'T is a worthless science which is acquired at the expense of that humanity which is highly necessary in our journey through life. The cruelty, not to say ingratitude, of gibbeting or impaling alive, so many innocent beautiful beings, in return for the pleasure they afford us in the display of their lovely tints and glowing colours, is abominable.
"Could the figure, instincts, and qualities of birds, beasts, insects, reptiles and fish be ascertained," says Sir William Jones, "either on the plan of Buffon, or on that of Linnæus, without giving pain to the objects of our examination, few studies would afford us more solid instruction, or more exquisite delight: but I never could learn by what right, nor conceive with what feelings, a naturalist can occasion the misery of an innocent bird, and leave it's young, perhaps, to perish in a cold nest, because it has gay plumage, and has never been accurately delineated; or deprive, even a butterfly, of it's natural enjoyments, because it has the misfortune to be rare and beautiful: nor shall I ever forget the couplet of Ferdausi, for which Sadi, who cites it with applause, pours blessings on his departed spirit.
Ah! spare yon emmet, rich in hoarded grain;
he lives in pleasure, "but he dies with pain."
Teignmouth's Memoirs, v. ii, p. 356.
The Preserving of Birds and Animals, has, of late years, become a trade, among the commonest mechanics, whose employment it is to destroy them for the purpose of disposing of their bodies, after they are fitted up in boxes with glass before them. Many have been thus savagely curious in purchasing great numbers of them to decorate rooms, which they take pleasure in exhibiting to their friends.
Some obtain birds by finding their nests, and then,
