or to defend absolute decrees, and yet free the Deity from being the author of fin, has been found hitherto to exceed all the skill of philosophy. Happy, if she be thence sensible of her temerity, when the pries into these sublime mysteries; and leaving a scene so full of obscurities and perplexities, return, with suitable modesty, to her true and proper province, the examination of common life; where she will find diff. culties enow to employ her enquiries, without launching into so boundless an ocean of doubt, uncertainty, and contradiction!

SECTION

SECTION IX.

A

Of the REASON OF ANIMALS,

LL our reasonings concerning matter of fact are founded on a species of ANALOGY, which leads us to expect from any cause the fame events, which we have observed to result from fimilar causes. Where the causes are entirely similar, the analogy is perfect, and the inference, drawn from it, is regarded as certain and conclusive: Nor does any man ever entertain a doubt, where he sees a piece of iron, that it will have weight and cohesion of parts; as in all other instances, which have ever fallen under his observation. But where the objects have not so exact a similarity, the analogy is less perfect, and the inference is less conclusive; tho' still it has some force, in proportion to the degrees of similarity and resemblance. The anatomical observations, formed upon one animal, are by this species of reasoning, extended to all animals; and 'tis certain, that when the circulation of the blood, for instance, is proved clearly to have place in one creature, as a frog or fish, it forms forms a strong presumption, that the fame principle has place in all. These analogical observations may be carried farther, even to this science, of which we are now treating; and any theory, by which we explain the operations of the understanding, or the ori.. gin and connexion of the pafsions in man, will acquire additional authority, if we find, that the fame theory is requifite to explain the fame phænomena in all other animals. We shall make trial of this, with regard to the hypothesis, by which, in the foregoing difcourse, we have endeavoured to account for all experimental reasonings; and 'tis hoped, that this new point of view will ferve to confirm all our former observations.

2

First, Ir seems evident, that animals, as well as men, learn many things from experience, and infer, that the fame events will always follow from the fame causes. By this principle, they become acquainted with the more obvious properties of external objects, and gradually, from their birth, treasure up a knowlege of the nature of fire, water, earth, ftones, heights, depths, &c. and of the effects, which result from their operation. The ignorance and inexperience of the ⚫ young are here plainly diftinguishable from the cunning and sagacity of the old, who have learned, by long obfervation, to avoid what hurt them, and to pursue what gave ease or pleasure. A horse, that has been accustomed to the field, becomes acquainted with

with the proper height, which he can leap, and will never attempt what exceeds his force and ability. An old greyhound will trust the more fatiguing part of the chace to the younger, and will place himself fo as to meet the hare in her doubles; nor are the conjectures, which he forms on this occasion, founded in any thing but his observation and experience.

THIS is ftill more evident from the effects of difcipline and education on animals, who, by the proper application of rewards and punishments, may be taught any course of action, the most contrary to their natural instincts and propenfities. Is it not experience, which renders a dog apprehensive of pain, when you menace him, or lift up the whip to beat him? Is it not even experience, which makes him answer to his name, and infer, from such an arbitrary found, that you mean him rather than any of his fellows, and intend to call him, when you pronounce it in a certain manner, and with a certain tone and accent?

In all these cafes, we may observe, that the animal infers some fact beyond what immediately strikes his senses; and that this inference is altogether founded on past experience, while the creature expects from the present object the fame events, which it has always found in its observation to result from fimilar objects.

:

Secondly,