364 



ON THE 



moting that extensive commerce, upon the sue* 

 cess of which, his wealth, and his importance so 

 mainly depend. 



Thus the closer we examine the plans of provi- 

 dence, the greater reason have we to be convin- 

 ced, that in no instance has an evil occured, 

 without its being more than compensated, by 

 some preponderating good. In confirmation of 

 the great effect of civilization, and of the impro- 

 ved state of the arts, in contributing to the des- 

 truction of the more offensive animals, we may 

 adduce the present state of many portions of 

 Europe, which, in former times, only served as 

 shelter to Bears and other large carnivorous ani- 

 mals ; but which, now, are covered with domestic 

 herds and flocks, or are engaged in extensive cul- 

 tivation for their support; while in this country 

 in particular, which, not a very long period back 

 was overwhelmed with Wolves and Foxes; the 

 former animals have been completely extirpated, 

 and the latter so diminished in numbers, that we 

 may look forward at no very distant era, for their 

 total extinction. 



In The Tropical and Polar Latiudes, the inhabi- 

 tants have still to contend with ferocious animals ; 

 but these by, improved cultivation, have been so 

 generally confined to swampy desarts and to the 

 remotest forests, and by an advancing population, 

 are in the way of being still further restricted ; 

 that their depredations, it] is reasonably to be 



