The Sun.
London, England, 1863-08-22 00:00:00

in order that we may obtain from the competent
authorities that henceforward no more dogs shall
be taken to the Practical School ? Assuredly it
will not be said that, for the sanguinary and useless
exhibitions of a course which serves only to expose
the state of science, the repose of a whole hospital,
and that of twenty neighbouring houses, is to be
disturbed." For the sake of these unfortunate sick
persons, it is to be hoped that a different arrange-
meat will be speedily come to, but for the sake of
common decency, and for the credit of civilisation,
it is necessary that the practice referred to be
stopped at once and for ever. It cannot stand under
the storm of indignant remonstrance which is sure
to follow an exposition of facts. The general sen-

timant of the nation is against it, and now that the
authorities are taking up the matter, such facts will be
brought to light as will be certain to lead to its final
destruction. It is roally astonishing to notice how per-
sons will persist to palliate the practice of vivisec-

tion. It is idle to talk of the necessity of pursuing
1 this course in the interests of science, it is an insult
to a ❑oble profession to state that its fundamental
principles are based on brutality and supp;rted by
revolting atrocities. It is very easy to lay down
arbitrary rules, but it is another thing to prove the
truth of these assertions. No one has yet satisfac-
torily shown how putting these poor creatures to
such excruciating tortures can at all facilitate the
proper course of studies in which the members of
the medical profession have to perfect themselves.
The man who can sit by unmoNed while a lecture
is delivered on a living animal put to dreadful suf-
ferings, for the purpose of imaginary investigations,
is rendered unfit for his profession. Such sights
must tend to demoralise, and it is false to assert
that any knowledge could justify their exhibition.
It would be well if, instead of arguing in a circle
these advocates of barbarous torments, would take to
heart a simple rule, the wisdom of which outweighs
the dogmas of schools, and the tenets of sages, "It is
not lawful to do evil that good may come of it." The

consequence of this principle acted upon would be
the extinction of a practice that is abhorent to the
feelings of all humane persons, and in direct viola-
tion of the laws of the CREATOR, who gave the
lower races for the use of man, and not for the
abuse, to serve as instruments for his passions,
his greed, or his vanity. In his wonderful
composition of the " Ancient Mariner," COLERIDGE
has touchingly illustrated a beautiful idea in these
lines—

"lie prayeth best who loveth best
All things both great and small,
For the great GOD who loveth us
He made and loveth all."
Most of us are acquainted with the expression of
Cowl'Eß—" I would not enter on my list of friends
the man who needlessly sets foot upon a worm,,,
and it would be well if more adopted the practice
as well as subscribed to the theory. No great or
good qualities can co-exist with cruelty. The best
and wisest men have ever been the most conside-
rate towards those dumb creatures who haveene
general
many claims upon our consideration, and in g
so well repay our care. It is in direct antagonism
with the laws of nature, so perfect in unison, so
beautiful in symmetry, to set out with the asser-
tion that torture and cruelty that one shudders to
hear of, are needful and right to discover the means
of curing diseases and ministering to suffering
humanity. In the "Negro's Complaint" he is
made to say to his tormentors—
" Prove that you have human feelings,
Era you proudly question ours."

And the same remark might be made when the
conduct of the King of DAHOMEY is called to ac-
count. He, a barbarian, follows tho customs of his
country, and doubtless would alter his ways had
he half the knowledge that is showered on cur paths
sitting in the flood-light of them younger days of the
world's improvements. The civilised cations exclaim.
but 'while" vivisection"
silence on this score
woudlids
cainet such barbarity, such cruelty, and brutality;
gbrea etehse
most
s efid t ct
ionugn t
an
ni e(si
appropriate conduct. The French EMPEROR is all-
powerful in the influence which he exercises in the
social 1 sca.e, and it
is to be trusted that he will lend
his puissant aid, and ace
his mighty assistance
to the work now in Land actor
aor
fearful practice. There is grouotil reason to think that
putting a step. to this
desire
for his 111cjesty
hthaesseahlroepatdsywiellvnizocterdrovsoeme
0 to become,
quainted with the workings of the nefario y eat:-
e quality of mercy, we are told, is railatiat: at
the mighty, and becomes the throned monarchiest in
better than his crown. It will, certainly, b,! a -00,a
to bestow on the people over whom he rules, who
stand in the foremost plaa2, anl4;ng the civilised
nations of the wor;3, to that U:' Mk() in their