Some Speculations on the Nature of Instinct. 351 



confined to the gratifications of sense; the polished Eu- 

 ropean, pampered by luxury, and abandoned to every species 

 of civilized depravity; and the faithful dog, whose days are 

 spent in ihc serv.ice of his master, — to which of these ani- 

 mals shall we allow the claim of superiority over the other 

 two? In point of useful respectability, 1 believe no one 

 will hesitate to prefer the dog: but, however low and de- 

 graded the human species may be found, the signs ot a 

 superior intelligent principle will be sufficiently plain to 

 mark, distinctly, a barrier between man and the brute crea- 

 tion ; — the glimmerings of an immortal spirit will some- 

 limes break through the gloom, and " render" not only 

 *' darkness" but greatness " visible." 



Metaphysical speculations are so frequently and neces- 

 sarily founded on theory and conjecture, that it perhaps is 

 little wonderful that there should exist so few established 

 principles respecting the striking analogy which exists be- 

 tween the actions of our species and those of other animals. 

 It is not to be expected that bricklayers and labourers should 

 argue on the sentient principle; — but that the generality of 

 well-educated men should have no determinate idea either 

 of themselves or of the animals which surround them, is 

 at least a proof that almost every other science is found 

 more engaguig, and thought more useful, than that of me- 

 taphysics. Ask a man of common abilities, and who has 

 received what is termed a liberal education, what is the 

 mental difference between himself and the dog which lies at 

 his feet, and he will tell you thus: — " A man is composed 

 of a bodv, and a spiritual principle which we call the soul, 

 and which (from Revelation) we know to be immortal. The 

 province of the soul is to reason, and it is our business to 

 act according to the conclusions we are enabled to draw 

 from a comparison of our ideas. The actions of that dog 

 frequently appear to be the effect of reason ; but reason im- 

 plies aa inniiortal soul, which to imagine for a moment 

 existing in brutes, is in the highest degree shocking and 

 absurd. 1 therefore believe that brutes are guided by a 

 principle called Instinct; or, by a certain law whiclj they 

 can neither alter nor control. The operation of this law 

 is as unerring and irresistible as the law of gravitation ; and 

 we mav as well attempt to prove why two drojjs of water 

 adhere together, as to account for the impulse which leads 

 my dog to foUo^v me, and to bark when he sees a stranger. 

 Ot the nature of insiin.t or the human soul I pretend to 

 know nothing. Melaphvsical conjectures are ' weary, stale, 

 flat, and unprofilabic ;' the business of life can be carried ou 



as 



