346 Quadrupeds. 



reason, and so will, I trust, become a protector of this poor little ani- 

 mal, as well as of all others of his kind instead of destroying them. 

 Let your man stay and hear what I have to say. 



G. — Stop here, John, while you hear what Mr. is going to 



tell us. If you convince me. Sir, I am sure I will always follow your 

 advice. 



C. — T am glad to know that you are disposed to do so in still more 

 important matters ; not that even such a thing as this is to be con- 

 sidered as unimportant ; for wanton cruelty, or the wanton and need- 

 less destruction of any of His creatures cannot but be displeasing to 

 Him that made them ; and, on the other hand, the exercise of the 

 gentle " quality of mercy," as Shakspeare, our great poet, calls it, 

 must be correspondingly pleasing to Him, " because He delighteth 

 in mercy." But to return to this poor little animal. What do you 

 mean to do with it } I mean, what use do you intend to make of it 

 after it is killed ? 



G. — None at all. Sir ; it is good for nothing. 



C, — I do not believe that it is, when dead, though I will presently 

 tell you what good it may do you if you spare its life, whereas if you 

 kill it, neither its skin, flesh, spines, nor any other part of it will be of 

 the least use to any one. 



G. — No, Sir. The farming lads would throw it into the road, and 

 the carts and waggons would soon make an end of it. 



C. — Exactly so. I have often seen them lying there, and never, 

 I am happy to say, without a feeling of pity. But, as you allow that 

 the hedgehog is of no use after it is killed, what harm do you suppose 

 it does when alive, besides milking the cows, which you mentioned 

 before. 



G. (hesitating). — Why, Sir, I — I — I don't recollect anything else 

 just at present. 



C. — Then, if T convince you, not only that it does not, but that it 

 cannot be guilty of this practice, will you — indeed I am sure that you 

 will — let this one escape back to its nest, and prevent any others in 

 future from being killed on your land by the ignorant or unthinking ? 



G. — Certainly Sir. 



C. — Very well — let your man bring it here. The only difficulty 

 with me is to think how so very mistaken and absurd an idea could 

 ever have first originated, for it carries its own confutation. Now, 

 John, try and undouble this poor animal. You see how it is rolled 

 up like a ball, presenting its spines in every direction as a sort of de- 

 fence. Poor little thing ! I dare say you feel its heart boat. There, 



