THE RELIGION OF NATURE 



often seen large flocks of sheep being driven to the 

 slaughterhouse. There is certainly no sign of 

 prophetic fear on their part. On the contrary, 

 the contented ease with which they allow them- 

 selves to be shepherded out of the way of omni- 

 buses is only surpassed in interest by the keenness 

 with which they adapt themselves to their new sur- 

 roundings and hunt along the gutters, when they 

 have the chance, for banana-skins or anything else 

 which might be eatable. 



Cattle, I admit, have almost always a scared 

 look when they are being driven through the 

 streets, but what can you expect from creatures 

 whose lives are entirely guided by the instinct of 

 self-preservation for the good of the race though 

 they do not know it when they are suddenly 

 transported from quiet pastures, where they have 

 been accustomed to see nothing more alarming 

 than skylarks and hares, to streets roaring with 

 traffic and crowded with men hurrying on all 

 sides ? 



With wide eyes gazing in every direction and 

 wide nostrils sniffing up a score of strange and 

 mysterious scents, they are obeying their natural, 

 overruling instinct to save their lives if they can. 

 But above the roar of the traffic comes the drover's 

 familiar shout of command, and the great beasts 

 lumber on. It has always been good for them, if 



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