$94? . THE PHILOSOPHY 



eile our minds to a fyftem fo deflru<rtive to individuals of 

 every fpecies, that humanity, when not enlightened by a ray 

 of philofophy, is apt to revolt, and to brand Nature with 

 cruelty and oppreffion. Nature, it muft be confefled, feems 

 almoft indifferent to individuals, who periili every moment 

 in millions, without any apparent compundlion. But, with 

 regard to fpecies of every defcription, her uniform and un- 

 interrupted attention to the prefervation and continuation of 

 the great fyftem of animation is confpicuous, and merits ad- 

 miration. Life, it fhould appear, cannot be fupported with- 

 out the intervention of death. Through almoft the whole 

 of animated Nature, as we have feen, nothing but rapine, 

 and the deftrudlion of individuals, prevail. This deftruc- 

 tion, however, has its ufe. Every animal, after death, ad- 

 minifters life and happinefs to a number of others. In ma- 

 ny animals, the powers of digeftion, and of affimilation, are 

 confined to animal fubftances alone. If deprived of animal 

 food, fuch fpecies, it is evident, could not exift. The chief 

 force of this obfervation, it is admitted, is applicable folely 

 to the carnivorous tribes, ftridlly fo denominated. But, from 

 the fa(fts formerly enumerated, and from the daily experi- 

 ence of every man, it is apparent, that, perhaps, no animal 

 does or can exift totally independent of food that is or has 

 been animated. Sheep, oxen, and all herbivorous animals, 

 though not from choice, and even without confcioufnefs, 

 daily devour thoufands of infefls. This may be one reafon 

 why cattle of all kinds fatten fo remarkably in rich paftures j 

 for infedls are always moft numerous where the herbage is 

 luxuriant. Nature is fo profufe in her animated produc- 

 tions, that no food can be eat, and no fluid can be drunk, in 

 which animal fubftances, either in a living or dead ftate, are 

 not to be found. 



To this reafoning it may be objecSled, Why has Nature 

 eftabliflied a fyftem fo cruel ? why did fhe render it necef^ 



