PREFACE. 



TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS. 



THE main object kept in view in making the selections con- 

 tained in this little book has been, to furnish such information by 

 means of anecdotes and concise descriptions, as would be likely 

 to inspire the youthful mind with a proper feeling of horror and 

 dislike of that basest of all baseness, cruelty to animals ; and at the 

 same time, to impress upon the young reader the nobleness and 

 beauty of kindness to all our fellow beings, both bipeds and quad- 

 rupeds. It is the opinion of the .writer, that this principle of kind- 

 ness to all is the very basis ol true religion, as it surely is of that 

 greatest of virtues, charity. Indeed, it cannot be denied, that the 



pleasure derived from the c::?rcise of this virtue is, of all this 



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world is capable of affording, the most pure, heavenly, and sacred. 



Another object has been, to forcibly attract the youthful reader 

 to the examination ana study of all the beauties of nature by which 

 we are surrounded, and it is admitted by all, that this is the most 

 effectual means of refining and purifying the mind, and above all, 

 of turning the attention to the wise and adorable Creator. 



To effect these desirable purposes, well-drawn plates have been 

 interspersed throughout the ^yvork, to attract the attention, and ex- 

 cite curiosity, and with the descriptions have been given well- 

 authenticated anecdotes of acts of kindness exemplifying the re. 

 ward thereof; or, on the other side, the punishment of cruelty. 



