THE MULE, 
441 
labours of the poor and needy, whose hearts are hardened 
by poverty, with scarcely a kindly feeling to bestow on the 
humble and patient animal, who exerts all his energies in 
their service, and whose scanty meal is often so limited as to be 
hardly sufficient to sustain life, and on whom, when weak 
and debilitated, the abject wretch but too frequently wreaks 
his chagrined feelings. Is it then to be wondered at, that 
the poor animal should exhibit a character of stupidity and 
dulness % It is chiefly in Britain that this valuable animal 
is treated with barbarity, and is a disgrace to our national 
character. Cruel treatment to any animal should be pu¬ 
nished with the utmost severity by the legislature ; for al¬ 
though the Almighty has given man dominion over the 
beasts of the field, yet the All-wise could never intend man 
to tyrannize over the poor, helpless creatures which have 
feelings equal to his own, and gratitude far surpassing the 
lords of the creation, when properly treated. 
In Eastern and mountainous countries, the ass is held in 
high estimation, and is treated with that care which he so 
justly merits. In mountain tracts his services are invalu¬ 
able in transporting travellers and their baggage where the 
horse is of no use. In Aleppo there is a large and hand¬ 
some breed, and in Persia also, where they sell for seventy- 
five ducats to one hundred crowns. 
THE MULE. 
It is a matter of surprise that mules are not more bred 
in this country, as their action is much more agreeable than 
that of the horse ; and they are also more hardy in their 
nature. It is not known when mules were first bred. The 
first mention of them in the sacred writings is 1740 years 
before the Christian era. In the book of Genesis it is said, 
“ This was that same Anah that found mules in the wilder- 
