144 BIPEDS AND QUADRUPEDS. 



feelings, that, where either are exhibited, courtesy to, 

 and respect for, mankind would induce a hope they 

 would only be found] among the very low, the very 

 ignorant, and, in truth, the very despicable ; yet truth 

 obliges us to unwillingly admit, and experience forces 

 on us the conviction that they do sometimes exist, 

 where we might fully hope for better things and better 

 men. 



It was at first proposed that this essay should be 

 made a sort of address to the lower orders, under 

 the hope of awakening in them a better feeling to- 

 wards animals than is evinced by the generality of 

 such persons; after- consideration brought on the con- 

 viction, or at least opinion, that an address on such 

 a subject, in such a quarter, would be nugatory. Of* 

 course this opinion was founded on the conduct and 

 attributes of such persons taking them " en masse," 

 for to their credit be it said, that as much kindly 

 feeling is often entertained in a general way, and 

 also towards animals, by the peasant as the peer, and 

 we might blush in admitting that there is some- 

 times a great deal more ; but I hold lower class to 



