Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/35

Rh live for ever, to be fit for the ſociety of angels, and good men made perfect. This world, I told you, was a road to a better—a preparation for it; if we ſuffer, we grow humbler and wiſer: but animals have not this advantage, and man ſhould not prevent their enjoying all the happineſs of which they are capable.

A ſhe-cat or dog have ſuch ſtrong parental affection, that if you take away their young, it almoſt kills them; ſome have actually died of grief when all have been taken away; though you do not ſeem to miſs the greatest part.

A bitch had once all her litter ſtolen from her, and drowned in a neighbouring brook: ſhe ſought them out, and brought them one by one, laid them at the feet of her cruel matter;—and looking wiſtfully at them for ſome time, in dumb anguiſh, turning her eyes to the deſtroyer, ſhe expired!

I myself knew a man who had hardened his heart to ſuch a degree, that he found pleaſure in tormenting every creature whom he had any power over. I ſaw him let two Rh