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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age » Edward Barry

Edward Barry

Bull-Baiting! A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation

[1801] Reverened Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting! A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation, Preached in the Parish Church of Wokingham, Berks, on Sunday the 20th December, 1801 (London, 1801). [Since the sermon is unavailable online as of 2008-Oct-30, the passages are quoted from reviews of the sermon, but have not been verified from the original source.]

Gracious God ! benevolent parent of the universe, what a prodigy must he be on a Christian land, who could thus disgrace his nature, by such gigantic infamy, at which the blood of a Heathen—of a very Hottentot, might curdle! Two useful animals, the bull and the faithful dog, to be thus tormented, and for what purpose? Does it tend, as some have said (Windham) to keep alive the spirit of the English character? In answer to this, we must remark, that the barbarous sport (if sport it can be called) was unknown to the ancient bravery of our ancestors, was introduced into this country in the reign of a bad king, and earnestly do I pray to Almighty God, that in this reign of a most pious and benevolent Prince, it may be for ever set aside! Cowards, of all men the least unmoved, can both inflict and witness cruelties. The heroes of a bull-bait, the patrons of mercenary pugilists, and the champions of a cock-fight, can produce, I should think, but few, if any disciples brought up under their tuition, who have done service to their country, either as warriors or as citizens! but abundant are the testimonies which have been registered at the gallows of her devoted victims, trained up to these pursuits of bull-baiting. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in William Hamilton Drummond, The Rights of Animals [1838], 105)

The monster, who can wilfully persevere to torture the dumb creation, would feel little or no compunction, to serve a purpose, in aiming his bludgeon at the head, or ingulfing the murderous blade within the warm vitals of his fellow creature. "Whoso is wise will ponder these things."…This wicked custom does not tend to endue men with courage; nor does it appear that any one of the brave Highlanders, who eternised themselves in Egypt, formed his character upon so savage a practice. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in Critical Review 35 [1802-Jun])

Amusements are necessary to all; but they should be of such a kind as would help to dignify human nature, and not debase it; as would give cheerfulness to the mind, health to the body, and, with the contest for fame, would associate some kindred principle of honour. The exercise [of bull-baiting] under immediate consideration partakes of none of these. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in British Critic 19 [1802-May])

1802-Apr] Monthly Review, review of "Bull Baiting! A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Monthly Review 37 (1802-Apr): 445-6.

1802-Jun] British Critic, review of "Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," British Critic 19 (1802-Jun): 542.

1802-Jun] Critical Review, review of "Bull Baiting! A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Critical Review 35 (1802-Jun): 218.

1802-Mar] Sporting Magazine, review of "Bull Baiting! A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Sporting Magazine 19 (1802-Mar): 341-343.

1802] Annual Review, review of "Bull Baiting! A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Annual Review 1 (1802): 204-5.

1807-May] Gentleman's Magazine, review of "The Works of the Rev. Edward Barry," Gentleman's Magazine (1807-May): 433-4.

1810] "To put an end to this savage custom of bull-baiting at Wokingham, in Berkshire (where one George Staverton, to his disgrace, left property in 1661, for the purchase of a bull, to be baited every St. Thomas's day), on the 20th of December, 1801, a most impressive and eloquent sermon was preached by Dr. Barry of Reading," (Mr. [Samuel Jackson] Pratt, The Lower World; A Poem in Four Books, with Notes (London, 1810); 102; Google Books: Online Library of Free eBooks).

1816] James Plumptre, in The Experienced Butcher (London, 1816; Google Books: Free Online Library of eBooks) quotes an anecdote by Mr. Pratt praising "a most impressive and eloquent sermon," on bull-baiting, preached by Dr. Barry (25).