70 THE PHILOSOPHY 



whole nations, as well as particular orders of men, who are 

 prohibited by their religion from eating any animal fubftance. 

 But thcfe examples are not fufficient to convince us, that the 

 health, vigour, and multiplication cf mankind would be im- 

 proved by feeding folcly upon pot-herbs and bread. Be- 

 fides, his flomach and inteftines are of a mean capacity be- 

 tween thofe of the carnivorous and herbivorous animals* 

 From this circumftance alone we are warran*Led to conclude, 

 that Nature intended him to feed partly on animal and part- 

 ly on vegetable fubftances j and daily experience teaches us, 

 that men fed in this manner are larger, ftronger, and more 

 prolific, than thofe who are confined to a vegetable diet. If 

 man had no other fources of fuperiority over the other ani- 

 mals than thofe which originate from the fl:ru6lure of his 

 body, his difpofitions ought to be a medium between thofe 

 of the carnivorous and herbivorous tribes. When consider- 

 ed merely as an animal, this appears to be really the cafe. 

 Vulgar and uninformed men, when pampered with a variety 

 of animal food, are much more choleric, fierce, and cruel in 

 their tempers than thofe who live chiefly on vegetables. 

 Animal food heats the blood, and makes it circulate with ra- 

 pidity. In this fituation, every obje£l capable of exciting ap- 

 petite or paflion operates with redoubled force. The weak 

 mind yields to the impulfe, and gives vent to every fpecies of 

 outrage which can debafe human nature. 



In the formation of his body, man has fome advantages 

 over particular animals. But thefe advantages are inconfid- 

 erable, and none of them, perhaps, are peculiar to the fpecies. 

 The ftru^Slure of all animals is nicely adjufled to their defti- 

 nation, and the fi:ation they occupy in the general fcale of 

 Being. The body of man Is evcdi, and his attitude is faid to 

 be that of command. His majeflic deportment, and the 

 firmnefs of his movements, announce the fuperiority of his 

 ?ank. His arms are not mere pillars for the fupport of his 



