CANNIBALISM. 



213 



Contemplating cannibalism in this point of view, 

 I come to the conclusion, that, the nature, the 

 habits, and the superior powers of man, forbid 

 him to be a cannibal. 



Let us enquire what it is, that instigates a 

 brute animal to prey upon one of its own species ; 

 after which, we can extend the investigation to 

 man himself : and then see what it is, that causes 

 this rational being to forfeit his high position in 

 the creation ; and in fact, to place himself below 

 that of wild beasts themselves. I say below, 

 because man, in his most uncultivated state, 

 possesses reasoning qualities, of sufficient force 

 to keep him at the head of all animals ; whilst 

 these latter, have nothing more than instinct for 

 their guide. 



If a number of irrational animals, consisting 

 only of one species, were to be deprived of their 

 liberty, and to be shut up in a place, from which 

 they could not escape; they would prey upon 

 each other, as soon as absolute hunger forced them 

 to do so. Of this, there are many well authen- 

 ticated instances, by which, we clearly perceive, 

 that, hunger alone, has been the real incentive. 

 For example, confine a dozen of Hanoverian rats, 

 (animals so notorious for living on other people's 

 means) in a large cage replete with provisions. 



