Hunting the Hare, 305 



who, whilst they have never raised a voice on behalf 

 of the hundreds of thousands of innocent sufferers 

 who are the unhappy victims of the present exalted 

 promoter of Christianity, who has been waging the 

 wickedest and bloodiest war that ever darkened the 

 pages of history, yet can howl aloud at the accidental 

 death of a stag when pursued by hounds, or shed 

 crocodiles^ tears (which analysis shows are hot, bitter, 

 and strong) over the death of a blue rock, whilst at 

 the same time they will never lend a hand to help one 

 of the many ^^ soiled doves ^' that are to be found 

 straying in this great city. 



Doubtless ere long, if these people have their way, 

 we shall find that fishing will be prohibited ; that 

 there is to be a close time for black beetles, and that 

 the amusements of the rising generation will be 

 restricted to the keeping of tame rabbits and guinea 

 pigs ; and their society limited to the companionship 

 of their sisters, who will learn them how to lisp in 

 numbers or prattle prettily at penny readings to the 

 delight of the dirty little boys who patronize those 

 feeble entertainments. When I was young, people 

 were not so squeamish as they are in these times ; 

 before I was fourteen I had been initiated in the 

 mysteries of the ring, and had seen several merry 

 little mills ; making my debut by backing the pieman, 

 who fought a travelling tinker at Chadwell Heath, on 

 the borders of Hainault Forest, particulars of which 

 no doubt duly appeared in the columns of BelVs Life, 

 I do not find that, with all the so-called refinement of 

 the present day, people are more moral or humane 

 than they were in olden times ; at least I judge so by 

 the police reports. 



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