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CANNIBALISM. 



distinguish the pet from an ordinary fox. Here 

 artificial excitement, and not natural feeling 

 induced them to destroy and consume, the very 

 animal of which they had heen so fond, when it 

 was in the kennel with them. 



Hence, I infer, by the common law T of nature, 

 that foxes will never eat foxes, nor dogs prey upon 

 dogs, unless artificial excitement, or famine inter- 

 vene, to render nugatory, amongst brute animals, 

 the universal mandate, which is equally imposed 

 upon man himself, who is a rational being. 



Thus, in the true meaning of the word, man 

 will never be a cannibal: — that is, man will never 

 feed on man, in the ordinary way of food. Some- 

 thing must indeed occur of most extraordinary 

 import, to abrogate the supreme injunction placed 

 upon the sons of Adam, by order of their Maker. 



I am well aware, that shocking accounts are 

 on record, of man devouring the flesh of man. 

 But, these accounts require looking into. The 

 fact of man eating up his fellow-creature, demands 

 an investigation of the utmost care and discri- 

 mination. 



There is no doubt in my own mind, but that 

 accidental occurrences, and not a natural appetite, 

 may be the cause of an inhumap. repast upon 

 human flesh. Wars amongst savages, whose 



