On this head, there has very justly been at all times some provision of law, either civil or natural: We have no doubt that an article of civil law existed on this subject prior to the council of Wittenagemot. Mr Martin, however, has considered the animal in a more liberal point of view,-representing it as a creature formed to act another part in the plan of the world than merely that of servitude to man. He considers it as a creature, whose first and constant instinct it is to pass through existence like ourselves, with as much of pleasant, and with as little of disagreeable or painful sensation, as possible. And, in this view, we have a question of a totally different sort. We are of opinion, that a legislature has nothing to do in providing for the comfort, safety, or preservation of animals, when they are considered not as property, but as an independent class of beings. The truth is, we have quite enough to do in legislating for our own species; and are not called upon, by any sense of duty, to devise an economy for the benefit of the lower orders. Laws are made by men, for the protection, peace, and well-being of men alone, in all their interests. Animals are left to shift for themselves. And when the tender mercies of their superiors do not befriend them, Nature has furnished them with powers, by which they are enabled, in some degree, to repel or to escape from aggression. A legislature, we repeat, has to provide only for the interests of the society or community over which it presides; or, in some capital points, for the whole of the single species to which it belongs. It is plain, then, that animals are by inevitable destiny excluded from the blessings of human legislation for they constitute no part of the august society of men; they form no class of the body politic; they are never called upon, as patriotic members, to bear arms in defence of the state; their numbers are not enrolled in any public census, as adding so much to the population or to the strength of the empire, excepting always in the way of inert property. THE TOMB OF ABELARD AND ELOISE. There is at present exhibiting at the Western Exchange, Old Bond street, a model of the beautiful Arabic monument erected in the cemetery of Pere la Chaise to the memory & these celebrated and unfortunate lovers, Abelard and Eloise. There are few subjects calculated to awaken feelings of deeper interest in a sentimental bosom than the story handed dow to us through a period of seven hundred years, of the peculiar love and sufferings of this ill-fated couple; and if it was before calculated, from the singular and affecting nature of its details to float above the waters of oblivion through so many ages, its immortality was secured when our great Pope selected it as the ground-work of a poem that can only be forgotten when that is exquisite in poetry shall cease to charm, and taste and feeling shall be no more. The present model is most ingen?ously executed in glass, and presents a very elegant specime of the extraordinary perfection to which that branch of art has been brought. Its size, in proportion to the original. which is 36 feet in height, is one-fourth. The principal parts of the base, the tomb, and the roof, resemble dark blueish marble, except so far as glass is more glossy than that material. The columns, ornaments, and edges of the base, &c. are formed of white spun glass, curiously inlaid: and the statues on the lid of the tomb, as well as the figures in bas relief o the upper part of the monument, are executed in alabaster It appears, then, to be no part of the business of a legisla- which imparts to it the effect of closer resemblance to the en ture to enact laws directly in regard to the condition of irra-ginal. Monsieur Gibon, the artist, has also some other spe tional animals, except as these animals constitute the pro- cimens of glass-work, which are sufficiently curious, particn perty of citizens. larly a framed cipher of George the Fourth, intended b M. Gibon as a present to his Majesty; but of course th principal object of attraction in his exhibition, is the mess ment of that pair whose passion not only survived" the livi.. death" of the cloister, but, if the miraculous historian Tours is to be credited, triumphed over the extinction of m tural life; for, according to him, upon the interment of Elois in the same grave with her lover, who had died one-s twenty years before, he extended his arms and clasped Li We are not aware, indeed, that jealous humanity has ever admitted animals to a full participation in the elevated rank of men, even among the most barbarous hordes. The Laplander still keeps his rein-deer at a respectful distance; and the peasant of the Alps, when he suffers his mule to repose beside him, is at the same time proudly conscious that the irrational is permitted to enjoy this unequal fellowship only by a special privilege. There was amongst the Romans, to be sure, a certain law called the lex talionis, which brought very much into one level the different species of rational and irrational. By this