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Animal Rights History Timeline » [1785-1837] Romantic Age » Egerton Smith

Egerton Smith

Instances of Cruelty to Animals

letter to the editor, Monthly Magazine

[1803-Sep-01] Egerton Smith, letter to the editor [1803-Mar-01], "Instances of Cruelty to Animals," Monthly Magazine 16 (1803-Sep-01): 108-109; Free Online Library of eBooks at Google Books.

It has been remarked by some authors that the English nation is more addicted to cruelty than any other enlightened people of Europe; and though we must naturally be reluctant in admitting a charge of so disgraceful a nature, yet, a little attention to what is passing around us, particularly in respect to our indifference to the sufferings of the brute creation, will I fear rather corroborate than refute this assertion.

Who is there so callous as to hear plain unembellished recital of such barbarity, without the utmost indignation who can retire from such scenes, and ?ter himself he does his duty merely shunning them, without endeavouring in his power to procure their total abolition? Every member of society is or ought to be deeply interested in preventing the early pollution of the minds of their children, or the rising generation, by removing such shocking examples before them.

If this should fortunately fall into the hands of those who have the disposition relive the sufferings of the brute creation, and at the same time the power to carry into effect such purpose, I hope the truth contained in it will make such impression as it was intended to produce; for is such enormous vice is not checked, we need not wonder if your prisons overflow, and public executions become so frequent, as to lose the effect they were intended to have on the public mind.

Liverpool, March 1, 1803