THE JIULE. 441 



labours of the poor and needy, whose hearts are hardened 

 by poverty, with scarcely a kindly feeling to bestow on the 

 humble and patient animal, who exerts all his energies in 

 their service, and whose scanty meal is often so limited as to be 

 hardly sufficient to sustain life, and on whom, when weak 

 and debilitated, the abject wretch but too frequently wreaks 

 his chagrined feelings. Is it then to be wondered at, that 

 the poor animal should exhibit a character of stupidity and 

 dulness 1 It is chiefly in Britain that this valuable animal 

 is treated with barbarity, and is a disgrace to our national 

 character. Cruel treatment to any animal should be pu- 

 nished with the utmost severity by the legislature ; for air 

 though the Almighty has given man dominion over the 

 beasts of the field, yet the All-wise could never intend man 

 to tyrannize over the poor, helpless creatures which have 

 feelings equal to his OAvn, and gratitude far surpassing the 

 lords of the creation, Avhen properly treated. 



In Eastern and mountainous countries, the ass is held in 

 high estimation, and is treated with that care which he so 

 justly merits. In mountain tracts his services are invalu- 

 able in transporting travellers and their baggage where the 

 horse is of no use. In Aleppo there is a large and hand- 

 some breed, and in Persia also, where they sell for seventy- 

 five ducats to one hundred crowns. 



THE MULE. 



It is a matter of surprise that mules are not more bred 

 in this country, as their action is much more agreeable tlian 

 that of the horse ; and they are also more hardy in tlieir 

 nature. It is not kno'UTi when mules were first bred. The 

 first mention of them in the sacred i*\Titings is 1740 years 

 before the Christian era. In the book of Genesis it is said, 

 " This was that same Anah that found mules in the wilder- 



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