it was declared, that whatever animal should (in the pleni, tude of fits wits) injure the person or property of a Roman, the said animal must be subjected in so many stripes or in such a loss of flesh and blood as should be proportionate to the offence. Excepting this single instance, however, we recollect of no act of legislation recognizing the rationality of animals, or admitting them into the status of citizens in human society. Since that period mankind have improved into a sense of their vast superiority over all other animals; and reckon it a pure heresy whenever any attempt is made to reduce under one class such different orders of beings, or even to bring them into any near approximation. It is no doubt, then, very much to be desired, that every thing like the wanton cruelty which is so often inflicted upon animals, were banished for ever from the human heart; that the universal herd of mankind were of so civilized a disposition as to practise towards every sentient being the divine maxim of doing unto others as we would have others do unte us. But this is a consummation, we are persuaded, never to be accomplished by means of legislation. It is not by acts of Parliament that men are to be improved in sentiment and refined in morals: the subtler influences of education, religion, the press, social intercourse, and a few other influences of that sort, are the only efficient and practicable means of re formation in this respect. If however an act of Parliment be considered of any avail, in so remote and so intimate an operation as that of amending the hearts of men-why, then, we conceive there is business enough for acts of Parliment in the correcting of cruelty towards creatures of our own species, before we proceed to the greater refinement of correcting it towards animals. So long as a word can inflict more pain upon a wife, a parent, or a friend, than a thousand stripes can inflict upon an animal, why do we neglect the primary duty to our fellow creatures, of correcting, as much as in our power, all the politer instances c cruelty among them? and why do we rather seek to follow the morbid impulse of bettering the condition of animals, whose miseries, we have reason to believe, are greatly inferior upo: the whole to those of the human race? The truth of the matter is, that neither the one set of delinquencies nor the other are fit subjects for legislative interfe rence; and any act of Parliament in respect to them must, it our conception be extremely weak, fitful, and indiscriminate in its operation; and, in all probability, destined very speedily to pass into a dead letter. The only plausible ground for an interference of the legislature in this matter, is the demoralizing effect of the practice and exhibition of cruelty to animals, upon the minds of those who do belong to the community, There is no other foundation for Mr Martin's Act, which is not absolutely ridiculous; -although a very general admixture of other principles may be observed in the reasonings of those who supported Mr Tartin in his late applications to Parliament. closely to his cold breast. The writer omitted to mention, however, whether the embrace was momentary or permanent; so that it would be venturesome to say whether, upon opening the grave at this day, we might not find, still interlocked in each other's arms, the amorous skeletons of the pious founders of the Paraclete. POSTSCRIPT. MONDAY, DEC. 26. We understand that advices were received on Saturday by : Ľ On Friday, the first rehearsal of the Italian opera to be produced at the opening of that theatre next Saturday, took place, with a few instruments, or what is called a quarter band. This day a rehearsal with a full band is to take place. Mr Bochsa, the new director of the orchestra, has discharged Mr Harpur, the principal trumpet; Mr Marriotte, the principal trombona, and Mr Jenkinson, the performer on double drums. Mr Harpur has however been re-engaged. Mr Linley, jun., one of the second violincellos, was also discharged: but his father, who is the most eminent performer in England, declined accepting an engagement at the theatre unless his son was reinstated: the consequence was, Mr Linley, jun., has been re-engaged. Some of the violin performers have been also discharged. Both before and after the entry of the French army into Moscow, every term of abuse, every execration, and every malediction of the Russian language-a language peculiarly rich in oaths, curses, and abominable appellations-was heaped upon them and their victorious leader by the natives of Russia. The epithets villains, miscreants, robbers, dogs, infernals, rabble, wretches, barbarians, tyrants, murderers, drunkards, marauders, plunderers, devils, &c. were promiscuously uttered; and the words wickedness, cruelty, sion, inhumanity, profanation, treachery, ungodliness, &c. resounded from every corner. In fact, no avenue to the heart of the Russians was left unassailed, so as to prevent the proclamations and promises of Napoleon Bonaparte from taking = effect.