144 LETTER XXV. 



cite rational beings to contemplate the greatness and 

 goodness of the Author of Nature, who has created so 

 many subordinate beings endowed with qualities so 

 essential to our comfortable existence, that we cannot 

 but learn the divine lesson of gratitude to tile bounti- 

 ful giver of all good things. With a little reflection, 

 your own good sense, my dear Sir, will enable you to 

 perceive, that to treat with kindness the crearures 

 subject to our domination and committed to our charge, 

 is the most rational-and appropriate demonstration of 

 our gratitude to the Creator of the universe, and com- 

 mon parent of all, for his kind attention to our com- 

 forts and conveniences. 



After exhibiting to your view the nature, the ha- 

 bits, and utility of these different kinds of animals, 

 which, being domesticated among us, and necessary 

 to our service and support, induce us to consider their 

 welfare as connected with our own, I have, my dear. 

 Sir, led you to range among the wilder inhabitants of 

 the forests, the mountains, and the deserts, which, al- 

 though less dependent on man, are frequently the ob- 

 jects of his pursuit and become subservient to his in- 

 terest. Having followed Nature to her most retired 

 recesses, and seen and admired the works of the Cre- 

 ator displayed in a variety of the most useful, the most 

 beautiful, and the most inoffensive animal forms, you 

 will now be engaged in a different pursuit, and pccu*- 

 pied with the contemplation of a new scene. 



I shall leave you a few moments to enjoy the ex- 

 pectation of those new pleasures which you will assu- 

 redly derive from a farther review of animated na- 

 ture; and conclude, by repeating that with unfeigned 

 affection, 



I am*. dear Sir, 



Your's, &c. 



