482 Life and Immortality. 
lovers and friends of the so-called brute, who have an instinct- 
ive sense that animals, some of whom surpass in love, 
unselfishness, generosity, conscience and self-sacrifice many 
of their human brethren, must share with him in addition to 
these virtues an immortal spirit in which they take their rise. 
No more eminent personage than Bishop Butler was a believer 
in this idea. Substantially he asserts that the Scriptures 
give no reasons why the lower animals should not possess 
immortal souls. Similar sentiments have been voiced by 
equally distinguished writers. 
Southey, writing of the death of a favorite spaniel that had 
been the companion of his boyhood, says :— 
“Ah, poor companion! when thou followedst last 
Thy master’s parting footsteps to the gate 
Which closed forever on him, thou didst lose 
Thy best friend, and none was left to plead 
For the old age of brute fidelity. 
But fare thee well. Mine is no narrowed creed; 
And He who gave thee being did not frame 
The mystery of Life to be the sport 
Of merciless rman. There is another world 
For all that live and move—a better one! 
Where the proud bipeds, who would fain confine 
Infinite Goodness to the little bounds 
Of their own charity, may envy thee.” 
Thus does Lamartine, in “ Jocelyn’s Episode,” beautifully 
express himself in addressing a faithful and affectionate 
canine by the name of Fido :— 
“T cannot, will not, deem thee a deceiving, 
Illusive mockery of human feeling, 
A body organized, by fond caress 
Warmed into seeming tenderness ; 
A mere automaton, on which our love 
Plays, as on puppets, when their wires we move. 
No! when that feeling quits thy glazing eye, 
Twill live in some blest world beyond the sky.” 