-Lyall's Russia. B pay an interest of four per cent. on the unliquidated two thirds of the demands, that interest to commence on the 1st of January next. 33 per Cent. 83.3 per Cent. Reduced, 814. New 4 per Cent. 1822, LONDON MARKETS. ...... CURRENT PRICES OF GRAIN. 52s. 55s. 42s. 48s. 36s. 42s. 60s. 68s. 23s. 25s. 40s. 44s. 26s. 32s. 46s. 48s. Scotch 32s. 34s. 50s. 60s. 40s. 46s. Flour, per Sack Aggregate Average Prices of the Twelve Maritime Districts of England and Wales, by which Exportation and Bounty are to be regulated in Great Britain. The firm of Sir Walter Sterling and Co. have issued a circular, communicating to their friends the pleasing intelligence that, after due investigation, they have found their assets considerably more than sufficient to defray in full all demands upon them; that, as a proof of it, they will pay one third on the 23rd of next month, and that, as soon as the rest of the assets have been made available, they will pay the whole. Until which time, which they expect to be short, they will Wheat, red White, new Old.... Grey Peas Old.. Maple. White NAPOLEON AND THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.-The : Emperor invited Colonel Campbell to breakfast at Briare, during which he was very inquisitive relative to Lord Wellington's private character; often saying to the Colonel's answers, "C'est comme moi ;" and said he should like very much to he in company with him. He asked if he possessed great talent in haranguing his troops; and upon the answer that he never did harangue them, expressed great surprise, and still greater, when he told him that if an English officer Hay....£3 7s. 6d. to £4 17s. 6d. | Straw was to attempt haranguing his troops, they would laugh at Clover £4. Os. to £5. 7s. Od. him.-London Magazine for December. PRICE OF HAY AND STRAW. Wheat per Quarter, 63s. 4d.-Barley, 41s. 4d.-Oats, 26s. 5d.—Rye, 46s. 5d.-Beans, 45s. 6d.-Peas, 49s. 5d. SMITHFIELD, DEC. 26.. Beef is selling this morning at 5s. 0d. to 5s.4d. per stone for best cattle, To sink the Offal-per Stone of 81bs. 3s. Od. to 5s. 4d. HEAD OF CATTLE THIS DAY. I Pigs Beef Beasts .... .... 5s. Od. to 6s. 6d. 5s. 6d. to 5s. Od. 70 62 £1. 16s. to £2 0s. of LA ASSEMBLEE, embellished with a Portrait of PICTURE GALLERY OF THE FEMALE NOBILITY OF GREAT BRITAIN. Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A.-The Number will also contain its usual Plates This elegant the two volumes of the the Countess of bigh, by Kirkby; Lady Ducie, by Kirkby; Viscountess Ebrington, by Linnel; Lady Eleanor Lowther, by Miss Kendrick; Miss Jane Porter, by Harlow.-Vol. II. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, by drick Countess of Charleville, by Hamilton; Lady Emily Fielding, by Kirkby; Dawe, R.A.; Lady Alicia Peel, by Mrs Green; Lady Grantham, by Miss Ken Lady Emily Pusey, by Kirkby. The Portraits in preparation for the next volume, are those of Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Richmoud; the Countess of Jersey; Lady Georgina Agar Ellis; Hon. Mrs Thomas Hope, &c. &c. This work is printed on superfine royal paper, with a handsome new type, and is got up, in all respects, in the first style of modern improvement. Price 3s. Published by Geo. B. Whittaker, Ave Maria lane, London; Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh; and to be had of all respectable Booksellers in the Kingdom. have been in public estimation for a very considerable time, aud are par I remedy in which Females, of deli remove Nervous Giddiness, Head-Ache, &c, &c. and as a Family Medicine will DR FOTHERGILL'S TONIC FEMALE PILLS.-These Pills ticularly recommended in general Debility of the Constitution, also as a safe cate and languid circulation, more especially the younger part, are liable to; they tend to strengthen the Organs of the Stomach, correct bad Digestion, be found generally useful.-Sold in Boxes, 1s. 13d. and 2s. 9d. by Butlers, Savory and Co. 136 New Bond street, and 220 Regent street; and by the prin Dr FOTHERGILL'S NERVOUS DROPS, so much celebrated for their cipal Medicine Venders throughout the United Kingdom. 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PERIODICAL CRITICISM.-In consequence of most of the publications which periodically criticise the productions of literature actually being the property and entirely under the influence of the proprietors of the very works which are criticised, it may be readily supposed that impartiality is not their chief characteristic. In fact it has become an universal complaint among the readers and purchasers of books, that they know not where to look for an unsuspected opinion of the works of the day. The quarterly periodicals confine themselves to original essays, and the monthly ones are unfortunately, for obvious reasons, not to be depended upon; so that the Book Clubs, the Circulating Libraries, and the general purchasers of books, are either left wholly without a guide, or trust to those who are interested in deceiving them. The LONDON MAGAZINE being placed wholly out of the sphere of any interested influence whatever, has determined upon supplying the