Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-01-26

son, Betsy it is because we all love God
and strive to keep His commandments
'En sure then ye have the best right to
be happy, and so you are since I have lived
with you, now six years come next St.
Patrick day, ye remember ma'am. Well, |
call when you want the mulfins,' and Betsy !
courtesying was about to depart to the !
kitchen, when voices were now really heard |
at the front door-it flew open-and in
sprang the two joyeus boys, to see which |.
should have the first kiss from mama
While this loving contest was decided, |
papa entered, and Mary and Ellen took
their kisses from the father of this conten-
ted, happy rational family.
Betsy looked on, pleased for a moment,
and then vanished to get the mEfins on
the table and all things else in readiness
for the tea.
%. maman exclaimed Robert, 4 Just
wish you could have seen those beautiful |
hons and tigers, and that splendid Eagle
% no. . no. interrupted Johnny, the
monkics the monkies. they were the fun
niest things in the world. | wish you had
only seen one Of them mamma, dressed up
in his rcgimentals, riding the pony around
the circle with a whip in his hand, 0 . it,
was so funny; wish you and sister Mary, !.
and Ellen could have seen MIN. Mother
he whipped the pony just like a little boy
would have done. Why did you not 90,
sister Mary You do not know how fun
ny the monkes were
90 yes do, Johnny said Mary, i have |
often seen monl1ies, and | preferred re-
naming at home with mama and nursing
dear little Henry. l have had quite as
much fun with him as | desired.'
'JacSo looked just like an old man. CON
tinued Johnny, is he not a lttIe negro,
fathcr1
%! no, my SON. said Mr. Wrightway,
the negro is human being, man, a child
of Adam as much as yourself, though the
climate Of his native land, or some other
local cause in Africa has produced his com
plexion so different from yours. The
monkey, though nearest in form to man,
of any other brute animal, is only brute;
he has nothing like the sagacity or inteli-
gcnce of many other animals. The ele-
| plant which YOU saw, the horse, the bea-
yer and the dog, are all said to approach
nearer to man in mental power, than any
other animals Of the brute kind, and they
are the farthest off in form and habits.
| Now Robert, being the second child Of
Mrs, Wrightway, was nine years old, and
felt himself much more of man than his
brother; bad begun to look down on his
sports, being two years older and so much
larger, a companion Of Papa's, though to
say truly, Robert was none too old to en-
ljoy the monkics, had he not by education
and early training, been advanced in man
ners and modes Of thinking beyond his
years. He was too boy of unusual in
telligence; had read all proper juvenile
books some time before and WAS now sto-
ring his mind with history and works OF
taste guided by his father who was a man
Of learning himself, and kept this prom
ising boy with him in all his leisure hours
Robert had read too, through and
through, that best and wisest of all books
the Bible. His aspirations were therefore
now more elevated, more advanced thar
T. those Of his little brothcr-and he cvinccc
more thought, more affection.
Y "Brutcs have no conscience, have they
father ~ asked Robert.
mo, my SON." his father answered, "anC
+ that is the undoubted line Of separation
4 between rational and irrational creatures
= Brutes know nothing of right or wrong
b They can only be governed by force, o
q fear Their passions and desires govern
n them entirely if left to themselves"
n 1T is true, man in a savage state-un
tutored, in which he is found in the wild
of this country, for instance-is governed
almost entirely by the same impulses, bu
T. he has the some natural capabilities, a
y you have, or l, although not developed b
r. civilization and religion. But the brut
= is entirely incapable Of moral, mental, c
=. religious culture"
Father inquired Robert, again, 'hay
r. brutes got any souls:'
~ we will talk more upon these thing
to when tea is over Robert said his fathC
who now drew his chair near the table
Of seeing all was ready. Mrs. Wrightwa
ke put up her knitting, and seating herself
So the head of the table, called all the CHI
m. dren to their places.
ke 4 blessing was asked by the head
f. the family, though seated according
Pa custom-at the foot of the tabe-and t
ar. contentcd rational family of Mr.. Wrigl
"a way, enjoyed their simple meal with than
full hearts.
nv And now Robert said his father,
ce- he removed his chair from the table to t
ex- fre-aftcr the tea was over:
SOS And now, Robert We will finish o
discussion of animals, rational and irratic
,er al. But before answering your last qu'
oor ton, as to whether they have souls
bnt mean brutes)-I must draw the distil
inc ton more plainly, between the brutes a
the human species.
tho A sense of right and wrong, or CO
I in science, a love of virtue, and hatred
vice, are never found at all among bru
tho fear of superior strength which siren:
and has already been felt or experienced, ale
prevents their will or desire. They h
tsv, an instructive fear of the eye of man, {
,inI, if it can once gain the ascendancy o
tly that of the most ferocious brutes, it is s.
= as they shriNk before it.
.Est This instinct was doubtless implau
,rter by the great Creator Of all-and is a pI
for from nature of mans superior destiny
rom A proof of the triumph of mind or sp
the over mere animal force