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London Magazine

1754-May | "From the London Gazette, Shocking Cruelties," London Magazine: Or, Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer (1754-May): 249; Online at Google Books.

Shocking Cruelties

from the London Gazette, London Magazine

From the London Gazette, Thursday, May 9, 1754

Some fellows having driven a large ox in a furious manner into Southampton-row, and endeavouring to force him precipitately thro' the postern, by goading, houghing, and other brutish methods, the generous beast turned to the right, and at one spring, staked himself upon the iron rails next the duke of Bedford's wall. In the struggle one of the drivers ran a spike obliquely into his arm from the elbow almost to the wrist. After much difficulty the ox was got off, but so weaken'd by the effusion of blood from his wounds, that it was not possible to drive him home. Instances of cruelties of this kind are so frequent, and withal so shocking, that, a correspondent observes they call loudly for remedy; the gentleman assures us that he was lately and eye-witness to the barbarity of a butcher, who, because a poor sheep broke away from the flock, pulled out his knife, and cut out his eyes.