The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-04-30
DisHl!ann.
page OF the Enquirer has been &C.
occupied by extracts from ingenious


occupied by extracts from ingenious
..cful publicatons.-A few columns of
die papers, in this country, cannot probably
DE appropriated more uiefuly, than in the pub
lication of extracts of this fort.--They awaken
curiofity and give it liberal dire6,ion.-They
bring works into general notice and circulation,
which might otherwifc be overlooked.-They
give publicity to the reafonings and fentiments
ofingenious aud enlightened men on important
fubjcets.-Thus, impsrceptibiy refine the tafte,
correct the opinions and enlarge the views of
perfons who, from want ofopPortunity, educate
on or !cifure, may not have accets TO more H.
minous and extenive depo6taries OF literary and
fcientiiic invefigations-They divert fome por-
ton of general attention 20 the difCufion of
fubeets, refpe6tine which the detection CT err
ror and the di!coyery Of truth, will probably BE-
alike acceptable to readers of every defcripticn.
By the attentive perufal of fuch publications,
the mind becomes gradually and inpcrceptby
imbucd with the fpr;t of comprehensive re-
feclion and impartial enquiry.-Early and nm
examined prejudces are dinipated. Opinions
adopted from imitation, authority and cuitom,
are unexpectedly corrected and ana'yfed. 1t
has indeed not only obtained the authority of 4
philosophical maxim, but the currency Of a
common proverb, that miscellaneous enquiries
are peculiarly circulated to ftrenCthen and IL
beralife the mind. To fnch o. the patrons of
the Enquirer as admit the accuracy OF thefe re-
marks, no apology will be deemed necenary for
the Election and inlertion of the following Ei-
fay from the pen OF the celebrated Soame Jc-
nyns.
ON CRUELTY TO INFERIOR ANIMALS.
MAN is that link of the chain or universal
exittcnce, by which fpiritual and corporal be-
ings arc united as the numbers and variety of
the latter his interiors are almot inantc, 70 pro-
1,Ixl I,,1fa
as we fec that the lives and Happiness OF thote
below us are dependant orv wills, VIC may
reafonably conclude, that our lives and happi-
nefs are equally dependant on the wills of thofc
above us /; accountable, like ourfclves, for the
ufs of this power, to the Supreme Creator and
Governor Of all things. Should this analogy Be
well founded, how criminal will our account
appear, when laid before that iuft and impartial
Judge How will man, that fauguinary tyrant,
be able to execute himfelf from the charge OF
thofe innumersble cruelties infiiGfed on his I'M
offcnting fiibc6ts committed to his care, form
ed for his benefit, and placed under his autho-
rity by their common father! whole mercy is
over all his works, and who expects that this
authority fhould be exercifed not only with ter
dernefs and mercy, but in conformity to the
laws ofjuftice and gratitude.
But to what horrid deviations from thefe be-
nevolent intentions are we daily witnclfes No
ments from the deaths and futferings of inferior
animals much greater, conlider them only
rs engines OF wood or iron, uieful in their feve.
raj occupations. The carnan drives his hor.e
and the carpenter his nail, byrepeated blows !;
and 70 long as thefe produce the de6red cfe6f,
and they both go, they neither refie3 or care
whether either OF them have any G.nle of feel
ing The butcher knocks down the fatciv OK
with no more conpallion than the black ilnlth
1y.l n l-nif 20,
tothe throat ofthe innocent lamb, with as lit
tie reluctance as The taylor ticks his needle in
TO the collar Of coat.
IF there are .ome few, who, formed in fof-
ter mould, view with pity the fuferings OF theie
defencelefs creatures, there is fcarce one who
entertains the Leaf idea, that uilice or graft
tnde can be due to their merits or their feryces
The f,cial ard friendly dog is hanged without
rernor.e, if, by barking i'll defence of his maj
te,'s perfop and property, he happens unknow-
ingly to difurb his ref the generous hcrie,
who has carried his ungrateful matter for many
years with cafe and iafety, worn out with age
and infrmities contracted in his fervice, is by
him condemned to end his miferab!e days in a
duft-cart, where The more he cxertS bis little re-
mains Of fpnit, the more he is whipped, to fave
his ftupid driver the trouble OF whipping fome
other, iefs oSedient to the laih. Sometimes,
having been taught the practice Of many unna-
,ara and uftleis tests in riding houie, he is at
Taft turned out aud configned to the dominion
of hackney-coachman by whom he is every
day corrested for performing thoie tricks, which
he has learned under 70 long and feyere a dfci-
pline. The nugglh bear, in contradiction to
his nature, is taught to dance, for the diverlion
of malignant mob, by placing red,tot irons
under his feet and the majelic bull is tortured
bv every mode which malice can invent, for no
offence but that he is gentle, and unwilling to
aGail his diaholical tornentors. Theic, with
innumerablc other acts of cruelty, njuRice, and
ingratitude, are every day committed, not only
with impunity, but withou: cenfure, aud even
without obiervation; but we may be anured,
that they cannot finally pats away unnoticed
and uDretaliated.
The laws of felf-defence undoubtedly iufify
lis in detroying thoie animals who would def
troy Va, who injure our properties, or annoy
our perions but not even theft, whenever
their ituation incapaeitateS them from hurting
u.s. know OF no right which we have to Moot
a bear on an inacceiiible land of ice, or an ca
gle on the mountains top, whole lives cannot
iniure us, nor deaths procure US any benefit
we are unable to give life, and therefore ought
not want only to take il away from the meaneft
infea, without fuflicent reafon they all re-
ceive it from the fame benevolent hand as our
felves, and nave therefore an equal light 10 en-
inv IT,