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

Animal Rights History »» Rowland Hill

1799 | Journal of a Tour through the North of Ireland and Parts of Scotland

An uncommon degree of odium is fixed to the existence of a toad: they are supposed to be poisonous. This is quite a vulgar error; they are useful reptiles, for they destroy innumerable insects, and are even capable of the knowledge of our attention and humanity. It is wonton cruelty to destroy them. In my country abode, I even attempted to make them a place of retirement and called it a toadery. Every creature that God has sent, we should protect, and in a subordinate degree they demand our attention. …it is no disgrace to the Christian character, to plead the persecuted cause of the harmelss toad. (Rowland Hill, Journal of a Tour through the North of Ireland and Parts of Scotland, "Observations and Remarks")

Biographical Anecdotes

Mr. Hill was also "merciful to his beast." His horses were his constant care. Even his domstic cat, and other creatrues, shared largely in his daily regards. (Vernon J. Charlesworth, Roland Hill; His Life, Anecdotes, and Pulpit Sayings [1876]).

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.

Rowland Hill, Journal of a Tour through the North of England, and Parts of Scotland, with Remarks from the Present State of the Established Church of Scotland, and the Different Secesssions Therefrom, Together with Reflections on some Party Distinctions in England: Shewing the Origin of these Disputes and the Causes of their Separation, Designed to Promote Brotherly Love and Forbearane among Christians of all Denominations, also Some Remarks on the Proprierty of what is called Lay and Intinerant Preaching (London, 1799; Digitized by Google, 2006).

Vernon J. Charlesworth, Roland Hill; His Life, Anecdotes, and Pulpit Sayings (London, 1876).

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.