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 they had built them Houses; were oblig'd to live in Caves, and by that means were much conversant with Beasts of all kinds; and as the Principle of Self-love began to be misunderstood, they began to imitate and put in Practice the Dispositions and Actions of those Beasts which were most agreeable to their Inclinations; here they began to grow cunning and deceive each other, and each himself, with the Sagacity of Brutes, as their private Interest prevail'd. Now since we know that all Bodies, especially those of a more soft Texture, derive certain Qualities from those Bodies which are nearest to them, so as sometimes to appear quite different from what they really are; it is probable that different Men diligently attending different Brutes to observe their own, had their correspondent Members transform'd into those of the Brute they attended; but whether this was done by the Effluvia that proceeded from the Beast, as the Moderns hold; or by some natural Magick, as the Antients were of Opinion, I will not take upon me to determine, but 'tis said that the first Changes were thus made, which have continued for so many Ages.

I then asked him, how they came to be so negligent of the Education of the Heir apparent to the Crown, as to suffer him to ascend the Throne with any Members of a Beast; for I had taken notice when I was before the King, that he had the Head and the right Paw of a Lion. He answer'd that their King was elective, and that upon a King's decease, they crown'd one who was remarkable for the good Services he had done his Country, and for the Perfectness of his human Form; but the best they cou'd find, wou'd sometimes upon his being invested with so much Power, give a Loose to his irregular Desires, since he obtain'd all that he had so long wish'd for; and it was observable in the King I had seen, that his left Hand was inclin'd to be hairy, and that he never par'd the Nails of it, whence it was expected that it wou'd soon become like the other. Here I cou'd not but praise