of the Sciences and Arts. 247 



It will however appear, upon a nearer view, 

 that the fcience of morals affords a nnuch wider 

 field than may at firft fight be imagined. The 

 great variety of circumftances and combinations 

 which arife in a poliflied and commercial ftate, 

 open, to an accurate obferver, a perpetual fource 

 of fpeculation. It is, however, my province to 

 fketch the outline only ; to fill it up, properly, 

 would require higher abilities, and more accurate 

 refearch. 



The duties of life are immediately derived 

 from the different relations in which mankind 

 are placed. As a fimple, exifting being, detached 

 from any other of his fpecies, there is a con- 

 nedion between man and his Creator, which 

 fubjefts him to certain duties, prior in point of 

 obligation, to every other claim. 



As individuals, conneded with other indivi- 

 duals, all entitled to the fame rights as ourfelves ; 

 as members of the particular ftate from which 

 we derive protedtion ; and from the other focial 

 and domeftic relations of life, many duties are 

 incumbent on us, which require no fmall degree 

 of accuracy, care and attention, to perform in 

 fuch a manner, as to merit the approbation of 

 thofe with whom we are connefted, and of our 

 own minds. 



Nor let it be thought beneath the dignity of 



the philofopher, to examine the laws that fiibfilt 



between man and the inferior animals of the 



R 4 creation i 



