OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



493 



Migration is generally fuppofed to be peculiar to the feathered 

 tribes. This is a limited idea, which has originated from inattention 

 to the oeconomy of Nature. Birds migrate with a view to remedy 

 the inconveniencies of their prefent fituation, and to acquire a more 

 commodious ftation with regard to food, temperature, generation, 

 and fhelter. From fimilar motives, men, fometimes in amazing 

 multitudes, have migrated from north to fouth, difplaced the native 

 inhabitants, and fixed eftablifhments in more comfortable climates 

 than thofe which they had relinquifhed. Thefe, in their turn, have 

 fallen vidlims to frelh and barbarous emigrants. Among the inha- 

 bitants of the more northern nations, as Norway, Sweden, Scotland, 

 &c. notwithftanding a very ftrong attachment to their native coun- 

 tries, there feems to be a natural or inftindive propenfity to migrate. 

 Poverty, the rigour of climate, curiofity, ambition, the filfe repre- 

 fentations of interefted individuals, the opprefTion of feudal barons, 

 and fimilar circumftances, have of late given rife to great emigra- 

 tions of the human fpecies. But, it is worthy of remark, that the 

 emigrations from fouth to north, except from the love of conqueft 

 in ambitious nations, are fo rare, that the inftind feems hardly to 

 exift in thofe more fortunate climates. Curiofity is a general inftinc- 

 tive principle, which operates ftrongly in the youthful periods of 

 life, and ftimulates every man to vifit places that are diftant from 

 his ordinary refidence. This innate defire is influenced by the rela- 

 tions of travellers, and by many other incentives of a more inter- 

 efted kind. Without the principle of migration, mankind, it is pro- 

 bable, would never have been fo univerfally diffuled over the fur- 

 face of the earth. It is counterbalanced, however, by attachment 

 to thofe countries which gave us birth, a principle ftill more power- 

 ful and efficient. Love of our native country is fo ftrong, that, af- 

 ter gratifying the migrating principle, almoft every man feels a long- 

 ing defire to return. 



Savagea, 



