THE POLAR, OR GREAT WHITE BEAR. 207 



highness's character than could ever be derived from 

 the sanguinary successes of a Genghis Khan, or a 

 Tamerlane. 



If animals of the ferocious kind be cruel and san- 

 guinary, man, however, to the disgrace of his nature, 

 sometimes strives to surpass them in ferocity and 

 cruelty. Humanity must shudder at the excessive 

 barbarities too often exercised on the bear, in teach- 

 ing it to walk upright, and to regulate its motions to 

 the sound of certain instruments. Its eyes are some- 

 times put out, and an iron ring put through the carti-' 

 lage of its nose, to lead it by; with a variety of 

 other kkids of ill treatment. Some are taught to 

 dance, by having their feet placed on hot iron plates> 

 and playing to them while in that uneasy situation. 

 To every feeling mind it is shocking to reflect that 

 such cruelties should be exercised on the brute crea- 

 tion, for the sake of obtaining paltry contributions from 

 an unthinking crowd, which is gratified by such exhi- 

 bitions. Was it for this purpose that the benevolent 

 Author of Nature has created these animals, and en- 

 dowed them with life and sensation ? What account 

 shall man render to the Sovereign of the universe, 

 for this wanton and cruel abuse of those creature* 

 which his hands have made ? 



THE POLAR, OR GREAT WHITE BEAR 



is a species very different from the common bear, and 

 tar exceeds it in size, some of them being above thir- 

 teen-feet long, with limbs of a prodigious size and 

 strength. Its hair is of a yellowish white, long and 

 rough: its ears are short and round, and its teeth 

 large. 



The ferocity and undaunted courage of this animal 

 has been remarked by all who have visited tJ ";e 

 frozen regions, where it makes its abode. 



The crew of a boat belonging to a ship in the 

 whale fishery, shot at one of these creatures at some 

 distance, and wounded it. The bear, far from being 

 intimidated, set up the most dreadful yells, and ran 

 along the ice directly for the boat. Before it could 

 reach it, a second shot was fired, by which it was 



