394 THE COMMON OX. 



ears and tail cropped to the very stumps, and his 

 nostrils filled with pepper, his body was besmeared 

 with soap; and, in that pitiable state, he was turned 

 loose in order to be hunted. This was denominated 

 bull-running; and if the Bull was caught, or held so 

 long that a person could pull off some of his hair, 

 he was then tied to the stake and baited. The 

 anecdotes of wanton cruelty that have been related 

 of this brutal sport, are, indeed, such as would even 

 disgrace the most ferocious of those nations which 

 we stigmatise by the name of savages. But, when 

 we reflect on the innumerable advantages which 

 mankind derive from these animals; that they 

 actually yield us more services than any other race 

 of animals we possess; every repetition of their 

 torture ought to be considered, in another point of 

 view, as a shameful proof of the most treacherous 

 and cowardly ingratitude. 



The Cow is an object of the highest utility. 

 After she has furnished several Calves, and an 

 abundance of milk, she is fatted for the butcher ; 

 and her flesh, at last, affords to mankind an health- 

 ful and nutritive food. The skins of cattle are em- 

 ployed for making harness, saddles, shoes, and for 

 various other purposes ; and the refuse cuttings are 

 boiled down into glue. Of their horns are manu- 

 factured combs, handles for knives, toys, and seve- 

 ral other things. The fat, or suet, is made into can- 

 dles ; and the blood is employed in clarifying sugar. 

 The membranes of the stomach are used for beating 



gold- 



