is the reason that these petitions are treated with neglect or disdain, by the rulers, who say we commit such cruelty ourselves, that we have no right to interfere in those of the lower class. If we prevent the poor from tormenting a bull, how can we amuse ourselves by torturing a stag? It would, they say, be the height of injustice to the poor whom we love, and who have raised us to the high situations we hold. By such arguments they preserve their own sports-gain the hearty cheers of the multitude by protecting the vices of the public, and part with the bright smiles of their comrades' full beaming upon their faces for their impartial and liberal regard of the rights of the people to do wrong. Disgusted with the scenes of the cattle-market, &c., I endeavoured to dispel my gloom by visiting the opera. On my approaching I found a number of gentlemen's carriages and hired ones contending for precedence, when the continued lashing of the whips, and struggling of the poor animals with the pain was beyond my power to describe. I looked in the insides, thinking that the gentlemen and ladies there would endeavour to prevent the cruelty, but they did not appear to hear or see it; most of them were smiling and deeply engaged in conversation. Unluckily at last, a stone-cart with a horse, a perfect skeleton, got in the way in a rut, from which, the utmost force of the lash could not stir it, the moment the horse began to try he was violently beaten, which caused him to hang back. A gibbe, a gibbe, was upon this reiterated by the savages! At length the driver stepping softly to its side, stooped to find the most tender spot, and on which, with a malignant smile, he directed his utmost fury, so that it fell. One man began to kick it, another to lash it, and a third cried out-" he wants a pole-axe in his skull." Observing some well-dressed men looking on, I offered my services to them to assist in keeping off the crowd, and helping the horse to rise, but instead of complying, they grinned at each other, accompanying it by some curious remarks, which I could not comprehend, and in a few seconds several more men of the same stamp were around me. By this time the horse contrived to rise, when the driver laid hold of an iron instrument of torture, called a "bit," and is fixed in the mouth, which he began to push with all his force to make the horse back into an exact spot, this caused the poor animal to fall again, when the driver angrily ejaculated "it is of no use, the old brute which had cost him a pound in Smithfield, and all his keep was dying." I shall never forget the mute eloquence of the oppressed beast on this occasion, he seemed to understand his master's meaning and rolled his haggard eyes on his tormentor, which plainly expressed, "I owe you nothing, I have given you all my very last ounce of strength has been expended in your welfare, and this is my reward!" He then gave his last gasp, and in spite of his barbarous master, here ended a continuation of twenty years' suffering and outrage. : Proceeding to the interior of the theatre, what a different scene presented itself; fascinating music-elegant dresses-beautiful scenery-brilliant lights -and the whole enchanting; but above all, was the affability and politeness of the company to each other. Not a sentiment of harshness in the countenance of one of them; so mild-so polished-and so gentle did these ladies and gentlemen appear, cruelty above all qualities seemed foreign from their natures, still they did not seem to think on the real scene on the outside; which on leaving the theatre, I found in part repeated, and as here ended my day's excursion I will desist, and make further observations at a future opportunity. I remain your sincere Friend, SING MANJOOBORE. MR. PEASE'S BILL. 27th March, 1835. Abstract of a bill to consolidate and amend the several laws relating to the cruel and improper treatment of animals, and the mischiefs arising from the driving of cattle, and to make other provisions thereto. Note. The words in italics are proposed to be inserted by the Committee. PREAMBLE. Expresses that the object of the bill is to repeal the present acts to prevent Cruelty to Animals, and to establish an act in lieu of them that shall combine their substance, with extended power, which particularly relates to slaughtering, and the neglecting to give them food, and also provides against the mischiefs arising from improper driving of cattle. Clause 1. Repeals the Smithfield act 21, Geo. 3, cap. 67, Mr. Certain acts Martin's act 3, Geo. 4, cap. 71, and the clauses of an act 3 and part of acts Wm. 4, which relate to the driving of cattle, and the keeping 21, Geo. 3, of pits. repealed, viz. cap. 67, and 3, Geo. 4, cap. 71. cattle or us Clause 2. Enacts, that if any person shall wantonly, or cruelly Any person beat, abuse, torture, whip, ill-treat, bait, or keep without suf- ill-treating ficient food and nourishment for a longer space than twenty-four iug cruelty in hours, any horse, mare, gelding, bull, ox, cow, heifer, steer, carrying them calf, mule, ass, sheep, lamb, dog, or any other cattle or domes- in carts, &c. tic animal; or convey, or cause be conveyed in any waggon, or doing damcart, or otherwise, any calf, sheep, lamb, or other animal, in age to persons by the improany cruel manner, so as to cause unnecessary torture or pain; or per driving of cause any mischief to persons, by improper driving, or misbehav- cattle, to be ing himself, he shall be compelled, besides paying for the injury, fined and imto forfeit a sum not exceeding Five Pounds, nor less