458^ POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



extensively non-physiological considerations are still drawn upon in 

 justif3dng vegetarianism. He writes: "The individual who endeavors 

 to exercise abstemiousness will unavoidably be obliged to abide by a 

 fixed rule, the first element in which is abstemiousness in eating — 

 fasting. But if he fasts and strives earnestly and zealously to lead a 

 good life, he must, above all things, abstain from animal foods. For 

 aside from the incitement of the passions which is provoked by these 

 foods, it is decidedly improper to partake of them for the reason that 

 they call for a procedure which is revolting to our moral feelings, 

 namely, the act of putting to death. ' ' * 



It has frequently been pointed out that the apostles of the non- 

 animal diet have been individuals imbued with unusual views of life 

 and the ways of the world. As in earliest times religious motives were 

 the underlying factors in the prescription of rules of living, so in sub- 

 sequent periods it has usually been some idealistic conception of the 

 problems of existence which determined the vegetarian doctrine of the 

 time. The political dreamer and the philosophical visionary represent 

 types of men in whom the striving for a new order of doing found 

 expression. No period of history has lacked individuals who fail to 

 find in existing systems the Utopia of their dreams. The traits of 

 mind here referred to are exemplified in the poets Byron and Shelley, 

 both of whom the vegetarians have been proud and eager to include 

 within their ranks. It is needless to refer to the eccentricities or the 

 remarkable genius of either. It is well known of the one that his mor- 

 bid disposition was not infrequently roused and irritated; of the other 

 it has been said that 'his imagination preponderated over judgment 

 and reason.' Some light is perhaps thrown upon the real attitude of 

 the poet in the subject under discussion by the following lines from 

 Shelley's 'Queen Mab' (VIII.) : 



Here now the human being stands adorning 



This loveliest earth, with taintless body and mind ; 



Blest from his birth with all bland impulses, 



Which gently in his bosom wake 



All kindly passions and all pure desires. 



• ••*••*••* 



And man, once fleeting o'er the transient scene 

 Swift as an unremembered vision, stands 

 Immortal upon earth. No longer now 

 He slays the lamb that looks him in the face, 

 And horribly devours his mangled flesh, 

 Which still avenging nature's broken law, 

 Kindled all putrid humours in his frame. 

 All evil passions, and all vain belief. 

 Hatred, despair, and loathing in his mind, 



* Tolstoi: 'Die erste Stufe,' 1892, quoted from Albu: 'Die vegetarische 

 Diat,' 1902. 



