468 ^HE PHILOSOPHY 



In the human fpecles, the variety of tempers, afFe<n:Ions, 

 averfions, and ftudies, is indifpenfibly neceflary for fupport- 

 ing the focial ftate, and carrying on the general bufinefs of 

 hfe. Some minds are formed for ftiidy and deep refearch, 

 and others for aflion, courage, and the exertion of bodily 

 powers. The fame variety in the difpofitions and manners 

 of the different tribes of animals is equally necefTary for peo- 

 pHng the earth, and tor fupplying the reciprocal exigencies 

 of its inhabitants. 



Befide the general fpecific characters of animals, individual 

 charadlers, efpecially among the human race, are ftrongly 

 marked, and greatly variegated. In every government, and 

 particularly in commercial ftates, human characters, indepen- 

 dently of the original bias, or genius, flamped by Nature on 

 individual minds, are often fo difguifed by a thoufand arti- 

 fices, that it requires not only time, but frequent interefting 

 fcenes, before a man can difcover the real charaCler even of 

 an intimate companion. Many men afTociate together in 

 the moft harmonious manner, and fliow every fymptom of 

 friendfhip and attachment ; but, when any of them happens 

 to be diftreffed, and to require aid, all this apparent friend- 

 fliip inftantly vanifhes, the afpecSt of the countenance, inftead 

 of exhibiting fympathy and cordiality, is converted into a 

 cold referve, and the unfortunate former companion is firfb 

 iliunned, and then deferted. This piClure of human nature, 

 we are forry to remark, is too general ; but, thank Heaven, 

 it is not univerfal ; for there always were, and ftill are, men 

 of noble and generous minds, who willingly facrifice part of 

 their own interefl: to that of their friends. 



With regard to the characters of quadrupeds, befide the 

 fpecific difpofitions which difliinguifli the different kinds, 

 each individual pofTefTes a peculiar character by which it may 

 be difcriminated from any other. Thefe individual charac- 

 ters may be difcovered not only by the afpeCt, but by the 



