Selections from the Post Bag. Cruelty to Animals at Public Schools. I I, who write to you now, write urged by late exhibitions of cruelty in boys at school. A time or so ago, it was quite the thing in the evening to procure sticks and find some cat to chase and thrash. Afterwards I would hear things like this :-" I simply wanged it, and then gave it a kick and it lay down and gasped." "Is it dead?" someone would inquire. "Oh no! why we have got it locked up for another night." Should the unfortunate animal succeed in getting up a tree, catapults immediately come into play. One poor dog was captured and dragged across "quad" in a bag. Squirrels, too, are shot at and hit with catapults, and very seldom even given the mercy of being killed. I have even seen dogs (tied up), shot at. Now, this I do ask and implore, cannot something be done? Had I the mind to do so, I could tell you of other cruelties worse than those I have told you. Don't think either that this is at one school only, but to my certain knowledge at other first-class public schools also.-Yours, very sincerely, D. GUNSON. 4, Holland Villas Road, Kensington, W. M "Trial by Jury" amongst Birds. UCH of the distrust with which stories about animals are received arises from the carelessness as regards the absolute facts which characterises so many of them. A case in point is afforded by your reference (on the authority of a Bengal missionary) to an instance of bird trial by jury among flamingoes, on the banks of the Hoogly, in your March issue (p. 107). I discredit the story on two grounds: first, there are no flamingoes found on the banks of the Hoogly; and secondly, a flamingo of all birds (from its lamellate bill, the very perfection of a sifting machine) is absolutely incapable of using its bill as a weapon of offence, wherewith to demolish an opponent. Crows (any species) or herons (any species) are capable of using their bills with deadly effect, but flamingoes, never. Why the reverend gentleman chose to call his birds "flamingoes" I can't say; perhaps his "cook boy" told him they were; nor is it much use speculating as to what birds were the real actors in the tragedy. Perhaps the birds were the "beef-steak birds" so called (Anastomus), but whether they congregate on the banks of the Hoogly I don't know; but all I do protest against is the utterly untenable view that the birds were flamingoes." W. THEOBALD, J.P. (late Geological Survey of India). Budleigh Salterton, Devon. March, 1897. Vivisectors at the Hospitals. N reading the letter in your February number by G. A. Perkins, it occurred to me to suggest that you might recommend the readers of the Animals' Friend to go still further and withhold subscriptions to hospitals where vivisection is practised. It seems horrible to think of subscribing to assist the vivisectors. I asked a doctor who is strongly against vivisection whether it is practised at the Homœopathic Hospital before I subscribed to it and he assured me that there is nothing of the kind there. Would it be possible for you to publish lists of those hospitals where it is and where it is not practised? I am sure it would be the means of directing a good deal of hospital money into the right instead of the wrong channels. The Homœopathic Hospital cannot be the only one where vivisection is not practised. This year of the Queen's Jubilee, when so much money will be given to hospitals, would be a good time for letting people know the character of the places they give their money to. M. A. R. Brunswick Square, Campden Hill, W. [There is no vivisection at the hospitals, but nearly every hospital has vivisectors on its staff, or teaching in the medical school attached to it. The danger lies in the vivisectionist stamp of doctor regarding the poor patients as merely interesting "cases." Further information may be had on the point by writing to the Secretary of the Victoria Street Anti-Vivisection Society, 20, Victoria Street, London, S. W., and enclosing a stamp for information.-ED. A. F.] Cruelty to Lambs in Italy. Do not know whether any of your readers are aware of the excessive cruelty with which lambs are treated at this season of the year along the Italian Riviera, and in other parts of Northern Italy. During a visit to Alassio two winters ago, I and other inmates of the hotel near the railway, were much disturbed by the piteous cries of the lambs waiting to be conveyed by train to Genoa. Upon investigation, I found that all these unfortunate animals had their four legs tightly tied together, and had thus been brought a four hours' journey in the blazing sun, packed, almost to suffocation, in carts. It is needless to say that on arrival at the station they were more dead than alive. In spite of remonstrance, however, the cords were not removed from their legs until the painful process