Nature s hitelligence 113 



rapidly driving them out of existence as species, 

 and thus the larger part of the beauty and attract- 

 iveness of the world is wantonly destroyed. There 

 is no basis in morals, no appeal to the better senti- 

 ments of mankind left, if we deny that the lower 

 animals have moral rights. If they are not exter- 

 minated it will be because good men and women 

 will be found willing to inform themselves of the 

 facts, and who will stand up for the defenseless 

 creatures as witnesses, and as advocates and cham- 

 pions, and who will employ the moral principles 

 brought into exercise in our relations with them, in 

 training up the boys and girls to manhood and 

 womanhood of noble and beautiful character. 



Have I succeeded in establishing the claims of 

 my beloved companions and friends to a hearing? 

 Let the reader learn their language and cultivate 

 their acquaintance. Their thoughts will be found 

 sweet as their perfumes; their teachings as beauti- 

 ful as their colors; their companionship soothing 

 and cheering as exquisite music. 



"Farewell, farewell, but this I tell 



To thee, thou wedding guest; 

 He prayeth well who loveth well 



Both man and bird and beast. 

 He prayeth best who loveth best 



All things both great and small; 

 For the dear Lord, who loveth us. 



He made and loveth all." 



