50 MAMMALIA. PRIMATES. Man. 



numerous, and in higher perfection, than thofe of all other animals. " Man, intended 

 " for exercifing dominion over the whole animal creation, is fent, by Nature, into the 

 " world naked, forlorn, and bewailing his lot ; he is then unable to ufe his hands or 

 " feet, and is incapable of acquiring any kind of knowledge without inftruclion ; he 

 " can neither fpeak, nor walk, nor eat, nor do any action whatever by natural inftinch." 

 Pliny. — " We may judge what kind of life is allotted to us by Nature, fince it is or- 



" dained, as an omen, that we fhould come weeping into the world." Seneca. " It 



" is humiliating to the pride of man, to confider the pitiable origin of this mod arro- 

 " gant of all the animals." Pliny. 



§ 2. Dietstically. — Curci vaktudinem I 



Bodily health and tranquillity of mind are more to be defired than all the riches- 

 pomp, or glory, of a Crefus, a Solomon, or an Alexander. Health is to be preferved 

 by moderation, it is deflroyed by abstinence, injured by variety of delicacies, weaken- 

 ed by unufual things, and ftrengthened by the ufe of proper and accuftomed fare, Man, 

 learned in the pernicious art of cookery, is fond of many difhes, rendered palatable by 

 the injurious effects of fire, and by the baneful addition of wine. " Hunger is fatified 

 " with a fmall quantity of food, luxury demands overabundance. Imagination requires 

 " vail fupplies, while Nature is contented with a moderate quantity of ordinary food, 

 " and is burthened by fuperfluity." Seneca* — According as thou liveft, fo fhall thy life 

 be enjoyed- 



§ 3. Pathologically. — Memento mori ! 



The life of man refembles a bubble ready to burft ; his fate is fufpended by a hair, 

 and is dependent on the uncertain lapfe of time. " The earth contains nothing more 

 " frail than man." Homer. — " Nothing is weaker than human life : To what dangers, 

 " and to how many difeafes, is it not expofed ? Hence the whole period of a man's 

 " is but a fpan : Half of it is neceffarily fpent in a flate refembling death ; without 



" • luding the years of infancy, wherein there is no judgment, or the period of old 

 " : e, fertile in fufferings, during which the fenfes are blunted, the limbs become ftiff, 

 " and the faculties of fight and hearing, the powers of walking,, and the teeth, the in- 

 " liniments of nourishment, fail before the reft of the body. Pliny. — " Thus a confi- 

 " derabie part of death is fulFered during life; and death poffeffes all that belonged to 

 M the times which are paft. Finally, Nature will ipeedily recal and deftroy all the be? 



" ings. 



