Humanity Against Cruelty to Animals in Historical Literature, Timeline of Animal Rights History

Animal Rights History »»Thomas Day

1783-9 | The History of Sandford and Merton; A Work Intended for the Use of Children

If little Harry saw a poor wretch who wanted victuals, while he was eating dinner, he was sure to give him half, and sometimes the whole: nay, so very good natured was he to every thing, that he would never go into the fields to take the eggs of poor birds, or their young ones, nor practise any other kind of sport which gave pain to poor animals, who are as capable of feeling as we ourselves, though they have no words to express their sufferings. Once, indeed, Harry was caught twirling a cockchaser round, which he had fastened by a crooked pin to a long piece of threa, but then this was through ignorance and want of thought: for as soon as his father told him that the poor helpless insect felt as much, or more than he would do, were a knife thrust through his hand, he burst into tears, and took the poor animal home, where he fed him during a fortnight upon fresh leaves; and when he was perfectly recovered, turned him out to enjoy liberty and the fresh air. Ever since that time, Harry was so careful and considerate, that he would step out of the way for fear of hurting a worm, and employed himself in doing kind offices to all the animals in the neighbourhood…He used to say that they had a right to live as well as we, and that it was cruel and unjust to kill cretures only because we did not like them. (Thomas Day, The History of Sandford and Merton [1783-9])

1788 | The History of Little Jack

In respect to the animals entrusted to his care, he not only refrained from using them ill, but was never tired with doing them good offices. (Thomas Day, The History of Little Jack [1788])

Links to the Primary Source
document the authenticity of quotations while providing more in-depth insight into the ideologies of humanity against cruelty to animals and additional historical perspective on the continuing struggle for animal rights, animal welfare and the protection of animals.

1788 | Thomas Day, The History of Little Jack; [1st Edition: London, 1788] (Paris, 1822; Digitized by Google, 2007).

1783-9 | Thomas Day, The History of Sandford and Merton; A Work Intended for the Use of Children [1st Edition: London, 1783-9] (London, 1803; Digitized by Google, 2007).

Quotes briefly introduce animal rights activists, animal welfare advocates and authors; the history of animal rights, animal welfare and animal protection; and the literature of the humane movement against cruelty to animals.

These pages are part of an ongoing effort to provide free online access to historical literature on animal rights, animal welfare and humanity against cruelty to animals.