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4.
There can be no room to doubt that as the Divine Providence has allotted to every Animal its mode of existence, dispositions, & manner of life, the same care has been taken of the Human Race; there is one material distinction, in other classes of animals the individual advances from infancy to maturity, and attains in a single life all the perfection his nature can arrive at; but in mankind the Species has a progress as well as the individual, every Subsequent Age builds on the foundations formerly laid, & by degrees perfection the application of their facultys, where long experience is required & a combination of the endeavours of many generations.
Man in his most unpolished state has ever been Superior to the Brute creation; we cannot trace when he was unacquainted with his own Species;
Art is natural to Man as he is from his origin destined to invent & contrive; he is ever attempting to make improvements, therefore naturally fickle & obstinate, & we mistake human nature if we imagine it inclined to a privation of labour, & a scene of repose.
What has been now laid down will we hope clearly shew the absurdity of those who by the State of nature mean the opposite to Art.