Part 25

Their claims are so affecting, and so obvious, the remedy that would save them from all pain is so cheap and simple, that it is, we feel, only necessary to appeal to the public to obtain by acclamation a verdict in their favour.

Professor Spooner, in an address delivered by him to the students of the Veterinary College in October last, stated that in the two chief Veterinary Colleges in France--at Alfort and at Lyons--pupils, twice a week for seven hours a day, are instructed in surgery by the "vivisection" or cutting up of living horses, who, until they actually expire, are subjected to a series of cruelties which, although Mr. Spooner professionally described and deprecated, we dare not repeat.

What a disgrace it is to France, and especially to her brave army, that while every cavalry soldier who distinguishes himself in action, covered with medals and "glory," may proudly end his days in the Hôtel des Invalides,--the horse that carried him in all his brilliant charges, &c., when he is worn out and unfit for service, is liable to be led into an arena in the heart of "The Empire," to be, before the public, not honoured nor rewarded, but, inch by inch, and bit by bit, to be dissected alive, until by the last sigh from his lungs, and by the last pulsation from his heart, he ends his account with his inconsiderate, ungenerous, and ungrateful country!

The English veterinary surgeons of the present day are so far superior to those of the last generation--they are so willing and so proud to follow in their important vocation whatever new discoveries may be humanely and successfully practised in our public hospitals, that if our Sovereign, the Commander-in-Chief of our army, our noblemen, sportsmen, and men of education, character, and wealth, would but combine together in determining to require that chloroform shall invariably be administered to their creatures "for everything that gives pain," the "fashion" would quickly be followed, even by the most unreflecting portion of our community; and England, "great, glorious, and free," would then stand distinguished in the world, not only for the strength, stoutness, endurance, weight, and swiftness of her animals, but by her merciful protection of them under surgical operations.

"=A righteous man regardeth his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.="

+IN GRATITUDE TO+

THE HORSE,

+The Foregoing Imperfect Observations,

Applicable to all living Creatures,

Are respectfully submitted

To the Consideration of the Public,

by+

HIS RIDER.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CHARING CROSS.

+Albemarle Street, London.+ April, 1861.

MR. MURRAY'S

GENERAL LIST OF WORKS.

ABBOTT'S (+Rev. J.+) Philip Musgrave; or, Memoirs of a Church of England Missionary in the North American Colonies. Post 8vo. 2s. 6d.

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ADOLPHUS'S (J. L.) Letters from Spain, in 1856 and 1857. Post 8vo. 10s. 6d.

ÆSCHYLUS. (The Agamemnon and Choephorœ.) Edited, with Notes. By Rev. +W. Peile+, D.D. Second Edition. 2 Vols. 8vo. 9s. each.

ÆSOP'S FABLES. A New Translation. With Historical Preface. By Rev. +Thomas James+. With 100 Woodcuts, by +Tenniel+ and +Wolf+. 38th Thousand. Post 8vo. 2s. 6d.

AGRICULTURAL (+The+) +Journal+. Of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. 8vo. 10s. Published half-yearly.

AIDS TO FAITH: a Series of Theological Essays by +Several Writers+. 8vo. (In the Press.)

AMBER-WITCH (+The+). The most interesting Trial for Witchcraft ever known. Translated from the German by +Lady Duff Gordon+. Post 8vo. 2s. 6d.