
330 
Much of the cruelty of men to horses may 
arise from ignorance. We shall take the 
most charitable view of this case. The 
driver was a servant, who must do certain 
work in perhaps a certain time. Having no 
knowledge of the law of kindness (because 
not specially instructed in it, either by pre- 
cept or example), he had no other idea of 
discipline than that which, poor fellow! he 
had himself experienced all his life. He had 
been jerked and kicked by his father first, 
and his master afterwards! and taking it for 
granted that this was the law of nature for 
subduing all obdurate animals, he merely 
practised on the horse the system under 
which he had been personally trained from 
time immemorial. We shall give the man 
credit for humanity; but he knew that he 
would be sworn at, abused or kicked if he 
did not accomplish his task ; so he jerked 
and kicked the horse, as the shortest and 
simplest method in his estimation to accom- 
plish his end. The gentleman taught him a 
lesson; and if he be a humane man he will 
never forget that lesson. But if he be, as 
many are, a man monster, he will do as 
before, and sink deeper and deeper in the 
gulf of crime. They who do not improve 
are sure to deteriorate. 
That severity is necessary at times both 
for men and brutes, we shall not attempt to 
deny; for it is a lawof nature. The dis- 
cipline of nature is very severe ; but it is the 
mission of a man to cultivate nature and im- 
prove upon it. The function of art super- 
sedes that of nature, and it is the province 
of humanity to cultivate it; and as kindness 
is a better law than severity, it is the cha- 
racteristic of better men and better systems 
to do that by kindness which inferior men 
can only achieve by cruelty. 
To accomplish by cruelty any task, how- 
ever great, reflects no honor on any man. It 
is rather a disgrace. But to accomplish by 
kindness a great and a difficult task, is one 
of the highest testimonials of human worth 
and greatness. And there is no better 
evidence of a nation’s rising honors, than 
the rapid and vigorous growth of gentle and 
humane manners, either in social intercourse, 
or in the treatment of inferior animals. 
Whilst we live, and whilst our hand is 
able to hold a pen, so long will we inveigh 
against cruelty, and uphold the doctrines of 
love and kindness. Our JOURNAL has 
already worked wonders. 
HAPPINESS COMPARATIVE. 

No person should envy another for having more 
of this world’s goods than himself. Happiness 
does not consist in the abundance of a man’s 
possessions. Happiness is simply—contentment. 
KIDD’S OWN JOURNAL. 
IT IS THE SONG MY MOTHER SINGS. 
BY ELIZA COOK. 
Ir is the song my mother sings, 
And gladly do I list the strain ; 
I never hear it, but it brings 
The wish to hear it sung again. 
She breathed it to me long ago, 
To lull me to my baby rest ; 
And as she murmured, soft and low, 
I slept in peace upon her breast. 
Oh, gentle song; thou hast a throng 
Of angel tones within thy spell ; 
I feel that I shall love thee long, 
And fear I love thee far too well. 
For though I turn to hear thee now, 
With doating glance of warm delight ; 
In after years I know not how 
Thy plaintive notes may dim my sight. 
That mother’s voice will then be still, 
I hear it falter day by day ; 
It soundeth like a fountain rill, 
That trembles ere it cease to play. 
And then this heart, though gentle song 
Will find an anguish in thy spell ; 
’T will wish it could not love so long, 
Or had not loved thee half so well. 
MAN'S WEAKNESS. 

Ler but the strong TEMPTATION rise, 
As whirlwinds sweep the sea— 
We find no strength to ’scape the wreck, 
Save, pitying God, in Tuer! 

WE HAVE FREQUENTLY heard men boast 
of their power to withstand temptation; and 
we have known them express a desire to be 
put to the proof. Rash madmen! 
The very best of us are but mortals, and 
our composition is of one and the same mate- 
rial. We are pure touch-paper when ignited ; 
and, like many cther things we could name, 
have the elements of fire within us,—only 
wanting the match to kindle the flame. Many 
a laugh have we had at the disciples of Plato, 
masculine and feminine, who differ from us. 
‘Platonic love’’ is—mere moonshine. It 
may read well in books; but carry it out, 
good folks, af you can! If you can, WE 
cannot. 
The best way to keep out of scrapes, and 
to steer clear of rocks, is not to venture into 
doubtful water. Rely on it, self-confidence 
is of little avail in cases of temptation. What 
the eye sees, and is captivated with—that the 
heart,—what a droll and “naughty” thing a 
man’s heart is !—will be sure to get possession 
of. And then,—where is our power of resis- 
tance? Echo answers,—‘‘ W-h-e-r-e?” 
The remarks we have made, are prepara- 
tory.to a little sketch we wish to introduce 
by “ Fanny Fern,’—that shrewd observer of 
human nature. Her heroine, ‘“ Nelly,” was 
engaged to a gentleman named ‘ Fitz-Allan,” 
the representative of one half at least of our 


