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

Animal Rights History »» Rev. Edward Barry

1801 | Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation

Gracious God ! benevolent parent of the universive, what a prodigy must he be on a Christian land, who could thus disgrace his nature, by such gigantic infamy, at which the blood of a Heathen—of a very Hottentot, might curdle? Two useful animals; the Bull and the faithful Dog, to be thus tormented, and for what purpose? Does it tend, as some have said (Windham) to keep alive the spirit of the English character? In answer to this, we must remark, that the barbarous sport (if sport it can be called) was unknown to the ancient bravery of our ancestors, was introduced into this country in the reign of a bad king, and earnestly do I pray to Almighty God, that in this reign of a most pious and benevolent Prince, it may be for ever set aside! Cowards, of all men the least unmoved, can both inflict and witness cruelties. The heors of a bull-bait, the patrons of mercenary pugilists, and the champions of a cock-fight, can produce, I should think, but few, if any disciples brought up under their tutition, who have done service to thier cournty, either as warriors or as citizens! but abundant are the testimonies, which have been registered at the gallows of her devoted victims, trained up to these pursuits of bull-baiting. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in William Hamilton Drummond's The Rights of Animals [1838])

The monster, who can wilfully perserve to torture the dumb creation, whould feel little or no compunction, to serve a purpose, in aiming his bludgeon at the head, or indulging the murderous blade withing the warm vitals of his fellow creature. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in The Critical Review [1802-Jun])

This wicked custom does not tend to endue men with courage; nor does it appear that any one of the brave Highlanders, who eternised themselves in Egypt, formed his character upon so savage a practice. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in The Critical Review [1802-Jun])

Amusements are necessary to all; but they should be of such a kind as would help to dignify human nature, and not debase it; as would give cheerfulness to the mind, health to the gbody, and, with the context for same, would associate some kindred principle of honor. The exercie [of bull-baiting] under immediate consideration partakes of none of these. (Edward Barry, Bull-Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], quoted in The British Critic [1802-May])

Reviews

1802-Jan, Orthodox Churchman's Magazine | A Society of Churchmen, Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity ot God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry, in A List of Books on Divinity," Orthodox Churchman's Magaine; or, A Treasurey of Divine and Useful Knowledge 1 (1802-Jan): 53.

1802-Apr, Monthly Review | This brutish and cruel amusement, such a practice merits the most pointed reprobation; and Dr. Barry will we applauded by all good men, for his resolute and truly Christian exertions to shame the people of Wokingham into the suppression of this custom. …Dr. Barry reflects credit on himself as a clergyman, by inculcating this principle, in opposition to the prejudices of the vulgar. (Monthly Review, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Monthly Review; or Literary Journal 37 (1802-Apr): 445-6. )

1802-May, British Critic | We regret to find that, even in Parliament, this savage sport has been again defended. Is not every bull-baiting indictable at common law, as a public nuisance? (British Critic, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," British Critic and Quartley Theological Review 19 (1802-Jun): 542.)

1802-Jun, Critical Review | The brutal and barbarous custom of baiting bulls continues to disgrace several parts of this island. At Workingham the rabble are collected together every year, under the pretext of a legacy to gratify themselves with this inhuman sport; and the worthy author of the discourse before us endeavoured, but in vain, the day anterior to this barbarous anniversary to instil into the minds of the inhabitants of the town a better sense of their duty to God, and man, and beast. We cannot too much applaud the excellency of his intentions; we recommend him to persist in them in season and out of season we call upon all men, in every station of life, to unite in repeated entreaties and petitions to the legislature and to every individual member of it, till this wicked and unnatural practice be abolished. Let any one reflect but for one moment of the tendency of this sport, and he must agree with the preacher on the effects here ascribed to it. (Critical Review, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Critical Review: Or, Annals of Literature 35 (1802-Jun): 218.)

1802-Mar, Sporting Magazine | Seldom as it may be, that sermons come within the limits of our plan, the object on the one before us, to say nothing of religion, is founded in the soundest policy, and of course does credit to the head and heart of the writer. And now, as a more faithful and striking picture of this detestable and unchristian practice; and as a specimen of the author's style and manner, which wants no commendation. (Sporting Magazine, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Sporting Magazine, or Monthly Calendar 19 (1802-Mar): 340.

1802, Annual Review| This is a very excellent and praise-worthy endeavour to prevent that horrid practice of bull-baiting, which forms one among many other disgraceful sports to which thelower classes of our countrymen are addicted. (Annual Review, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Annual Review and History of Literature 1 (1802): 204-5.)

1807-May, Gentleman's Magazine | 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.)

Referenced in the Following Works

1810 / 1816| A most impressive and eloquent sermon [on Bull-Baiting], was preached by Dr. Barry of Reading. (Samuel Jackson Pratt, The Lower World, A Poem [1810]) Pratt's citation is referenced by James Plumptre in The Experienced Butcher [1816]).

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.

Edward Barry, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation, Preached in the Parish Church of Wokingham, Berks, on Sunday the 20th December, 1801 (London, 1801). [Since the sermon is unavailable online as of 2008-Oct-30, the above passage are included from reviews of the sermon, but have not been verified from the original source.]

Sporting Magazine, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Sporting Magazine, or Monthly Calendar19 (1802-Mar): 340.

Monthly Review, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Monthly Review; or Literary Journal 37 (1802-Apr): 445-6.

British Critic, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity ot God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," British Critic and Quartley Theological Review 19 (1802-Jun): 542.

Critical Review, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Critical Review: Or, Annals of Literature 35 (1802-Jun): 218.

Annual Review, review of "Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry," Annual Review and History of Literature 1 (1802): 204-5.

A Society of Chruchmen, Bull Baiting, A Sermon on Barbarity to God's Dumb Creation [1801], by Rev. Edward Barry, in A List of Books on Divinity," Orthodox Churchman's Magaine; or, A Treasurey of Divine and Useful Knowledge 1 (1802).

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.

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.