THE ASS. 365 



and over-beaten. There are many donkey owners who are kind- 

 hearted men, treat their animals well, and show every considera- 

 tion for their welfare ; but they are conspicuous exceptions, for in 

 some cases through thoughtlessness, and in the majority of others 

 from sheer brutality which is the characteristic trait of so large 

 a portion of that section of society known as " the lower orders," 

 the ill-temper or drunken energy of the men is too often vented by 

 the grossest ill-usage of the women or animals which are their 

 unfortunate help-meets. In consequence they degenerate, mentally, 

 physically, and morally, and the commandment which ordains that 

 " thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife . . . nor his ox, 

 nor his ass, nor anything that is his," is one generally easy to 

 keep in this the nineteenth century of the Christian era in the 

 event of our neighbour being a married British donkey proprietor. 

 The residents in the cities of England, Ireland, and Scotland, 

 appear to have become, from its frequency, so accustomed to the 

 sight of a donkey harnessed to a low cart full of noisy men or boys 

 who belabour the unfortunate animal with a thick stick in a 

 brutal manner, notwithstanding the evident fact that its speed is 

 the utmost its remaining strength will allow, that but few protests 

 are ever raised. The resounding blows administered by the 

 ruffians rarely appear to arouse the activity of the police, or of 

 the passers-by, but if the same punishment were being given to a 

 horse or dog, the chances are the perpetrators would be stopped, 

 or even prosecuted. The remark, " oh ! it's only a donkey ! " seems 

 in the one instance to satisfy the majority of citizens, who other- 

 wise might be inclined to expostulate, and they thus tacitly acknow- 

 ledge — that an ass deserves no better treatment. Why ? — they 

 would find it hard to explain. As a matter of fact, the ill-usage 

 of the donkey appears to be an inherited habit, for the ancient 

 people of several countries where the animals are employed have 

 all been addicted to it ; yet there are few domesticated beasts that 

 will better repay kindness than the much maligned ass, or develop 

 under such treatment more useful quahties. 



At some of the " shows " of domestic animals periodically held in 

 England, the people seem to take considerable delight in watching 

 the performances of a trained donkey, which goes through many of 



