BRITISH MAMMALS 



most destructive animal of all, though he has egotistically 

 styled himself the lord of creation ! Some day, per- 

 chance, men and women everywhere will recognise the 

 rights of these wild tenants of earth, water and air, and 

 be imbued with a greater sense of justice in regard to 

 them. They share with us all a common heritage, and 

 where not inimical to man's interests, should be allowed 

 to live their little day unhindered. It is probable that 

 they obtain a higher share of success than we humans do. 

 They may see greater reward for their labours. Man 

 struggles on. Peace dawns for a few blessed years, and 

 then nations rise one against the other, the whole 

 fabric of civilisation is rent asunder, and civilisation is 

 once more in the melting-pot. Human existence seems 

 mostly to consist of unfulfilled possibiHties ; but with 

 earth-creatures it is different. They share life with and 

 around us, but (and probably fortunately for them) 

 they do not consciously possess ideals as we do. Man 

 sows, and he often reaps such fruit as makes the angels 

 weep. Some among our fellows look at the sun rising 

 and setting, and in its imagery get as close as they can 

 to a divine presence, but the rank and file pass by on the 

 other side. The Hfe of the earth-creature is fulfilled in 

 the living. Nature may be red in tooth and claw, plants 

 may endeavour (and very often successfully) to throttle 

 one another in the great struggle, but to these wildlings 

 death just comes as a release and accomplishment. 

 They have no disillusions and defeats. They live, they 



prosper, and multiply exceedingly. They attain their 

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