than Twenty prisoned at the discretion of a Shillings, with costs as the justice may think proper; or the offen- justice; and der shall, at the discretion of the justice, be committed to gaol, on a second &c., for any term not exceeding one calendar month, nor less than offence to be fourteen days; and for a second offence, the offender shall be committed to committed to imprisonment and hard labour, for any term not prison. exceeding three calendar months, nor less than two, as such justice shall think fit. Clause 3. Empowers the Court of Mayor and Aldermen of Court of mayor London, and Courts of Quarter Sessions to make rules relative and alderman, &c., to make to the driving of cattle, and the regulation of slaughter-houses, rules. &c., (where cattle are kept, which are not the property of the owner,) and to the prevention of cruelty within their jurisdiction, and also to settle the penalties, not exceeding five pounds, nor less than twenty shillings. to determine Clause 4. Authorizes that one proper magistrate may summa- Any one justice rily enforce the preceding clause, and expresses that if any person against such fined under it, shall neglect, or refuse to pay, he shall be impri- rules. soned for any time not exceeding one calendar month, unless the fine, &c. should be sooner paid. Abstract of rules, &c., to be published. Vestries to ap point inspectors of public markets, &c. Duties of inspectors. Any justice may appoint inspectors. Inspectors may enter and view Clause 5. Enacts, that abstracts of the several rules made by these Courts, shall within fourteen days after their establishment, be placarded in the streets. Clause 6. Enacts, that every person whom the law empowers to vote in parish vestries, may assemble at stated times, and appoint an inspector or inspectors in every slaughter-house or cellar, market, &c., where cattle are kept, which is not the property of the owner, so that there shall always be one inspector to it at least, also of every pit, &c., kept for the purpose of baiting or running bulls, or baiting or fighting bears, dogs, or other animals, whether of a domestic, or wild nature or kind, or fighting cocks, as shall be situate within their respective parishes. Clause 7. Enacts, that every such inspector, shall and may, without any other authority, attend at all the places alluded to in the foregoing clause, and if he should see in them the provisions of this act violated, he shall use his utmost endeavours to prevent a repetition, and may summarily seize and convey before a justice the offender. Clause 8. Extends the same power to justices of appointing such inspectors Clause 9. Enacts, that, if on information on oath before a slaughter-hou-justice, it shall appear to him that any person is ill-treating any ses, pits, &c., animal in the way this act forbids, or is about to bait, run, or on special war- fight, or to aid and assist in baiting, running, or fighting any rant from a jus- bull, bear, dog, or other animal, whether of a domestic or wild tice. nature or kind; or fighting cocks in any slaughter-house or other place, the proper justices may grant a warrant to the inspector, &c., to enter and search at any time of the day or night, and after having made known his business, to use force for making such entry, whether by breaking open doors or otherwise, and to remain there any reasonable time, and convey any offenders against this act before a justice. Clause 10. Empowers the vestries to pay such inspectors out Inspectors to seers. Persons keeping pits for fighting dogs, Clause 11. Enacts, that if any person is found to keep a pit for the baiting or fighting of animals, as described in Clause 6, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and also be liable to be fined, not exceeding five pounds, nor less than forty shillings, for every day he shall keep the place open; and that any person sance and liable acting as the owner, or taking money there shall be deemed the to penalties. or baiting bears, &c., guilty of nui Impounders of cattle to feed them. Persons may owner. Clause 12. Enacts, that every person who shall impound any cattle, shall supply them with good and sufficient food and nourishment, the expense of which shall be paid by the owner, and that the impounder may either proceed against the owner for the amount, if not paid, or publicly sell the animal, after three days' public notice, and return to the owner the overplus if any. Clause 13. Authorizes any person to enter pounds to feed ter pounds cattle, if left more than twenty-four hours without proper food. ed cattle. Clause 14. Enacts, that if any impounder shall neglect pro- Penalty on imperly to feed the cattle which he shall have confined, any other pounders neg person may do so instead, and charge him with five shillings per cattle. lecting to feed day for each animal. offenders. Clause 15. Enacts, that when either the owner or constable, Any constable, or other person previously appointed inspector, shall have seen &c. may seize any of the said offences committed, or shall be informed of them by any person giving him his address, he may seize the offender and convey him before a justice. Clause 16. Enacts, that if any person apprehended, refuse to As to names of give his address, he shall be imprisoned for one month. offenders. Clause 17. Limits the power of prosecution to three calendar Limitation of months from the offence; and admits the evidence of the plain- summary proceedings. tiff, and also of any overseer, or inhabitant of the parish. Clause 18. Enacts, that when the fine, costs, and