OF NATURAL HISTORY. 207 



commonly remain during life. The reciprocal affeifllon of parents 

 and children is one of the greateft fources of human happinefs. If 

 the love of children were not ftrong, and if it did not increafe with 

 time, the labour, the conftant attention, tlie anxiety and fatigue of 

 mothers would be unfufFerable. But here Nature, whofe wifdom is 

 always confpicuous, makes affection brave every difficulty, and footh 

 every pain. If a child be fickly, and lequire uncommon care, the 

 exertions of the mother are wonderfully fupported : Pity unites with 

 love ; and thefe two paffions become fo ftrong, that hardfhips, and 

 fatigue of every kind, are fuffered with chearfulnefs and alacrity. 



With regard to the inferior tribes of animals, Nature has not been 

 lefs- provident. To quadrupeds and birds fhe has given a ftrong and 

 marked affedion for their offspring, as long as parental care is ne- 

 ceflary. But, whenever the young begin to be in a condition to pro- 

 teQ. and provide for themfelves, the attachment of the parents gra- 

 dually fubfides; they become regardlefsof their offspring, at laft banilh 

 them with blows, from their prefence, and, after that period, feem to 

 have no knowledge of the objeds which fo lately had engrofled all the 

 attention of their minds, and occupied all the induftry and labour 

 of their bodies. — Here the dignity and fuperiorlty of man appears 

 in a confpicuous light. Inftead of lofing the knowledge of his oflT- 

 fpring after they arrive at maturity, his affedion expands, and em- 

 braces grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, with equal warmth 

 as if they had immediately originated from himfelf, 



CHAP, 



