OF NATURAL HISTORY. 275 



motives, and regardlefs of future contingencies, they obey 

 the fupreme command of Nature. How much is it to be 

 lamented, that, from the cruel, but perhaps unavoidable infti- 

 tutions and cuftoms of civil focieties, it is fo, often not only 

 prudent, but necelTary, to check, and even to overcome, this 

 powerful law of Nature ? 



Many are the advantages that mankind derive from fo- 

 eiety and regular governments, and we fliould chearfully 

 fubmit to thofe hardfhips and inconveniences to which they 

 give rife. But every man, however fubmiflive to the laws 

 of his country, muft regret that neceffity which makes them 

 oppofe any of the laws of Nature, and efpecially the almofl 

 irreiiftlble law of love. 



In the prefent ftate of fociety, it muft be acknowledged, 

 early marriages, among people in the ordinary and dependent 

 Kinks of life, are extremely hazardous. When both parties 

 are induftrious and oeconomical, fuch marriages are not only 

 the moft natural, but are productive of the greateft happi- 

 nefs and cordiality. But the reverfe is dreadful ! Children, 

 ftraitened circumftances, refentment of parents, whether real 

 or affecfted, too often produce all the complicated miferies 

 to which mankind, in their loweft ftate of degradation, can 

 be fubjeCled. Among this order of men, therefore, it is of 

 the higheft importance that the law of Nature fhould yield, 

 for fome time at leaft, to the inftitutions of fociety, and to 

 thofe prudential motives which parents learn from expe- 

 rience to be ingredients effential to the comfort and Imppi- 

 xiefs of life. 



Men of fortune and of opulence have it in their power 

 to obey the lav,^s of Nature and of love ; and fome exam- 

 ples, though few in number, occafionally happen of rich men 

 acting a dilinterefted part in their matrimonial engagemente, 

 Inftead of following ti e dictates of Nature, many men of 

 fortune and independ6>ice, difregarding the high privilege 



