lumn in the age of early infancy; and here we shall see, that, although at that period the parts, in which the conditions of strength and flexibility are so remarkably developed in the adult state, are not yet formed, or not completed; those parts which are essential to the security of the life of the individual are nearly in as perfect a state as at the age of manhood: so that in the midst of the most decided marks of weakness and imperfection in the rest of the column, there is an extraordinary instance of strength and perfect growth, in precisely that part of it which could not have been left in an incomplete state, without manifest, immediate, and constant danger to the individual. In other words, the bodies and processes of the several vertebræ on which the strength and flexibility of the spine depend, are in early infancy still in a soft or cartilaginous state; while the annular portions, which with their intervening ligaments constitute the spinal canal, are completely ossified; so as to give as great a degree of security to the spinal marrow as at the age of manhood.

Nor need we spend much time in ascertaining the final cause of this remarkable difference. Is it not indeed obvious on a moment's reflection, that the very helplessness and imperfect state of the physical powers in infancy, so ill understood and appreciated, though so beautifully described by Lucretius, contribute to the fuller develope

ment of the moral character, not only of the individual, but of his parents also, and of all his immediate connexions. The mutual affection, for instance, that takes place and is cemented between the infant and its mother, during the lengthened period in which the latter nurses her offspring; the stimulus, which is given to the exertions of the other parent in supplying the increasing wants of those who depend on him for support; and the general feeling and expression of good-will and attachment, which bind together the numerous individuals of the same family; all coincide to increase the sum of human happiness and virtue. Whereas, were the infant born with all its powers complete, and capable of exerting those powers as soon as born, independently of the assistance of parent, or sister, or brother; what would then remain of those endearing relations, but the empty

name?

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How incorrect then is the conclusion of the poet in that otherwise most beautiful passage of his poem! "The new-born babe, which, like the shipwrecked mariner, lies prostrate on the ground, naked and destitute of every assist"ance required for the support of life, pierces "the surrounding air with its incessant cries; "as if foreseeing the long train of miseries which "it must hereafter encounter. And yet the ten"der foal and lamb not only begin to crop the

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grass, but play about the mother almost as soon as born. The nurse's soothing lullaby is "not wanted by them, nor the excitement of the "rattle or of any other toy: nor do they require a change of dress accommodated to the changing temperature of the surrounding atmosphere; nor arms for their defence, nor walled "cities for their protection; kind nature supplying to them in bountiful profusion whatever is necessary to satisfy their wants"." As if it might not have been reasonably and safely concluded, that that same power, (call it "nature," or by any other name,) which provided so amply for the early wants of the lower species of animals, had some good and special reason for leaving the human infant in a temporary state of helpless weakness.

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a Tum porro Puer, ut sævis projectus ab undis
Navita, nudus humi jacet, infans, indigus omni
Vitali auxilio, cum primum in luminis oras
Nixibus ex alvo matris natura profudit;
Vagituque locum lugubri complet, ut æquum 'st,
Cui tantum in vita restet transire malorum.
At variæ crescunt Pecudes, Armenta, Feræque ;
Nec crepitacula eis opu' sunt, nec cuiquam adhibenda 'st
Almæ nutricis blanda atque infracta loquela:
Nec varias quærunt Vesteis pro tempore Cœli.
Denique non Armis opus est, non Mœnibus altis,
Queis sua tutentur, quando omnibus omnia large
Tellus ipsa parit, naturaque dædala rerum.

Lib. V. 223–235.

C

SECT. III.

Physical Superiority of Man, on what Principle to be estimated.

FROM this helplessness in his early years, and from the occasional inferiority of some of his physical organs to the corresponding organs of brutes, it has sometimes been absurdly asked what claim man has, from his physical structure or powers, to be placed first in the scale of animal beings. His strength, what is it to that of the elephant or of the horse, or even of some species of reptiles or fish? his powers of sight and motion, what are they to those of the bird? his sense of odours, to that of the dog? his touch, to that of the spider?

And yet, even if we entirely omit the consideration of the soul, that immaterial and immortal principle which is for a time united to his body, and view him only in his merely animal character, man is still the most excellent of animals. How confined are the powers of other animals, considered generally, when compared with those of the human species. The comb of the bee indeed is in its construction wonderful; and so is even the nest of the bird, or the habitation of the beaver: but these animals could never be taught to fabricate, or to use, the simplest of those machines or instruments, which man, even in a very partially civilized state, is

in the daily habit of making and employing: much less could they be taught to perform those complicated operations which result from their employment.

But, it may perhaps be said, it is the mind, the intellectual power of man, which enables him to produce the effects in question. His mind indeed enables him to conceive the plan of those operations which he executes, but it does no more: and were his form deficient by one of the smallest of its present members, he would be rendered nearly helpless. Take from his hand but one of the fingers, and he could do nothing. It is the human hand which gives the power of execution to the human mind; and it is the relative position of one of the fingers to the other four, which principally stamps the character of the hand; for the thumb, by its capability of being brought into opposition with each of the other fingers, enables the hand to adapt itself to every shape; and gives it that complete dominion which it possesses over the various forms of matter.

Give all the intelligence therefore that you please to the horse, or to the elephant, yet with hoofs instead of hands it is physically impossible that they could construct the simplest in

b The term poltroon, if not of fancied etymology, (pollice truncatus,) verifies this statement; the Roman soldier who had been deprived of his thumb, being deemed unfit for service.