Library of Animal Rights History » Animal Welfare-Animal Rights Activists-Advocates-Quotes Against Cruelty to Animals

Priscilla Wakefield

1770-1832

1795 | Priscilla Wakefield, Juvenile Anecdotes, Founded on Facts, Collected for the Amusement of Children, vol. 1 [First Edition: 1795] 2nd ed. (London, 1798); Online at Google Books.

Juvenile Anecdotes

The Hare

To exchange the liberty of her native fields for a place of close confinement; to be obliged to eat the food that was brought to her, instead of cropping the sweet flowers according to her choice; to be debarred from the society of her kindred hares, and to be immured in perfect solitude; and, above all, to live in the continual dread of destruction, (for no animal is so timid as a hare,) must have been a very painful transition.

The Cockchaffer

Poor insect ! how can you torture it so cruelly?…That dancing, which you admire, is the effort of the wretched creature to escape from agony.… Imagine for a moment, what dreadful pain you would suffer, were any one to thrust a sword through your body, or one of your arms or legs. This pin is as terrible to the poor cockchaffer as a sword would be to you. Though it is a small insect, and has no power to hurt you in return, it is capable of feeling pain as you are…To give Liberty…that will be a humane action; thousands of these poor insects are tortured in this barbarous manner every season, by inconsiderate children, who forget, that other animals feel pain, as well as themselves.

The Journal

George came running in, out of breath, to shew me a bird's nest he had just taken. It belonged to the blackbirds that used to amuse us with their song in the grove. Alas ! George, you have robbed my favourite birds of their eggs. We shall no longer be charmed with their warbling, they will droop, and perhaps die of grief. The gardener told me where to find the nest; he lifted me up to take it, and I thought there was no harm in it, as the young ones were not hatched, and I intended to make my sisters a present of the eggs. The young ladies cried out with one voice, that they would never accept a gift procured by such cruelty, and desired him to make haste and replace it where he found it. At first he was reluctant to comply with this proposal, but after I had convinced him of the affection of the old ones, even towards their eggs, and the pains it had cost them to build the nest, he repented that he had taken it, and was as desirous as any of us that it should be returned to its former situation. He has now the satisfaction of daily watching the solicitude and tenderness of the hen, which sits close, and we hope will hatch in a few days.

At length I found her very busy in making a garden with her brother George, so much taken up with her new employment, that she had totally forgotten to clean or feed her poor prisoners: when I told her the situation they were in, she shed tears, and reproached herself with great neglect: she did not lose a moment in making all the reparation in her power, but immediately left the garden that had so much engrossed her thoughts, and supplied her dumb family with suitable food and attendance. This circumstance afforded me an opportunity of expressing my sentiments on depriving birds of their liberty, and confining them in cages; a custom I cannot approve, as it not only subjects them to suffer much when they are first caught, but frequently exposes them to a cruel death, from the negligence of those who have the care of them. Cowper has written some pleasing lines on a goldfinch starved to death in a cage, which Emma has learned by heart, and will repeat when I have finished reading. Her concern was so great for her carelessness, that she offered to let her birds fly, and turn the rabbits out on the common. Pleased with her intention to do right, I gave her high commendations; but informed her, that they were rendered unable to provide for themselves, by being kept in a state of confinement, and therefore even liberty would be a barbarous gift to them now. Punctuality in supplying them with every thing necessary, was the only kindness that can be shown to them, since they have forgotten the habits of their state of nature. She has been very exact, since this conversation, in feeding and cleaning them, and does every thing in her power to make them amends for their loss of freedom.

