276 THE IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS 



over the hills and western prairies of our land, 

 and of some species of birds of most beautiful 

 plumage, which enlivened the forests with their 

 sweetest songs. " The Lord is very pitiful and of 

 tender mercy," and when any species of His crea- 

 tures are so tortured that all life becomes an end- 

 less misery He calls them to Himself. 



Fashion, like sporting, is planted deep in hu- 

 man nature, and is often productive of great evil. 

 Fashion is responsible for the way horses are 

 abused by curb-bits, double bits, over-head check- 

 reins, and docking. Any one who respects the 

 moral law will agree that a horse has a right to be 

 protected from cruel torment. The over-check does 

 not have a single argument in its favor. It makes 

 a horse carry his head in an unnatural position 

 which is neither graceful, comfortable, nor benefi- 

 cial. He is more apt to stumble, as he cannot see 

 his feet, and when required to draw a heavy load 

 the check holds up his head and shoulders, the very 

 reverse of a natural position for a heavy draught. 

 It interferes with the graceful appearance of a 

 horse, and detracts from his natural, easy move- 

 ments. It obstructs breathing, and on a long jour- 

 ney causes intense suffering by holding the head in 



