OF NATURAL HISTORY. 53^ 



In the talents and qualities of quadrupeds of the fame fpe- 

 eies, therQ are often remarkable differences. Thefe diflfer- 

 ences are confplcuous in the various races of horfes, dogs, &c. 

 Even among the fame races, fome are bold, fprightly, and 

 fagaclous. Others are comparatively timid, phlegmatic, 

 and dull. 



Our knowledge of the chain of Intelle(Slual and corporeal 

 beings is very imperfetfl ; but what we do know gives us ex- 

 alted ideas of that variety and progreffion which reign in the 

 univerfe. A thick cloud prevents us from recognifing the 

 moft beautiful and magnificent parts of this immenfe chain 

 of being. We fhall endeavour, however, to point out a few 

 of the more obvious links of that chain, which falls under 

 our own limited obfervation. 



ISIan, even by his external qualities, ftands at the head of 

 this world. His relations are more extenfive, and his form 

 more advantageous, than thofe of any other animal. His in-p 

 telledlual powers, when improved by fociety and fcie|ice, 

 raife him fo high, that, if no degrees of excellence exifted 

 among his own fpecles, he would leave a great void in the 

 chain of being. Were we to confider the characters, the 

 manners, and the genius of different nations, of different 

 provinces and towns, and even of the members of the fame 

 family, we fliould imagine that the fpecles of men were as 

 various as the number of individuals. How many gradations 

 may be traced between a ftupid Huron, or a Hottentot, and 

 a profound philofopher ? Here the diftance is immenfe ; 

 but Nature has occupied the whole by almoft infinite ftiades 

 of difcrimination. 



In defcending the fcale of animation, the next ftep, it is 

 humiliating to remark, is very fhort. Man, in his loweft 

 condition, is evidently linked, both in the form of his body 

 and the capacity of his mind, to the large and fmall orang- 

 outangs. Thefe again, by another flight gradation, are con- 



