INTRODUCTION, 55 



The system of representing general ideas by asso- 

 ciated signs or images, enables us to retain such ideas 

 distinctly in the memory, and to recal them without 

 confusion : it furnishes to reason and imagination 

 an immense storehouse of materials, and affords a 

 medium of communication which enables the whole 

 species to participate in the experience of each indi- 

 vidual ; and by its means knowledge may be raised 

 in the progress of time to an indefinite point of ele- 

 vation. It forms, in fine, the distinctive character of 

 human intelligence. 



Although the most perfect of other animals are in- 

 finitely below mankind in their intellectual faculties, 

 it is nevertheless certain that they perform intellec- 

 tual operations ^similar to ours in kind, though not 

 in degree : they move in consequence of sensations 

 which they have received : they are susceptible of 

 lasting affections : they acquire knowledge by ex- 

 perience, according to which they regulate their 

 conduct independently of the immediate impulses of 

 pain and pleasure, and evidently with a consider- 

 ation of consequence : they feel their subordination 

 in a domestic state : they know that the being who 

 punishes them may refrain from doing so if he will, 

 and accordingly in his presence they assume a sup- 

 pliant air, when conscious of their own culpability, 

 or at least fearful of his anger : they are improved or 

 corrupted in the society of man : they are capable of 

 jealousy and of emulation : among themselves they 

 possess a natural language, which is nothing indeed 



