FACULTIES OF THE MIND. 305 



treads with caution^ and he points with fear." But it is 

 needless to multiply examples: for all our domesticated 

 animals exhibit the power of restraining their instincts ; and 

 the extent of this power is in the ratio of their obedience. 

 We shall not here inquire into the motives which regulate 

 the obedience, knowing that the moralist is aware that 

 compliance with the laws of society, in regard to man, is 

 often disagreeable, and even forced. 



" There is another"" (says the same ! philosopher *) 

 " and very important respect, in which the nature of man 

 differs from that of the brutes. He is able to avail him- 

 self of his past experience, in avoiding those enjoyments 

 which he knows will be succeeded by suffering; and in 

 submitting to lesser evils, which he knows are to be instru- 

 mental in procuring him a greater accession of good. He 

 is able, in a word, to form the general notion of happiness, 

 and to deliberate about the most effectual means of attain- 

 ing it." We are compelled, however reluctantly, again to 

 differ from this celebrated moralist, and to advance the 

 opinion that the brutes do control their instinctive powers 

 under the guidance of experience ; avoid enjoyments which 

 are succeeded by sufferings ; and submit to lesser evils, to 

 avoid greater ones. We by no means venture to state, that 

 the lower animals are always so prudent, and we presume 

 that none will contend for the universality of such discretion 

 in the human species. But that they are guided in their 

 attempts to avoid evils and secure happiness, by the expe- 

 rience of the past, cannot admit of a doubt. A horse 

 will submit to the lesser evil of mending his pace, ra, 

 ther than to the greater evil of being spurred. Dogs 



Outlines, p. 112, 

 VOL. I,. 



