244 OUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE LOWER ANIMALS 



unfriendliness, suspicion, or want of sympathy. It was 

 simply the feeling that men and women view certain 

 subjects in different planes, and are accustomed to 

 come to their consideration by different approaches. 

 My reluctance was enhanced by the nature of the sub- 

 ject allotted to me The Rights of Wild Animals for 

 here was matter in which there was hazard nay, 

 certainty of sentimentblurring the clear outlines drawn 

 by reason. I had the simple alternative of being true 

 to my conviction that animals, whatever we may feel 

 to be our obligations towards them, have no rights in 

 the strict sense, except such as human legislation has 

 conferred upon them; and of being untrue to these 

 convictions and contenting myself, and probably my 

 audience, with a facile denunciation of cruel practices 

 which few would care to defend. 



To follow the latter course would have been a gross 

 affront to the intelligence of an unusually intelligent 

 audience; I decided, therefore, to proceed honestly, 

 and endeavour to explain the grounds whereon a 

 sportsman may rest his claim to be deemed humane 

 in relation to animals. I may say at once that my 

 address proved extremely unpalatable to the ladies 

 assembled in congress, who did not consider it beneath 

 their dignity to punctuate its points with hissing of a 

 pronounced and prolonged character. 



In a more tranquil environment let me examine 

 afresh the principles which I conceive should guide us 

 in our relation with our inarticulate fellow-creatures. 



What are the rights of wild animals and wherein 

 do they consist ? Surely before a right can be admitted, 



