58 



REPORT ON POULTRY. 



cality. He was, however, pleased to say that its originators 

 had as strong an aversion to the other festival, as any fowl 

 could reasonably desire. He trusted that the day had its ori- 

 gin in good feelings, notwithstanding its lamentable results. 

 He believed it was only a perversion of the original intention 

 of the day, that required such fowl sacrifices. 



Mr. Dorking was pleased to hear such kindly feelings ex- 

 pressed towards those unfortunate bipeds who wore no feath- 

 ers, and hoped we should hear no more jealousy of the man- 

 power. He thought this feeble race deserved the pity and 

 compassion of all philanthropic fowls. They are not only 

 destitute of a natural covering, but depend on us to feather 

 their nests. The best of them have owed their elevation to a 

 goose quill, and they are now unable to crow — except just be- 

 fore an election. 



Mr. Java avowed himself in favor of reform. He was also 

 a philanthropist and vegetarian, and believed that all creatures 

 that live have a sacred right to life. No one creature had a 

 right to take the life of another. He wished the convention to 

 resolve itself into a Society of Total Abstinence from earth- 

 worms and grasshoppers. 



Mr. Frizzle regarded liberty as more important than life. 

 He hoped the convention would take into consideration those 

 oppressed cage birds, who were singing merrily in their pris- 

 on houses. He felt the more disposed to interfere in their be- 

 half, because they seemed so .unconscious of their own misery 

 and degradation. 



Mr. Dunghill was astonished to hear such sentiments utter- 

 ed in this assembly of sovereign tribes of independent Poultry ! 

 Was he aware of the tendency of advocating such pretended 

 reforms ? He could tell him that the Dunghill tribe believed 

 in the right of secession. He would go farther, and inform 

 the members that if any allusion was made to cage birds, he 

 would manifest his offended dignity by walking out of the 

 convention ! 



Mr. Swan replied that there was no such thing as secession 

 from the poultry yard. His friend might walk out of the con- 

 vention or any where else, but he would still be a Dunghill and 

 amenable to all the ancient rules of the feathered Republic. 



