I38 ON THE RIGHTS OF BEASTS. 



argumentumfympatheticum, if he pleafe ; and, 

 on trial, he will be convinced of its good ef- 

 fects. The neareft road to perfect, humanity, 

 is ftrongly to imprefs its neceflity, beauty, and 

 excellence, upon the hearts and minds of the 

 rifinof generation. 



Another mofl important flep towards amend- 

 ing the condition of beafts, is for all people of 

 property (fuch, I mean, who are of the illuf- 

 trious order of benevolence) to take at lead 

 their own animals under their own efpecial 

 protection, to fufFer no abufe, but to punifh the 

 brutal tyranny of profligate fervants in the mofl 

 exemplary manner. Was fuch a rational con- 

 duct to become general, the morals of fervants 

 would in time be amended, and our feelings 

 would not be fo frequently harrowed up with 

 thofe difgufling fpettacles which are now fo 

 common. Property muff always give the ton ; 

 it is in the power of the rich among us, when- 

 ever they fhall fo pleafe to make it la mode An- 

 glcbife, to treat beafls with kindnefs and confi- 

 deration ; in fhort, to make general humanity 

 the order of the day. 



Such is the deadly and ftupifying influence 

 of cuftom, of fo poifonous and brutalizing a 

 quality is prejudice, that men perhaps no wife 

 inclined from nature to acts of barbarity, may 

 yet live infenfiblv in the conffant commifiion 



o 

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