t376 THE GOODNESS OF THE DErTY. 



of evils of this class, when we clearly perceive them to be 

 such. What I have to udd therefore is, that v/e ought not 

 to complain of some other evils, which stand upon the same 

 foot of vindication as evils of confessed imperfection. We 

 never complam that the crlobe of our earth is too small : nor 

 ehould we complain, were it even much smaller. But 

 where is the ditference to us, between a less globe, and a 

 part of the present being uninhabitable? The inhabitants 

 of an island, may be apt enough to murmur at the sterility 

 of some parts of it, against its rocks, or sands, or swamps ; 

 but no one thinks himself authorized to murmur, simply 

 because the island is not larger than it is. Yet these arc 

 the same griefs. 



The above are the two metaphysical answers which have 

 been given to this great question. They aie not the worse 

 for being metaphysical, provided they be founded, (which I 

 think, they are,) in right reasoning ; but they are of a na.- 

 ture too wide to be brought under our survey ; and it is of- 

 ten difficult to apply them in the detail. Our speculations, 

 therefore, are perhaps better employed when they confine 

 themselves within a narrower circle. 



The observations which follow are of this more limited, 

 but more determinate kind. 



Of hodlJy imia the principal observation, no doubt, is, 

 that which we have already made, and already dwelt upon, 

 viz. " that it is seldom the object of contrivance ; that, when 

 it is so, the contrivance rests ultimately in good." 



To which however may be added, that the annexing of 

 pain to the means of destruction is a salutary provision : in-^ 

 asmuch as it teaches vigilance and caution ; both gives no- 

 lice of danger, and excites those endeavours which may be 

 necessary to preservation. The evil consequence, which 

 sometimes arises from the want of that timely intimation of 

 danger which pain gives, is knoun to the inhabitants of 

 cold countries by the example of frost-bitten limbs. I have 

 conversed with patients v.-ho had lost fingers and toes by 

 this cause. They have in general told me, that they were 

 totally unconscious of any local uneasiness at the time, 

 Som.e I have heard declare, that, whilst they were al:>out 

 their employ^^ent, neither their situation, nor the slate of 

 the air, was unpleasant. They felt no pain, they suspect- 

 ed no mischief, till, by the application of warmth, they dis- 

 covered, too late, the fatal injury which some of their ex- 

 tremities had suffered. I say that this shows the use of pain, 

 and that we stand in need of such a monitor. I believe 



