Page:TheWritersReasonsforNotEatingAnimalFood.pdf/2

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VIII.—Because observing that carnivorous propensities among animals are accompanied by a total want of sympathetic feelings, and humane sentiments, as in the hyæna, the tyger, the vulture, the eagle, the crocodile, and the shark; he conceives that the practices of those carnivorous tyrants afford no worthy example for the imitation or justification of rational, reflecting, and conscientious beings.

IX.—Because he observes the carnivorous men, unrestrained by reflection or sentiment, even refine on the cruel practices of the most saveage animals; and apply their resources of mind and art to prolong the miseries of the victims of their appetites, skinning, roasting, and boiling animals alive; and torturing them without reservation or remorse, if they thereby add to the variety or the delicacy of their carnivorous gluttony.

X.—Because the natural sentimens and sympathies of human beings, in regard to the killing of other animals, are generally so averse from the practice, that few men or women could devour the animals which they might obliged themselves to kill: yet they forget, or affect to forget, the living endearments or dying sufferings of the creature, while they are wantoning over his remains.

XI.—Because the human stomach appears to be naturally so averse from receiving the ramins of animals, that few could partake of them if they were not disguised and flavoured by culinary preparation; yet rational creatures ought to feel that the prepared substances are not the less what they truly are, and that no disguise of food, in itself loathsome, ought to delude the unsophisticated perceptions of a considerate mind.

XII.—Because they forty-seven millions of acres in England and Wales would maintain in abundance as many human inhabitants, if they lived wholly on grain, fruits, and vegetables; but they sustain only twelve millions scantily, while animal food is made the basis of humane subsistence.

XIII.—Because animals do not present or contain the substance of food in mass, like vegetables; every part of their economy being subservient to their mere existence, and their