disease, and every earthly abomination, he found immured in those terrible dens. The prisoners were confined together, without reference to age, sex, or condition.

Into such places, and among such associates, this good man ventured, that he might be the means of relieving the sick, releasing the innocent, and benefiting the bad. His life was the forfeit of his benevolence. He died at Cherson, in the south of Russia, in 1790, from a disease contracted in visiting a prison. The publication of his work on prisons stirred up a spirit of philanthropy, which is operating to this day in making the prisons of our land less places of vindictive retribution than of humane reformation.

Public benevolence.-There are certain classes of the innocent and unfortunate poor, that can only be taken care of properly in places specially provided for their reception. The means of private individuals are generally insufficient to furnish suitable accommodations for large numbers, so that the state must make provision for their wants. Of these, are the idiots, the insane, the deaf and dumb, the blind, the orphan poor, the aged poor, the homeless sick, etc. The same principle should be observed, when it is practicable in institutions for these classes, of furnishing the inmates with occupations suited to their conditions, mentally and physically.

What effect had the labors of Howard? What classes of the poor should be provided for by the state? Why? To what extent should labor be required of any of these classes? Why?

CHAPTER XXIV.

"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.”

HUMANITY.

The world was created, in the exercise of Infinite Wisdom, as the abode of man. It was given him, with all that it contains, to admire, to use, and to enjoy. The products of earth, air, and sea were furnished to assist in his labors, to minister to his pleasures, and to satisfy his wants. The animal creation was to afford him food, clothing, and companionship. The earliest records of the race are not old enough to give the account of the subjugation of the domestic animals. The care of these has always been one of the chief employments of a large portion of mankind.

Without the assistance afforded by the domestic animals, mankind would be very helpless. The horse, the sheep, the ox, the ass, the camel, the elephant, the llama, the dog, and the reindeer are fitted peculiarly for the regions in which they are found, and each is indispensable to the comfort or safety of man. Some of these are no longer found in their wild condition, and are so completely domesticated as to have lost much of their natural instinct of self-defense and preservation. Many of these animals possess a sagacity that is wonderful. They have perception, memory, recollection, and often seem endowed with powers of reason and

What is the subject of Chapter XXIV? Repeat the text. What is a righteous man? Is it lawful for man to use all the animals for his own welfare? Why? How have a portion of mankind been employed from the earliest history? How is man dependent upon the domestic animals? To what purposes can the ox be put? Name the principal domestic animals of the world, and the regions they inhabit. What surprising faculties do many of these exhibit?

judgment. Some possess ardent affection for their masters, and a fidelity that nothing can disturb.

That man should treat such faithful servants with any thing save the greatest kindness seems to be unreasonable; and yet, alas ! for man's weakness and passion, it is often true. It would seem that self-interest alone, without any higher or nobler motive, would prompt every man to take great care of the poor brutes, upon which he is so dependent; but even his own property is often made the sport of his baser nature. Still, it is true, as it is written, “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast."

Cruelty to animals.—In some parts of our country, humane laws have been enacted for the prevention of cruelty to animals, that are a credit to our civilization. Societies have also been formed by humane people, having in view the protection of the rights of God's poor creatures, which are abused by thoughtless or cruel men.

Animals that afford us pleasure or profit should be treated with humanity, and every attention paid to their wants. If the innocent and helpless brutes, that are ill-fed, overworked, unsheltered, and injured by all manner of cruelty, could make an appeal to our sense of justice and humanity, how eloquent and how touching it would be. Neglect and abuse not only injure the pecuniary value of the animal, but what is of infinitely more importance, the moral constitution of the man; for he who has no feelings of kindness and consideration for the poor dumb animal that labors for him, would probably have as little feeling for one of his own kind in circumstances of distress.

Animals that furnish us food should not be overdriven and abused simply because they are destined soon to be

Does self-interest always save these animals from injury and abuse? Why? What laws have been enacted referring to this subject? How should domestic animals be treated? How do some animals show kindness? How do they act when abused? Should we permit an animal to suffer if we can prevent it? Repeat the text. What might we expect if put in the power of a man who abuses a harmless animal?

killed. Men are accustomed to see many forms of cruelty, and think nothing of it, because it is so common. It seems to make no impression, that chickens are brought to market tied together in bunches, and suspended by the legs from the back of a hard-trotting horse. Such cruelty is indefensible. If it is necessary to bring them alive, they should be brought in coops. Poor, innocent calves and pigs are often securely tied by the legs, in such a way as to destroy the circulation of the blood, and cause the parts to become intensely painful. In this manner, they are often carried long distances, and exposed to the extremes of heat and cold.

If any one has a doubt as to the humanity of this method of transportation, let him tie a string tightly around the base of his forefinger and let it remain half an hour. The ligature alone, without the jolting ride, will soon convince him that there might be more gentle methods of treatment. Such usage is not only a cruelty, but a serious injury to the flesh of the animal when prepared for market. It is said that the Hollanders always kill their fish when they take them from the water, because, when left to die by degrees in the air, the flesh is injured. Might we not add the argument of humanity as an additional reason why they should be quickly killed when taken from their own element. A book might be written upon this subject, but enough is here given to direct the attention and enlist the sympathies of the gentle and the humane.

Killing of animals.-When animals are to be killed for food, they should not be tortured or hurt. Not one pang of needless distress should be inflicted, but they should be dispatched in the speediest manner, and with the least pain. There is an element of barbarity in the torturing of any

Give the instances that What effect does abuse

Why may we have so little sympathy for suffering animals? you have seen of cruelty. What experiment is spoken of? have upon the flesh of animals? How do the Hollanders treat fish? Why? When animals are to be used for food, how should they be treated? Is it right to take re venge on a dumb brute? Should you whip the cat for killing the canary?

living thing, that is abhorrent to every kind and noble sentiment in our nature. Animals that are injurious to ourselves and our property may be destroyed, but it need never be done in a cruel or vindictive manner. They simply act in accordance with their nature, and although they may do us great injury, it is not because they have any sense of right or wrong; it is the operation of their instinct. To retaliate on a dumb and unreasoning brute, even a snake, by unnecessary cruelty in killing it, is inhuman and savage.

Hunting. As all animals were made for the benefit of man, directly or indirectly, there is no wrong in hunting and killing such as are either useful for food and clothing, or are injurious to the crops or to other animals in his employ. While it is entirely proper to kill those that are either useful for food or injurious, it is wrong to deprive any of life merely for sport. It is cruel to kill any thing that breathes merely for the love of killing, and there can be no excuse or apology for it. It is pitiable to witness the spirit of wantonness frequently manifested by men and boys in the destruction of little singing birds, so pretty, so innocent, and, at the same time, so valuable to the farmer and to the fruitgrower.

If such birds could be used for food, or if their feathers were valuable, or if any purpose were served that is economical, the outrage against nature would be pardonable. It is sometimes urged that such birds are injurious to vegetation, and that it is a matter of economy to destroy them. "Were it not for the birds that frequent our gardens, and insects, which prey upon each other, the number of destructive insects produced would be such as soon to overpower the industry of man, and put an end to his miserable existence. The ingenious Dr. Bradley has computed that a

Is it right to hunt wild animals? What for? Is it right to hunt and kill buffaloes for sport, and then to let them lie on the plains and rot? Is it wise or kind to kill little birds. Why not kill singing birds? What is said of the value of birds?