The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1885-02-26
OLDEST SOCIETY ON EARTH.
a Vegetarian ProfessOr's Humorous Speech
changes Going On In tho World.

A vcgetsriaa Predecessors Humorous speech
Changes Going on in tho World.
lChicago Time&l
The Vegetarian society Of Great Brit
ain appears to be making excellent
progress. At tho last annual meeting,
recently held in London, large num-
Der Of distinguished mon and women
we're present and took part in the pro-
ccydines. The president, Professor
Mayor, Of Cambridge university, do
livcred . humorous and highly instruc-
tive speech. He stated that the order Of
yegetarians was not only the oldest OF
any on earth, but that it was the most
extensive.
1t had it's origin in Eden. The emf
nent ancient Pcruvians and Mexicans
were all members of it. A majority of
the people of India, China, and Japan
are vegctarians. Among the 0ld-timo
vegetarians were Pythag0ras, Zeno,
Socrates, Epicurua Seneca, and Plu-
tarch. The Roman porridge-eators, the
persians OF Cyrus, the Greeks OF Leoni-
das, the Swedes of Gustavus vassa, the
miners Of hill, and the Hudson bay
trappers ate scarcely anything but veg
ctables, endured privation, withstood
hardships, and gained the admiration
Of the world. Converts were being
made from all classes. Men Of wealth,
who had stuffed themselves with roast
beef and puddings abounding in animal
fat till they were laid up with the g0ut.
! were forced to confine themselves to a
vegetable diet, when they usually re.
gained their health. People who could
not obtain money to procure meat were
! Obliged to live on vegetables. In the
majority of cases they were soon satis-
fed with the change.
The speaker referred to Professor
4 Bcketoff, rector of st. Petersburg uni
vcrsity, who declared that the future is
I with the vegetarians. Tho reason was
plain. Ten vegctarians could 1.-Two where
q single meat-eatcr would starvc. The
time was soon coming when the pOpula-
ton of many countries could not be sup
ported il any considerable portion OF the
land was devoted to raising animals for
food. Animal substances were fast be-
coming displaced by those made Of
minerals or vegetables. Geese were
once kept partly for the purpose Of sup
plying large quilts for making pens. Tho
metal pen has driven out that made
from quill. Not long ago, millions OF
skins were wanted every year for max
ing parchment. Paper made of vcget-
ables has superseded parchment for
almost all purposes. Gutta-percha and
India rubber were fast taking the place
Of leather. Feathers arc no longer nec-
essary for filing bods. Brushes are
made without bristlcs, and tho bcSt
Ie0mbs are made from other materials
than horn.
Tallow was no longer needed for max
ing candles. A much better article
could be manufactured from parafine.
Animal and fish oils were not employed
for filling lamps. kerosene has taken
their place. The streets and buildings
were now lighted by gas made from
coal. Gas. electricity, or mineral oil
would furnish the light of tho future
Butter is giving place to fruit jam and
vegetable oils. Vegetable substances
arc finding their way into cheese. Even
animal power was being superseded.
Horses made of iron and drawn by
steam were transporting most OF thu
passengers and goods in all civilized
countries. Gas, wind, water, steam
and the tides were being called into Jht
service OF man. Even the saddlc-hors'
was fast being displaced by the bicycle
and tricycle.. Cheap and rapid trans
portation has rendered it easy to brin:
tho vegetable products OF one cOuntr!
to another. Horticulture is maxim:
most rapid progress everywhere Th'
art OF preserving vegetables WAS being
) brought to state Of perfection.