12 Essay on Sheep. 



his wisdom, and his goodness, in having exactly 

 adapted the corporeal and mental faculties of 

 every animal to the station he has be^n pleased 

 to a^*<ign it in the scale of beings. 



While the pride of man is humbled by the 

 reflection, that the most profound works of art 

 are but feeble imitations of nature, he will 

 derive some consolation froin the con'^ideration, 

 that God has condescended in some sort to ren* 

 der him his agent, and to give him extensive 

 powers over the animal and vegetable creation; 

 not only in subjecting them to his control, but 

 even in enabling him, within certain limits, 

 to change and alter their natures, so as better 

 to adapt them to his own use, without subject- 

 ing them too far to his whims. The various 

 species of grain and fruit that make his food, 

 are no where to be found wild, but have been 

 brought to their present state of perfection by 

 the care and cultivation of man. 



The flowers that bloom in the desert (with 

 very few exce])tions) are small and pale, for 

 the most part single, and but slightly fragrant: 

 to the culture of man they owe their brilliant 

 and varied colours, their rich profusion of 

 petals, and their high and grateful fragrance. 

 Domestic birds and beasts change and vary their 

 colours either to gratify his fancy, or to afford 



