436 THE PHILOSOPHY 



10 manhood. At firft, their inftinds are limited to obfcure fenfa- 

 tions, and to the performance of a few corporeal aftions, to which 

 they are prompted, or rather compelled, by certain (Simulating im- 

 pulfes unnecefTary to be mentioned. In a few months, their fenfa- 

 tions are perceived to be more diftindt, their bodily a(Stions are 

 better direded, new inftinfts are unfolded, and they affume a 

 greater appearance of rationality and of mental capacity. When 

 ftill farther advanced, and after they have acquired fome ufe of lan- 

 guaee, and fome knowledge of natural objeds, they begin to reafon j 

 but their reafonings are feeble, and often prepofterous. In this 

 manner thay uniformly proceed in Improvement till they are adu- 

 ated by the laft inftind, at or near the age of puberty. After this 

 period, they reafon with fome degree of perfpicuity and juftnefs. 

 Bat, though their whole inftinds are now unfolded and in adioa, 

 every power of their minds requires, previous to its utraoft exer- 

 tions, to be agitated and polilhed by an examination of a thoufand 

 natural and artificial objeds, by the experience and obfervations of 

 thofe with whom they aflbciate, by public or private inftrudion, by 

 fludying the writings of their predeceflbrs and contemporaries, and 

 by their own refledions, till they arrive at the age of thirty-five. 

 Previous to that period, much learning may have been acquired, 

 much genius may have been exerted j but, before that time of life, 

 judgment, abftradion, and the reafoning faculty, are not fully ma- 

 tured. This progrefs Is the genuine operation of Nature, and the 

 gradual fource of human fagacity and mental powers. The fame 

 progrefs is to be cbferved in the powers of the body. It ariives, 

 indeed, fooner at perfedion than the mind. But, if the progrefs of 

 the mind greatly preceded that of the body,, what a miferable and. 

 aukward figure would human beings, at an early period of theic 

 exiftence, exhibit ?, Aftive and vigorous minds, ftimulated to com- 

 mand what the organs of their bodies were unable to obey, would 

 produce peeviflineffj anger, regret, and every diftrcffing paffion. 



The 



