ASS.—A'sinus vulqdris 
Strong, surefooted, hardy, and easily maintained, the Ass is of infinite use to the poorer 
classes of the community, who need the services of a beast of burden, and cannot afford 
to purchase or keep so expensive an animal as a horse. In the hands of unthinking and 
uneducated people, the poor creature generally leads a very hard life, and is subjected to 
much and undeserved ill-treatment ; not so much from deliberate cruelty as from want of 
thought. We often see the poor animal laden with a burden that is evidently beyond its 
powers, and continually urged forward by blows. Not long ago, I saw a poor donkey 
harnessed to a low cart in which were seated three full-grown women, one of whom was 
continually belabouring the animal with a thick stick. Presently they stopped, took up 
a fourth passenger, and again moved on in spite of all remonstrances on behalf of the 
unfortunate creature that was forced to drag so heavy a weight. 
This cruel treatment is as impolitic as it is inhuman; for there are few animals which 
will better repay kindness than the Ass, or will develop better qualitie S. 
Some years ago a very excellent movement was started by Captain Scott, R.N., for 
the purpose of ameliorating the condition of certain unfortunate donke ys whic h were 
employed in the conveyance of coal, and were in a most pitiable condition. 
Several persons he id atte mpted to remonstrate with the owners a the poor animals, 
and had only been insulted, without achieving any successful result. Captain S. however, 
struck out another line of conduct, and instead of abusing or persecuting those who 
treated their animals badly, he offered prizes to those who could produce the best and 
healthiest donkey. Several persons joined him in this most laudable undertaking, and 
they held quarterly meetings, at which the prizes were bestowed. A medal was also 
given to each successful competitor, and the association pledged themselves to employ no 
