The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-28

show. Z, This was, a nssH version Of eoid
story Of the fox aud the grapes, 50 illustra.s
tive Of human nature. g Sour grapes y are
those which we cannot enjoy, however sweet
they be. And tie hare was as good for adj
manner of cooking when she escaped as she
was when o prisoner; but the oldEnegro
didn't think much Of 1t!
The old hare's habits IRE so decent, so do
nestle. His undylng devotion to home is an
example to mankind. Start him when you
| NAV, and sooner or later he makes his circle
aud returns to his bed, there. maybe, to die.
| Tie hunter that has no sentiment OF pity at
shedding the blood of a creature who exhibits
such devotion to home and place of nativity
| is devoid of the geutler sympathies. we
sometimes think the old hare must have
either written or suggested "Home, sweet
| Home" his acknowledgements are SO slgnaliy
displayed.
The family Of old harcs, or rabbits, is look
inc I'D. We sec that u Mr.. GEORGE BROOKE,
Of London, has written an essay urging the
protection and cultivation OF The rabbit US
an ilnportant matter to society in England,
where butchers meat is SO scarce amongst
moor laborcrs. TO show how freely rabbits
are already used for food there, Mr.. BROOKE
states that fifteen thousand cases of Ostend
rabbits are brought weekly to London, each
case containing one hundred rabbits, weigh
ing three pounds each without the skin.
He remarks further that wild rabbits pay
better to produce than sheep or pigs.
LISA proof of the sharply-whetted econo-
my, under the spur Of the Snecessity which
begins to press upon dense communities,
tina, the value OF the rabbit is being counted.
Nevertheless the suggestions of BsooKE,
SALESMAN in Lcadenhall Market" are not
to he treated with contempt even in coun-
try so blessed with the means of living as
our own. The hare affords an acceptable
variety to tho table, especially of these
DAYS. Is there anything better than a
hare that is roasted by being suspend
ed before the brilliant wood-fire and basted
while he is cooking with well-seasoned
gravy? Give us that old hare and take the
rest of the hill of fare.
There is that in the chase Of poor Watt
and the checkmating him in his doubling,
and the capturing him at his home, which
cXcitcs the spirit aud educates the boy OF
twelve to Independence and energy. These
early lessons are invaluable. Nor is the les
son in economy taught by the traffic in skins
to b. considered lightly. That commerce
has laid the foundation Of many fortune.
While on the subject, we do remember US
of having twisted more than one old hare
out OF hollow log with the help Of Icing
hickory pole split at the end. III some in
stances, before poor swat was twisted out
BY winding up biz long fur in the end of the
pole. Il considerable patch Of bis skin was
brought away. Boys, that is cruel-worse,
indeed, than smoking the hare out, device
thai was rcsorted to by the French in Alsc-
ria, who smoked out the Arabs from their
caves by building fires in the mouths OF tie
caves. We have to repent Of our twisting
process; ana as it tends to cruelty ne beg
the Toys to discard the practice. We wouldn't
dc-irc TO sec them I'LL ""ood little hoys.'
| We desire to sec them real boys, but not un-
| necessarily cruel boys. Don't skin tie hare
olive.
Perhaps our old friend will not thank us
| for calling especial attention to him, and will
not appreciate our motives. We shall lie
sorry for that. We can only comfort him
by assuring him that society in this country
has experienced pretty much his own fate.
Tine has but diminished the social joys and
social independence of men. We were once
AS indifferent to events rs he was himself,
and low free and easy he was is we'll figured
forth in the Song:
| "Gl1 N.r. Hare, what you doin' dare9
| s,lttn' ia IL coru,r siiukin' my cigar"
| So were we. But now our case OF mind
ana freedom Of occupation, so happily ex-
pressed in the song, are gone and so, dear
old friend, YOU and we must console our
selves rs best we can. We shall be happy to
meet YOU at the table and discuss our mutual
sorrows.
---------------------
The President on Tuesday signed the bill
to reduce the expenses and offices of the In
t rnal Revenue Bureau, which passed Con-
yrcss few days ago, and the work of put
| ting the new law into practical operation
! will be commenced Immediately. This bill,