of weighing was over. They were then thrust into baskets (packed, if possible, more tightly than before), and left for two hours longer in the blazing sun before their departure for the three hours' journey to Genoa. Some rules for the more humane transit of animals were framed several years ago by the Italian Railway authorities at the instigation of Countess Baldelli, of the Florence Society for the Protection of Animals, but these rules are more honoured in the breach than in the observance, unless some officer of the S.P.C.A. is present to enforce them. Your readers will, no doubt, say that this matter ought to be taken up locally, but those who have travelled in Italy will know that the Italians never take the initiative in any movement against cruelty. Reiterated appeals to the English section of the community at Alassio have failed to make any impression, and with one or two exceptions, the English residents seem to have become so utterly callous to the cruelty, that they fail to see the need for interference! Owing to the liberality of one or two friends in England, I have succeeded in raising two-thirds of the sum required for the salary of a Guardian, whose especial office it will be to watch the traffic in lambs, and also to restrain other local forms of cruelty. The municipality of Alassio have guaran teed to furnish the remaining third of the salary. My English contributors, however, are already so heavily weighted with pecuniary responsibilities connected with other movements against cruelty on the Continent, that I am unwilling to impose this extra burden upon them. I therefore appeal to the humane feeling and generosity of your readers to assist in this good work. Any subscriptions or donations, however small, will be most gratefully received by Yours faithfully, 20, Parade, Tunbridge Wells. A JANET SMITH. A Night with the Cabmen. PRIVILEGED few are aware that once a year a tea and entertainment are given to cabmen who live in Somers Town, a densely populated district immediately behind the great London railway termini-Euston St. Pancras and King's Cross. This pleasant annual gathering is organised by Mrs. S. M. Benson, assisted, it is rumoured, and we believe with some truth, by Col. Benson, late of the 17th Lancers. The event took place this year on Saturday, February 27th, at the new schools of St. Mary's, Somers Town, and we are indebted to one of the ladies present for the following capital account of the proceedings:- About 150 cabmen sat down to an excellent repast, consisting of as much beef and ham, supplemented by tea and cake, as they required. Amongst those present who kindly waited on "Cabby," were Sir Craven and Lady Goring, Colonel and Mrs. Benson, General Sir Francis Grenfell (late Sirdar of the Egyptian Army), the Rev. R. and Mrs. Reade, Colonel and Mrs. Mount-Batten, Miss Lloyd, and Miss Cotton. At the entertainment which followed, the Rev. R. READE presided, and, in the course of an excellent speech, alluded most feelingly to the late Mrs. Massing berd (President of the Pioneer Club), who, on two occasions, had come and amused the cabmen. He described her as a truly great and good woman. deplored the loss also of Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson, and ended by thanking all helpers, especially Colonel and Mrs. Benson. He Three good great-coats, sent by friends, were then voted for by those present, and one fell to the lot of a blind man. An interesting pair of gaiters, worn by Sir W. Russel in the Crimea, were given to a Crimean veteran, now a cab. driver. General Sir F. GRENFELL stated that he had been present at these dinners for the last three years, and hoped to be at many more. He gave an interesting history of the "Cab." He stated that cabs had improved in character, and he hoped the cabmen had improved too. Mr. R. SOMERVILLE WOOD then spoke on "Kindness to Animals," and in the course of a speech, which was well received, urged his audience to treat their "humble partner" in their daily avocation with the same consideration as they would wish to receive themselves if they were in the shafts and the horse on the box. He deprecated the constant flicking of horses with the whip, overdriving them, and similar acts of ill-treatment. Mr. Wood ended an earnest and, at the same time, a humorous address with the quotation from Browning"God made all creatures, and gave them our love and our fear, To give token, we and they are His children, Mr. T. Hall, an old Crimean veteran, spoke on Temperance. During the evening, Mdlle. Belle Clancy evoked much enthusiasm by singing several songs in her well-known exquisite style. After the entertainment, each man present received a suitable gift from Mrs. Benson, which consisted either of a shirt and a pair of socks, a coat and trousers, or a warm cardigan jacket. A most