FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,
OFFICES, —12, PALL MALL.

TO THE
VISITORS AT WATERING PLACES,
AND TO THE
OWNERS AND DRIVERS OF DONKEYS.

It is much to be regretted by all those who feel for the
sufferings of the dumb creation at the hand of man, the
number of whom it is very consolatory to think is daily
increasing, that great as is the inhumanity to animals in
the lower classes, an ill example, in one particular
instance, should be thoughtlessly set them by those, in
whom better feelings might be expected to prevail.

There is scarcely a family, in which there are children
and young people, by whom, in the summer months, at
least, the Ass is not used for the purposes of health or
recreation; and where it is so used it is almost as inva-
riably urged beyond its powers, and treated as if it had
no sense of feeling whatever, not only from the callous
habits of the drivers, but also from the reckless incon-
sideration of the riders, who are seldom or ever satisfied
with the pace the animals can go with ease to themselves.

It would, surely, well become the human race, in
consideration of our blessed Saviour's having selected

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the Ass to carry him on his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, I had almost said, to treat it with particular deference, at least, not to single it out in so remarkable a manner, for the indignities and savage treatment to which we see it daily exposed.

As there cannot be a spark of religion without humanity, the clergy, who cannot walk about without observing, or read a newspaper, without remarking the cruelty to animals that stalks through the land, in all its shocking and endless varieties, would do well to advert from the pulpit to a subject so demoralizing to the human mind as inhumanity to the brute creation.

It is a remarkable fact, that at Ostend, when the market women, who are there particularly kind and lenient to their donkeys, come from the country with vegetables and other articles for sale, on a market day; these donkeys are put promiscuously into a barn, or large stable, and when the door is opened, at the close of the market, they all scamper away, and never stop till they reach each its proper owner in the market-place.

This custom was related to the writer of this paper by a principal horse dealer at Canterbury, who has been for many years witness to it in his visits to Belgium; and it completely proves that the ass has as lively a sense of gratitude for kind usage as any animal whatever.

Though, from the long habitual ill-treatment of the Ass in this country, it cannot be expected that so kindly a feeling as the above should be generally kindled, it is humbly hoped, that some of those into whose hands this paper should chance to fall, may see something in it to rouse a reflection in favour of the poor despised animal whose cause it attempts, however feebly, to plead.

Published by the "ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS," at their Offices, No. 12, PALL MALL, removed from Exeter Hall, where Subscriptions and Donations will be thankfully received, and where Tracts on Humanity to Animals can be obtained. Office hours, from Ten to Four o'Clock.

C. Beckett, Printer, 135, Kingsland Road.