ANIMALS. 



419 



bal instructions in tlie world will never give an adequate idea of 

 tills humble art, or teach a man to become a shoemaker. A 

 day or two in a shoemaker's shop will answer the end better than 

 a whole folio of instruction, which only serves to oppress the 

 learner with the weight of its pretended importance. We have 

 lately seen a laborious work carried on at Paris, with this only 

 intent, of teaching all the trades by description : however, the 

 design at first blush seems to be ill considered ; and it is pro- 

 bable that very few advantages will be derived from so laborious 

 an undertaking. With regard to the descriptions in natural his- 

 ti»ry, these, without all question, under the direction of gooi? 

 sense, are necessary ; but still they should be kept within 

 proper bounds ; and, where a thing may be much more easilj 

 shown than described, the exhibition should ever precede the 

 account. 



CHAP. XV. 



OF QUADRUPEDS IN GENERAL, COMPARED TO MAN. 



Upon comparing the various animals of the globe with each 

 other, we shall find that quadrupeds demand the rank immediate-- 

 ly next ourselves ; and, consequently, come first in consideration. 

 The similitude between the structure of their bodies and ours, 

 those instincts which they enjoy in a superior degree to the rest, 

 their constant services, or their unceasing hostilities, all render 

 them the foremost objects of our curiosity, the most interesting 

 parts of animated nature. These, however, although now so 

 completely subdued, very probably, in the beginning, were nearer 

 upon an equality with us, and disputed the possession of the 

 earth. Man, while yet savage himself, was but ill qualified to 

 civilize the forest. AVhile yet naked, unarmed, and without 

 slielter, every wild beast was a formidable rival ; and the destruc- 

 tion of such was the first employment of heroes. But when he 

 began to multiply, and the arts to accumulate, he soon cleared 

 the plains of the most noxious of these his rivals :, a part was 

 taken under his protection and care, while the rest found a pre. 

 caiious refuge in the burning desert, or the howling wilderness. 



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