damage As to convicshall not exceed five pounds, and not be duly paid, the magis- tions. trate may (unless where otherwise specially directed) imprison the offender for two months or less until paid, either with or without hard labour; but when the amount shall be between five and ten pounds, for four months or less, and for six months or less, if more. Mode of pro penalties, &c. Clause 19. Enacts, that in cases where no other mode of proceeding is provided for by this act, or the offender is not con- ceeding for veyed before a justice within thirty days of the offence, any proper justice may summon the accused, at a time and place to be named by the justice, who may then (with one witness) decide the case, though the accused should not attend. Clause 20. Requires that all convictions under this act shall Summonses, be made out according to the schedule annexed. Clause 21. Compels the attendance of witnesses, if summoned, and their evidence to be given, under a penalty of five pounds in default. convictions, Penalties on Clause 22. Enacts, that whether any summons shall be deli- Service of jusvered on the person, or left at his usual or last residence, it shall tices's sumbe valid. mons. Clause 23. Enacts, that if any constable, &c., shall refuse or Penalties on neglect to serve any such summons or warrants, he shall be fined constable refive pounds or less, or be imprisoned for one month or less till fusing to serve paid. summons, &c. Clause 24. Provides that of the penalties, half shall go to the Distribution of poor of the parish, and half with full costs to the prosecutor, penalties, &c. and that all damages shall be paid to the injured party. Clause 25. Forbids that any person should be disqualified Informants or from being a competent witness, on account of his being entitled complainants to the reward. not disquali fied. actions. Clause 26. Limits all prosecutions and actions under this act Limitations of to three months, and settles the place under which it falls, also requiring that due notice of any such action shall be given to the defendant at least one month beforehand, and that the Construction of the act. defendant may plead the general issue, and give this act and any other thing in evidence; also that if the cause or action should appear to arise from, or in any respect to any thing done under this act, or if brought after three months, or in a wrong place, or proper notice shall not have been given, or if due compensation shall have been made or provided, the jury shall find a verdict for the defendant, or if the plaintiff should become nonsuited or give up, or lose the cause, the defendant shall have his full costs from the plaintiff. And that, although, a verdict may be given for the plaintiff, such plaintiff shall not have costs unless the judge should choose. Clause 27. Expresses that wherever in this act the singular terms used in number, or the masculine or feminine gender only are used, the plural, and the other sex is also meant, unless otherwise expressed or implied; and that the word "cattle" shall be taken for any horse, mare, gelding, bull, ox, cow, heifer, steer, calf, mule, ass, sheep, or lamb, or any other cattle or domestic animal. Much good to the cause would undoubtedly be achieved where this bill established, in one or two points however we should prefer that it were different. In the first place, we think (in Clause 2nd) the increasing the minimum of fine from 10s., as in Mr. Martin's act, to 20s., is objectionable, as it would cause magistrates much more seldom to fine at all, or only in costs; and the reducing the maximum of imprisonment (in some cases) from three months, as in Mr. Martin's act, to one, also appears objectionable, as the efficacy of the imprisonment would be thereby rendered less strong, as a short imprisonment would be chosen by defendants to save a high fine. Also in Clause 16th we do not coincide in wishing a power to be vested in plaintiffs to summon witnesses, as magistrates would, we have reason to think then exact, that it was done, and unwilling or ill-disposed witnesses would be produced to defeat the plaintiff. We also, should have been highly glad if the bill had provided a power to render masters responsible for the appearance of their servants, the want of which is most detrimental to the working of the law on this subject. MR. MESSER'S SAFETY REINS. An appendage to the bridle of a horse has lately been invented by Mr. Messer, against the adoption of which, humanity requires our dissent; the following explanation of this invention, in the author's own words will show its merits, "Letter A (of the drawing) represents a mechanical contrivance, which, when necessary, acts with so intense a pressure against the WINDPIPE, that no horse under its peculiar and irresistible influence can have a will of its own; for however powerful or viciously disposed, an animal may be under the controul of the patent bridle, he has no alternative but submission to the wishes of his rider or driver, and that too, without involving injury to the beast, or danger to the man." 66 The intense pressure" is effected by means of pulleys attached to the bridle which multiply the force applied, and are so disposed as not only to act with an intense pressure against the windpipe, but also in the mouth. In consequence of the disapprobation of the Society, the following note was addressed to Mr. Messer accompanied by a tract. "With Mr. L. Gompertz's compliments to Mr. Messer, hoping a perusal of the inclosed work will induce him to withdraw so cruel an instrument of |