want of an IMPARTIAL GUIDE TO THE PURCHASERS OF BOOKS, by dedicating the latter of the month, worthy of notice; and thus replace certain of the usual portions part of each number to judgments upon all the books published in the course of a Magazine, such as the Deaths and Marriages, which have no connection with literature, by information and intelligence of the same nature as the rest of the Magazine. The Editors of the London Magazine neither wish nor expect to be taken at their word, but invite the most vigilant comparison of their criticism with that of less independent publications. The new plan will commence with the first No..of.the.new year, published on the 1st. Jan. 1826. Printed for Henry Colburn, 8 New Burlington street, (removed frora Conduit street); Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin. THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE.-This old established Periodical No. I. for January, will contain-Recollections of Dr Parr, containing his COMPANION TO VOLTAIRE'S PHILOSOPHICAL DICTIONARY. AN HISTORICAL and CRITICAL DICTIONARY. Abridged from the great work of BAYLE; the articles being partly re-written, and the information iu each drawn from various parts of the original, and condensed under one head, preserving however an alphabetical arrangement. Printed for Huot and Clarke, Tavistock street, Covent garden; of whom may be had, price 1s. Part I, containing a LIFE of BAYLE, with a Portrait, and the articles Aaron, Abel, Abelard. Paternoster row, De Messrs KNIGHT and LACEY have lately published the following War BURKE'S DICTIONARY of the PEERAGE & BARONETAC in 1 large vol. half-bound, 11. 4s. The SESSION of PARLIAMENT for MDCCCXXV; 8vo. 158. bds. 10s. 6d. THE NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE.-The approach of a new year induces the proprietor of this work to say a word or two respecting its future arrangements. In the first place he is happy to state that the writers who have already established themselves as favourites of the public in this popular miscellany, will continue, without a single exception, to contribute to its pages. This alone, it may be assumed, is sufficient to secure a continuance of the very extensive circulation which the work is known so long to have enjoyed; but, in addition to this claim, the New Monthly Magazine will commence the new year with an accession to its force, of new contributors of first-rate genius and information, some of whom have, in other publications, been often greeted with the undivided applause of the town, but who now intend to devote themselves exclusively to this periodical. FEMALE EDUCATION. The contents of the volumes for the present year, whether in articles of permanent and historical value, such as the Essays of Mr Campbell, the Papers on Greece and Guatemala, the Letters from the East, the Sketches of Russia, the Accounts of the Present State of Jurisprudence in Ireland, the Memoir of Earl Bothwell, by Himself, the Original Epistles of Burke, &c. or in the lighter effusions of imagination and wit, have been considered as among the most original and valuable that ever came within the pages of any periodical publication; in addition to which, the New Magazine includes the of a Nearly ready, in 1 handsome volume, price 10s. 6d. THE COMPLETE GOVERNESS; a System of Female Ed equally adapted for Public Establishments and Private Families, a entirely new. Printed for Knight and Lacey, London; and Wesley and Tynel, Dal Mechanics and others. Review and an Annual Register, by its account of all interesting. New Publica- FIRST PRINCIPLES of ALGEBRA, compiled for the e tions, Foreign as well as English-biographical notices of Distinguished Characters-Essays on the Fine Arts, Music, and the Drama-Literary and Scientific Varieties, New Inventions, Discoveries, and Improvements-Rural EconomyMeteorological, Agricultural, and Commercial Reports, Political Events, and Important Occurrences, throughout Great Britain, arranged under the several Counties, all of which will be found of high value for present or future reference. The FIRST NUMBER for 1826 will be published on the 1st of January, and those who desire to avail themselves of that favourable opportunity for com mencing, are requested to send their Orders to any Bookseller or Newsvender in their neighbourhood, by whom it will be regularly supplied. It may also be exported to friends abroad, by application to the General Post-Office, or to any Local Post Master. SUPERIOR PRESENT FOR YOUTH. Just published, in small 8vo. with Nine Miniature Portraits of the writers, beau- PRACTICAL WISDOM; or the Manual of Life; the Counsels of with the lives of the Authors. "We cannot too strongly recommend this volume, as one of the very best that can possibly be selected, when a present that may prove really useful is wished to be given to any young friend."-Star. "We have been much gratified by this little work. We have met with no book of the same size containing so much useful advice."-New Times. Published and sold by H. Colburu, 8 New Burlington street. |
