pair of sparrows carried to their young in one week not less than three thousand three hundred caterpillars." " Of fifty-four little victims whose crops were examined from the 18th of April to the 24th of May, forty-seven had eaten insects alone, and seven had their crops filled with grain and seeds. Of forty-six old sparrows that were dissected at the same time, only three proved to be grain-eaters, while all the rest had been feasting on beetles and caterpillars." These facts are not only in favor of the sparrows, but as much may be said for all kinds of these beautiful creatures. The little harm they do in taking fruit and grain is more than paid for by their incessant labors in ridding the fields and forests of injurious insects. But self-protection is not the motive that prompts their destruction; it is simply the satisfaction of trying to shoot them. If skill in using fire-arms is only achieved at such a sacrifice, it is not worth what it costs. In this connection, a plea may also be urged in behalf of the little birds' nests. As no profit can be derived from their destruction, it is a cruel invasion of the rights of the birds to disturb them. Every argument is in favor of the encouragement and protection of the birds; they are pretty, gentle, innocent, and valuable. Cruel sport.-The savage instincts of man are most strikingly displayed in those enjoyments which are derived from the shedding of the blood of beasts or men. It is not strange that animals, exhibiting their natural ferocity, should fight and destroy each other; nor is it strange that ignorant, uncultivated, and brutal men should find a special delight in such encounters. It is one of the relics of our barbarism. In the days of ancient Rome, it was the custom to celebrate a great victory, or to commemorate the death of an eminent man, by the exhibition of gladiatorial shows, in What investigations prove their value? What is the true reason why these birds are killed? Is it right? Is it right to rob birds' nests? Why? How is the savage nature of man shown? What kind of men delight in cruel sports? What is said of Roman festivals? M. M.-12 which slaves fought with each other or with wild beasts, for the amusement of the people. These shows were announced to the public like the plays in our theaters. The gladiators were trained and sworn to fight to the death. If they showed cowardice, they were killed with tortures. At the time of the dedication of the famous amphitheater called the Colosseum, Titus gave an exhibition which lasted a hundred days, in which five thousand wild beasts were slain. At another time, the Emperor Trajan gave a show of one hundred and twenty-three days' duration, in which two thousand men fought with and killed each other, or fought with wild beasts, for the amusement of the seventy thousand Romans who were assembled to witness the terrible tragedy. The progress of civilization may be traced from that date to the present in the decline of such blood-thirsty and barbarous exhibitions. The lowest and most degraded of our people exhibit these ferocious inclinations as the patrons of the prize-ring, where brutal men engage in combats for money, or in the dog-pit, or cock-pit. The moral law condemns cruelty both to man and to beast. No persons of delicate sensibility can derive any pleasure from witnessing such degrading contests. An eye that can see poor brutes worry and mangle each other without pity; an ear that can hear their cries of rage and distress without a pang; a heart that can endure the idea of such unnecessary suffering without any emotion save of satisfaction, can never belong to that society whose claims we advocate. It seems as if the innate cruelty of some natures finds vent in trying to injure or alarm every living thing they dare attack—dogs, cats, pigs, doves, chickens, little birds—every thing that has nerves to suffer, seems to be the object of their aversion. How may the progress of civilization be traced? What class of people among us compare with the Romans? What must be said of the man who enjoys the agony of a suffering brute? What shall we expect of those who delight to torture animals? Can we expect refinement and gentleness from one who is cruel to animals? What must we expect of boys who are cruel, who delight in injuring animals? Why should we hurt any thing that lives? As before stated, there can be no objection to the taking of wild game birds by the gun; but when poor, little domestic doves, the emblems of innocence and love, are sprung from a trap into the air in order to be shot for sport, there can be no excuse or palliation for the deed. Such sport is only worthy of unrefined, uncultivated, semi-civilized men. CHAPTER XXV. "Happy is that man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. Length of days are in her right hand, and in her left riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." WISDOM. We have endeavored to point out in the preceding chapters some of the obligations we are under to God, to our neighbor, and to ourselves, as members of that society which an honorable ambition should impel all to enter the society of the good. There are many topics to which we have barely alluded, and many that are important, of which no mention has been made. Enough has been written, however, to prove the desirableness of habits based upon the principles described in the moral law. In concluding the chapters upon this branch of the subject, we can not do Is pigeon shooting a manly employment? Why? Can not skill with the gun be acquired without cruel and unnecessary injury to harmless birds? What is the subject of Chapter XXV? dom? Why is length of days promised? are her paths peaceful? Repeat the text. What is meant by wis- better than give the following brief but striking summary of this wonderful code. It is written : "These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." The society of the good demands that we abstain from these "abominations," and, that as true men and women, we shall strive to acquire "The wisdom that is from above, that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" Conclusion.-"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." What seven things are an abomination to the Lord? Repeat the text. What is that wisdom that is from above? What is the conclusion? Repeat the text. What is the whole duty of man? What is the "first and great commandment"? The second is like unto it. What is it? PART II. MUNICIPAL LAW. CHAPTER XXVI. "Great God! we thank Thee for this home, Still may her flowers untrampled spring, PATRIOTISM. Patriotism is defined to be the love of one's country. Why should American youth love their country? There are many reasons why her glory should be their pride; her history should enlist their admiration; her interests should be their care; and the principles upon which her government are founded should be the subject of their ardent devotion. Never had children a more valuable inheritance than that which they have received, and never were greater obligations imposed than that they should protect and preserve this land, and transmit it, full of the grandest achievements and most glorious recollections, to their posterity. Men may love their homes for the same reason that a wild animal loves its lair, and they may defend them as a wolf Of what does Part I treat? Of what does Part II treat? What is the subject of Chapter XXVI? Define patriotism. Why should American youth be patriotic? What is an inheritance? Why does a wolf love its den?; (141) |