426 
BIRD-LIFE. 
becoming subject to the good or evil humour of its 
master, and being held at his service ! 
The remaining mammals are all more or less under the 
subjection of the lord of creation, and bound to render 
him their best allegiance, aye, body and soul, if they 
would receive shelter and care at his hands, and not be 
destroyed from off the face of the earth ! On no occasion 
has man ever brought about an intimate connection 
between himself and any animal, unless it be for his own 
interest and profit. The huge elephant must place his 
mighty strength at our disposition, aye, and even capture 
his own flesh and blood for our benefit. The camel is 
pressed into service, and, as the “ ship of the desert,” 
bears us over the arid sandy plain. We heap a heavy 
burden on the back of the ass. The ox must bow his stiff 
neck before the yoke, and furnish man alike with meat, 
drink, and clothing. The sheep is robbed of its fleece to 
cover our nakedness. The helpless goat must, at man’s 
command, leave the sunny green slopes of the Alps, 
among which it passes its bright active life, and, descend¬ 
ing to the valley, afford milk for his children. The llama 
of America must unite in one the properties of sheep, 
goat, donkey, and camel, so as to satisfy man’s demands. 
In short, all must work, slave, pay toll, give, allow them¬ 
selves to be bullied without limit, so as to earn his 
friendship forsooth! 
With how few mammals has he, however, ever con¬ 
descended to be intimate ; how few has he admitted 
to the honour of his friendship and consideration ! With 
most he lives at open feud, whether to guard against a 
mighty force still free from his control, and therefore 
antagonistic to him, or to attain any of his thousand 
other aims and ends. 
