OF MAN. 361 



are mere independent individuals. Claflcs and 

 genera are only the arbitrary operations of our 

 own fancy : And, though we place man in one 

 of thefe clafl'es, we change not his nature ; we 

 derogate not from his dignity ; we alter not his 

 real condition; we only aflign him the firft rank 

 among beings which refemble him folely in the 

 material part of his exiftence. 



When we compare man with the animal 

 creation, we find in both a material organized 

 body, fenfes, flelh and blood, motion, and ma- 

 ny other ftriking refemblances. But all thefe 

 analogies are external, and authorife us not to 

 pronounce, that the nature of man is fimilar to 

 that of the brute. In order to acquire a diflincft 

 idea concerning the nature of each, it is necef- 

 fary that we (hould have as complete a know- 

 ledge of the internal qualities of animals as we 

 liave of our own. But, as it is impofTible to 

 know what pafles within animals, or how to 

 rank or eftimate their fenfations, in relation to 

 thofe of man, we can only judge by comparing 

 the efieds which refult from the natural opera- 

 tions of both. 



Let us, therefore, confider thefe ciTcds ; and, 

 while we acknowledge all the particular refem- 

 blances, we (hall only examine fome of the moft 

 general diftlndlions. The moft ftupid man, it 

 will be admitted, is able to manage the moft a- 

 jert and fagacioiis animal: lie governs it, and 

 makes it fubrervlcni: to his purpolcs. This he 



ciTcds 



