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

Animal Rights History »» Gentlemans Magazine

1731-Feb | Flesh…an unnatural Food :…it dulls the rational Faculties, and oppresses the motions of the Soul. ("A View of the Weekly Essays and Controversies—Of Eating," Gentleman's Magazine [London:1731-1735] 1 [1737 Feb]: 62-63.) [Summary of article previously published in Universal Spectator (London:1738-1746), 1731 Feb 20, 1.]

1732-May | [Animals are] treated with Cruelty and Contempt…in one continu'd Scene of Oppression and Misery.…A Mildness to the brute Creation would teach us to be more mild one to another. ("Views of the Weekly Essays—English Usage of Beasts," Gentleman's Magazine; or, Monthly Intelligencer (London: 1731-1735) 2 [1732 May]: 747-748.) [(Abridged?) reprint of article previously published in Weekly Register (London:1730-1732), 1732 May 13.]

1737-Jan | The Barbarity to the harmless Creature at the Stake, one would think, should be an Object of Horror both to the Actors and Spectators of this inhuman Tragedy. To Bastinado and torture a poor Creature out of Sport and Wanttonness is a species of Cruelty that wants a Name. It was a proper Reprimand of the Frogs in the Fable, to the little Masters who were pelting them with Stones : — "Young Gentlemen! pray forbear ! This may be Sport to You ; but 'tis Death to Us." ("An Enquiry into the Original Meaning of Cock-Throwing on Shrove-Tuesday," Gentleman's Magazine [London: 1726-1750] 7 [1737-Jan]: 6-8.)

All call loudly on our Governors and Magistrates to exert their Authority and Power utterly to abolish so Dishonourable, so Mischievous, so Barbarous and Immoral a Custom, which too long has been practised with Impunity among us. ("An Enquiry into the Original Meaning of Cock-Throwing on Shrove-Tuesday," Gentleman's Magazine [London: 1726-1750] 7 [1737-Jan]: 6-8.)

1749-Apr | Hold thy hand a moment, hard-hearted wretch !…What have I done to deserve the treatment I have suffer'd this day, from thee and thy barbarous companions? What have I ever said or done amiss ? Whom have I ever injur'd ? Did I ever profane the name of my creator ? Or give one moment's disquiet to any creature under heaven ? or lie, or deceive, or slander, or rob my fellow creatures? ("Wonderful Speech of a Hen," Gentleman's Magazine [London:1736-1750] 19 [1749 Apr]: 147-148.)

0 that some good christian would cause this my first and last speech to be printed, and published thro' the nation. Perhaps the legislature may not think it beneath them to take our sad case into consideration. ("Wonderful Speech of a Hen," Gentleman's Magazine [London:1736-1750] 19 [1749 Apr]: 147-148.)

1750-Jan | There is no true virtue, and therefore no true religion, without compassion; nor any true compassion, if it does not lead to use with tenderness, even a beast, or a bird ; For the righteous man is merciful to his beast. (JS, letter to the editor, "Shrovetide Sports Condemn'd: Cruelties to Brute Creatures Detested," letter to the editor, Gentleman's Magazine [London:1736-1750] 20 [1750 Jan]: 18-19.)

What then shall I say to that wretched tribe of men, our cock-throwers? What censure shall I pass upon the diversions of Shrovetide, a season formerly set apart for confession, but now for the commission of sins? Such cruelties deserve a severer censure than any I am able to give them. I can only wish, and 'tis the wish of many a one besides myself, that they were utterly suppressed for ever. (JS, letter to the editor, "Shrovetide Sports Condemn'd: Cruelties to Brute Creatures Detested," letter to the editor, Gentleman's Magazine [London:1736-1750] 20 (1750 Jan): 18-19.)

1787-Dec | This laudable design is supported by a familiar and easy style on subjects [including] humanity to animals. (Gentleman's Magazine, review of "Familiar Essays on Interesting Subjects, [by a Rector of an Obsure Country Village, 1787]," Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle 57 [1787-Dec]: 1101)

1807-May, | The present edition of the Sermons is enlarged by several additional Discourses. One of these is, "On the Odious Sin of Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation."…We have been informed that the Preacher's zeal on that occasion, however laudable and humane, exposed him to the indignation of some of those who were interested in the continuance of that disgraceful customer.(Gentleman's Magazine, review of "The Works of the Rev. Edward Barry, M.D., in Three Volumes [1807], " Gentleman's Magazine 77 (1807-May):433-4.)

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