FROM THE BRUTE CREATION. 
513 
thought a goodly cabinet of precious treasures, and made himself 
master of their secrets. To analyze and lay bare, as he has done, 
the multiplied actions of his species, is indeed to lift up the intel¬ 
lect of man midway unto heaven, and to grasp an immortality only 
intended for us after we have “shuffled off this mortal coil.” 
But above all, and over all, 
To man alone 
Creative Wisdom gave to lift the eye 
To Truth’s eternal measures.” 
Akenside. 
Without this gift, life would have been indeed a dream; but 
with it, and by it, we are enabled to gaze from off the Pisgah of 
our earthy pilgrimage towards the borders of the Promised Land! 
Through its influence we overlook all bodily afflictions; we hold 
this globe to be but a momentary abiding place, a step for the foot 
to rest upon; while we shake off from the wings of faith the 
earth’s dust, which impedes our passage to a brighter world. 
REPLY TO MR. W. C. SPOONER’S PAPER ON THE 
NON-IMMORTALITY OF ANIMALS. 
By W. F. Karkeek, V.S., Truro. 
To Mr. W. C. Spooner:— 
Sir,—I t afforded me much pleasure to read your paper on the 
“Non-immortality of Animals*;” and, considering The VETERINA¬ 
RIAN to be a legitimate arena in which animal metaphysics may 
be fairly and freely discussed, I do not hesitate to meet you in 
friendly encounter. 
In your paper you have endeavoured to maintain two proposi¬ 
tions; first, “That the possession of reason did not prove immor¬ 
tality;” second, “That it was not reasonable to suppose that 
animals below us in the scale of existence were immortal.” 
Following your own method—and a very clear one it is—1 
believe that I can shew, notwithstanding the front you have taken, 
together with the opinion of Mr. Youatt, who actually exults “at 
the scientific, rational, and unanswerable” position which you have 
assumed, that you have not succeeded in substantiating either one of 
your propositions. 
As it regards the first, having admitted that the lower animals 
are endowed with reason; that, like man, they are susceptible of 
friendship and of love, and are influenced by the feelings of hatred 
and revenge; that they possess the faculties of attention and me- 
* See Vctcrinurian, June 1840, 
