270 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



at the sight of the greatest suffering inflicted. 

 What kind of sport to a sensitive nature is it to turn 

 loose one bird after another, and then wound, maim, 

 and kill them in their attempt to seek their liberty 

 as they spread their beautiful soft wings and soar 

 towards heaven ? "When one is badly wounded and 

 makes a great effort to get beyond the reach of the 

 murderous gun, its writhing and struggles are 

 mocked by shouts and yells from the crowd present, 

 while bets are made as to the final results. 



It does not seem possible that any kind-hearted, 

 benevolent man could derive any pleasure from be- 

 holding such scenes as these, if he would stop long 

 enough to reflect on the enormous evils of which 

 they are productive, and which have now become 

 so obvious and palpable as to draw forth the strong 

 and indignant protest of all kind and good men and 

 women. 



The New York Tribune, speaking on this subject, 

 savs : " The business is a detestable one, and should 

 be discountenanced by humane people and forbid- 

 den by law as absolutely as are any of the cruel and 

 degrading 'sports' of olden times. The conflicts 

 of the Roman arena were less cowardly, for in them 

 the victims had at least a chance to fight for life. 



