OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



I 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Of the Principle of Imitation. 



MITATION ncceflarily implies fome degree of intelligence. 

 All animals, particularly thofe of the more perfed kinds, are 

 endowed with the principle of imitation. The confequence is ob- 

 vious, that all animals poflefs a certain portion of inteliedual power. 

 In man, the principle of imitation appears at a very early period of 

 his exiftence. In the more advanced ftages of life, this principle is 

 fo interwoven with other motives of ading and thinking, that it is 

 difficult to diftingulfli it as a feparate inftinft, and equally difficult to 

 conquer the habits and prejudices to which it has given rife. The lefs 

 a man has cultivated his rational faculties, the more powerful is the 

 principle of imitation over his adions and his habits of thinking. 

 Moft women, of courfe, are more influenced by the behaviour, the 

 fafliions, and the opinions of thofe with whom they affociate thaa 

 men. From this almoft irrefiftible inftind, we fhould learn the ex- 

 treme danger of frequenting the company of the diflblutc and un- 

 principled ; for bad habits are focn acquired, but very difficult to 

 conquer. It is a comfortable circumftance, however, that if men, 

 efpecially when young, are fortunate enough to ffll in with the fo- 

 eiety of the virtuous and intelligent, the principle of imitation, li . be- 

 aevolent is Nature, ads with redoubled force^ If we attend to our own 



feelings^, 



