PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

156
And, after all, I should clloose to propose a cas{;
,,·here no consideration of pity to distres~, of duty
to a parent, or of grati!ude to a benefactor, jIlter ..
fered with the general rule of justice.
l'he regard due to kin(lred in the disposal of our
fortu-ae (except the case of lineal kindred, which is
different) arises either from the respect \\·e owe to
the presumed intention of the ance~tor from whom
we Tecei\~ed our fortunes, or from the expectations
which ~~e ha,'"e encouraged. 1'he intention of tl1c
. ancestor is presumed ~·ith greater certainty, as \\:eII
61~ entitied to more respect, the fe\,ier degrees lle is
remo\Ted frem us, u·1tich make~ the difference in tll(!
different degrees of kindred. For instance, it may be
prc~umed to be a father's intention and desire, that the
inheritance which he leaves, after it has served the
turn and generation of on~ son, should n:main a provision
for the families of his other chi!dren, equally
related and dear to him as the oldest. \'!hoever,
therefore, without cau~e gives away his patrimony
from h:s brother's or si~ter's falnily, is guilty not so
much of an injury to them, as of ingratitude to his
parent. The deference dlle from the possessor of a
fortune to the presumed desire of his ancestor will also
vary with this circumstance, whether the ancestor
earned the fortune by his personal industry, acquired
it by accidental successes, or only transnuued
the inherital1ce \\~hich he received.
Where a man's fortune is acquired by himself, and
he has done nothing to excite expectation, but rather
has refrained from those particular attentions ~:hich
-rend to cheri~h expectation, he is p~rfectIy disengaged
froDt tIle force of the above reasons, and at liberty to
leave his fortune to his friends, to charitable or public
purposes, or to whom he will; the same blood, proximity
of blood, and the like, are merely modes of
speech, implying nothing real, nor any obligation of
themselves.
I There is always, however, a reason for providing
f for our poor relations, in parfcrence to others who