Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/294

natural that the Pongos, after having amuſed themſelves for ſome Time with the Blaze, or ſufficiently warmed themſelves, ſhould grow tired of ſtanding ſtock ſtill in the ſame Place, and return to their wild Fruits which require more Time than the Fleſh of Animals. Beſides it is well known that moſt Animals, and Man himſelf, are naturally indolent, and never care to trouble themſelves about any thing they can any way do without. In fine, it appears very ſtrange that the Pongos, whoſe Dexterity and Strength is ſo much cried up, who know how to bury their Dead, and make themſelves Awnings with Leaves and Branches, ſhould not know how to keep up a Wood Fire by puſhing the half-burnt Sticks into it. I remember to have ſeen a Monkey do the very thing which Battel and Purchaſs will not allow the Pongos Senſe to do; it is true that, my Thoughts not having as yet taken a Turn this Way, I committed myſelf the very Fault with which I now reproach our Travellers, and neglected examining if the Monkey's Intention was to keep in the Fire, or barely to imitate thoſe whom he had ſeen doing it. Be that as it will, it is evident