oxen, and other animals, were formed for his use; since they are not indispensable to his health and happiness. Whatever man can press into his service,-whether for food, raiment, or pleasure; whatever can be made to minister to his necessities, real or imaginary ;—these his pride and selfishness prompt him to believe, were given solely for his use; and because the flesh of gregarious and other animals is found to be nutritious, he concludes that the sole design of the Creator, in imparting vitality to them, was to supply him with food, clothing, and other conveniences: but few men who think seriously on the subject, will consider the inference a just one.

164. But it will be said-"If we allow such animals to multiply, they will soon become so numerous, as to consume the greater portion of the food required for the use of mankind." I reply, that so soon as they cease to be necessary to man, he will no longer increase their numbers, by his fostering care; and if they still continue so numerous as to interfere with his own comfort and happiness, he will either prevent their breeding so extensively, or kill them from necessity. The answer to this objection, however, may be safely deferred till time and circumstances shall require it.

165. Again it will be asked-" What shall we do for clothing, shoes, &c., if animals are not to be killed." When vegetable diet becomes so general as this question looks forward to, and when the supply is inadequate to the demand, the ingenuity of man will soon discover the means of introducing abundance of substitutes. In contemplating such extensive changes in the habits of a nation, it is well

to have a prudent regard to consequences; but such changes must necessarily be so slow and gradual, that any evil arising from them would be easily counteracted, long before it could be extensively felt. Besides, if the diet of a nation should become so totally altered, that the flesh of animals is not at all needed, and yet their wool, milk, &c., indispensable; numerous flocks and herds would doubtless be kept for the supply of those articles only; as was the case in the time of the patriarchs (23), and as is the case now in some parts of Asia and Africa. (274.) The principal expense in keeping sheep, is in rendering them unnaturally fat; and if protected for their wool merely, the poorest lands, and such as are unfit for any other purpose, would be appropriated for their support. Thus fed, their wool would cost us no more than it does at present, and yet it would be of much better quality. Mr. Culley says that the Herefordshire sheep, which produce the finest wool, are kept lean, and yield one pound and a half each; he adds-" If they be better kept, they grow large, and produce more wool, but of an inferior quality." From a table furnished by Mr. Fison, a wool-sorter, it appears that, of fifteen tods or four hundred and twenty pounds of clothing wool, grown in Norfolk, in 1790, two hundred pounds were prime; while, in 1828, the same quantity of Norfolk wool only yielded fourteen pounds prime.* Other witnesses corroborated this statement. + If the whole or majority of a nation, therefore, should hereafter abandon the use of flesh diet,

*REPORT OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE HOUSE OF LORDS, 1828. P. 207. + REPORT. PP. 383, 640, and 644.

they would still have sufficient means in their power to provide themselves with warm clothing, either by the discovery of substitutes for wool, or by keeping animals for its production; and under a vegetable diet much more land would be at liberty for such purposes (506, 507).

166. Another inquiry is-" How can the land be cultivated without the manure resulting from the keeping and feeding of sheep, oxen, &c."? It is evident, I think, that these animals can return no more to the land than they take from it: consequently, if they be otherwise unnecessary to man, the land appropriated to their support may be employed in producing an extended supply of fruit, roots, grain, and other vegetables, adapted to his wants. Yet the question will be reiterated"Where is the manure to come from? I profess not to be sufficiently acquainted with agriculture to answer this question so fully as is desirable; but it is well known to scientific inquirers, as well as to the best practical cultivators of land, that a considerable portion of our strongest and most valuable manures, both fluid and solid, are entirely wasted; and that if proper care were taken of all the supplies within our power, a sufficient abundance could be obtained, independently of those supplied by cattle in addition to which, we should have a considerable quantity from those animals which would be at all times protected for the production of milk, butter, wool, &c.; and, under a general vegetable diet, the land (as will be shown hereafter) would produce much beyond what man could require for his own consumption, even in this country.

167. Again: from the rapid advances lately made in agricultural chemistry, it is perhaps not unreasonable to expect, that (ere long) artificial manures may be produced so easily and so cheaply, as to make up for any deficiency that may arise from the diminished numbers of gregarious animals.* Our knowledge of vegetable economy may become so complete, and our acquaintance with the wants of the various families of plants so intimate, as to enable us to supply them with the most appropriate kind of nourishment, and in circumstances the most favourable for developing their nutritive qualities in the highest. perfection.

168. Some persons, in justification of the slaughter of animals for human food, contend that the sum total of animal pleasure is thereby promoted; since it encourages the breed of gregarious animals, and it is the duty and interest of their owner to feed and protect them: consequently, more animals are brought into existence than would otherwise be the case; and their enjoyment overbalances the pains they are made to endure. It would, however, be a difficult question to determine, whether animals thus multiplied, in order to supply our artificial wants, do actually experience more pleasure than pain, during the short period of existence we allow them. If we take into consideration the miserable way in which many of them are cooped up; the mutilation which many others undergo, in order to destroy the instincts which nature bestowed upon them to enhance their pleasures;

* Since the above was written, Professor Liebig has taken out a patent for several kinds of artificial manures, suited to different crops.

the captivity which all have to submit to, contrary to their natural desires; the privations they endure in consequence of inappropriate and insufficient food, in confined situations; the diseases we entail on many, by abridging their freedom, and by confining them to food which they would not prefer were they more at liberty to seek out their own; and the pain we cause them in a variety of ways, besides what they experience immediately before and at the time of slaughter;-the question as to the preponderance of pain or pleasure, becomes (I think) too difficult for us to settle.

169. But if we are the means of bringing animals into existence, we do them injustice if we abridge their liberty, destroy their instincts, or prevent their enjoying any of those pleasures which nature has qualified them for receiving. If their flesh be not only unnecessary, but absolutely injurious to man, (as will be shown hereafter,) then every pain we cause them to endure, is no less than wanton cruelty, and cannot be atoned for by the pleasures we procure them. For the sake of argument, however, let us admit that the sum total of pleasure greatly exceeds the sum total of pain, in those animals which receive. existence in consequence of our carnivorous habits: it will be proved, in another part of this work, that on a pure, substantial, and nutritious vegetable diet, a much greater population of human beings could be supported, in full health and strength, than on either an animal or a mixed diet; and to provide means of comfortable subsistence and enjoyment for a rapidly increasing human population, is an object as much more worthy our atten