sources of almost every vice. Before mankind began to multiply on the earth in a favourable climate, their wants would be few; and, fruits of delicious flavour being plenteously supplied, there is every probability that their lives would be passed in the greatest simplicity;-uncontaminated by the envy, strife, malice, treachery, and cruelty, which too frequently characterise a life of constant competition in civilized society; where "each seeks his own", regardless of the wants, and frequently at the expense of his neighbour. In each state of society there is plenty for all; but, in the latter, an individualizing and ambitious spirit leaves enough to none.

35. Though we should admit, therefore, that the first races of mankind were neither learned nor scientific, nor possessed of highly intellectual powers, yet the probability is, that they would be simple and innocent in their habits and manners; mild, frank, and generous in their conduct towards each other; and in short that they would practise, from native impulse, all the more general virtues which we learn as matters of duty or expedience.

CHAPTER III.

INFERENCES FROM THE SENSATIONS OF SIGHT, SMELL,
AND TASTE.

1

36. THE intimate relations that exist between the organs of sense and food, will be considered more at large when treating of the natural food of man; and I shall here merely refer to those more obvious relations, which would influence man in his primeval state.

37. In all matters connected with organic life, comprehending the preservation of existence and the propagation of the species, man is directed by similar instinctive feelings, and governed by the same general laws, as inferior animals. Sensations yielding pleasure, without any intervention of reason, infallibly direct him to the adoption of the means best adapted for securing his well-being; and painful or disagreeable sensations constantly warn him of danger and impending destruction. No superior intellectual endowment,-no scientific research could so effectually and so instantaneously direct man to the best means of self-preservation. These observations particularly apply to the selection of food suitable to his peculiar organization, and best adapted for assimilation. Man,

when originally created, would (doubtless) be devoid of all information which we know to be the result of long experience; but food would be immediately necessary for renewing his constantly wasting structure: how then could he be directed to the most suitable aliments, but by the senses of sight, smell, and taste? But even if we grant that man was created with an extensive acquaintance with the properties and qualities of other bodies;-supposing him to have possessed considerable chemical, physiological, anatomical, and other knowledge; yet even these endowments would have been a poor substitute for those instinctive feelings, by which other animals are directed in their choice of food; and the most scientific philosopher, without these instincts, would, if an unusual article of diet were placed before him, be surpassed by an unenlightened rustic, who depended upon the simple suggestions of the senses.

38. Reason and science are insufficient even to remind man when supplies are necessary to recruit his strength, and renew his structure; and without the sense of appetite as a monitor, man would be constantly endangering his life, by neglectiug his daily food. Three senses therefore absolutely necessary to the continued existence of all animals ;-one to render them conscious of the demands of nature, another to direct them to their food, and a third to test the qualities of the food when in

contact.

are

39. "It cannot be too often repeated", observes Mr. Sidney Smith, "that none of those necessaries which an animal requires, are ever left to reason or to mere perception

of utility. The superstructure and basis of humanity is animalism. Man lives before he thinks; he eats before he reasons; he is social before he is civilized; loves even against reasons; and becomes a Nimrod long before he is a Nestor. Had man not been an animal before he became rational, he would not have existed at all. Reason is evidently the last care of nature. She first secures existence, and then finds leisure to think. She begins with enduing man with the faculties necessary to enable him to provide for himself, before she ventures to animate him with the sentiments which dictate to him to look abroad for the health of others; and she bids him provide for others before she allows to him that high advance in reason, which gives him leisure to indulge in the mere exercise of intellect."

40. Upon these instinctive feelings, then, mankind must have originally depended for direction, in the selection of appropriate diet; and can we suppose, judging even from our own perverted sensations, that man would be tempted by the sight of other animals to kill them for food? There is "beauty in them", it is true; their shape, symmetry, and motions delight and please us; but there is no such beauty as is calculated to excite the appetite while they are living, much less when dead. But suppose an animal to have been killed, either by design or by accident, and that its skin had been removed-would this be a sight calculated to excite desire, or would the smell and taste be gratified by such an object? Rather would not the sensations arising from these organs excite horror and aversion; and "in a warm climate, where

putrefaction immediately succeeds dissolution, must not the dead flesh have speedily diffused an offensive odour, and occasioned insuperable loathing and disgust?"

41. Judging from instinctive feelings, therefore, we must conclude, that man could not have been originally carnivorous; for the mangled and gory limbs of a dead animal, are not calculated to gratify the sensations of either sight, smell, or taste. What objects, then, without artificial preparation, would be most likely to yield pleasurable sensations to each of these senses, when the calls of hunger demanded satisfaction? Would the grass of the field be sufficient for this purpose? The herbivorous animal is attracted by the sight of a verdant lawn, and the sensations of smell and taste are there equally gratified; but this is not the case with man. Food of a higher character was designed for him. Moses informs us that, "out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food" (Genesis ii. 9); and, again, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." (Genesis iii. 6.) Thus we find that the organ of sight was the first to direct Eve in the choice of food; and that fruit was in this respect most attractive. No other kind of diet, in its natural state, is so calculated to afford pleasure to three out of the five senses with which man has been endowed. The eye is pleased with the varied forms and hues of the fruit of genial climes, and