GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 287 



matter, and assuming more and more to itself, in its humble 

 capacities, the character of a creator. Thus it is that the fruitful 

 powers of nature are called forth ; the means of animal life and 

 subsistence extended ; the productions of the earth increased, di 

 versified, and improved. Under an improved cultivation, ten men 

 find ample and luxurious support, where, before, one would have 

 starved. New vegetables and new fruits are brought into 

 existence and use, or others rendered more abundant ; and with 

 the increase of vegetable, the increase of animal life is immeas 

 urably extended. Thus it is that new forms of comfort, luxury, 

 and ornament appear with corresponding wants on the part of 

 those who are to enjoy them ; new means of subsistence are 

 supplied ; new forms of habitation are demanded ; new articles 

 of clothing are provided. All the wonders of art spring up ; the 

 multiplied embellishments of refined life present themselves ; 

 and the progress of society is in all respects advanced and con 

 tinually advancing. 



All this grows out of that original element of the human mind 

 to which I early alluded, acquisitiveness, the desire of gain, or 

 advance, or betterment, or profit, which thus stimulates men to 

 the continual improvement of their condition. But all this, we 

 are told by some men, springs from selfishness, and they de 

 nounce it as criminal. Their denunciations are without reason, 

 and they make no just discrimination between the different con 

 ditions of a principle which in its original nature is wholesome 

 and useful, and becomes wrong and pernicious only by its ex 

 travagance and abuse. 



What would man be without any regard to his own interest ? 

 It is an instinctive impulse which prompts us to take care of 

 our lives. Self-preservation is the first law of our nature. But 

 the same law implies the most diligent care of our health, and 

 all that varied and extended provision for health and comfort, 

 necessary to the continuance of life, and to its continuance under 

 circumstances most favorable to its activity, usefulness, and 

 reasonable enjoyment. But who is to take care of us. if we do 

 not take care of ourselves ? If every man, instead of providing 

 for his own wants, gave himself up to the care of his neighbor 

 it is not easy to see that any advantage would be gained by it. 

 Every one would find that, besides multiplied inconveniences, 

 the provision for himself would be far less complete and satis- 



