HARES, AM) HARE-IILWTIXG. igy 



On this I brought in a h\]\ to make the provisions of tho Criiclty to Animals Act 

 appHcahlc to bears heltl in c.ipti\ity. To my surprise, it was severely l)locl<ed 

 by the sporting fraternity in the House of Commons. 1 asked why? And I 

 was told that if I secured protection to bears, someone else would secure the 

 same protection for foxes, and that, consequently, the right to be cruel to 

 animals, fcnc luiliinc, must not be tampered with. So my bear bill never got 

 beyond a first reading. Surely, however, it is full time that, if it be deemed 

 right to legislate against cruelty to tame animals, it is equally right to legislate 

 against cruelty to wild animals. 



To kill is not the main objective of liare-hunting. Durint; the season 

 we may run somewlieie about a hundred different liares, of which we may 

 chance to kill twenty ; and although a kill is the logical sequence of a good 

 run, we are well satisfied if the hare beats us after a good liunt. 



It is impossible for us to analyze tlie feelings of a hare, but as her 

 morphology and physiology indicate that slie is specially adapted to be 

 hunted, we may assume that she does not suffer from that dreadful feeling 

 of terror depicted by the poets. Who, that has seen a hare start instantly 

 from sleep and use the most vigorous efforts to escape the disturbing hounds, 

 can think that she is at all liable to that paralysis which overtakes most men 

 in sudden danger? If we have the good fortune to see a hare, during a run, 

 try some of her clever tricks to throw out her pursuers, wliat is the impression 

 conveyed to our minds ? Is the expression of her emotions, as we read it, 

 one of fear ? Is it not rather that of coolness and confidence in her speed ? 

 It is only when seized by her enemy tliat she utters a cry, and that pain is 

 physical and soon over. She must die that way sooner or later. 



Poor Puss ! of all, the helpless prey, 

 Timid, she fights not — can but flee, 



And dying, piteous cry. 

 Hunted by man, and bird, and beast. 

 Rest only comes w^hen life hath ceas'd ! 



'Twere welcome, then, to die ! Anon. 



^J^ 