successful entertainment terminated about midnight. MR. A Pony's Sympathy. R. RICHARD ROAKE, of the George Hotel, Loddon Bridge, wrote to the Reading Mercury of January 30th as follows. (We are indebted to Mr. L. R. Cotterell, of Reading, for the cutting) : "On Friday night, the 22nd inst., about 8 o'clock, in a blinding snowstorm, a poor woman walked from Blackwater and took shelter in an open hovel in my field, where I have two ponies-one three years old with its dam. The woman, taking off her boots, put them under her head for a pillow, and lay down to rest, weary and sore from walking. After a time the ponies went in for shelter, and found the new lodger. In the morning, about eight, my son went up, as usual, and found the poor woman lying in a corner. He ran back and told me what he had seen. I asked if she was alive; he said, 'Yes, and not frozen.' I said to the boys, 'Take up some hay for the ponies, and tell the woman to come down at once and warm herself, and mother will give her some tea,' for which she was very thankful. Now comes the story of the pony:-Mrs. Roake: You must have been very cold; and were you not frightened?' 'Oh, no, ma'am ; I should have been had it not been for the little brown pony. He came and licked my face; his breath was sweet from the smell of hay. After a short time he lay down by my side, my head and his being close together. His body kept the wind from me. He got up once, came and licked my face and lay down again till near daylight, when soon after the little boy came up and said, 'Come down and warn yourself," and pleased enough was I to do so.' The pony, I may state, I had when a foal at foot of its dam, and it has always been a pet with my children." ΤΗ Obituary. HE ever-growing majority has, within recent months, been unhappily recruited from the ranks of our friends, where they can ill be spared. And now one of the truest and most loyal workers in the Humane Cause has gone to her rest. Mrs. Loraine, of Avenel, Torquay, was the hon. sec. of the Torquay Branch of the Victoria Street Anti-Vivisection Society, a post she had filled for many years with unstinted devotion energy. She was and also an active worker on the local committee of the R.S.P.C.A. Only in January last we published a communication from her in our "Open Letter" on the fur question, and up to within a day or two of her death, early in March, she was actively engaged in the prepara. tions for the annual meeting of her branch. Working unobtrusively, she from the first, and we owe her much for her assistance in the Torquay district. This sad page would be incomplete if it did not record also the merits of other friends of ours and the animals, who have also departed this life. Mrs. Nichol, of Edinburgh, widow of a distinguished professor, passed away at an advanced age in February; in December last Mr. Constant Stams, of Rotterdam, and in January last Mr. Gulal Chand, of the Jain community in Calcutta, succumbed to sudden illness. Both gentlemen worked hard for the Cause in their respective spheres, Mr. Stams as an opponent of the cruelty and the fallacy of Pasteurism, and Mr, Chand as the hon. sec. of the Anti-Vivisection Society, Calcutta. Such an announcement as this is almost the only recogni tion most workers in the movement will ever obtain-in this world; but, such as it is, we render it as a duty and a mournful pleasure, now they have gone to some more perfect peace." THE LATE MRS. LORAINE. gained the greatest respect amongst all those who knew her, and her death is deeply and widely lamented. She was a constant reader and warm supporter of the Animals' Friend The Muzzling of Dogs. A further order for the muzzling of dogs has been issued by the Board of Agriculture, and is to come into operation on April 6th in the following districts or parts of districts :County of London, county of Middlesex, City of London, borough of Croydon, borough of Kingston-on-Thames, borough of Richmond (Surrey), borough of West Ham, and such parts of the counties of Essex, Hertford, Kent, and Surrey as are situate within the Metropolitan police district. Subject to the provisions of the order all the provisions of the Rabies Order of 1897 are, as far as they are applicable, to continue to apply during the continuance of the order to the districts specified. The following "notice" is appended to the order: -"The Board of Agriculture desire to draw the attention of the owners of dogs to the fact that the muzzle referred to in the above order must be constructed of strong and stiff wire. The joints, together with the strap-loops, should be locketed' and soldered, the 'locket joints being turned outwards. The muzzle 66 should be secured in its place by means of a strong and broad leather strap fastened round the neck of the dog. The Board have made arrangements for the