A24 
might be cqually great, if not greater, 
without the smallest risk of death 
among his volatile flock, scelf-indul- 
gence on the one hand, and the love 
of gain-on the other, might-go. far to 
correct a practice which is, like many 
others of a similar kind, certainly dis- 
graceful to €ivilized society. 
Itis;well known, that feathers are 
only of one year’s growth, and that in 
the moulting scason they spontane- 
ously fall off, and are supplied by a 
fresh crop... Now, when the geese are 
in full feather, if the plumage were 
carefully cut off close to the skin by 
means of sharp scissors, the product 
would not be much reduced in quan- 
tity, while the quality would be greatly 
improved. It would also save labour 
in dressing ; since the quilly portion of 
the feathers, when forcibly detached 
from the skin, is generally in such a 
state as, after all) to require the em- 
ployment of the scissors. After this 
operation: has been performed, the 
down from the breast may be removed 
by the same means. 
When the feathers are removed in 
this way, during mild or warm wea- 
ther, the animal is rather benefited 
than injured by the operation; the 
stumps are thrown off as in natural 
moulting, and a beautiful crop of new 
plumage quickly makes its appear- 
ance. 
Should these hints, diffused through 
the medium of your widely circulated 
journal, save one poor goose from the 
torture, the writer will feel herself 
highly gratilied. 
It may not be incongruous to the 
subject under discussion to notice, 
that in Scotland there prevails, or, I 
should rather say, there prévailed,— 
for years have gone by since I visited 
the land of my birth,—a pretty general 
antipathy against eating goose, espe- 
cially on Christmas Day. Indeed, 
about half a century ago, the goose, 
as a prelatical bird, was a prohibited 
dish at the table of the rigid Presbyte- 
rian; and, although their more liberal 
descendants view it not with the same 
superstitious horror, itis not so highly- 
prized alwxury as in the south. 
I remember hearing, in my youth, 
an anecdote related of the sturdy inde- 
pendenceof a non-conformist preacher, 
illustrative of this subject, though, his 
name has eluded: my memory. Driven 
from his charge, for a steady adhe- 
rence to principle,—a wanderer, and 
sy 
Author of the “ Beggav’s Petition?” —Vegetasle Oils, {Deez 1,. 
a beggar,—an asylum was afforded to 
himoin theancient house of Abbotrvle, 
in the south of Scotland, by the piety 
of its mistress. ‘The master of the 
mansion, though himself a rigid .con- 
formist, tolerated and even respected 
his guest; but, fond of his jest, as the 
emblem of his faith and his. loyalty 
was placed on the Christmas: board, 
he laughingly observed to his reverend 
inmate, ‘‘ that he presumed he would 
find no objection to pariake of the 
superstitious bird.” Hurt byewhat he 
deemed a sneer at his religion,® the 
holy man left the room and the house ; 
preferring cold, hunger, and peril of 
every kind, to the luxuries of a rich 
man’s table, when purchased at the 
sacrifice of his conscience. 
Let the churchmen of modern days, 
—who too often render religion sub- 
servient to ambition, who truckle for 
patronage and place,—think: of .the 
poor wandering non-conformist, and 
‘oo and do likewise.” 
Pimlico ; A. CPR: 
_ Nov, 12, 1823. ta 
To the Lditor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
ILL you permit mie, through 
your widely circulated pages, 
to enquire the real name» of the 
‘author of those truly popular beautiful 
verses, entitled the ‘‘ Beggar's Peti- 
tion.” That charming crispy- writer; 
Mr. Elia, has asserted, that: he was 
an usher ata school: I fancy Mr. Elia 
is mistaken. The required informa- 
tion from any of your correspondents 
will highly oblige, Cc. R. 
eee , 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 5 
HE French burn vegetable oils in 
their lamps, and»these oils. pro- 
duce the most beautiful intense white 
light, equal to the best which is pro- 
duced from gas. » The. oil-manufac- 
turers: of: England either .do not, or 
cannot, prepare. vegetable |-oils for 
burning; and I wish to be informed, 
through your Miscellany,in regard to 
the French mode ‘of preparation, and 
also whether vegetable oils are pre- 
pared in England for burning, and by 
whom, and where? The'superiorlight 
of prepared vegetables, andthe, ab- 
sence of that noisome smell andflavour 
which attends fish oils, would; com- 
mand general preferences \: 
November 1823... | 
ssf 
Oe. 
DOCUMENTS 
