482 Life and Immortality. 



lovers and friends of the so-called brute, who have an instinct- 

 ive sense that animals, some of whom surpass in love, 

 unselfishness, generosity, conscience and self-sacrifice many 

 of their human brethren, must share with him in addition to 

 these virtues an immortal spirit in which they take their rise. 

 No more eminent personage than Bishop Butler was a believer 

 in this idea. Substantially he asserts that the Scriptures 

 give no reasons why the lower animals should not possess 

 immortal souls. Similar sentiments have been voiced by 

 equally distinguished writers. 



Southey, writing of the death of a favorite spaniel that had 

 been the companion of his boyhood, says : 



"Ah, poor companion ! when thou followedst last 

 Thy master's parting footsteps to the gate 

 Which closed forever on him, thou didst lose 

 Thy best friend, and none was left to plead 

 For the old age of brute fidelity. 

 But fare thee well. Mine is no narrowed creed ; 

 And He who gave thee being did not frame 

 The mystery of Life to be the sport 

 Of merciless rnan. There is another world 

 For all that live and move a better one ! 

 Where the proud bipeds, who would fain confine 

 Infinite Goodness to the little bounds 

 Of their own charity, may envy thee." 



Thus does Lamartine, in " Jocelyn's Episode," beautifully 

 express himself in addressing a faithful and affectionate 

 canine by the name of Fido : 



" I cannot, will not, deem thee a deceiving, 

 Illusive mockery of human feeling, 

 A body organized, by fond caress 

 Warmed into seeming tenderness ; 

 A mere automaton, on which our love 

 Plays, as on puppets, when their wires we move. 

 No ! when that feeling quits thy glazing eye, 

 'Twill live in some blest world beyond the sky.'' 



