156 On the Use and Abuse q; 



tifying their savage revenge, or of better se- 

 curing their victim, they actually cut off his 

 hoofs, and enjoyed the spectacle of his being 

 worried to death on his bloody and mangled 

 stumps. These facts speak more than a 

 volume against the sophistic arguments of the 

 advocates for exciting brave and manly 

 courage by the exhibition of bloody and bar- 

 barous sports. 



Although persons of rank and education, at 

 the present period, have abandoned bear and 

 l>ull-baiting to the lowest and most despicable 

 part of the populace ; and even amongst them 

 these sports are much less frequent than for- 

 merly j yet the practice meets with coun- 

 tenance in some parts of the kingdom, and has 

 been supported not long since, in one of 

 the first assemblies of this- nation, extolled 

 by mjen of rank and abilities, as encouraging 

 harmless amusement, manly spirit and con- 

 tempt of danger. 



These opinions appear to be so much at 

 variance with the present enlightened, liberal 

 and humane state of society, that to hear they 

 have been defended by serious arguments and 

 with ^ persevering ardor, is suiircient to excite 

 bol^; regret and astonishment. Cruelty in 

 every shape is unjustifiable; — but wanton, 

 deliberate barbaritv is dishonourable to our 



