92

HISTORY OF AMERICA.

book often ftifles the voice of nature among the Arne-iv. ricans , and fupprelfes the ftrong emotions of pa-rental tendernefs.

Pareuaiaf- But, though neceffity compels the inhabitants

fiUaTdJ 11111 America th us to f et bounds to the increafe oftheir families , they are not deficient in affedionand attachment to their offspring. They feel thepower of this inftind in its full force, and as longas their progeny continue feeble and helplefs, nopeople exceed them in tendernefs and care Butin rude nations, the dependence of children upontheir parents is of fhorter continuance than inpolifhed focieties. When men mull be trained tothe various fundions of civil life by previousdifcipline and education, when the knowledge ofabftrufe fciences muff be taught, and dexterity inintricate arts muff be acquired, before a youngman is prepared to begin his career of adion, theattentive feelings of a parent are not confined tothe years of infancy, but extend to what is moreremote, the eftablifhment of his child in the world.Even then, his folicitude does not terminate. Hisprotection may ftill be requifite , and his wifdomand experience ftiJl prove ufeful guides. Thus apermanent connexion is formed; parental tendernefsis exerciled, and filial refped returned, throughoutthe whole courfe of life. But in the fimplicityof the favage jfiate, the affedion of parents, likethe inftindive fondnefs of animals, ceafes almoftentirely as foon as their offspring attain maturity.

Z 09

Gumilla, i. 211. Eiet. 390.