To take as an example an art which has been particularly referred to, (80) that of domesticating the ox, and teaching him labor.To suppose that men, while the whole of that species of animals were yet wild, conceived the project of domesticating them, in order that they might apply them to the various purposes they now serve, were a conjecture altogether unwarranted by any event in the history of mankind and of art.We have rather reason to believe that in this, as in other instances, they must have been led on to the object gradually, by the intervention of circumstances, each carrying them a certain way towards this great end.But there must evidently have been a greater chance for the existence of such circumstances, in the great range of continent lying within, or not far from, the borders of the torrid zone in Asia, Africa, or Europe, than in the small part similarly situated in America.Without pretending to say what those circumstances were, it is at least probable that one may have been the keeping these animals in enclosures, merely to satisfy the curiosity, or to afford the amusement of hunting to the chiefs, or kings, of the agricultural nations.
This we know, in more recent times, to have been a custom in some eastern countries.(81) There they would in time lose great part of their natural ferocity, and become, like deer in our parks, half tame.Now, it is evident enough, that the chances for this important step towards the accomplishment of the object being undertaken, would be directly in proportion to the number and extent of the agricultural countries of those ages, that is, to the extent of continent lying near the equator.
The period when the event took place marks a great change in the condition of man, for, independently of its immediate effects, it necessarily brought about the existence of a race of herdsmen, occupying regions, in the state of art at the time, not coming within the range of the strength of the effective desire of accumulation of the neighboring people, as tillable land.Herdsmen once existing, it could scarce be but that they would spread themselves wherever they could find support for their cattle, and gradually exterminate the hunting tribes.There is, I think, reason to suppose that such a revolution occurred in Europe many ages previous to the time of recorded history.Its importance may be estimated from the observations that are made in a preceding part of this volume.(82)We may, on similar principles, in part, account for the low rank in the scale of humanity occupied by the aborigenes of Australia, that fifth and yet but partially explored continent.The uniformity of soil, climate, anti natural productions, of that whole region is very great.This limited variety of materials would seem to have diminished the number of arts generated, and that of improvements arising from effects of changes, among those having obtained existence.
In conclusion I may observe, that I believe it will be found, that there is no art in existence which we may not find means to trace, with greater or less certainty, to the rudest and most simple principles, and which may not be shown to have attained perfection by continual changes from place to place, and material to material, and by encountering consequently alternate difficulties and facilities, the former developing its powers, the latter extending their field of action, and both, by helping to introduce general principles, weakening the restraining power of the tendency to servile imitation, and advancing the progress of science.This successive passage of the same arts from country to country, and from one into another, seems to be the great exciting cause of the progress of them all.The greatest improvement of British manufacture in recent times is, I may remark, a passage of this latter sort.The cotton manufacture is a passage of the art of fabricating woollens, into that of fabricating cottons.It was the perfection of the former more easy art that showed the possibility of the existence, and eventually brought about the existence of the latter, invention in this case, being excited by the higher wages of labor in Europe than in Asia.Improvement was the consequence.The peculiar difficulties the material presented being overcome, the facilities it possessed were experienced.
This view of the subject seems somewhat to illustrate the following reflections of Lord Bacon, concerning the early progress of art, and may satisfy us, that, even yet, they are not altogether inapplicable.He observes, that, "although, when we first begin to consider the variety of necessaries, conveniences, and elegances, which the mechanical arts minister to life, we are rather struck with a feeling of admiration at the abundant wealth which mankind inherit, than with a sense of their poverty; yet, when we examine every thing, and consider through how many chances and revolutions these arts bare been brought to their perfection, and through what simple and easy reflections they have been discovered, such sentiments will soon leave us, and we shall be inclined to commiserate the penury and barrenness of invention of the human race, which have taken so many ages to accomplish things deducible without difficulty, from facts neither very numerous, nor very hard to be ascertained." (83) It is indeed true that the philosophy, in the introduction of which he bore so eminent a part, has, in these latter ages, been a very effective promoter of the dominion of man, and, mixing with art, has much purified and dignified its spirit, and greatly increased its powers, turning invention in this department from particulars to generals, and converting art into science.
