MENTAL AND CORPOREAL. 291 



streets with hydrogen gas and a long list of 

 other inventions and contrivances to which the 

 above discoveries have given rise; we are pre- 

 sented with such a phala s nx of diversified talents 

 and of mental resources, as must for ever dissolve 

 the chain that would link together man with the 

 other portions of the animal kingdom, and deny 

 the propriety of associating any of the brute tribes, 

 in the same order with the human species. 



From the application of the arts, man is neces- 

 sarily led to the pursuits of commerce, in which 

 he never fails to render subservient the inven- 

 tive faculties of others, to the boldness of his 

 own comprehensive speculations ; and while a 

 rigid integrity, the chief prop of his credit, and 

 great personal generosity are displayed, (we 

 speak of the British merchant,) a deep prospect 

 of gain intermixes with all his actions, and com- 

 bined with a systematic knowledge of business, 

 and a wordly acquaintance with mankind, stamp 

 upon him a character peculiarly his own. Through 

 his instrumentality, the ocean is traversed in all 

 directions by vessels conveying to their destined 

 ports the productions of every part of the globe, 

 and opening communications between countries 

 as remotely situated, as opposed to each other in 

 physical constitution, habits, and language. And 

 from his comprehensive transactions, our navi- 

 gation and our manufactures derive their chief 

 impulse, and our necessities and luxuries are fur- 



