150 HISTORY OF 



that all the verbal instructions in the world will 

 never give an adequate idea of this humble art, 

 or teach a man to become a shoemaker. A day 

 or two in a shoemaker's shop will answer the end 

 better than a whole folio of instruction, which 

 only serves to oppress the learner with the weight 

 of its pretended importance. We have lately seen 

 a laborious work carried on at Paris, with this only 

 intent of teaching all the trades by description : 

 however, the design at first blush seems to be ill 

 considered; and it is probable that very few 

 advantages will be derived from so laborious an 

 undertaking. With regard to the descriptions in 

 natural history, these, without all question, under 

 the direction of good sense, are necessary ; but 

 still they should be kept within proper bounds ; 

 and where a thing may be much more easily shown 

 than described, the exhibition should ever precede 

 the account. 



CHAPTER X. 



OF QUADRUPEDS IN GENERAL, COMPARED TO MAN. 



UPON comparing the various animals of the globe 

 witli each other, we shall find that Quadrupeds 

 demand the rank immediately next ourselves ; 

 and, consequently, come first in consideration. 

 The similitude between the structure of their 

 bodies and ours, those instincts which they enjoy 



