32 



nature, wants, and condition of animals -which comparatively few 

 think it worth while to exercise. Many indeed seem to think, that 

 by providing food and shelter for their stock, they are entitled to an 

 abundant return in money value, and also an implicit obedience to 

 demands which are opposed to an animal's natural instinct and in- 

 clination, and which they (the owners) do not trouble themselves to 

 adapt to the animal's comprehension. Failing to obtain this, they 

 appear to regard their stock as a lot of rebelhous subjects, ever seek- 

 ing to thwart their reasonable wishes, and only to be controlled by 

 harshness and severity. Now this is all vsrong, and is productive of 

 serious loss and vexation to owners, as well as detestable cruelty and 

 oppression to the poor brutes. 



The fundamental principle in Mr. Earey's theory, that a horse will 

 not offer resistance to any demand which he fully comprehends, if 

 made in a way consistent with the laws of his nature, apphes vnth 

 equal force to almost all classes of domestic animals. Cows, espe- 

 cially, appreciate and repay kindness and sympathy in a way which 

 none but those who have studied their conduct and disposition can 

 fuUy understand. They will answer to their names, come when 

 they are called, submit to be handled or examined, and welcome 

 the approach of a kind and gentle attendant by unmistakable 

 tokens of pleasure and affection. Nay, more, they will submit to 

 an almost incredible amount of pain rather than to hurt or disturb 

 those whom they beUeve to be solicitous for their good. We have 

 often been called on to milk cows whose teats have become sore 

 from accident or neglect, but we have rarely known them to resist, 

 even when the blood has oozed at every pressure ; and in more 

 than one instance, when from excess of pain it was impossible for a 

 cow to stand perfectly stiU, we have observed an evident and affect- 

 ing care and anxiety to avoid treading on or hurting us, which we 

 can only account for on the supposition that the suffering creatures 

 understood and appreciated our sympathy and efforts. 



Considerations of humanity and self-interest ahke urge us to an 

 apphcation of the golden rule in our relations with domestic ani- 

 mals. The time is past when the rod was regarded as an indispen- 

 sable aid in the education and discipline of human beings, and the 

 sooner the whip is banished from the barn the better, both for the 

 ' farmer and his cattle ; and we shall conclude our o'er long essay 

 with a few rules, which we have practised with much satisfaction 

 and which we can therefore confidently recommend. 



