table creation, and perhaps, through want of sustenance destroy themselves. Instead of these, they are fed and defended by Man. Their lives are rendered comfortable and happy, and their death, though violent, is less painful than it would be, if brought upon them by the gradual advances of disease. They are never unhappy through the fear and expectation of death. Pains arising from this quarter, are only allotted to Man. The tender Lamb, which is shortly to bleed, to supply our wants, ignorant of the fate that awaits him, skips about contented and happy,

"Pleas'd to the last, he crops the flowery food, And licks the hand just rais'd to shed his blood." POPE.

That one species of animals therefore should prey upon another, cruel as it may at first view appear, is a general law which was dictated by perfect benevolence, in order to promote the happiness of the whole system of animal beings.

The next general law which we shall take notice of under this head, is that by which the several species of animals are kept distinct. Uniformity amidst variety, takes place in every part of the creation of God. What a vast variety of animals inhabit the terraqueous globe! There have been already discovered and arranged more than 2000 different species of birds, 200 of quadrupeds, 12,000 of insects, and about 3000 of fishes. Yet notwithstanding this variety, what a manifest uniformity every where prevails! That this uniformity may be preserved, animals of one species, in consequence of an instinct implanted within them by the Deity, only mix with those of the same species with themselves; and when two kinds resemble each other so much in their outward form, that their difference is not sufficient entirely to controul the instinct of the sexes, there is no farther propagation of this sort: the breed terminates in the first production, and no new species arises. A few words

will be sufficient to shew the advantages arising from this law. If it were reversed, that beauty and harmony which take place in the animal creation, would soon give place to deformity and confusion; the world would teem with monsters, and the fables of the ancient poets, which abound with descriptions of Centaurs, Satyrs, Syrens, and Minotaurs, would become real. That the several species of animals therefore, are preserved distinct, is the consequence of a general law, which is founded in wisdom and benevolence.

By another general law, which takes place in the animal world, all the active powers with which every animal being is endued, when exercised in that degree which answers the end for which they were given, afford Pleasure.

To observe the delight which the inferior animals take in the gratification of their natural propensities, must afford

satisfaction to every benevolent mind. With what pleasure does every animal receive the food which nature has provided for its support! How joyfully does it follow the dictates of every instinct! With respect to those methods which are taken to preserve both the individual and the species, the Former of the world has in every instance mixed the utile dulci.

In consequence of this law on which we are speaking, those animals which are fond of agility, delight in running,` leaping and such like exercises; whilst the strong take a pleasure in drawing, carrying burdens and other exertions of strength. We know from our own experience, and particularly from what we see in children, that those faculties which are remarkably vigorous afford a peculiar pleasure in their use and exercise, if not carried to a very violent degree. Now, in consequence of this law, all creatures are principally led to

those kinds of action which they chiefly excel in, and by which they may be most beneficial to themselves and others. Even those animals which are designed to be the drudges of the creation, are not, on that account, miserable as we might at first imagine: for labour proportioned to their strength is pleasing to them. The courser at full speed, if not cruelly treated, enjoys the race, and the horses and the hounds, (to which it seems more natural,) perhaps enjoy the principal pleasures of the chase. Even the pack-horse plods on the road, under a moderate burden, with ease and satisfaction. It is this law alone which renders life agreeable to the brutal creation. Were every animal endued with active powers, the exercise of which excited pain, the whole creation, instead of abounding with happiness, would be full of misery. Were this the case, our ears would no longer be delighted with the music of the groves, nor our benevolent affections gratified by con