The Young Gentlemen and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant; Being a Collection of Select Pieces from Our Best Modern Writers ...

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 edition. Excerpt: ...ofihe young? So soon as the wants of the latter cease, the mother withdraws her fondness, and leaves them to provide for themselves: and what is a very remarkable circumstance in this part of instinct, ' we find that the love of the parent may be lengthened out beyond its usual time, if the preservation of the species requires it; as we may see in birds that drive away their young, as soon as they are able to get their livelihood, but continue to feed them if they are tied to the nest, or confined within a cage, or by any other means appear to be out of a condition of supplying their own necessities. _ 7. This natural love is not observed in animals to ascend from the young to the parent, which is not at all necessary for the continuance of the species, nor indeed in reasonable creatures does it rise in any proportion, as it spreads itself downwards; for in all family affection, we find protection granted, and favours bestowed, are greater motives to love and tenderness, than safety, benefits or life received. i / One would wonder to hear sceptical men disputing for the reason of animals, and telling us it is only our pride and prejudices that will not allow them the use of that faculty I62 The Young Gmtlemwi and Lagdy's Monitor, 8. Reason shews itself in all occurrences of life; whereas the brute makes no discovery of such a talent, but in what immediately regards his own preservation, or the continuance of his species. Animals in their generation are wiser than the sons oi; men; but their wis'do'm is confined to a few particulars, and lies' in a very narrow compass. Take a brute out of his instinct, and_ you will find him wholly deprived of understanding. To use an instance that comes under observation. 9. With what caution...