A discourse, before the Humane Society, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts : Boston, June 14, 1808 / by Thomas Danforth ; published by request of the Society.

  • Danforth, Thomas, 1772-1817.
Date:
1808
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A discourse, before the Humane Society, of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts : Boston, June 14, 1808 / by Thomas Danforth ; published by request of the Society. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    have been improved, science and the arts would never have been known. Man is indeed formed to survey with delight the magnifi- cent spectacle of nature, and regale in the serenity of virtue, but is dependent on his brethren and the opinions he ac- quires concerning them and things, for happiness or mis- ery. In the school of misfortune he is stimulated to reflec- tion, and must acquire experience. In early life, free, open and unsuspecting, he becomes an unwary prey to base as- sociates, habit insensibly gains controul, resolution sickens, he falls degenerate and wretched. The scions of vice are now ingrafted, and we no longer recognize the fruit of the original stock. Our sufferings are in proportion to our natural sensibil- ity, the state and influence of our habits.. Hence that which shall cause pain in one mind, will produce impatience in a second, anirer in a third, hatred in a fourth, and crime in the last. There are natures which cannot carry the weight of affliction. Shakespeare makes Lear invoke the Gods, to .grant him true need to support filial ingratitude. The unfortunate king, as full of grief as age, wretched in both, would flatter himself that no water drops should stain his man's cheeks, yet he sinks at last beneath the mighty pressure, and such is the power of sympathy, that the de- graded but noble partner in his moody madness, yields also his life to friendship. Mere want of riches may be regarded as among the smallest misfortunes. If the life of man be as cheap as beasts, the gorgeous palace and the luxurious table would be superfluous. Habit however converts into second na*