character. The progeny of each is of the character of the parent, and though from commixture a spurious breed may be produced, yet no properties are exhibited but what are found in the parents, while the incapacity of the mule to propagate prevents all derangement in the order and classification of the animal tribes. To animal life are attached consciousness, taste, volition, and to some of the higher orders a portion of the finer qualities of man are given. In consequence of this destination of certain animal species, and this capacity for higher attainments, a greater diversity of character is observed in the individuals of such spe-cies, than in any vegetable class. In some degree they are susceptible of education; in some degree acquire tastes and habits, and perform manœuvres, which in the ordinary state of their nature would not be expected from them; consort with animals of a different order; imitate their peculiarities; associate even with man; look up to him with reverence, gratitude, and affection; are ob

servant

servant of his will, and entertain the strongest personal attachment to him. But these aberrations of individual character, if they may be so deemed, are not numerous, are found only in a few classes, are carried but to a small extent, and still the common character of the kind is greatly predominant.

Here, therefore, in the whole of this Earth of ours that is subject to our view and examination, except man, we find a similarity of plan, an end and a respectable end to be contemplated by the artist; we discover a furniture of means adapted to the end, no superfluity or deficiency of means; that the means are in each species as simple as the dignity of the species in the scale of creation admits of; that the means, though simple, are extensive in their operation, and, which deserves particular attention, that the end is attained in all the infinite orders of being, in a manner conformed to one general rule, viz. by furnishing the individuals of each species ab initio with a constitution, which produces either a perfect sameness,

or

or such a conformity, as discriminates the species. Whether this conformity be denominated a law of nature or a law of God, is of no moment to my present argument. It is sufficient to my purpose, that this law, as the proximate cause, is acknowledged by every philosopher, of whatever complexion his religious creed may be, as the only obvious account of that uniformity, which characterizes the individuals of every separate species.

In aid of the conclusion which I have in view, I might adduce the uniformity of the law, which regulates the motions of the bodies in our solar system, and, by a wellfounded analogical presumption, of the infinite systems, which through the immeasurable extent of space claim each a star as their sun. The law is one and the same to all; they each move in elliptic orbits, and two properties, viz. that the elliptic areas commencing from the perihelion or aphelion of each are constantly in proportion to the times elapsed, and that the cubes of the distances

distances of the planets from the sun are as the squares of their periodical revolutions in their orbits, harmonise the motions of them all, and assign to each of them, and to their inhabitants, their respective order and proportion of days, and nights, and seasons. No account can be given of this uniformity and harmony, but in one of these two ways, first, that some powerful agent is continually acting upon each orb, so as to give to each that direction and velocity which his will determines. This is not supposed by any one, not even by those, who acknowledge this agent as the primary cause. The second, therefore, as of necessity presents itself, that each planet has impressed upon it a common property or properties, which may be considered as their common constitution, from which are constantly derived the uniformity and harmony of their

motions.

We have then advanced a considerable step further, we have taken into our view, and submitted to our examination, inasmuch

much as they can be subjected thereto, the innumerable worlds that float in the vast expanse. Though the furniture and inhabitants of these worlds are unknown to us, and of them we can form no judgment, yet inasmuch as regards the orbs themselves, as productions of the same creating power, whatever this power be, we have found reason to infer the same conclusion, as in the various species which constitute the furniture of our globe. The planets of each solar system are subject to one and the same law, they subserve to one and the same end; the means to this end are simple, but extensive and grand in their operation; they have, in fine, common properties, one and the same nature, and if we may use the term, one and the same constitution.

Here, then, in the vast survey of the whole universe, so far as it can be submitted to our observation and judgment, but still excepting man, we find a similarity of plan, in providing every single species of being with inherent tendencies or qualities, adapt

ed