FACULTIES OF THE MIND. J30*) 



In our review of the intellectual powers, we have de- 

 monstrated, that man and the brutes possess, in common, 

 attention, memory, and imagination; and that, in their 

 ideas of reflection, they have a knowledge of personality, 

 time, power, truth, and duty. But, in all these, man has 

 a decided superiority. This arises chiefly from the strength 

 of his power of Attention, by which he can direct his 

 mind to any subject, until he is satisfied with regard to its 

 qualities or connections ; in other words, he can practise 

 abstraction more successfully. Hence all his ideas of re- 

 flection are more perfect and extensive, and have given 

 rise to the belief in GOD, and the corresponding feelings of 

 a piety, of a future state, and the preparation necessary for 

 a blessed immortality. If the facts which I have adduced 

 in support of the statements be admitted, it follows, that the 

 intellectual powers of man differ, not in kind, but merely 

 in degree, from those of brutes. 



In our examination of the active powers or instincts, we 

 have likewise demonstrated, that man and the brutes pos- 

 sess appetites, desires, and affections, regulated by the 

 same laws, and destined to accomplish the same objects, in 

 the animal economy, exhibiting, however 5 slight shades of 

 difference, according to the species. The superiority of 

 man over the brutes, in reference to th&active powers, (ex- 

 cept perhaps some of the desires,) is so small, that doubts 

 may be entertained respecting his claims of supremacy. 

 The -comparison, indeed, cannot well be made, ; as every 

 species has peculiarities of condition to contend with, for 

 which peculiar active powers or instincts are required. The 

 number of qualities of each instinct, therefore, is in propor- 

 tion to the wants of each species. 



We have likewise seen, that man and the inferior animals 

 naturally utter particular sounds, and execute particular 

 gestures, as the means of communicating thought or feel- 

 ing, and that this natural language is chiefly occupied in ex- 



