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 ¬I afterwards asked him to account for it, which he did as follows : — ¬" Our great Assembly, which suffers so much in your opinion, has, I believe, no equal in any nation, and like every thing else in Armata, has acquired its value by time and events improved on by the wisdom of our people ; so far from being open to any general censure for versatility of opinions, the union of the judicial and legis- lative jurisdictions has given it a high character for independence and justice; a succession of great and learned men have flourished there for ages, and when I shall have made you acquainted with many of its members, I am sure you will be reconciled to the rest. ¬" The history of this national misfortune (for so I must consider it) is a very short one. The right of all animals to protection, but more especially of those without whose aids the con- dition of mankind would be helpless, is a claim so irresistible, that when faithfully stated, it was ¬sure ¬ /n