On Bird-Nesting

What must be the anguish of such a tender parent, when she returns from seeking a scanty morsel to satisfy the hunger of her darling nestlings, to find that she has been robbed of her treasure in her absence? Let every boy, before he goes birds-nesting, consider the curious structure of a bird's nest, and the tender affection of the fond mother; after this reflection would it be possible for him to persist in his design? Surely he would return, and persuade his companions to do likewise. Thoughtlessness and in advertency, not cruelty, are the causes that mislead many boys of good hearts and humane feelings to practice this barbarous amusement; for it deserves no milder name, to rob a poor defenseless bird of the fruit of so much labor and pains; were it not so sanctioned by custom and example, it would be thought both ungenerous and unmanly to plunder a harmless bird of its chief treasure, that is not able to resent the injury. The most noble natures are the most humane. Tender-hearted children, suffer not yourselves to be seduced by ill example, and the ridicule of bad companions to violate these nests, composed with so much art and care; rather take pleasure in observing the daily labours of the mother bird; and when she has completed her work, mark how closely she sits on her eggs, willingly resigning that liberty, of which she seemed so fond; how quick and cautious is her eye! turning upon every object, that moves around her; and when the little brood is hatched, watch the progress of their growth, and their advancement to maturity. This will afford you daily entertainment, and amply repay you for the want of a bird's nest; as it will supply you with pure pleasure, not purchased at the expense of another, or embittered with a mixture of repentance.

1811| Priscilla Wakefield, Instinct Displayed in a Collection of Well-Authenticated Facts, Exemplifying the Extraordinary Sagacity of Various Species of the Animal Creation (London, 1811).

Instinct Displayed

1824-Apr | review of "Instinct Displayed in a Collection of Well Authenticated Facts, Exemplifying the Extra-Ordinary Sagacity of Various Species of the Animal Creation, by Priscilla Wakefield, (Boston, 1816)," United States Literary Gazette 1 (1824-Apr-15) 24.

1798 | Priscilla Wakefield, Juvenile Anecdotes, Founded on Facts, Collected for the Amusement of Children, vol. 2, [First Edition: 1798] 4th ed. (London, 1808); Online at Google Books.

The Linnet

They repine at the loss of liberty, and the company of their mates, which makes it cruelty to confine them; as we have no right to torment the meanest creatures for mere amusement, but should make it our constant aim to do every kind office to all around us.

The Ass

Let those happy children, who enjoy the advantages of early instruction, prize it, and endeavour to be as much superior in virtue and wisdom, to others, whom Providence has placed differently, as they are in situation; but let them, at, the same time, remember with humility, what they might have become, had they been exposed to the calamities and ill examples that corrupt thousands of children, and retard or prevent their advancement in goodness.

1800 | Priscilla Wakefield, Mental Improvement; or, The Beauties and Wonders of Nature and Art in a Series of Instructional Conversations [1st ed. 1800] 13th ed. (London, 1828); Online at Google Books.

Mental Improvement

Cruelty to Animals

You admire the grotesque attitudes and ready obedience, of those poor beasts which are led about, and compelled to amuse the unthinking spectators; but you would commiserate their sufferings, did you know the cruel discipline they have groaned under, for the purpose of attaining these ridiculous accomplishments. A person of reflection and humanity ought to discourage the tormenting of an inoffensive horse, a harmless pig, or an innocent dog, when there is no other motive for it but the gratification of seeing either of them pick out the letters that are called for, paw the number of the hour, or dance a horn-pipe. They receive their lessons when very young, and they are enforced by the deprivation of food and the influence of the rod, placed in the hands of an unfeeling master.

1801 | Priscilla Wakefield, The Juvenile Travellers; or, A Tour Through the Principle States and Kingdoms of Europe: With an Account of Their Inhabitants, Natural Productions, and Antiquities 19th ed. (London, 1850); Online at Google Books.

Juvenile Travellers

Spain

The bull-fight is the grand national amusement of Spain. Cruel and brutalizing it has been most justly called.…And, I regret to say, that not only do women attend and take pleasure in these savage and demoralizing sports, but even the highest ladies in the land, and the queen herself. I believe you have read more than one description of a Spanish bull-fight. I will not therefore disgust you with the accounts I have heard of them, or rather, distress you with the heartless cruelty that thus wantonly destroys both species of animals.