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Spectator Magazine

A. S., letter to the editor, "The Clergy and Vivisection," Spectator Magazine 57 (1884 Feb 23): 249; Online at Animal Rights History, 2003.

Clergy and Vivisection

A. S.

Letter to the Editor, Spectator Magazine

THE CLERGY AND VIVISECTION

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR"]

SIR,—The charitable supposition of your correspondent, "J.P. Wright" that it is conscientious, though mistaken, self-sacrifice which prevents the Clergy from taking part in opposition to Vivisection, is, I fear, almost disproved by another instance of their want of action when the fate of animals was in the balance. The presence of the Bishops in the House of Lords might last year have saved the Hurlingham pigeons (and their absence on that occasion was made the more conspicuous by the zeal with which they had mustered just before to throw out the "Deceased Wife's Sister Bill); so that by staying away from the recent voting on vivisection in the Convocation of Oxford, the clergy of lower rank have only followed the example of their superiors.

Genuine indifference is what these two cases, taken together, seem to point to; an indifference which the laity must view with astonishment and deep regret, and upon which they will be likely to reflect with care in future adjustment of their attitude towards ecclesiasticism.—I am, Sir, &c., A. S.