The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-12-01
The Pig Transformed---A Thing /
Beauty and q dpy Forever

A37 5te9t< w lftuoi1 "a 4 ll1OHUSTdDu OH bile
pig which will do much toward restor-
ing that animal to his proper place in
society. e Mr.. Gilbert is to be believed
the pig has been treated with shocking
injustice. We have made him dirty
and lpathsonle and we have then abused
him because he is what we have made
him Everybody has noticed the differ
eaeebetWeen new and old pigs. The
lrTner arc white, clean and decidedly
: pretty, while the latter are no less OBJ
sjectionable. Ought we not to ask our
selves il we are in any way responsible
forthe tranformation of the delicate new
pig into the revolving middle-aged pigp
40 this question, Mr.. Gilbert has an
i answer ready. and that answer is far
from Aattering to US.
- In point Of pig Mr.. Gilbert is an un-
doubted pelagian. He holds that the
pig at birth is physically and morally
pure, and that the faults and mud
which he afterward exhibits are due to
the circumstances in which he is placed.
There circumstances are to the last de-
gree demoralizing. Men assume that
mud is essential to the comfort of the
pig, and SO takes pains to provide him
with mud -puddles. III They have the ex-
traordinarys theory that the pig thrives
only upon filthy food, and so they feed
him with refuse with which they would
scorn to insult any other animal They
are confident that the dirtier the pig
pen may bcsthe happier the pig viii be-
come, and they bend their energies to
= building and furnishing pig-pens which
shall be dirtier than the steerage of an
old-fashioned emigrant ship. We need
not wonder that the unhappy pig yields
to the force of circumstances and be-
comes tho bafhsoma beast that be I'M
doubtedly IS. 49, -
Mrs. iibert, as the apolagist andIde--
fcnderof pigs, asserts that we ought to
adopt an entirely new system OF pig
culture. He would have the pig pen
built after asdesign so s..truly artistic
lsthat the daily scontemp lation of it could
not but refine and elevate the pigs
--taste--lThe interior of this pig pen
should, according toa Mr.. Gilbert, Be
kept al acrppuld uslY Al asfhe spare
bedroom Of New England cottage
The pig should have a clean and COM
Portable bed-say spring Mattress
and his table dishes should be washed
after every meal. While wallowing in
every form should be sternly discoun-
tcnanced. the pig should have a daily
bath, and great care should be taken to
protect him from insects. FINALLY, sthe
pigs food should be Of the daintiest de-
scription. and as the result of this treat
ment be would never lose the neatness
and grace whichcharaeterize him during
his early pighood
Having thus transformed the pig bv
changing his surroundings, Mr.. Gilbert
would make him familiar friend of
man.. That the pig has good deal of
intellect there can be no question:; for. |
there have been educated pigs who have
shown an ability to work out mathemat-
sical problems and to play abstruse games
of cards which has challenged the adj |
miration of mankind Mr.. GILBERT
maintains that the pig is an affectionate
and faithful animal, and as soon as he
JIG taken by the foot and assisted to
abandon the bad habits which have
hitherto been his reproach, he can be
made to take the place IN the house
hold now occupied by the dog and the
cat. With prophetic and enthusiastic
eye. MI. Gilbert sees the reformed pig
OF The future sitting up on end on the t
hearthway and licking his bristles with I
the assiduity of the daintiest cat. He
sees the same animal lying in the Ian of
beauty. and accepting caresses with a
far greater show Of appreciation shan is
ever made By the palnpered and con-
ceited lap dog. 70 the scientific per-
son. the domesticated pig will be lof
great service in doing Mathematical
sums, and 10 the sportsman he will he
Invaluable. The full-orown pip is LARGER
and stronger than the fiercest dog. and
sls he has four times as much surface Of
nose Ns has the ablest hound, he would I
probably prove to be keen Of scent as
vol as bold and vigorous in, attack.
Thus he would fully take the place Of
every variety of dog, and il he can be
taught to kill mice, which is by no |
spass sou = h ase ns uaness .or me cas.