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Sporting Magazine

"Cruelty to Animals," Sporting Magazine 34 (1809-Apr) 48; Digitized by Google, Online at Google Books.

Cruelty to Animals

Sporting Magazine

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

—The following is a full account of a remarkable instance of Divine reproof for cruelty to animals, which is mentioned to have occurred lately at Fulham:—

"A man, who had for many years been remarkable for inhumanity and gross cruelty to his horses, had been by frequent blows urging one of these useful animals to perform more than it was able, and almost sinking under his master's ill treatment, it was seized with a spasm on its jaw, which those around termed a locked jaw, and when they entreated the wretch to shew compassion, he swore violently, and said he would soon unlock his jaw, and instead of being softened by the distress of the beast, be attempted to strike him with the heavy end of his whip, but by some accident, instead of the horse, he struck his own face, and was instantly seized with a spasm in his throat and jaws, and in this state he was taken to St. George's hospital, where he continued in the same condition nearly a week, when he died.

"During the time he was in the hospital he was unable to swallow, and his speech was very inarticulate; but he was frequently in an imperfect manner heard to swear horribly till within a few hours of his death; when, it is supposed, he felt his end approaching suddenly, as well as he could speak, he said, Pray ! Pray ! and made signs to those around him to kneel down; he seemed at that moment to supplicate the mercy, which we hope might be extended to him. Those, who were present witnessed a scene which they never can forget.

"The Rev. Mr. Owen, Curate of Fulham, on the Sunday after the death of the above man, preached an excellent and impressive sermon on the occasion; in which he cautioned all who heard him to avoid a crime which must be so offensive to the " Father of Mercies," and which had been so signally and so justly punished by his awful visitation."