SWINE. 31 



WG should do more than meitily .spocify our awards of the premiums 

 offered. 



We propose to take issue witli tliose persons who have (especially 

 since the supposed advent of Hog Cholera and Trichinae) been so 

 bitter in their denunciations of this useful and respectable animal ; to 

 present, briefly, some of the points they make, and- to remove as much 

 of the effect produced, as we fairly can. 



You say that by special command of God the Jews were forbidden 

 to eat the flesh of swine, or to have anything to do with them, and 

 therefore we should follow their example. 



Are there not many of our habits and customs which differ widely 

 from theirs, equally ordained of God, and yet we glory and feel justi- 

 fied in taking a different course 'i Unless, then, there is some peculiar 

 reason why we should keep this part of tlie IMosaic Law, we may as 

 well b7^eak it as a hundred other parts which we do break continually 

 and think ourselves blameless. 



But let us talk a little about the Hog of the present day. You say 

 *'he is stubborn, bent on having his own way; that if you wish to 

 drive him to one place you must start him vigorously towards one in 

 the opposite direction, and then he will be sure to go where you want 

 him to." Granted, at once, but do you know any men who manifest 

 the same disposition, and do you like or respect them any the less for 

 it? In fact do'nt you rather object to being driven yourself? 

 Wouldn't you rather have your neighbors make it for your interest to 

 take a certain coui'se, and pleasantly call your attention to the fact, 

 than to have them say " There is your road, now travel in it, or we '11 

 sprout you, pull your ears, or twist your tail ! " Friends, when next 

 you wish your best hog to move, suppose you take a little measure of 

 corn, and after giving him a few grains (just by way of sample, you 

 know all things are sold by sample in these days) start along on the 

 road you wish him to follow, occasionally dropping a kernel to encour- 

 age his faith that you still have a few more left, and see if you can't 

 pull him by his teeth and love of corn better than you could by his 

 ears and tail. 



You say " his table manners are insufferable, both in regard to 

 what he eats and how he eats it." In regard to what we eat, drink, 

 or wear, tastes differ. You make no objection to a feast upon the 

 carcase of one of your Shanghais, although the same garbage which 

 you say makes the pork unfit for food, is seized with avidity by your 

 favorite crower, or pullet. Did you ever know of a hog that would 

 touch whiskey, or lager beer, or tobacco ? Suppose he does hurry 

 somewhat in taking his meals. Are there not men and women of 

 your acquaintance who make a " Fast Freight Line" of their throats 

 at meal tune, and beat the "New York Central," or Baltimore & 

 Ohio" out of sight? 



Suppose he does sometimes seem determined to have all he wants, 

 whether Mrs. P. and the little Pigs and Pigesses got a bite or no. 



