It  falls  and  reverts  altogether  to  the  element  of
matter.  The  processes  of  decomposition  and
incorporation  are  longer,  or  sliorter,  according
to  circumstances;  and  these  fossil  remains,  of


THK  MONIKINS.  295

which  your  writers  say  so  much,  are  merely
CHes  that  have  met  with  accidental  obstacles
to  thdr  final  decomposition.  As  respects  our
two  spedesy  a  very  cursory  examination  of
their  qualities  ought  to  convince  any  candid
nmid  of  the  truth  of  our  philosophy.  Thus,
the  jriiysical  part  of  man  is  much  greater  in
proportion  to  the  spiritual,  than  it  is  in  the
nunildn ;  his  habits  are  grosser  and  less  intel-
lectual; he  requires  sauce  and  condiments  in
his  food ;  be  is  farther  removed  from  simpli-
dty,  and,  by  necessary  implication,  from  high
cirilization ;  he  eats  flesh,  a  certain  proof  that
the  material   principle  is  still  strong  in  the

ascendant ;  he  has  no  cauda ""

"  On  this  point.  Dr.  Reasono,  I  would  in-
quire if  your  scholars  attach  any  weight  to

traditions  ?^

^*  The  greatest  possible,  sir.  It  is  the  moni-
lon  tradition  that  our  species  is  composed  of
VKn  refined,  of  diminished  matter  and  aug-
BBented  minds,  with  the  seat  of  reason  extri-


296  THE   M0NIKIN8.
