10 ON THE RELATIONS BETWEEN MAN 



lusti ous spot on the varied map of living creation ? From 

 the everlasting snov^^s of the north to the burning sands 

 of tropical deserts, his faithful dog follows at his foot ; 

 the horse is at his side — submissive to his will ; — the 

 patient ox bows his neck to the yoke ; and the sheep and 

 the hog are present to supply his clothing and his food. 

 Far otherwise is it with untameable and predatory birds 

 and beasts. Restricted to particular regions by an all- 

 wise Providence, the absence of food and climate con- 

 genial to their nature forbids them to roam beyond limits 

 comparatively circumscribed. And do not these arrange- 

 ments for our benefit, and which give us " dominion 

 over all the earth and every creeping thing that creepeth 

 upon the earth," enjoin on us the duty of studying their 

 habits, their economy, and all the laws of their existence 

 — with a view to their improvement for our advantage, 

 in every way consistent with kindness to them and with 

 gratitude to Him, 



« Who in his sovereign wisdom made them all ?" 



And while these considerations teach us to be merciful 

 ourselves, do they not convey the admonition 



«< Ye therefore who love mercy, teach your sons 

 To love it too!" 



The very fact that to them has been denied the power of 

 speech, and the necessity of uncomplaining submission 

 under every hardship, ought to put us constantly on our 

 guard against practising, or permitting to be practised, 

 iny, the smallest measure of abuse or ill treatment. Thus 

 every man of common humanity will study their com- 

 fort in all things, consistently with the purposes for which 

 they were designed, and will never even mount his faith- 

 ful horse without seeing that whatever is needed has oeen 

 done to give an easy set to his saddle — and, still more, 

 tnat all is right about his feet ! 



