388 HISTORY OF 



Of these, such as bring forth one at a time are 

 the most complete ; and the foremost of these 

 stands man, the great master of all, who seems to 

 have united the perfections of all the rest in his 

 formation. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE INFANCY OF MAN. 

 'V/^fi 3'<fl\] o- ;/:;. . ".' . . .. /. . 



WHEN we take a survey of the various classes of 

 animals, and examine their strength, their beauty, 

 or their structure, We shall find man to possess 

 most of those advantages united, which the rest 

 enjoy partially. Infinitely superior to all others 

 in the powers of the understanding, he is also 

 superior to them in the fitness and proportions of 

 his form. He would, indeed, have been one of 

 the most miserable beings upon earth, if, with a 

 sentient mind, he was so formed as to be incapa- 

 ble of obeying its impulse : but nature has other- 

 wise provided ; as, with the most extensive intel- 

 lects to command, she has furnished him with a 

 body the best fitted for obedience. 



In infancy, * however, that mind, and this body, 

 form the most helpless union in all animated na- 

 ture ; and, if any thing can give us a picture of 

 complete imbecility, it is a man when just come 

 into the world. The infant just born stands in 



* Buflbn, vol. iv. p. 173. 



