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Gentleman's Magazine

1732-May-05 | "Views of the Weekly Essays—English Usage of Beasts," Gentleman's Magazine; or, Monthly Intelligencer [London: 1731-1735] 2 (1732 May): 747-748. (Abridged?) reprint of article previously published in Weekly Register [London:1730-1732] (1732 May 13)]; Online at Animal Rights History, 2003.

English Usage of Beasts

Views of the Weekly Essays, Gentleman's Magazine

Weekly Register, May 13. No. 119.
English Usage of Beasts.

IN the Scriptures a merciful Man is distinguish'd by his Mercy to his Beast; and Mabomet made a Tenderness to Animals an essential Part of a Mussulman. The Indian Bramins, by their injudicious Concern even for noxious Brutes, acted cruelty on themselves. The Christians are the only People who are cruel to so great a part of the Works of the Deity they Worship ; Infants are frequently indulg'd in Barbarities to young Animals, whereby they grow habitually Savage. Our Kindness to Brutes is chiefly owing to Whim and Caprice. Ladies are fond of a Lap-dog, Squirrel, Parrot, Monkey, Cat; and a Sportsman's Dog or Horse are his bosom Friends. But when the Horse is grown old and disabled, and the Dog has lost his Scent or Speed, the first I made a Drudge, and the latter treated with Cruelty and Contempt. These are the only Instances of the least Humanity towards Brutes. All besides is one continu'd Scene of Oppression and Misery. Nor is this all; we make Sport of their Miseries.

Throwing at Cocks, Bull-baiting, Duck-hunting, Cock-fighting, and Horse-racing are Barbarities in the highest Vogue, and Ladies are now as fond of the last, as the most Savage amongst us. But a Mildness to the brute Creation would teach us to be more mild one to another.