BOOK III PART II
observing, that the decision of Trebonian seems
to me pretty ingenious; that the cup belongs to
the proprietor of the metal, because it can be
brought back to its first form: But that the ship
belongs to the author of its form for a contrary
reason. But however ingenious this reason may
seem, it plainly depends upon the fancy, which
by the possibility of such a reduction, finds
a closer connexion and relation betwixt a cup
and the proprietor of its metal, than betwixt a
ship and the proprietor of its wood, where the
substance is more fixed and unalterable.)
The right of succession is a very natural one,
from the presumed consent of the parent or
near relation, and from the general interest of
mankind, which requires, that men’s posses-
sions should pass to those, who are dearest to
them, in order to render them more industri-