: and more or less, in great or little, the scenes of that great tragedy are acted around us day by day as a magic test which shall dissolve the charm, let us recommend this acquaintance with the native language and expression of animals, which, like Ithuriel's spear, will reveal before us those hearts in their true frightfulness which crafty cunning or sanctimonious hypocrisy had gilded over with the false lustre of counterfeit goodness. And let those who think that enthusiasm blinds us, or spreads forth a mirage of deceitful prospect, let these unbelieving, but not unwilling few, (for few we hope they may be,) turn with a glowing heart and eager eye to cultivate these gracious mercies; and though incredulous at first, they will find at length that in small things may be hidden a great mystery, and experience will teach them the lessons it hath taught us. We dwell the more upon this part of our subject, because, in proportion as we are impressed with its importance and utility, as deeply are we aware, that that importance and utility will not appear at first to every eye. We would therefore heap line upon line, and precept upon precept, till earnestness might Let at last call attention, and attention once aroused, for the consequences we should have no fear. the eye but once perceive the glorious prospect, the feet would quickly wander in its paths; fresh beauties at every step appearing; were, indeed, one-hundredth part of that benefit but universally experienced which we perceive and desire to inculcate, as universally would cruelty cease that step gained, the rest would follow in its appointed train. What more can we say? can earnest enthusiasm place these opinions in a clearer light? can ardour find warmer words to melt the unbelieving? have we convinced those whom first we desire to convince; those whose hearts already feel the sacred animation of the pure fire of benevolence? Do you think with us, that in the vast field of animated nature beneath man, the acts of every creature can read a moral lesson to the heart? do you believe that in every look, and every action, you can read the character written in creation by the Almighty hand? Though not defiled and corrupted as man is by immediate sin, yet they are no doubt degenerated since our fall; do you then from your inmost heart most fervently believe that it is a duty to remove, as it were, that soil which they have contracted by our evil, and by patient and assiduous kindness renew and cultivate and beautify again their pristine nature, whose bounteous fulness, our harshness, and neglect, and evil example have nipped, dejected and restrained? Do you believe all this as regards them? and in respect of man, are you convinced that in cultivating these, he will improve himself; that his heart will grow softer by such intercourse, not only towards them, but to his fellow-men; that in observing them he will learn better to cultivate the virtues which he proudly thought his own? Humbled by perceiving these, too, do their duty without blame in every natural act, he will rely, not on the merits which brutes share with him, but seek the only hope which points to immortality. Is it a trifling study that can compass ends like these in virtue and intelligence? and are you also convinced with us that the pious man's vision will be indued with greater clearness to perceive fraud, D falsehood and hypocrisy, and therefore with power to remedy or remove them; as the eye wearied with some minute and intricate research, by wandering over a soft and pleasing prospect, returns invigorated and refreshed to disentangle the perplexities which baffled it before. And at the last, imbued with the spirit of truth, it will more easily detect falsehood, having learned the aspect of silent and unpretending virtue. If still insensible and unbelieving, we can only entreat that time may place before you such facts as shall have the power to convince through the channel of experience. Let us remember that the folly of one age is the wisdom of the next; the scorn of one century may become the reverence of the following; the little speck on the horizon increases to a mighty hurricane, and like the grain of mustard seed, which grew to a mighty tree; who can say what this despised and rejected subject, the cultivation of the gifts of animals, may be destined to bring forth in the hand of our Almighty Guide? We think it is not an overweening mistaken illusion, but a prophetic vision that spreads before our eyes of unconceived, and until now, unhoped for consequences, flowing from a due attention to this matter. Grounded on reflections of the past, why may we not dare to hope that these expectations are probable and just? Fallen as we are, something may be recovered; nay, much we are promised will be recovered of that primitive state of our first parents, when About them frisking played All beasts of the earth, since wild and of all chace In wood or wilderness, forest or den; Sporting the lion ramped, and in his paw Dandled the kid; bears, tigers, ounces, pards Gambolled before them; the unwieldy elephant To make them mirth, used all his might, and writhed Sure as we are that this state was the state of innocence, how shall we approach that innocence again, except by cultivating, even in the smallest degree, the graces that adorned it? and sure we may and must be, that great as is the mystery; impossible as it is for us to discern by what means the passions of men shall be so soothed and purified, that the sword shall be beaten to the plough-share, |