NATURAL THEOLOGY. 133 



provided they be founded (which I think they 

 are) in right reasoning : but they are of a nature 

 too wide to be brought under our survey, and it is 

 often difficult to apply them in the detail. Our 

 speculations, therefore, are perhaps better employ- 

 ed when they confine themselves within a narrow- 

 er circle. 



The observations which follow are of this more 

 limitted, but more determinate, kind. 



Of bodily pain, the principal observation, no 

 doubt, is that which vv^e have already made, and 

 already dwelt upon, viz, "that it is seldom the ob- 

 ject of contrivance ; that when it is so, the contri- 

 vance rests ultimately in good." 



To which, however, may be added that the an- 

 nexing of pain to the means of destruction is a sal- 

 utary provision ; inasmuch as it teaches vigilance 

 and caution ; both gives notice of danger, and ex- 

 cites those endeavours which may be necessary 

 to preservation. The evil consequence, which 

 sometimes arises from the want of that timely in- 

 timation of danger which pain gives, is known to 

 the inhabitants of cold countries by the example 

 of frost-bitten limbs. I have conversed with pa- 

 tients who had lost toes and fingers by this cause. 

 They have in general told me, that they were to- 

 tally unconscious of any local uneasiness at the 

 time. Some I have heard declare, that, whilst 

 they were about their employment, neither their 

 situation, nor the state of the air, was unpleasant. 

 They felt no pain ; they suspected no mischief; 

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