The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-13
CRUELTY TO TURTLES.
Interesting Letter from Professor Ae

We have received copy OF the following cor
respondence:-
NEW Y oRK, August 7..-Professor Louis Agas-
siz.-My Dear Sir:-A society has been recently
formed in this State for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals. Its corporators and officers
are among The first gentlemen of our city, and
It has entered upon its career under the most
fattering auspices, encouraged by the almost
unanimous approval of the press and the public
Already, during its brief existence it has
effected number OF reforms, and in the wide
and varied field inviting its humane labors, il
hopes TO accomplish many more.
IL send you herewith an article giving quite
full account of the objects of this society, of
what it has done and proposes to do. My
special object, however, in writing is to ask
you, on behalf of the society, to lecture before
it at some time during the coming fall, on the
turtle, with particular reference to It's power of
sensation.
"Believng that the turtle, low as it is in
the scale of animated creation, is, neverthe-
less, not beneath the attention OF society
which processes for its object the suppression
of cruelty to animals, some few weeks ago
had arrested the captain of vessel laden with
turtles from the Florida coast for inficting
cruelty upon them.
''The turtles were lying on their backs, kept
without food or water, and having holes bored
through their fins or legs, With GO cords run ,q
case DR.. Guernsey testified that the turtle
experienced no suffering from the want of food;
that it was more cruel 10 place 1t on its belly
than on its back, for it would live longer in
the latter position; and that boring a hole
through the leg of a turtle inflicted no more
pain than the bite of mosquito on human
being. The Justice regarding this as the testi-
mony of an expert, dismissed the case. .Subse-
quently, however, the Grand Jury found bill
against the captain, and the subject will again
come up on the trial OF the indictment
This case created considerable discussion in
our city papers as to whether the turtle is an
animal so endowed with sensation that 1t can
be the subject Of cruelty; and some consider
that this society is going beyond the scope OF
its proper duties lin refining the humanities so
far down in the scale Of being By one of our
most respectable weeklIes it was seriously stated
that SO little can the turtle experience pain,
that it will quietly submit to the most extern
sive mutilatons with feelings more akin to
pleasure than suffering.
'In view OF this difference of opinion, and OF
the fact that, on account thereof it is still the
constant practice of dealers in turtles to keep
Them without food or water, lying on their
backs, their flesh pierced with cords to secure
them, this society is very desrlous OF having an
exposition of your views on the subject above
mentioned, assured, as it is, that no other person
can speak with equal authority thereon.
"From your distinguished reputation as
scientific naturalist, from the time and care you
are known to have devoted to the study of the
Jestudinata, and from the frequent examinations
yoH have made OF their structure, your views
will be considered as conclusive.
81 very much hope, therefore, that il will ac
cord with your convenience to honor the society
with lecture on this subject; or if not, that
you will be so kind as to communicate your
with congratulations on your safe return
from your highly successful and interesting trip
to the Amazon, / have the honor to be, sir,
your most obedient servant,
"HENRY BERGH, President"
REPLY OF PROFESSOR AGAssIz.
''NAHANT, September 27,-Dear Sir:-It would
give me the greatest pleasure to cooperate with
your society, for sympathize heartily with the
object you have in view.
'But my life is absorbed with other duties
and with the best will / cannot do more thar
what have already engaged TO do.
''EXcuse me, therefore, If answer but brief,
your special questions. To meet you in New
York and expound publicly my views upon sucI
subject, is out of the question.
II need not tell you that men have alway
excuses enough to justify their wrong doings
So it was with the slave trade; so 1t is to-da
with the turtle market. And though blac
men are more likely to be protected hereafter
their former suflerings during long sea voyage
are record, and humanity shudders 6
the tale. Whether men may ever be n
fined enough 10 feel their guilt whe
they torment animals remains to be seer
and your society will DO doubt do Its shaI
IN educating them in that direc ion. But to sa
that turtles do not suffer when dragged iroI
their natural haunts, tied that they may not b
able 10 move, turned upside down, etc. etc,