deposit, at the principal police-stations in the districts to which the order applies, of specimens of a muzzle which the Board consider to be efficient and suitable, but the use of a muzzle of this particular pattern is not compulsory. The Board wish to impress upon owners of dogs the necessity for careful attention to the proper fitting of the muzzle used, so that their dogs may be saved unnecessary discomfort and possible suffering. Any person who allows his dog, when in a public place, to be unmuzzled, or who mutilates a muzzle in such a way as to enable the dog wearing it to bite any person or animal, renders himself liable to a penalty of £20. The public are earnestly requested to render every assistance in their power in the enforcement of the law with a view to secure the extirpation of rabies at the earliest possible date." DEAR LITTLE COUSINS, This is the story of Mr. Good's dog and Mr. Bad's dog, if you would like to hear it. Nobody told Mr. Good's dog when it was twelve o'clock and time for Mabel's lessons to be over, yet he was always on the top of the garden wall waiting for her just at the right hour. If it was fine he and Mabel played on the lawn, but if it was wet, the dog stood on three legs outside the front door, giving short barks till somebody let him in. Then the little girl and the doggie romped in the playroom. Without him Mabel would have been rather a lonely little girl, as she had no brothers and sisters, only her dolly. Mr. Good's dog would have been a little lonely too, all by himself, without even a dolly; for though he had the kindest master in the world, Mr. Good went away by train every day. Though the dog went with him to the station and begged each time to jump into the train too, Mr. Good shook his head and said " No, Paddy, you must run home." When Paddy heard the word "Home," he put his tail between his legs; he hated it, because it meant parting from his master. But all the same he did what he was told, with eyes full of reproach. And so till evening brought his friend again to his side, Mr. Good's dog paid visits to the neighbours and got rid of the time as best he could. The servant gave him his dinner, and saw that he had plenty of fresh water, but she had not a word to say, and it was a dull thing for Paddy to stay with a person to whom he could not talk. Paddy wore on his back a coat of little, tight, brown curls. Everything about him was brown, his honest eyes, his long ears, even his nose; but when the sun shone on his jacket it gleamed like gold. When Paddy could not find Mabel he would often wait in the lane at the end of the garden, where a stream ran with railings on the bank, and he would look in a wistful way into the faces of the people who went by. When any. body looked kind Paddy ran in a great hurry to fetch a stone, laid it at his feet, and asked as plainly as he could to have it thrown into the water for him. Then, with a cry of joy and a splash, in he would go, dive like a seal, bring out the right stone, and want it thrown again. Often Nurse would let Mabel go by herself with her dolly as far as the railings, and great fun they would have. Paddy would fetch out the queerest things from the water, old tin kettles, and blacking bottles, and once the dolly herself. when Mabel dropped her in by mistake-and in her Sunday clothes too! But Paddy spied Victoria, the dolly, in an instant, and brought her out. In this way he saved Victoria's life, but not her Sunday things, which were spoilt for ever. On their way to and from this delightful spot Mabel, Victoria, and Paddy had to pass something that made them feel very sorry. Inside some big iron gates a poor dog always sat, and he seemed to be always crying. This dog would come out of his kennel, making a dismal rattle with his chain, as he saw the little girl and the free dog go by to their play, and would give the saddest moan! A dish of food and water stood by ; what could this dog be grieving for? He seemed to be praying all who passed by to pity him, and he said as plainly as he could, "Undo this cruel chain, and let me have a run, do!" But though many men, women, and children went down the lane each day, not one of them cared. Paddy seemed to pity this poor dog as much as Mabel did, for he would answer his moans with a low whine, and then jump up to give Mabel's face a great many licks, as if he meant, "Can't we do anything?" Mabel and Mr. Good's dog had so many talks about this mournful thing that they grew very angry with the dog's master. So did Victoria. She was a doll in misfortune, though Mabel loved her the better for it; a dear doll, with a dreadful bruise on her nose, and a hole where one eye ought to be. Victoria could talk no doubt, but her thoughts were too deep for words. "I don't believe he can be a good man, to forget his dog like that! He