; or by bands, or hordes, of 

 savages, not less destructive and fierce, though less 

 gaudily attired, or formidably arrayed, the same ends 

 are accomplished, though the means are apparently 

 dissimilar. Thus also, violence, decay and dissolution, 

 and operations both awful and disgusting, are the pre- 

 cursors of the changes in timber and plants. These 

 flourish on the destruction of others, to which they suc- 

 ceed ; as do men and other animals, whose numbers and 

 vigour encrease, by changes of race, or locality. 



It is peculiar to animals to be endowed with the ca- 

 pacity of self movement, when choice or necessity in- 

 vites, or compels, changes of locality and habits : and, 

 by the exercise of their own powers, and propensities, 

 man^ and other animals^ are distributed through every 

 clime. The strong disposition, in minds rude or culti- 

 vated, for travel, and visiting distant countries, disguis- 

 ed under an infinity of motives, either of curiosity, im- 

 provement, cupidity, or ambition, is but an evidence of 

 this natural impulse in men. A similar instinct for roam- 

 ing and wandering, appears in other animals ; when they 

 are invited to change their haunts, in pursuit of prey, 

 in search of more sunny regions, and temperate seasons 



