,-pi. LITERARY INTELLIGENCER. g"- 



too grofsly abfurd for the fimple and unfophifticated 

 ideas of antiquity The union of fecular and fpiritual 

 defpotifm, and the Gothic transfer of rank and title to 

 literature, were necefi'ary to produce fuch monftrous 

 eftabliilnnents. The profejfed authors of our own times 

 demand no elaborate defcription; and initead of retailing 

 common-place fayings on that fubje£l:, we fhall proceed 

 to the eftablilliment of fome general maxims^ relating to 

 the hiftory of this clafs of men. 



To be continued. 



On Animal inJlinEls — T^he Mole and Wonn. 

 All animals are endowed by nature with an inftinftive 

 fear of danger, and powers, in nioft cafes, by which 

 they are enabled to diftinguifh their enemies, and in 

 fome meafure to evade the purfuit of thofe who feek 

 to devour them. The oyfter, on any profpeiSl of dan- 

 ger, (liuts its fhell : The fnail and tortoife retreat 

 within the hard coat that covers tliem : The hedge- 

 hog rolls itfelf into a ball : The chicken, on the hilb 

 appearance of the kite, is agitated with the moft vio- 

 lent alarm, and flies to its mother for protecl:ion : and 

 the hare, on the firft appearance of a dog, betakes it- 

 felf to flight, and exerts its utmoft powers to elude its 

 ravenous pur/uer. This is a general law of nature ; 

 and it extends, as I have reafon to believe, to animals 

 of a lower cJafs than we are accuftomed to imagine. 

 The mole, it is well known, feeds upon the common 

 earth-worm : but I believe it is not generally known, 

 that in the dark regions it inhabits, it is endowed with 

 faculties for diilinguilbing its prey at fome diftance, 

 and farlefs, that the reptile it is in fearch of, can dil- 

 tinguiOi its approaching danger, and try to elude it. 

 Yet, from fome fa£ls that have fallen under my own 

 obfervation, there feems to be no doubt of this circuni- 

 ftance, and that in confccmcnce of it, the mole in tlir. 

 Vol.1. ' i 