must be a bad man; we shall call him Mr. Bad, shan't we Paddy?" And Paddy said "Yes," if ever a dog did. Day after day Mr. Bad's dog pined away upon his chain; his wailing cry became hoarse and hopeless, his beautiful deep eyes were full of pleading. "I want somebody to love!" they seemed to say; "what have I done to be treated like this? Never a pat, nor a kind word, nor a run in the green fields. I think my heart will break." All this made the tears run down Mabel's face, as she and Paddy stood one morning outside the iron gates. "I wish I could open them and go in," Mabel was saying to herself, "He looks so gentle and kind. I know he would be pleased." Mr. Bad's dog sprang to and fro eagerly when he saw a dear little girl trying to get to him. Perhaps he thought it was one of his dead master's children, whose tender playfellow he had been before he was sold. Even Mabel's short visits and her loving words through the gate had been much to him -the only kind words he ever heard, for the groom who brought his food had nothing but a surly kick to give, and always when she went away he lifted up his voice and howled. But push, and pull, and rattle at the lock as she would, Mabel could not open the great gates, nor could Paddy either, though he wagged his tail in quite an anxious way. She was just moving away disappointed and loth to give it up after raising the hopes of Mr. Bad's dog, when a man's voice behind made her start. "Do you want to go in there ?" it said. Mabel turned round and looked shyly up. The speaker was a tall gentleman, but she did not see much to be afraid of in his face. She liked him. "I only wanted to pat Mr. Bad's dog," she began, softly. "Mr. who's dog?" said the stranger. "Mr. Bad's dog. I call him that because his master isn't good to him." "How do you know he isn't good?" "Because he chains him up and leaves him alone always. Oh, I should die if I mightn't run about!" and Mabel gave a hop, skip and jump to make sure that she could. Paddy playfully took hold of her dress, shook it and growled, for he had not left off puppy tricks yet. The gentleman said nothing, but when Mabel looked up to see why, he was smiling behind his moustache. "I am sorry to say I can't open the gate,” said he. "But we'll see T was bitingly cold. A boy and a monkey sat on a door-step. The monkey crept inside the boy's jacket for warmth, and so, cuddled together, they slept. They went a long way in their sleep, till they came to a place called Heaven. Tom had often been told of it. A happy place where flowers blossom all the year, and where no one is hungry or cold. They stopped at the door, and peeped in. Ah! Tom drew in his breath longingly. It was a lovely place: soft carpets lay on the floor, big fires blazed on the hearths, with curly rugs in front. A gay chandelier hung from the ceiling, sparkling with glass. Under it was a table, covered with a tablecloth, and on the table was a plum-pudding, and mince-pies, and a plate full of bananas and ginger-nuts. Their mouths watered. Tom wondered who was going to enjoy all these delights. He wished they were for him and Jacko. As he watched, an angel came to the doorTom had been told about them too-an angel "We will see what can be done," laughed the gentleman again. All three strolled together towards the stream; all four counting Victoria. Paddy bounced in at once, fetched out half a wooden bucket, and gravely asked the new comer to fling this prize back to be fetched out again. Very soon they were first-rate friends, the gentleman could throw far, did not care when Paddy shook himself over him like a shower-bath, and was as pleased as Mabel with it all. They were quite sorry to part when dinner time came and Nurse ran out to call her charge. The next morning as Mabel went with Paddy down the lane to play, the iron gates were wide open, and out came the gentleman! Round and round his feet whirled Mr. Bad's dog in wild delight. "You see he is my dog," said the gentleman, smiling. "So I must be Mr. Bad. I know your father well, little lady, but he calls me something else." "Oh!" said Mabel, "you can't be bad! But, oh, please, why aren't you good to your doggie?" "I did not think about it. I was wrong, and you were quite right to call me Mr. Bad. Let us take him for a run now, and from to-day he shall be my friend. Will that please you?" Mabel hugged Victoria tight; she, and she only, knew how often they had cried themselves to sleep because of Mr. Bad's dog! Paddy and his new comrade ran races with each other like two crazy things. Everybody felt glad. What a comfort it was to pass the iron gates, after that, and see no poor prisoner behind them any more. Do any of you ever see another Mr. Bad's dog at the end of his chain? If so, I hope you try to help him.-Your loving cousin, Copyright.] EDITH CARRINGTON. Dreams. |