new-york

d. appleton & co. 200 broadway.

it is impossible to view the cheerfulness and happiness of animals and birds without pleasure; the latter, especially, appear to enjoy themselves during the fine weather, in spring and summer, with a degree of hilarity which might be almost envied. it is astonishing how much man might do to lessen the misery of those creatures which are either given to him for food or use or for adding to his pleasure, if he were so disposed. instead of which he often exercises a degree of wanton tyranny and cruelty over them, which cannot be too much deprecated, and for which no doubt he will be one day held accountable. animals are so capable of showing gratitude and affection to those who have been kind to them, that i never see them subjected to ill-treatment without feeling the utmost abhorrence of those who are inflicting it. i know many persons who, like myself, take a pleasure in seeing all the animals about them appear happy and contented.

cows will show their pleasure at seeing those who[38] have been kind to them, by moving their ears gently, and putting out their wet noses. my old horse rests his head on the gate with great complacency when he sees me coming, expecting to receive an apple or a piece of bread: i should even be sorry to see my poultry and pigs get out of my way with any symptoms of fear.

let us take notice of the great variety of creatures which are made for our use; some for labor, some for food, some for clothing, some for pleasure. at the same time let us remember, that our right in these creatures is not absolute; we hold them from god, and he can deprive us of them whenever he sees fit, and whenever we abuse them:—and therefore the spirit of god has given us this rule: “the merciful man is merciful to his beast.” and whoever abuses any of god’s creatures, or tortures them, or destroys such as are neither hurtful when they are alive, nor of use when they are killed, will have more to answer for than many usually think.

i hope none of you, after reading what i have written above will kill cats, or stone frogs or toads, as many naughty boys do; or rob birds of their nests and little ones, as you see those children in the picture are doing. no matter how much you may like to have the young birds, you should not touch them. just think[39] how your parents would feel if some giant, if there were such people, should come and carry you off and shut you up in a cage. your parents do not love you any more than the birds do their little ones; then remember how they feel when you rob them.