170 LETTEIl XXIX. 



seems to constitute the pleasures of a considerable 

 part of the animal creation; defence, flight, or in- 

 stinctive precaution, is also the principal business of 

 another part ; and even in regard of the latter tribe, 

 \ve have no reason to suppose that their happiness is 

 much disturbed by their apprehensions. Their dan- 

 ger, it is true, continually exists, and nature has en- 

 dowed them with an instinctive sagacity, which ren- 

 ders them so far sensible of it as to provide against it 

 in the best manner they are able; but it is only when 

 the attack is actually made that they appear to suffer 

 from their situation. 



To contemplate the insecurity of their condition 

 with anxiety and dread, requires a degree of reflec- 

 tion which the compassionate benevolence of the 

 Creator has kindly refused to them; thus graciously 

 providing that their present safety may not be dis- 

 turbed with the apprehensions of future danger, nor 

 their immediate enjoyments embittered by the con- 

 templation of distant calamity. The hare, notwith- 

 standing the number of its dangers and its enemies, is 

 as playful, and apparently as happy as any other ani- 

 mal, until the very moment that the hounds appear 

 in view. 



To this sketch of the Divine wisdom and goodness 

 exhibited in the ceconomy of animal life, we may, 

 my dear Sir, add another consideration that edually 

 tends to develop the attributes of the Great Author of 

 Nature. 



The three modes by which life is terminated are, 

 disease, decay, or violence. The brute creation, liv- 

 ing, according to the simple dictates of nature, is not 

 very subject to acute diseases; and this must certainly 

 be esteemed a happy circumstance of animal life. 

 But let us consider the state of suffering in which a 

 poor animal is placed when left to perish by age or 

 decay. Man, in his sicknesses and infirmities, has 

 the assistance of his fellow creatures, who, if they 

 cannot alleviate his pains, can at least minister to his 

 necessities, and supply the place of his own activity; 

 but the brute, in his natural state, does every thinjf 



