CHAPTER VIII. 



Faculties of the Mind — Speech — Diseases. — Recapitulation. 



All philosophers refer vvitli one accord to the enjoyment 

 of reason, as the chief and most important prerogative of 

 the human species. If we inquire, however, more particu- 

 larly into the meaning of this word, we shall be surprised 

 to find what various senses difterent individuals affix to the 

 same expression. According to some, reason is a peculiar 

 faculty of the mind, belonging exclusively to man : others 

 consider it as a more enlarged and complete developement 

 of a power which exists, in a less degree, in other animals : 

 some describe it as a combination of all the higher faculties 

 of the mind 5 while others assert that it is only a peculiar 

 direction of them. " Non nostrum inter hos tantas com- 

 ponere lites." 



The subject may, perhaps, be more shortly and safely 

 dispatched by considering it a posteriori. In order to 

 acquire a clear and satisfactory notion of the mental nature 

 of man and animals, it would be necessary for us to have as 

 complete a knowledge of their internal movements, as we 

 have of our own. But, as it is impossible to know what 

 passes within them, or how to rank and estimate their sen- 

 sations, in relation to those of man, we can only judge by 

 comparing the effects which result from the natural opera- 

 tions of both. 



Let us, therefore, consider these effects ; and, while we 

 acknowledge all the particular resemblances, we shall only 

 examine some of the most general distinctions. The most 

 stupid man is able to manage the most alert and sagacious 

 animal ; he governs it, and makes it subservient to his pur- 

 poses. This he effects, not so much by bodily strength or 

 address, as by the superiority of his intellectual nature. 

 He compels the animal to obey him, by his power of pro- 



