OF NATURAL HISTORY. 273 



power, at this period, is not fully unfolded, becaufe many human 

 inftin£ts, or mental qualities, have not yet been called forth into ac- 

 tion. But here I muft flop. To do juftice to this interefting fub- 

 jedl would require volumes. 



The love of offspring, which, though not univeifal, is perhaps 

 the ftrongeft and moft aftive principle in human nature. It over- 

 comes the fenfe of pain, and fometimes even the principle of felf- 

 prefervation. A remarkable and a melancholy example of the 

 ftrength of parental afFedion was lately exhibited, and, for the ho- 

 nour of our fpecies, deferves to be recorded. In the beginning of 

 January 1786, the Halfewell Eaft Indiaman, Captain Richard Pierce, 

 was unfortunately wrecked on the coaft of Dorfetfhire. Befide fe- 

 veral other ladies. Captain Pierce had two of his own daughters on 

 board. When the fhip was in the extremity of danger, fome of 

 the company, by fwimming, and other feats of aftivity, got upon a 

 rock. In this dreadful fituation. Captain Pierce afked Mr Rogers, 

 his third mate, if any plan could be devifed for faving the ladies? 

 Mr Rogers replied, ' It is impoffible ! but you may fave youifelf.' 

 Upon which the Captain, addreffing himfelf to his daughters, and 

 enfolding them in his arms, faid, ' Then, my dear children, we fhall 

 'not part; we ihall perifh together !' Mr Rogers quitted the fhip 

 and reached the rock: An univerfal fhriek of defpair was heard, in 

 which the voices of female diftrefs and horror were lamentably dl- 

 ftinguifhable. In a few moments all was hufhed ; the fhip, with 

 every perfon on board, had then gone to the bottom. Parents chear- 

 fully fubmit to the hardefl: labour, and expofe themfelves to the 

 greateft dangers in order to procure nourifhment to their young, or 

 to proted them from injury. 



A bitchj during the operation of diffedtion, licked her young, 



whofe prefence feemed to make her forget the moft excrucia- 



"l; Mm' ting 



