OF NATURAL HISTORY. 213 



attention, the anxiety and fatigue of mothers would be 

 infufFerablc. But here Nature, whofe wifdom is always 

 conrpicuous, makes afreftion brave every difficulty, and footh 

 every pain. If a child be fickly, and require uncommon 

 care, the exertions of the mother are wonderfully fupported: 

 Pity unites with love ; and thefe two paffions become fo 

 firong, that hardfliips, and fatigue of every kind, are fufFer- 

 ed with chearfulnefs and alacrity. 



With regard to the inferior tribes of animals, Nature has 

 noL been lefs provident. To quadrupeds and birds fhe has 

 given a ftrong and marked affection for their offspring, as 

 long as parental care is neceffary. But, whenever the young 

 begin to be in a condition to prote<Sl: and provide for them- 

 felves, the attachment of the parents gradually fubfides ; 

 they become regardlefs of their offspring, at lafl banifli them 

 u'ith blows, from their prefence, and^ after that period, feem 

 to have no knowledge of the obje<5ls which fo lately engrof- 

 fed all the attention of their minds, and occupied all the In- 

 dufl:ry and labour of their bodies. — Here the dignity and fu- 

 periority of man appears in a confpicuous light. Inftead of 

 loling the knowledge of his offspring after they arrive at ma- 

 turity, his affeclion expands, and embraces grandchildren, 

 and great-grandchildren, with equal warmth as if they had 

 immediately originated from himfelf. 



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