SMITHFIELD. LONDON. 305 



accommodations will admit, are tied, by the horns or neck, to 

 long railings, which extend on the outside of the market-place, 

 and likewise down the centre of the area. Between the rows 

 of animals tied to these rails and facing each other, there is a 

 passage-way j and there are, likewise, open spaces behind them 

 ind between them, so as to enable the purchasers to see the 

 stock. In respect to the supernumerary animals, or those for 

 which, for want of room, no tying-place is to be had, they are 

 often driven into small circles, and. by a great deal of severity 

 and cruelty, they are made, after being dreadfully beaten over 

 the head and eyes, to stand with their heads turned in towards 

 the centre of the circle. The poor animals, finding themselves 

 in so novel a situation, stunned with a din and noise which no 

 language can describe, and exhausted by fatigue and terror, are 

 often glad to be let alone, and to remain quiet in situations, into 

 which they may be forced, which would otherwise be scarcely 

 endurable. Man is almost sure to be a tyrant, when possessed 

 with absolute power ; and there is good reason to believe that he 

 will have a heavy account to settle hereafter with the brute 

 animals which he has most cruelly abused.* 



It is obvious that it would be difficult to make any exact 

 assortment, or classification, of the animals in the case, according 

 to their different breeds. The sheep are placed in one part of 

 the market. The cattle occupy another. The cows, and calves, 

 and swine, occupy other separate positions. But no classification 

 of the beasts into the different breeds of Short-Horns, Herefords, 

 Devons, or West Highlanders, or Scots, is attempted, although, 

 from the fact that individual farmers generally limit themselves 

 to one species of stock, the contributions of different individuals, 

 standing by themselves, present a sort of classification ; and so 

 give a better opportunity to an intelligent observer to compare 

 the different breeds with each other. 



* It is said that much of the cruelty, which was formerly practised in these cases 

 is now prevented by the influence of the Animal s Friend Society, an association 

 quite numerous, whose exclusive object is to prevent cruelty to dumb beasts, and 

 thus to protect those who are unable to protect themselves. They have numerous 

 agents, and prosecute, without fear or favor, every case of inhumanity, for it is a 

 great misnomer to call such cases brutality, which comes under their notice, de 

 serving censure or punishment. It is, undoubtedly, greatly owing to their exer 

 tions, that the odious practices of cock-fighting and dog-fighting are now not prac 

 tised ; or, if practised, conducted in the most secret manner. 

 26 * 



