58
produced by it, a long dependence of children on their parents is favourable to that element of the preventive check which I termed the prudential disposition.
It may be useful here to mention that the two consequences which I have been considering, may be readily distinguished in the memory, by referring the one to the children and the other to the parents. The same cause disposes the children to receive with deference the opinions of their parents, and the parents to take the pains necessary for forming correct opinions as to all that concerns the welfare and prosperity of their children.
I here quit the abstract hypothesis, or at least the abstract consideration of it. The remainder of the Lecture will be occupied with the application of it, and with some general remarks upon the existing state of society, and the principles upon which it may be improved.
I have explained, that, to the preventive check two elements are necessary, namely, motives for prudence, and a prudential disposition; the motives being distinguished as depending on external
