existence, which is denied by the Necessarians, is to be allowed at all; since it cannot act independently of some other quality of the mind. Though volition, under different limitations, seems to be possessed by all animals; yet, perhaps, in none, not even in man, does it amount to absolute free-will: nor has it ever been clearly defined. It is quite plain, that an impression must already be received on the mind, or an idea presented to it, before any thing can be willed concerning it. This truth is sufficient to convince us, that the faculty of volition, if it be one, is extremely limited. I should rather define it as the presiding, directing, regulating power of the mind, which, though not able to prevent the admission of impressions, or ideas, could determine and regulate the attention towards them when received, suppressing it towards those that were painful, and continuing it towards those that were agreeable. I should prefer such a definition to one that could rank the power of volition equal with what we ima

gine to constitute free-will in its fullest

extent.

If there were no presiding, or regulating, power over the mind; to what a state of confusion and chaos would it be reduced! being able neither to resist the admission of ideas, nor to arrange and govern them when received, it would be in a state of natural and terrible insanity; myriads of ideal forms would incessantly rise before the troubled soul, and whirl in maddening groups, in ten thousand strange and frightful combinations, till all was dark, and horrible, and the sleep of death fell upon the benighted sufferer! Why should we refuse to believe that God hath given a preventive check for such enormous evils? or why should we object to allow that that check is the power of volition?

Consciousness is of two kinds: with that resulting from DIVINE REVELATION We can have nothing to do in this discussion; and the other, which is the mere internal sensation, connected with the nature of the

brain, and common to all animals, has already been sufficiently noticed.

Now, we have no other means of judging to what extent, all, or any, of these superior faculties are possessed, either by man or other animals, than by actions. It is idle to talk of things, or principles, appearing what they are not; or of one animal transferring its motives to another; because, actions are the consequences, or the actual operation, of motives; and the motive, being itself the spring, must reside in the animal which performs the action; whether it is the result of necessity, or of free-will. Let us, therefore, seek for a few plain illustrations in the memoirs of some of the inferior animals, with a view of coming at the truth; whether or not they have mental capacity analogous to that of man, and even superior to what is displayed by some of the most degraded of the human species.

CHAP. IV.

Illustrations to prove the Truth of what has been advanced in the preceding Chapter, in respect to the Mental Capacities of what are termed the Inferior Animals.

IN presenting the reader with a few anecdotes of the nature alluded to in the preceding chapter, I wish to avoid giving such as are, probably, already familiar to him. I shall not, therefore, select my instances from works that are, or at least which should be, well known to every one; and which have been compiled principally with the view of shewing the wisdom of GOD in the works of creation. Amongst these, the writings of RAY*, DERHAM†; PALEY‡; and, lately, the Animal Biography of BING

* Wisdom of God, in the Works of the Creation. + Physico Theology.

Natural Theology; or, Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity.

LEY; abound with facts directly tending to prove the truth of the remarks I have made, in support of animals having certain powers of intelligence superior to mere sensation. In the " Memoirs and Illustrations of British Zoology," now in the press, I have detailed some very remarkable proofs of this kind, which have occurred under my own immediate notice. But, as two or three wellauthenticated facts are sufficient to elucidate the truth of any position, or principle, as well as a greater number; I shall restrict myself, on the present occasion, to the mention of a few that may answer my purpose, which, though already published, are contained in works that are not in the hands of every one.

I have always considered the following curious fact as a striking instance of the reasoning faculty, though in no very extensive degree, in a beautiful little bird with which every one must be acquainted. It was noticed by BOLTON, the very ingenious, but very unfortunate, author of the "Harmonia Ruralis."