LETTERS TO BROTHER JOHN. 295 



tural condition ; viz. that which a right exercise 

 of sound reason leads him to adopt, as being most 

 agreeable to his nature. He has also, therefore, 

 natural habits, and a natural manner of nutrication ; 

 viz. those which right reason points out, and well- 

 founded experience approves. 



I ask, Is the present condition of society 

 are the present habits and manners of man natural 

 to him ? That is to say, Are they the result of a 

 right exercise of sound reason? Are they conge- 

 nial with his nature? Or do they result from the 

 abuse of his reason from pampered passions, mere- 

 tricious appetites, and vicious propensities ? 



No one will deny, that the ultimate aim of all 

 men's pursuits the final goal, towards which all 

 mankind are running, or fancy they are running 

 the philosopher's stone, of which all are in search 

 the ultima linea of all human hopes and human 

 efforts is, HAPPINESS. 



The right exercise of a sound reason, therefore, 

 would certainly induce mankind to choose that 

 path which experience has proved will conduct 

 him to happiness, and would warn him against 

 those which the experience of ages has shewn will 

 not lead him to happiness. 



The question is thus brought to turn upon this 



